Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

22 days
From $2,490 $2,750 /person

Start / finish

Taplejung

Duration

22 days

Style

Teahouse / camping mix

Difficulty

Strenuous

Trip Highlights

Ghunsa, Pangpema, Ramche, Sele La

Overview

A long eastern Nepal approach to the north and south base camps of the third-highest mountain, with rhododendron forest and few other groups.

Trip Short Itinerary

1
Fly to Bhadrapur, drive to Taplejung 1820 m
2
Into the Tamur valley 1600 m
3
Ghunsa 3595 m
4
Pangpema (north base camp) 5140 m
5
Cross toward the south side 4290 m

What's included

Airport transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers as listed in the itinerary.

Accommodation

Hotels or lodges on a twin-share basis unless noted otherwise.

Meals as listed

Breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner on touring or trekking days.

Licensed guide

An English-speaking guide for the full programme.

Restricted-area permit

Kanchenjunga RAP arranged before you leave Kathmandu.

What's excluded

International flights

Arrival and departure flights are not included unless stated.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive cover including medical evacuation is required.

Visa fees

Entry visas and any on-arrival charges.

Personal expenses

Drinks, laundry, tips and items of a personal nature.

Route & elevation

Start 1,820m Peak 5,140m End 4,290m

Elevation profile

0 1,375 2,750 4,125 5,500 Height (m) 1,820m 1 1,600m 2 3,595m 3 5,140m 4 4,290m 5 Day

Day-by-day itinerary

A long transfer day into Nepal’s far east.

Accommodation

Lodge

Food / Meal

B L D

Cardamom fields and the first real walking day.

Accommodation

Teahouse

Food / Meal

B L D

Tibetan-influenced village and the last comfortable lodge before the north side.

Accommodation

Teahouse

Food / Meal

B L D

The Kanchenjunga wall at close range. Rest and photographs, then back.

Accommodation

Teahouse

Food / Meal

B L D

Sele La if weather allows; the itinerary flexes for snow.

Accommodation

Teahouse

Food / Meal

B L D

Upcoming departures

30 Sep 2026

Available $2,490 / person
Book

24 Oct 2026

Guaranteed $2,490 / person

Small group

Book

26 Nov 2026

Available $2,490 / person
Book

31 Dec 2026

Sold out $2,490 / person

Waitlist only

Unavailable

Gear & equipments

Headwear

Sun cap

Brimmed cap for hot, high-UV trail days.

Wool beanie

Warm hat for mornings above the treeline.

Buff / neck gaiter

Dust, wind and cold on high passes.

Glacier sunglasses

Category 4 lenses for snow glare.

Headlamp

Pre-dawn starts and unlit teahouse corridors.

Upper body

Merino base layer (top)

Wicking next-to-skin layer for cold mornings.

Long-sleeve trekking shirt

Sun protection on exposed ridges.

Fleece mid-layer

Warmth at rest stops without bulk.

Down jacket

Camp and high-altitude evenings.

Waterproof shell

Hooded jacket for rain and wind.

Lower body

Trekking trousers

Quick-dry pants for long walking days.

Thermal leggings

Base layer for cold nights and high camps.

Waterproof overtrousers

Keep legs dry on monsoon or snow days.

Lightweight shorts

Warm valley days at the start of the trek.

Underwear (synthetic)

Several pairs; cotton stays wet.

Footwear

Broken-in trekking boots

Ankle support on rocky, uneven trails.

Camp sandals

Air feet out at the lodge.

Wool trekking socks

Three to four pairs, rotated daily.

Liner socks

Reduce blisters on long descent days.

Gaiters

Keep snow and scree out of boots.

Hands & sleep

Fleece gloves

Morning starts and windy ridges.

Insulated mittens

Pass days above 5,000 m.

Sleeping bag (−10 °C)

Teahouse rooms are unheated.

Silk liner

Hygiene layer and a little extra warmth.

Inflatable pillow

Lodge pillows vary wildly.

Bags & trekking

Duffel (porter, 15 kg)

Soft bag for the porter; 15 kg is the usual limit.

Daypack (25–35 L)

Water, layers, camera and snacks.

Rain cover

For both duffel and daypack.

Trekking poles

Save knees on long descents.

Dry bags

Keep electronics and spare clothes dry.

Hydration & food

Water bottles (2 L total)

Refill at lodges; purification as backup.

Water purification

Tablets or a filter for trail water.

Thermos flask

Hot tea on cold pass mornings.

Trail snacks

Nuts, bars and glucose for long days.

Electrolyte sachets

Replace salt lost at altitude.

Hygiene

Biodegradable soap

Lodges have limited washing water.

Quick-dry towel

Compact towel for occasional showers.

Toothbrush and paste

Basic kit; carry-on size.

Toilet paper

Not always provided above Namche.

Hand sanitiser

Before meals on the trail.

Health & documents

Personal first-aid kit

Blister care, pain relief, personal meds.

Diamox (if prescribed)

Talk to your doctor before you fly.

Sunscreen SPF 50

UV is fierce above 4,000 m.

Lip balm with SPF

Stops cracking in dry, cold air.

Passport copies and permits

Checkpoints will ask; keep a spare set dry.

Electronics

Power bank

Lodge charging is slow and often extra.

Universal adapter

Nepal uses a mix of sockets.

Phone with offline maps

Download the route before Lukla.

Spare camera battery

Cold drains cells fast.

E-reader or cards

Long teahouse evenings.

Useful information

April–May and October–November.

Trekker reviews

Helen Park

South Korea

“Kanchenjunga is the one we still talk about”

Long, quiet, and properly supported. We never felt like the first group the kitchen had seen that week — because we were not.

Frequently asked

Planning

April–May and October–November.
Yes — ask when you enquire and we will price a private departure.
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