Kanchenjunga North-South Base Camp Trek

If you’re seeking the thrill of wild, unfiltered adventure—one that trades tourist crowds for alpine solitude and soul-stirring beauty—then the Kanchenjunga North-South Base Camp Trek is calling your name. This is no ordinary trek. It’s a 24-day expedition through some of the most remote and jaw-droppingly beautiful terrain in the Nepal Himalaya, guiding you to both the north and south base camps of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.

Welcome to the trail less traveled.

Why Kanchenjunga?

Unlike Everest or Annapurna, the Kanchenjunga region remains blissfully off the beaten path. You won’t be dodging lines of selfie sticks or weaving through crowded tea houses. Instead, you’ll step into a realm of true wilderness, where rhododendron forests give way to glacial valleys, and snow leopards roam ancient ridgelines.

At 8,586 meters (28,169 feet), Kanchenjunga may not be as globally famous as Everest, but it’s every bit as magnificent—and arguably more magical. The dual base camp route allows trekkers the rare privilege of seeing this giant from two awe-inspiring perspectives.

Adventure Highlights

• Start in vibrant Kathmandu, soaking in centuries of culture at Durbar Square

• Hike over roaring rivers on swaying suspension bridges

• Witness panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas, including Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu

• Stand in the shadow of giants at Kanchenjunga North (Pangpema) and South Base Camps

• Spot rare wildlife like red pandas and Himalayan monals in pristine forests

• Traverse high passes, ancient monasteries, and remote Sherpa and Tibetan villages

Kanchenjunga North (Pangpema) and South Base Camps Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, Optional Activities
Day 2: Fly to Bhadrapur, Transfer to Phidim
Day 3: Transfer to Taplejung
Day 4: Transfer to Sakethum
Day 5: Trek to Amjilosa (9,070 ft/ 2,460 m)
Day 6: Trek to Gyabla (9,186 ft/ 2,800 m)
Day 7: Trek to Phale (10,629 ft/ 3,240 m)
Day 8: Trek to Ghunsa (11,220 ft/ 3,420 m)
Day 9: Rest Day in Ghunsa
Day 10: Trek to Kambachen (13,451 ft/ 4,100 m)
Day 11: Rest Day in Kambachen
Day 12: Trek to Lhonak (15,616 ft/ 4,760 m)
Day 13: Trek to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (16,873 ft/ 5,143 m), Return to Lhona
Day 14: Trek to Ghunsa
Day 15: Rest Day in Ghunsa
Day 16: Trek to Selele Camp (13,845 ft/ 4,220 m)
Day 17: Trek to Tseram (12,729 ft/ 3,880 m)
Day 18: Trek to Ramche & Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (15,124 ft/ 4,610 m)
Day 19: Trek to Torangden (9,842 ft/ 3,000 m)
Day 20: Trek to Ranipul
Day 21: Transfer to Phidim
Day 22: Transfer to Bhadrapur
Day 23: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 24: Depart Kathmandu

The Journey: What to Expect

This is not a trek for beginners—but for seasoned hikers and adventurers, it’s the holy grail.

You’ll start with a scenic flight to Bhadrapur and journey deep into eastern Nepal’s Ilam district, famous for its lush tea gardens. From there, the trek begins in earnest, gradually ascending through thick forests, past hidden waterfalls, and into remote mountain villages like Ghunsa, Kambachen, and Lhonak.

The climb to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (16,873 ft / 5,143 m) is a physical and mental challenge—but the rewards are surreal. You’ll stand beneath towering ice walls and glittering Himalayan spires with not a soul in sight. Then, after resting in Ghunsa, you’ll traverse the wild Selele Pass, cross over to the Yalung Glacier, and make the pilgrimage to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (15,124 ft / 4,610 m)—a dramatic amphitheater of snow and sky.

Each night, you’ll rest in rustic but welcoming tea houses, trading stories with fellow trekkers and sipping hot tea under starlit skies.

Is This Trek for You?

If you’re looking for luxury, this isn’t your trek. But if you’re seeking a challenge that rewires your soul and redefines your limits, then yes—this is your moment. The Kanchenjunga North-South Base Camp Trek is physically demanding, requires multi-day hiking at high altitude, and demands a true spirit of adventure.

But those who accept the challenge walk away changed.

What Makes It Unforgettable

• Authentic Culture: From Tibetan refugee settlements in Phale to the ancient chortens of Gyabla, every day offers a glimpse into high-mountain life untouched by mass tourism.

• Raw Nature: Watch glacial rivers carve valleys, see blue sheep graze on sheer cliffs, and trek where few others ever tread.

• Two Base Camps, One Journey: Very few treks in the world offer the chance to visit two sides of one of Earth’s greatest mountains in a single expedition.

Book Your Adventure Now

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the heart of the Himalaya—into a world where silence speaks louder than words and mountains teach you humility—this is your chance. The Kanchenjunga North-South Base Camp Trek isn’t just a journey. It’s a personal triumph.