Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 21 Days

Trip Overview

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is less crowded and most rewarding restricted area trek. The trail makes a circle with the north and south base of Mount Kanchenjunga through the Tamor and Ghunsa valleys. Ghunsa serves as the connecting point between north base camp Pangpema and south base camp Yalung. 

As you progress on the trekking trail, it passes through Limbu and Sherpa villages with close views of a wise range of the surrounding Himalayas including Jannu, Mt Kanchenjunga. Given the date showing increased interests of the experienced trekkers, the Kanchanjunga circuit trek is going to be the hotcake of Himalayan trekking for 2027 and 2028

This 21 day itinerary begins with a flight to Bhadrapur followed by a drive to Taplejung, then follows the classic circuit route up the Tamor valley to Ghunsa, across the high country to both the north side viewpoint at Pangpema and the south side viewpoint near Ramche and Yalung, before descending through Sele La, Tortong, and Yamphudin back toward the lowlands.

The trek requires a good level of fitness and prior high altitude trekking experience, since the route spends five days above 4,000 m, and reaches 5,143 m at Pangpema. Because this is a restricted area, trekkers must travel in a group of at least two people accompanied by a licensed guide. The appropriate Restricted Area Permit and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit must be arranged well in advance of departure.

Trip Detail

Itinerary Overview

This 21 day, 20 night trek follows the Kanchenjunga Circuit through the Tamor valley and the Ghunsa valley, taking in both the north and south sides of the Kanchenjunga massif. You fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and drive to Taplejung, then trek up through Sinuwa, Chirwa, and Lelep before reaching the Sherpa village of Ghunsa, where you spend an acclimatization day. From Ghunsa, the trail climbs through Khambachen to Lhonak, from where you take a day hike to Pangpema for views of the north face of Kanchenjunga. The route then returns to Ghunsa and crosses Sele La to reach Tseram, from where a further day hike takes you to Ramche and Yalung on the south side. The final trekking days descend through Tortong and Yamphudin before a long jeep drive to Kanyam and a return drive and flight to Kathmandu.

Here is a quick look at how your 21 day trek unfolds.

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and trek preparation at 1,400 m

• Day 2: Flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur at 90 m and drive to Taplejung at 1,820 m

• Day 3: Trek from Taplejung to Sinuwa, 20 km, about 7 hours

• Day 4: Trek from Sinuwa to Chirwa and Lelep at 1,750 m, 11 km, about 6 hours

• Day 5: Trek from Lelep to Amjilosa at 2,310 m, 13 km, about 7 hours

• Day 6: Trek from Amjilosa to Gyapla at 2,730 m, 6 km, about 4 hours

• Day 7: Trek from Gyapla to Ghunsa at 3,595 m, 11 km, about 6 hours

• Day 8: Acclimatization day at Ghunsa

• Day 9: Trek from Ghunsa to Khambachen at 4,100 m, 10 km, about 6 hours

• Day 10: Trek from Khambachen to Lhonak at 4,790 m, 10 km, about 6 hours

• Day 11: Day hike from Lhonak to Pangpema at 5,143 m and return, 15 km round trip, about 8 hours

• Day 12: Trek from Lhonak to Ghunsa at 3,595 m, 22 km, about 8 hours

• Day 13: Trek from Ghunsa to Sele Le at 4,290 m, 6 km, about 4 hours

• Day 14: Trek from Sele Le to Cheram or Tseram at 3,865 m, 11 km, about 6 hours

• Day 15: Trek from Tseram toward Ramche and Yalung and return to Tseram, about 11 km, about 7 hours

• Day 16: Trek from Tseram to Tortong at 2,995 m, 13 km, about 6 hours

• Day 17: Trek from Tortong to Yamphudin at 2,080 m, 9 km, about 5 hours

• Day 18: Short trek from Yamphudin followed by jeep and road transfer to Kanyam at 1,500 m, about 160 km, about 8 hours

• Day 19: Drive from Kanyam to Bhadrapur at 90 m, 60 km, about 2 hours, then fly to Kathmandu at 1,350 m

• Day 20: Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu

• Day 21: Final departure

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Highlights

• Tamor Valley Walk: The trek starts with a drive from Bhadrapur to Taplejung, followed by several days of trekking along the Tamor valley through Sinuwa, Chirwa, and Lelep, passing terraced farmland and Limbu villages before entering the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. This lower section also offers a first look at the shift from Limbu culture in the valley to Sherpa and Tibetan influenced culture as the trail climbs higher toward Ghunsa.

• Ghunsa, a Sherpa Village on the Circuit: The trail reaches Ghunsa at 3,595 m, a traditional Sherpa settlement with a monastery and a full acclimatization day built into the itinerary before the route continues to higher ground at Khambachen and Lhonak.

• Pangpema, the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: From Lhonak, a full day hike takes you to Pangpema at 5,143 m, the highest point of the trek and the site of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. This viewpoint offers close up views of the north face of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, along with the surrounding icefall and glacier.

• Sele La and the High Pass Complex: After returning to Ghunsa, the route climbs to Sele Le at 4,290 m before continuing across a stretch of connected high passes, joining the northern and southern sides of the circuit. This section is regarded as one of the more demanding parts of the trek.

• Ramche and Yalung, the South Side Views: From Tseram, a day hike leads to Ramche and on to Yalung at 4,730 m, an area also known as the Oktang Viewpoint, offering views of the south face of Kanchenjunga from the Yalung glacier.

• Jannu and the Surrounding Peaks: Throughout the higher stretches of the trek, particularly around Khambachen, Lhonak, and the Yalung side, the route offers views of Jannu along with other major peaks of the Kanchenjunga massif.

• Rich Alpine Flora and Fauna: The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area protects a wide range of wildlife and plant life along the trek, with forests of pine and rhododendron giving way to orchids, lilies, and other alpine flora at higher elevation. The region is also home to species such as the red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and snow leopard, along with a wide variety of alpine birds.

• Yamphudin and the Return Journey: The final trekking days descend through Tortong and Yamphudin, after which a long jeep drive through village roads and the Mechi Highway brings you to Kanyam, an area known in the region for its tea gardens, before the drive to Bhadrapur and the flight back to Kathmandu.

Altitude and Activities

The trek begins at Kathmandu before a flight to Bhadrapur at 90 m and a drive to Taplejung at 1,820 m. From Taplejung, the trail climbs steadily through the Tamor valley to Ghunsa at 3,595 m, where an acclimatization day is spent before the route continues to Khambachen and Lhonak. From Lhonak, a day hike reaches Pangpema at 5,143 m, the highest point of the trek, before the route returns to Ghunsa and crosses Sele La to reach Tseram, from where a further day hike reaches Ramche and Yalung on the south side. The trek then descends through Tortong and Yamphudin before the long road journey back toward Kathmandu.

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay in a comfortable 3 star hotel in Kathmandu and in mountain teahouses throughout the trekking portion of the journey. Full board meals consisting of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided during the trek. In Kathmandu, breakfast is included throughout, with a welcome dinner on arrival and a farewell dinner on Day 20. Dinner on Day 19 and lunch on Day 20 in Kathmandu are not included.