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Duration : 20 days
Availability : Throughout the year
Max Altitude : 5380m
Min Age : 2
Trip Style : Trekking
Trip Grade:
Package Grade
Demanding to Strenuous
1929
From $1895
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Trip Highlights

See the amazing Yulang glacier which flows into the Tamor river
Witness amazing change in geography as you climb in altitude from one of the low points in Nepal to one of the highest points
Visit Ramtang and Oktang monastaries

Overview

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is located in eastern Nepal, close to the borders with Sikkim and Tibet, and it circles the foot of Mt. Kanchenjunga, which is the third-highest peak in the world (8,586m). During this trip, you will have the opportunity to discover a virtually unfathomable variety of Himalayan views, ethnic cultures, and landscapes. Our journey starts in the lowlands, and on the route to the alpine zone, we travel through terraced fields, colorful villages, yak pastures, and lush woodlands full of pink barked rhododendrons. As you make your way to the summit, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of some of the highest mountains in the world, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga.

Along the walk, there is a chance of seeing a variety of animals, including snow leopards, Asian black bears, and red pandas, to name just a few.  However, they are difficult to locate on the trail due to their elusive nature. You will observe a variety of birds when you are out trekking, such as pheasants, partridges, and others. The mysterious yeti is said to also call the eastern Himalayas home, according to local legend.

During the Kanchenjunga Circuit, hikers will have the opportunity to visit both the northern and southern Kanchenjunga base camps. s you hike into the higher arts of the Kanchanjunga valley, you will come across locals who have  Tibetan heritage who will greet you with warmth and a grin.

During the course of the walk, participants will have the opportunity to take in breathtaking panoramas of mountains like as Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu, Kambachen, Tent Peak, and Chang Himal.

The journey around Kanchenjunga is a truly unforgettable experience. You are cordially invited by Accessible Adventure to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to a part of the globe that has been subject to a limited amount of human habitation.

Best Season to hike for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The best times to complete this hike are the spring months of March through May and the fall months of October and November, as is the case with nearly all other treks in the Nepalese Himalaya. On average, the sky is clearest in the fall, making it a pleasant but crowded time to go hiking. However, the 

Kanchenjunga Circuit hike is less crowded than others because it is still relatively unexplored. In the spring, the flora and fauna are at their peak, making for picturesque walks through the woods and along valleys. When the weather is nice, this is the second most popular time to go on this hike. In addition, the climate is quite agreeable during these times of year, never getting too hot or too cold to be uncomfortable.

Due to rain and snow, the trails become dangerously slippery during the winter (December–January) and monsoon (July–August).

Why Accessible Adventure? 

Accessible Adventures is a reputable travel company that has been organizing treks and excursions in the Annapurna  area for more than a decade. We are easy to work with, adaptable, and will fulfill all of your needs. In addition, Accessible Adventures operates a hotel in Kathmandu where we can customize rooms to meet your individual needs.

Our guides have completed a range of training programs in which they practice and prepare for the trip during the tourist off-season, noting the terrain and routes in the region. This is to guarantee that our guests have the best experience possible during the busiest season.

Other benefits of booking your trip via Accessible Adventure include: 

  • Best Price for Trip guaranteed
  • No need to spend time meticulously planning trips in a foreign land and getting a headache
  • Book a trip with ease and convenience without hassle 
  • Safe trips planned with latest environmental scenario and trail knowledge from experienced guides 
  • Get increased security as guides take care of your well being
  • Make your trip socially exciting as guides tell you about the local area, customs and environment and help you communicate with locals. 
  • Guides with excellent high altitude emergency training
  • Ethical tourism practices whereby locals are supported  by the booking

With over 30 years of personal travel experience, including peak-climbing and visiting Nepal's most popular tourist spots, we are aware of the difficulties that may arise for both you, the traveller, and the guides and porters that we employ, throughout your journey. Because of our personal experiences in a variety of locations, including EBC, ABC, and others, we have been able to customize trips and make the adventure seem more comfortable and private. We offer the greatest professional services while treating each client like family.

Itinerary

When you reach in Kathmandu, our airport agent will greet you. We will make certain that your travel needs are met while you are in our care. As there are no scheduled activities for the day, we will assist you in checking into your appropriate hotel. You have the option of walking around the neighborhood or resting in your respective rooms.

Accommodation
kathmandu suite home
Meals
B
Time
1hr

Visit to cultural and religious sites of Swayambhunath, called the monkey Temple, Pashupatinath, one of the largest temples in Nepal and Bouddhanath, the large stupa are in our itinerary today.

Pashupatinath Temple:   One of the oldest Hindu temples, Pashupatinath Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as the "Lord of All Beings." Lord Shiva is the embodiment of the universe's destructive aspect. The Pashupatinath complex is traversed by the revered Bagmati river. For those who pass away on the banks of the river, cremation rites are performed by the majority of Hindus in the Kathmandu Valley.

Swayambhunath Stupa:  The Swayambhunath stupa is one of the most revered buddhist stupas in Nepal. It is thought to have materialized when, in ancient times, the Bodhisattva Manjushri carved a canyon at Chhobhar using his flaming sword to drain the waters of the huge lake that was Kathmandu.

Bouddhanath Stupa: Lord Buddha's four pairs of eyes are positioned in the four cardinal directions atop the 2500-year-old Buddhist stupa in the Valley, which was erected in the fifth century. This stupa keeps a constant watch over people and their actions. Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet may be seen spinning prayer wheels as they round the stupa.

 You can also walk around Thamel and Asons around the vicinity of your hotel selling handicraft items and locally made trinkets and clothes. Ason, the oldest market in Kathmandu also lies a few hundred meters from your hotel. You can shop for spices, tea, brass statues, and decorative jars in this market.

This day is also kept as a contingency day in case flight delays are faced. 

Accommodation
kathmandu suite home
Meals
B
Time
5 hr

Today, we head to the domestic airport from our hotel via private vehicle. Once we are done with the airport formalities, we board a flight to Bhadrapur towards the Southeast of Nepal. The flight is very scenic and shows wonderful views of the nearby mountains like Lhotse, Everest and Kanchenjunga.  We could also take a direct flight to Taplejung but since flights are rare and prone to cancellation. So we take the flight to Bhadrapur and drive to Illam. Illam is a beautiful town with amazing tea farms that slope down the hills making for a green and clean environment. The drive to Illam will take us a couple of hours. 

We’ll stay at a resort close to the tea garden and explore the town of Illam. After this we retire for the day. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
8-9hr

Today we wake up at beautiful Illam amid the tea gardens and after breakfast head towards Taplejung. The drive to Taplejung takes around 7 hours and winds north to the closest large town to Kanchenjunga. Even the drive to Taplejung is full of adventure as we get to see amazing views of the nearby hills and glimpses of the eastern Himalayas. 

We will pass through roads surrounded by terraced rice fields and tea plantations also on the drive. We can even visit the Pathivara temple en route to Taplejung. We will reach Taplejung Bazar and retire into our rooms for the day after a long drive; We can also choose to walk around town and explore whats nearby. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

Today is the first day of the trek. We wake up and grab an early breakfast and with our gear ready head out on the trail. We walk on just beside the Tamor river passing through numerous terraced farms on hills. Following the Tamor river we grab lunch at a teahouse en route at around midday and continue our walk on to Chhiruwa. Chhiruwa has basic accommodations and we stay at a guesthouse located there. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

We begin walking after breakfast and as we continue, we get our permits at the regional Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Checkpoint and head into the conservation area. After walking for some time, we cross a bridge and amid sub-tropical trees we walk through forest landscape until the trail opens up to a large cardomon farm. We cross the small village of Lelep and continue walking until we reach our destination for the day at Japantar. We check into a teahouse at Japantar where we settle for the night. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

We'll start our hike right after breakfast. We'll be doing most of our hiking along a forested path. Perhaps we might take a break and stop by Solima for some tea and relaxation. The trail becomes more physically demanding after Solima due to the ascent. But if you're in good shape, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. We will eventually reach Amjilosa after continuing to ascend the rugged woodland trail. Today is a good day to continue on to Gyabla after stopping for lunch. We're walking through dense forest that, in the spring and summer, is carpeted in rhododendron blooms. When approaching the Tibetan town of Gyabla, we descend for a while and then begin to gain altitude again. We retire at Gyabla for the night. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

We got up early and had breakfast before getting back on the trail. We keep walking along the path until it eventually leads us into a valley. The valley is especially beautiful in the spring, when all of the spring flowers are in their prime and in full bloom. You get to Phale by continuing your walk. Those of us who are hungry can get something to eat at this location. Following lunch, we will get back on our feet and travel along a route through the woods in order to reach the Sherpa community of Ghunsa. It is widely known that the small hydroelectric power station that Ghunsa possesses enables it to supply the surrounding communities with electrical power. We will spend the night in Ghunsa, where we will also have the opportunity to engage in some evening sightseeing if we so choose.

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

After a hearty breakfast at Ghunsa, we hit the trail. Amazing views of the snowy mountains await you during your trek from Ghunsa to Khambachen. Beautiful massifs like Kumbhakarna, Phole Peak (6645m), and Khabur Peak (6332m) may be viewed. 

We're going to follow the Tamor river's north bank. After walking along the trail for a bit, we will begin to ascend through the highland trees.  The next stop is Rampuk Kharka, so we'll get going there. In a small tea room we can have lunch or just get tea. A beautiful waterfall awaits us just beyond the bridge we'll be crossing. Once we get to the other side of the waterfall, we'll finally be in Jannu. We are going to relax here for a little before continuing on to Khambachen. Your overnight destination is Khambachen.

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

Located in the Taplejung area, the picturesque village of Kambachen was formerly a major stop on the historic trade route between Nepal and Tibet. The village's elevation of 3,830 meters above sea level makes it a good place to get acclimated. During your acclimatization time, a hike to Kumbhakarna

Viewpoint at 4,420 meters is a highlight. Hiking to Kumbhakarna View Point is a great way to acclimate to the altitude and enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas. Among the Limbu people, who live in eastern Nepal, Kumbhakarna Mountain is a revered and well-known pilgrimage site.

You can also take a journey to the border with Tibet, which is around four to five hours distant. The day of sightseeing ends with us returning to Kambachen for the night.

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

Today we have a slightly greuling trek to Lhonak. After an early breakfast we begin our trail which starts ascending to Lhonak. The path today can get quite narrow so we have to be careful. Many points on the trail are very rocky due to rockfall from the mountains and this can get slippery in winter. The altitude keeps increasing and mild symptoms of altitude sickness can appear, however this is quite normal. 

As we continue on the trail we eventually reach Lhonak where we stay for the night. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

In the morning, we will begin our day-long trek to Pangpema. Today is the day we summit the mountain! As we make our way through this perilous terrain, we will reach an altitude of five thousand meters. The North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga is located in Pangpema. As we celebrate our accomplishment of reaching this incredible point on the hike, we fill our cameras with shots of the breathtaking vista of the surrounding mountain from base camp. Take in the breathtaking scenery of Jannu, Kanchenjunga, and Chang Himal from the campsite before making your way back to Lhonak over the same trail you came in on.

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

From Lhonak, we descend to the town of Ghunsa today. Heading out early after breakfast. En route we reach Ramtang Monastery. We can explore the monastery and take in the wonderful spiritual vibes and energy to rejuvenate ourselves on the trail. After some rest here, we continue on our trail descending more frequently. Once again, we'll keep going till we reach Kambachen. We'll get a great look at Kanchenjunga, Taple Shikhar, Gimmigela, and Mera Peak on the way.

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

Today is a long and difficult day as we have to cross three mountain passes so get your body ready. After breakfast we head out on our trail  Crossing the Selele Phedi we climb to the Selele Pass. Striking mountain views can be seen from here and we can even see Makalu the fifth highest mountain far In the distance. 

Walking further we descend down only to ascend while crossing the remaining two passes of Sinon La and Mirgin La. Mt. Everest can be seen amazingly as we cross these passes and after the passes we descend quite steeply to reach our rest sto at Tseram. We are quite tired today so its best to just rest early to give our body time to recover. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-7hr

Today after breakfast we continue our descent to Ramche. As we emerge from the forest and make our way into the moraine field of Yarlung Glacier, imposing peaks such as Jannu, Kanchenjunga, and others can be seen rising above the surrounding valley. The Yarlung glacier, which originates in Tibet and flows down into the Yarlung valley, is the source of many of the region's glacial rivers.

Following the taking of some photographs, we will proceed on our way down to Ramche, which will serve as our overnight destination.

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

The trail today is quite easy as we descend further. However it is quite long as you will walk for nearly 8 hours. After breakfast the trail heads through pine and rhododendron forests and follows the Simbuwa river. We reach Dorongdin for lunch and after a brief rest we continue walking along tree lined slopes and green pastures. Some of the descents are very steep so we have to be careful and walk properly so as to not injure our knees. 

We will reach Yamphudin in the evening. The village of Yamphudin is the penultimate day for our trek. We are probably very tired after our long walk today so we retire after an early dinner. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

Today is the final day of our hike. Waking up early we begin our descending trail again to Hapu Khola. We will travel on foot through a number of Limbu settlements as well as a continuous pattern of agriculture and pastures. As we move further, the kind and inquisitive residents of this area will greet us as we pass by. As we get lower and the villages begin to get larger, the vegetation and environment undergo a significant transformation that is extremely stunning. We walk for approximately seven to eight hours, stopping for lunch sometime around the middle of the day, before making it to Hamphu Khola, which is our target for the day. We can get back to Illam by taking the main road that is located here in this area. As a way to commemorate the successful completion of the journey, you can have some snacks.

Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B,l,D
Time
5-6hr

Until we reach the main Highway to Illam the road today is quite bumpy. The drive to Illam is quite scenic and adventurous as well. The day is quite long as the drive to Illam can take a long time depending on the status of the road. As we reach Illam, we can properly celebrate at the amazing tea garden resort at Illam. 

Accommodation
Lodge
Meals
B,l,D
Time
6-7hr

We finish our drive, cruising down the winding road and eventually arrive at the steaming plains. As soon as we get to Bhadrapur's airport, we go through check-in for our flight to Kathmandu. As soon as we touch down in Kathmandu, we are escorted to our hotel for a much-needed hot shower and rest amazingly. 

Finally, we feel a sense of great accomplishment at completing one of the longest and most grueling treks in Nepal although one with the best views. We can celebrate this victory in Kathmandu. 

Accommodation
kathmandu suite home
Meals
B,l,D
Time
4-5hr

Having completed the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, it is time to say goodbye to Nepal. We will have you picked up three hours before your overseas flight and take you to the airport. We aspire to have given you experiences in the Eastern Himalaya that you will never forget. You can stay longer in Nepal if you 

Time
1/2 hour

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Cost Includes

  • 16 nights accommodation in mountain teahouses
  • 3 nights accommodation in a Kathmandu (Bodhi Boutique or similar)
  • Kathmandu Bhadrapur Kathmandu flight
  • Bhadrapur Taplejung and Khamdime Bhadrapur local bus
  • Guide for 16 days
  • Kanchenjunga conservation area permit
  • Restricted area permit
  • 19 x breakfast, 16x lunch and 16 x dinner while on the trek

Cost Excludes

  • One Porter for 20 days USD 520 (Optional)
  • Private Jeep USD 430 (Optional)
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