Kanchenjunga Trek, 27-day program

Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport

Transfer to the hotel

Briefing on the itinerary for the next days

Overnight at Hotel B/B

Sightseeing around Kathmandu – World Heritage Sites like Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ Swayambhu Nath and the Bouddha Nath Buddhist shrine

Optional: last minute shopping of personal items in preparation for the next day

Overnight at Hotel B/B

Afternoon flight to Birathnagar

Overnight at Hotel in Birathnagar

Morning flight to Suketar (45 minutes)

Meeting with the trekking crew

Trek along Suketar Danda

Arrival in Mitlung

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 4 hours

Trek downhill to Mitlung, across scenic pastures and small villages

Crossing of Hungdewa Khola and the Tamur River

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 4 hours

Descent to Sinwa

Trek to Tawa

Crossing of the suspension bridge at Thiwa

Arrival in Chirwa (1,180 m), a small  Limbu village

Overnight in camp 

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours

Descent and trek along the Tamur River

Arrival in the Olangchung Gola, entry point of the Kanchenjugha National Park

Crossing of the Ghunsa Khola on suspension bridge

Arrival in campsite in Sekathum

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Crossing of the river and steep ascent

Descent again and crossing of the river

Climb from the gorge bottom

Trek across Solima

Descent to river level

Arrival in Amjilosa (2,500 m)

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 7 to 8 hours

Hike upwards along the river bank

Trek across the bamboo and rhododendrons forest

Climb up across small bridges

Trek across waterfall and pools as the river drops steeply

Arrival in Gyabla, a Tibetan settlement

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Descent down the river

Arrival in Phole

Arrival in the famous Sherpa village of Ghunsa – the site where over 20 prominent conservationists died in a helicopter crash

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours

Acclimatization day

Options: short hike towards the Lapsan La through lush green forest, or stay at Ghunsa and relax

Overnight in camp

Trek from Ghunsa along the river bank

Crossing of the bridge at Rampuk Kharka – views of the Jannu

Arrival in Kambachen (4,090 m)

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 6 hours

Climb along the river bank

Crossing to Ramtang across the bridge

Arrival at Lhonak (4,587 m)

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 3.5 to 4.5 hours

Trek along the edge of the glacier – views of the Chang Himal

Arrival in Pangpema (5,150 m), a flat grassy base camp

Climb higher to appreciate the amazing views of the  Kangchenjuna North Face

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours

Climb to Drohmo Peak (6,855 m), a beautiful icy summit

Overnight Pangpema

Descent to Khambachen (4,090 m) 

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Return to Ghunsa

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Steep ascent to a high cam

Climb across the dense forest of moss, rhododendron and juniper

Overnight stay in preparation for the trek to Mirgin La Pass

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Trek across five passes: Tamo La (3900 m), an unnamed pass (4115 m), Mirgin La (4663 m), Sinion La (4660 m), and another unnamed pass (4,724 m)

Steep descent of 1,000 m to Tseram

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 7 hours

Steady descent to Torontan

Crossing of the Omje river on bamboo poles

Trek along the Kabeli river upstream

Zigzag through fields of corn and barley to Darachuk

Trek to the Dubi Bhanjhyang pass (2,540 m)

Crossing of the stream on a log bridge, and further trek along the Omje river

Trek across Chitre (2,920 m) and Lamite Bhanjyang (3,410 m)

Trek along the Simbua river

Arrival in Torontan

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Descent to Yamphudin, a mixed community of Sherpa, Limbu , Rai and Gurung

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 5 hours

Gradual descent from the ridge to the Tenguwa river

Steep switchback up to another ridge with a Chorten and prayer flags

Descent across rubble and rock slides, across a stream, and into a deep section of the valley

Trek to the Kabeli river (1,640 m)

Gentle climb to Yamphudin, a community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais and Gurungs

Arrival in Mamakhe (2,900 m)

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours

Trek to the Limbu village of Thembewa (1,880 m)

Ascent and steep drop through Shimu and Pokhara

Crossing of a suspension bridge across the Phewa river (1,430 m) – a swimming hole and a possible campsite are near the river

Steep climb to Khunjari (1,700 m), a Limbu village

Arrival in Lalikharka (1,810 m)

Overnight in camp

Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours

Trek from Lalikharka to Suketar

Overnight in camp

Flight from Suketar to Birathnagar

Flight from Birathnagar to Kathmandu

Overnight at Hotel B/B

Day at leisure. Options:

• Begin a new tour

• Explore the Thamel for a last day of shopping

Farewell dinner

Overnight at hotel

Tansfer to the International Airport

End of program