Introduction:
Kanchenjunga stands at the elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 ft) world’s 3rd highest mountain situated in far north eastern corner of Nepal bordering Sikkim. Mt. Kanchenjunga is technically challenging mountain and could be the best preparation for Everest. Mt. Kanchenjunga is the second highest mountain within Nepal after Everest and located in a remote undeveloped region of Nepal in comparison to other trekking destinations in Nepal. This region lies as Kanchenjunga Conservation Area which was established in 1997 A.D and covers the area of 2,035 kms.
The Kanchenjunga region also supposed to be the home of mysterious and disreputable ‘Yeti’. The Yeti is also known as Abominable Snowman that looks like an ape and incomprehensible taller than average human being which are said to be the inhabitant of Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet. The native people of this region still talks about Yeti (especially the older folks) like a part of their history, mythology and folklore.
Kanchenjunga is the major attraction of this region with new trekking trails like Pathibhara and Limbu cultural trail and offers supplementary options and a glance at the Himalayan lifestyle and culture. Limbus are the predominant inhabitants in the Kanchenjunga region with the upper region settled by Tibetans, Sherpas, Rais, Gurungs, Magars, Newars, Sunwars and Tamangs of Tibeto-Mongolian origin. Hence you can have a grand opportunity to explore the lifestyle and tradition of the mountain people of Kanchenjunga region.
Brief Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with half day sightseeing tour.
Day 03: Fly to Biratnagar 81 m/266 ft. 45 mins flight.
Day 04: Fly to Suketar 2,420 m/7,938 ft and trek to Mitlung
921 m/3,021 ft. 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Chirwa 1,270 m/4166 ft. 06 hrs
Day 06: Trek to Sukathum 1,576 m/ 5,169 ft. 06 hrs
Day 07: Trek to Amjilosa 2,308 m / 7,570 ft) 06 hrs
Day 08: Trek to Gyabla 2,730 m / 8,954 ft 06 hrs
Day 09: Trek to Ghunsa 3,595 m/11,792 ft) 05 hrs
Day 10: Trek to Kambachen 4,050 m/13,284 ft 05 hrs
Day 11: Acclimatization day at Kambachen.
Day 12: Trek to Lhonak 4,780 m/15,678 ft 06 hrs
Day 13: Trek to Pang Pema/Kanchenjunga North Base Camp
5,388 m/17,673 ft 06 hrs
Day 14: Trek back to Kambachen 4,050 m/13,284 ft 06 hrs
Day 15: Trek to Phole 3,180 m 05 hrs
Day 16: Trek to Amjilosha 06 hrs
Day 17: Trek to Tapethowk 1,396 m/4,580 ft 05 hrs
Day 18: Trek to Phurumba at 1,769m / 5,803 ft 06 hrs
Day 19: Trek to Taplejung , Suketar 2,420 m/7,938 ft 04hrs
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu via Biratnagar.
Day 21: Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 22: International departure.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel:
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are warmly greeted by our office representatives at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) who will be waiting with a display board at arrival gate. Our representatives will assist you to transfer in hotel where you can relax and enjoy your leisure time.
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing:
You will be part of our special Kathmandu sightseeing program which includes a special visit to world heritage sites such as the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the world biggest Stuppa; Boudhhanath, Swoyambhunath Stupa (monkey temple) and historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with unique architectural temple, and incredible Kumari widely known as Living Goddess in Basantapur of central kathmandu. Kathmandu is not only naturally beautiful but it also holds the beauty of incredible Newa cultural and ancient architectures. Our representative will work on making your necessary permits and papers for the trekking. There will be a special meeting in the evening regarding pre-trekking with all our fellow staffs.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (81 m/266 ft)
Today a super scenic flight of 45 minutes to Biratnagar, a sub-metropolitan city in southeast Nepal and located near the border of India a major centre for trade and commerce with India. With time to explore the city, we can arrange a comfortable tourist bus which drives directly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar as per your request, overnight at Biratnagar.
Day 04: Fly to Suketar (2,420 m/7,938 ft) and trek to Mitlung
(921 m/3,021 ft) 04 hrs
Morning with another super scenic flight of nearly 35 minutes which brings to Suketar over the Himalayan foothills with views of lofty Himalaya to the north. From here start trek to Mitlung descending downhill. Following the river bank of Tamor heading upstream, walk through terraced fields and then follow the narrow gorge to reach Mitlung village, overnight at Mitlung.
Day 05: Trek to Chirwa (1,270 m/4166 ft) 06 hrs
The trail still follows the Tamor River with few ups and downs and brings to the village of Sinwa. The trail descends downhill up to Tawa village and crosses several small streams. The trail finally reaches to a flat and small valley passing rural landscape along the way and reaching at Chirwa for overnight.
Day 06: Trek to Sukathum (1,576 m/5,169 ft) 06 hrs
Leaving Chirwa move for Sukathum, through small jungle along with the bank of river and varied landscapes such as cardamom fields and dense forests. The trail is normally up and down today. Then cross a suspension bridge to reach Sukathum for overnight stop.
Day 07: Trek to Amjilosa (2,308 m /7,570 ft) 07 hrs
On this day, follow the trail that passes through the river gorge and follows upstream ascending steeply to the top from where one can enjoy the view of Ghunsa khola below where we passed the trail. The trail passes with few ups and downs till Amjilosa, overnight at Amjilosa.
Day 08: Trek to Gyabla (2,730 m /8,954 ft) 06 hrs
The trail passes through small narrow gorge through densely forest of bamboo and rhododendron. The trail follows the river bank and gently ascends to the village of Gyable through thick and dark jungle. The Tibetan settlement of Gyabla allows you to explore lifestyle and tradition of local people.
Day 09: Trek to Ghunsa (3,595 m/11,792 ft) 06 hrs
The trail follows the Ghusa River again leading to narrow gorge and passes through dense forests. The trail then turns left ascending to the small settlement of Phole at 3,180 m. The trail further follows Ghunsa River and to the small valley of Ghunsa. a small Sherpa village with beautiful monastery and local power house situated in the river bank of Ghunsa River.
Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (4,050 m/13,284 ft) 06 hrs
The trail follows Ghunsa River and heads north crossing a boulder strewn flood plain and crosses back to Rambuk Kharka on the north side of the river. The trail offers magnificent views of eastern Himalaya. From here onwards change in vegetation as the trek leads higher altitude, then reaching a flat area of Khambachen village after descending from the ridge for the overnight in Kambachen.
Day 11: Acclimatization day at Kambachen.
This is first scheduled ‘acclimatization’ day on this trip, spending an extra day in Kambachen helps to acclimatize our body for higher altitude and avoid the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Enjoy the magnificent views of lofty mountains Khabour, Phole, Nango Ma and Jannu. One can hike to Jannu base camp for more scenic beauty with refreshing environment.
Day 12: Trek to Lhonak (4,780 m/15,678 ft) 06 hrs
Continue trek in higher altitude walking on rough but easy trail enjoying the breathtaking views of the valley and mountain peak to reach Ramtang for lunch, then start trekking across a landslide section and must pass through at a steady pace. The trail drops down to the Lhonak, situated high above the Kanchenjunga Glacier opposite Wedge Peak with overnight at Lhonak.
Day 13: Trek to Pang Pema/Kanchenjunga North Base Camp
(5,388 m/17,673 ft) 06 hrs ( a round trip back to Pang
Pema
The trail is quite strenuous and follows the lateral moraine to reach Pang Pema which offers impressive northern flank of Mt. Kanchanjungha. Then heading south to reach Kanchenjunga North Base camp, this region is quite sensitive region for landslides and avalanches, so one has to be careful around this rocky section. On reaching at Kanchenjunga base camp which offers stunning views of Kanchenjunga and other lofty mountains.
After spending some moments at base camp, trek back to Pang Pema for overnight stop.
Day 14: Trek back to Kambachen (4,050 m/13,284 ft) 06 hrs.
Today retrace the way to Lhonak and continue down the valley to Ramtang, with marvelous view of Kanchenjunga, Taple Shikhar, Gimmigela, and Mera Peak on return journey. A few hours of walk of descend finally brings back to Kambachen for the overnight stop.
Day 15: Trek to Phole (3180m) 05 hrs
The trail climbs up to the ridge at first and follows the river downstream; walking here offers magnificent views of lofty Himalaya. The trail crosses a boulder strewn flood plain and heads south following the Ghunsa River to reach the village of Ghunsa. The trail further turns to south and gently climbs to the small settlements of Phole for overnight stop.
Day 16: Trek to Amjilosha (2,308 m /7,570 ft) 06 hrs.
The trail descends continuously following the Ghunsa River and passes through dense forests. The trail gently descends to the Tibetan settlement of Gyabla. The trail further passes through small narrow gorge through densely forest of bamboo and rhododendron to reach the small settlement of Amjilosha for overnight stop.
Day 17: Trek to Tapethowk (1,396 m/4,580 ft) 05 hrs
After a hearty breakfast start trekking to Tapethowk with a downhill through dense forest. On route enjoy the Lamatar water fall before arriving at Sukathum, cross the suspension bridge over Ghunsa River in Sukathuma and continue trek with few ups and downs to reach Tapethowk for overnight stop.
Day 18: Trek to Phurumba (1,769m/ 5,803ft) 06 hrs
The trail passes through jungle and follows the Tamor River downstream and reaches to flat and small valley passing rural landscape along the way and reaching at Chirwa. The trail further follows the river and crosses the streams to reach Tawa village. Then ascend gently from Tawa and pass another village of Sinwa and walk with few ups and downs will finally brings to the village of Mitlung. The trail further passes through the path of steep stones and ascends gently to the valley of Phurumba for overnight.
Day 19: Trek to Taplejung – Suketar (2,420 m/7,938 ft) 04hrs
After a hearty breakfast, tackle the last day of this adventure with pleasant uphill walk to reach Taplejung bazaar. Here browse around the village observing the village life getting along with their daily routine. Then walk further with uphill to Suketar Airstrip ending this wonderful adventure with Sherpa Mountaineering Expeditions.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu via Bhiratnagar.
An early flight of nearly 35 minutes will take you back to the city of Biratnagar, with a brief stop here and take a final flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, our guide will assist you to transfer in hotel, with time to relax in the comfort of the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 21: Free day in Kathmandu.
This wonderful trip finally comes to an end with the last day to enjoy in Kathmandu, for last day shopping souvenirs or inform our staff for another tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 22: Final departure:
Our office representatives will assist you to transfer to the airport for your final departure to onward destinations. Your wonderful moments with we will treasure it for many years to come.