Kanchenjunga Trek – 28 Days

Kanchenjunga Trek is surely a strenuous but best-designed route for adventure seekers having basic mountaineering skills, to give the best views of both the north and south face of Kanchenjunga (8586m/28171ft), the third tallest peak after Mt. Everest and K2 that lies in the borderline between Nepal and Sikkim in India. Kanchenjunga lies on the eastern border of Nepal providing a great chance to experience remoteness, spectacular mountain scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and rich local culture, quite different from those found further west.

As Kanchenjunga forms the border between two countries we cannot complete a circuit around the mountain, but this route takes us to the foothills of Kanchenjunga both the north and south base camps on the Nepali side on a long and arduous four-week trek that crosses either one of the passes, 4663m Mirgin La or the 5160m Lapsang La depending on the weather condition. It was open to trekkers since 1988 and is possible to walk here as part of an organized camping trek arranged through an agency. Kanchenjunga area is the homeland of the ethnic group of Limbu people who speak a language related to Tibetan and follow a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu, and animist beliefs. Even though the views above Ghunsa are breathtaking on this trek, the facilities for trekkers are limited and the upper stages of the trek pass through a desolate valley, scourged by icy mountain winds. As the Kanchenjunga Trek route takes us to a maximum elevation of (5140m/16864ft), we must be alert for the symptoms of AMS.

Accommodations:

We will be staying at Alpine Hotel Nepal in Kathmandu, Mount Kailash Resort in Pokhara, and teahouses during the trek. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD350. Alpine Club of Himalaya will arrange rooms with attached washrooms. However, teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Meals:

During the Kanchenjunga Trek, you can enjoy Nepali, Tibetan, Indian as well as more common continental cuisines. Breakfast (only) will be provided during your stay in Kathmandu whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be available during the trek and climb. While trekking Kanchenjunga Trek, breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay the night. Similar arrangements can also be arranged for dinner. Lunch will be taken en route to the next destination. During the climbing session, hygienic and freshly-cooked food will be provided. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.