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The Kanchenjunga Circuit

To both the north and south base camps of Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak — Nepal's remotest great trek, walked far from any road for the better part of three weeks.

22 Days / 21 Nights Physical Grading 5 out of 5 5,143 m (Pangpema, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp) Kanchenjunga Region, Nepal
Starting from $3,100 per person

Overview

Nepal's remotest great trek, reaching not one but both base camps of Kanchenjunga — the world's third-highest peak, sacred to the Limbu and Sherpa communities who live in its shadow. A full circuit around the massif, crossing high passes and two distinct valleys, walked far from any road for the better part of three weeks.

This circuit reaches both of Kanchenjunga's base camps in a single continuous trek: Pangpema in the north, and Oktang in the south, connected by the Selele La passes rather than a return to the trailhead. The approach takes five days from Kathmandu — a full day in the city, then a flight to Bhadrapur in Nepal's far southeast, followed by a long drive up to Taplejung before the trekking begins.

Two acclimatization points are built in: a rest day at Ghunsa and the natural pacing of the Selele crossing. This remains a genuinely demanding, restricted-area trek with minimal infrastructure throughout — simple guesthouses rather than lodges, and long trekking days between them.

Highlights

  • Pangpema, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (5,143 m), with close views of the mountain's sheer north face
  • Oktang, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4,730 m), reached via an entirely different valley from the north side
  • Ghunsa, a Tibetan Buddhist Sherpa village and the circuit's main acclimatization stop
  • Crossing the Selele La passes, the high connecting link between the north and south valleys
  • Remote Limbu and Sherpa villages rarely visited outside this specific circuit
  • A landscape shifting from subtropical lower valleys to high alpine terrain across three weeks of walking

The Shape of the Trek

Sleep altitude each night — the acclimatization pattern at a glance.

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 4,780 m Day 1 Day 21
1,400 m · Day 1 · Kathmandu
1,400 m · Day 2 · Kathmandu
90 m · Day 3 · Fikkal/Kanyam
1,820 m · Day 4 · Taplejung
1,585 m · Day 5 · Sukethum
2,396 m · Day 6 · Amjilosa
2,730 m · Day 7 · Gyabla
3,417 m · Day 8 · Ghunsa
3,417 m · Day 9 · Ghunsa
4,050 m · Day 10 · Khambachen
4,780 m · Day 11 · Lhonak
4,780 m · Day 12 · Lhonak
3,417 m · Day 13 · Ghunsa
4,200 m · Day 14 · Selele Camp
3,870 m · Day 15 · Tseram
4,580 m · Day 16 · Ramche
3,870 m · Day 17 · Tseram
2,995 m · Day 18 · Tortong
2,144 m · Day 19 · Yasang
1,820 m · Day 20 · Taplejung
1,400 m · Day 21 · Kathmandu

Departure Dates

No scheduled dates for this trek yet — we run it on the dates that suit you. If you’re planning a trek for a group of friends or family, talk to our specialist and we’ll build it around you.

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The route

Route Map

10 stops · 1 flight · 11 trekking sections

NEPALKathmanduSTART · ENDTaplejungAmjilosaGyablaGhunsaLhonakGhunsaTseramRamcheTseramTortongYasangTaplejung
By road By air On foot

Day-by-Day Itinerary

22 days on the trail, mapped one by one — no need to expand anything.

Day of 22

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu

Overnight: Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu and check in to a 3-star or above hotel.

Day 1 of 22

Arrival in Kathmandu

Altitude: 1,350 m
Overnight: Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu and check in to a 3-star or above hotel.
Day 2

Kathmandu — Trek Preparation

Day 2

Kathmandu — Trek Preparation

Overnight: Kathmandu

Free time for last-minute trekking gear, a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a walk through Ason — one of Kathmandu's oldest and busiest local markets — and a visit to Boudhanath Stupa.

Day 2 of 22

Kathmandu — Trek Preparation

Altitude: 1,350 m
Overnight: Kathmandu

Free time for last-minute trekking gear, a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a walk through Ason — one of Kathmandu's oldest and busiest local markets — and a visit to Boudhanath Stupa.
Day 3

Fly to Bhadrapur, Drive to Fikkal/Kanyam

Day 3

Fly to Bhadrapur, Drive to Fikkal/Kanyam

Kathmandu → Bhadrapur (flight) → Fikkal/Kanyam (drive)

Overnight: Fikkal/Kanyam

Fly to Bhadrapur in Nepal's far southeast, then drive up into the hills to Fikkal or Kanyam for the night.

Day 3 of 22

Fly to Bhadrapur, Drive to Fikkal/Kanyam

Kathmandu → Bhadrapur (flight) → Fikkal/Kanyam (drive)

Altitude: Bhadrapur 90 m
Time: Flight 45 min; drive 5–6 h
Overnight: Fikkal/Kanyam

Fly to Bhadrapur in Nepal's far southeast, then drive up into the hills to Fikkal or Kanyam for the night.
Day 4

Drive to Taplejung

Day 4

Drive to Taplejung

Overnight: Taplejung (1,820 m)

Drive on to Taplejung, the district headquarters and the last major town before the trek begins.

Day 4 of 22

Drive to Taplejung

Altitude: 1,820 m
Time: 5–6 h drive
Overnight: Taplejung (1,820 m)

Drive on to Taplejung, the district headquarters and the last major town before the trek begins.
Day 5

Trek to Sukethum

Day 5

Trek to Sukethum

Taplejung → Sukethum

Overnight: Sukethum (1,585 m)

The trek proper begins, descending toward the Tamor river valley to Sukethum.

Day 5 of 22

Trek to Sukethum

Taplejung → Sukethum

Altitude: 1,585 m
Time: 5–6 h
Overnight: Sukethum (1,585 m)

The trek proper begins, descending toward the Tamor river valley to Sukethum.
Day 6

Trek to Amjilosa

Day 6

Trek to Amjilosa

Sukethum → Amjilosa

Overnight: Amjilosa (2,396 m)

A long climbing day up the valley to Amjilosa.

Day 6 of 22

Trek to Amjilosa

Sukethum → Amjilosa

Altitude: 2,396 m
Time: 6–7 h
Overnight: Amjilosa (2,396 m)

A long climbing day up the valley to Amjilosa.
Day 7

Trek to Gyabla

Day 7

Trek to Gyabla

Amjilosa → Gyabla

Overnight: Gyabla (2,730 m)

Continue up the valley to Gyabla.

Day 7 of 22

Trek to Gyabla

Amjilosa → Gyabla

Altitude: 2,730 m
Time: 4–5 h
Overnight: Gyabla (2,730 m)

Continue up the valley to Gyabla.
Day 8

Trek to Ghunsa

Day 8

Trek to Ghunsa

Gyabla → Ghunsa

Overnight: Ghunsa (3,417 m)

Trek to Ghunsa, a Tibetan Buddhist Sherpa village and the circuit's main acclimatization stop.

Day 8 of 22

Trek to Ghunsa

Gyabla → Ghunsa

Altitude: 3,417 m
Time: 4–5 h
Overnight: Ghunsa (3,417 m)

Trek to Ghunsa, a Tibetan Buddhist Sherpa village and the circuit's main acclimatization stop.
Day 9

Ghunsa — Acclimatization

Day 9 Acclimatization

Ghunsa — Acclimatization

Overnight: Ghunsa (3,417 m)

An acclimatization day at Ghunsa, with optional short hikes above the village.

Day 9 of 22

Ghunsa — Acclimatization

Altitude: 3,417 m
Overnight: Ghunsa (3,417 m)

An acclimatization day at Ghunsa, with optional short hikes above the village.
Day 10

Trek to Khambachen

Day 10

Trek to Khambachen

Ghunsa → Khambachen

Overnight: Khambachen (4,050 m)

Trek up the valley to Khambachen.

Day 10 of 22

Trek to Khambachen

Ghunsa → Khambachen

Altitude: 4,050 m
Time: 4–5 h
Overnight: Khambachen (4,050 m)

Trek up the valley to Khambachen.
Day 11

Trek to Lhonak

Day 11

Trek to Lhonak

Khambachen → Lhonak

Overnight: Lhonak (4,780 m)

Continue climbing to Lhonak, positioned for the push to North Base Camp.

Day 11 of 22

Trek to Lhonak

Khambachen → Lhonak

Altitude: 4,780 m
Time: 4–6 h
Overnight: Lhonak (4,780 m)

Continue climbing to Lhonak, positioned for the push to North Base Camp.
Day 12

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

Day 12

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

Lhonak → Pangpema → Lhonak

Overnight: Lhonak (4,780 m)

Trek to Pangpema, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, for close views of the mountain's sheer north face, then return to Lhonak for the night.

Day 12 of 22

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

Lhonak → Pangpema → Lhonak

Altitude: 5,143 m at Pangpema
Time: 6–8 h round trip
Overnight: Lhonak (4,780 m)

Trek to Pangpema, Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, for close views of the mountain's sheer north face, then return to Lhonak for the night.
Day 13

Back to Ghunsa

Day 13

Back to Ghunsa

Lhonak → Khambachen (lunch) → Ghunsa

Overnight: Ghunsa (3,417 m)

Retrace the route down the valley, with lunch at Khambachen, back to Ghunsa.

Day 13 of 22

Back to Ghunsa

Lhonak → Khambachen (lunch) → Ghunsa

Altitude: 3,417 m
Time: 6–8 h
Overnight: Ghunsa (3,417 m)

Retrace the route down the valley, with lunch at Khambachen, back to Ghunsa.
Day 14

Trek to Selele Camp

Day 14

Trek to Selele Camp

Ghunsa → Selele Camp

Overnight: Selele Camp (4,200 m)

Climb out of the Ghunsa valley toward Selele Camp, positioning for the crossing into the southern valley.

Day 14 of 22

Trek to Selele Camp

Ghunsa → Selele Camp

Altitude: 4,200 m
Time: 3–5 h
Overnight: Selele Camp (4,200 m)

Climb out of the Ghunsa valley toward Selele Camp, positioning for the crossing into the southern valley.
Day 15

Crossing to Tseram

Day 15

Crossing to Tseram

Selele Camp → Tseram

Overnight: Tseram (3,870 m)

Cross the Selele La passes — three in succession — the high connecting link between Kanchenjunga's north and south valleys, descending to Tseram.

Day 15 of 22

Crossing to Tseram

Selele Camp → Tseram

Altitude: 3,870 m
Time: 3–5 h, via three passes
Overnight: Tseram (3,870 m)

Cross the Selele La passes — three in succession — the high connecting link between Kanchenjunga's north and south valleys, descending to Tseram.
Day 16

Trek to Ramche

Day 16

Trek to Ramche

Tseram → Ramche

Overnight: Ramche (4,580 m)

A shorter day up the southern valley to Ramche, positioning for Kanchenjunga's south base camp.

Day 16 of 22

Trek to Ramche

Tseram → Ramche

Altitude: 4,580 m
Time: 3–4 h
Overnight: Ramche (4,580 m)

A shorter day up the southern valley to Ramche, positioning for Kanchenjunga's south base camp.
Day 17

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

Day 17

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

Ramche → Oktang → Tseram

Overnight: Tseram (3,870 m)

Trek to Oktang, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, reached via an entirely different valley from the north side, then back to Tseram.

Day 17 of 22

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

Ramche → Oktang → Tseram

Altitude: 4,730 m at Oktang
Time: 5–7 h round trip
Overnight: Tseram (3,870 m)

Trek to Oktang, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, reached via an entirely different valley from the north side, then back to Tseram.
Day 18

Trek to Tortong

Day 18

Trek to Tortong

Tseram → Tortong

Overnight: Tortong (2,995 m)

Begin the descent out of the high country to Tortong.

Day 18 of 22

Trek to Tortong

Tseram → Tortong

Altitude: 2,995 m
Time: 4–5 h
Overnight: Tortong (2,995 m)

Begin the descent out of the high country to Tortong.
Day 19

Trek to Yasang

Day 19

Trek to Yasang

Tortong → Yasang

Overnight: Yasang (2,144 m)

Continue descending toward the lower valley to Yasang.

Day 19 of 22

Trek to Yasang

Tortong → Yasang

Altitude: 2,144 m
Time: 5–6 h
Overnight: Yasang (2,144 m)

Continue descending toward the lower valley to Yasang.
Day 20

Trek to Hellok, Drive to Taplejung

Day 20

Trek to Hellok, Drive to Taplejung

Yasang → Hellok → Taplejung (drive)

Overnight: Taplejung (1,820 m)

A final short trekking day to Hellok, then drive back to Taplejung.

Day 20 of 22

Trek to Hellok, Drive to Taplejung

Yasang → Hellok → Taplejung (drive)

Altitude: 1,820 m
Time: 2–3 h trek, then 4–5 h drive
Overnight: Taplejung (1,820 m)

A final short trekking day to Hellok, then drive back to Taplejung.
Day 21

Return to Kathmandu

Day 21

Return to Kathmandu

Taplejung → Bhadrapur (drive) → Kathmandu (flight)

Overnight: Kathmandu

Drive to Bhadrapur, then fly back to Kathmandu, checking in to a 3-star or above hotel.

Day 21 of 22

Return to Kathmandu

Taplejung → Bhadrapur (drive) → Kathmandu (flight)

Altitude: 1,350 m
Overnight: Kathmandu

Drive to Bhadrapur, then fly back to Kathmandu, checking in to a 3-star or above hotel.
Day 22

Departure

Day 22

Departure

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure.

Day 22 of 22

Departure

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for final departure.

Essential Gear

  • Sleeping bag rated to −15 °C or colder for Lhonak, Pangpema, and Ramche
  • Microspikes and trekking poles for the Selele La three-pass sequence
  • Down jacket and full cold-weather layering system for both base camp pushes
  • Headlamp with spare batteries for early starts on the long trekking days
  • Water purification; category 3–4 sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
  • Cash for the whole trek — no ATMs after Taplejung

Good to Know

  • Kanchenjunga is a restricted region: a licensed guide is mandatory, and a minimum group size applies — confirm current rules with your operator when booking.
  • Infrastructure is minimal throughout — simple guesthouses rather than lodges, and long trekking days between them. This is not a route with the amenity level of Everest or Annapurna.
  • Two acclimatization points are built in — the rest day at Ghunsa and the natural pacing of the Selele La crossing — but both base camp pushes (Pangpema and Oktang) sit well above 4,700 m and demand genuine altitude discipline.
  • Insurance must cover trekking above 5,200 m and helicopter evacuation from one of Nepal's most remote trekking regions.
  • October–November and March–May offer the most stable weather; confirm current conditions on the Selele La crossing with your guide, since snow can affect the three-pass sequence into the southern valley.

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