Explore the Majestic Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Eastern Nepal:
The focal point of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is the visit to both North and South Kanchenjunga Base Camps.
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is commonly also known as the ‘Kanchenjunga Base Camps Trek’.
This remarkable trek is a delightful journey that takes travelers through the isolated and untouched regions of North-Eastern Nepal. The majestic Kanchenjunga mountain is the third highest mountain in the world and it is located in the Himalayan border between Nepal and Sikkim, the Indian state. The coordinates of this majestic peak are approximately 27°42'N latitude and 88°08'E longitude
Standing at an elevation of 8,586m/28,169 feet, Kanchenjunga brags third place after Mount Everest (Nepal-Tibet) and K2 (Pakistan). The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is still very untouched by commercial trekking like Everest Base Camp. It genuinely gives the actual wilderness thrill and the authentic trekking experience to the trekkers.
This epic teahouse trek is certainly a thrilling adventure that delivers travelers the off-the-beaten trek experience. It legitimately takes you into the most pristine and less-trodden region of Nepal which is simply delightful.
The name Kanchenjunga literally means 'Five Treasures of the Snow' which symbolizes its five summits or peaks. The Kanchenjunga region is certainly a hidden gem that remains relatively wild and very untouched. It delivers travelers a diverse range of landscapes - from lush subtropical jungles to extreme alpine zones. This off-the-beaten teahouse trek offers pristine valleys, less-trodden trails, and an abundance of flora and fauna.
Five Summits of Kanchenjunga Mountain – ‘Five Treasures of the Snow’:
- Kanchenjunga main – 8,586 m 28,169 feet
- Kanchenjunga West (yalung kang) - 8,505m 27,904 feet
- Kanchenjunga Cental - 8,482m 27,828 feet
- Kanchenjunga South - 8,494m – 27,867 feet
- Kangbachen – 7,903m 25,928 feet
Highlights of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek:
One of the highlights of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is the opportunity to visit both the North and South base camps of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The view of the surrounding towering peak and its glacier extension is simply away from the world.
- Explore the hidden gem of eastern Nepal, surrounding the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m/28,169ft)
- Trek through a restricted area, requiring special permits and adding to the adventure.
- Hear fascinating stories about the mythical creature, ‘Yeti’ who are said to inhabit the region.
- Navigate rugged terrain and high altitudes for a thrilling trekking experience.
- Witness stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, including famed 8000m peaks like Mount Everest (1st Highest), Makalu (5th Highest), and Lhotse (4th Highest) etc.
- Experience the rich biodiversity of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, home to rare flora and fauna
- Stunning views of the Yalung Glaciers at the height of 4,580m – 15,026 feet.
- Discover the unique Tibetan Buddhist culture and ancient monasteries along the trail
- Cross thrilling suspension bridges, meadows, and mountain passes
- Experience the tranquility and timeless charm of remote Himalayan villages
- Enjoy the peace and solitude of less-crowded trails
With its breathtaking landscapes, pristine culture, off-the-beaten trek experience, and the most spectacular views, Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek gives you the most unforgettable experience.
The First Ascent of Mount Kanchenjunga - History:
The first ascent of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, was in 1955. After the success of the British Mount Everest Expedition in 1953, Sir Robert Charles Evans who was then a Deputy Leader under John Hunt, led the 1955 Kanchenjunga British Expedition.
The 1955 Kanchenjunga Expedition was indeed yet another historic achievement in the realm of mountaineering. Under the leadership of Charles Evans, Mr. George Band and Mr. Joe Brown reached the summit of Kanchenjunga on May 26, 1955, followed closely by Norman Hardie and Tony Streather.
This successful British expedition was a major achievement in the history of mountaineering. It showed the bravery, expertise, and perseverance of the climbers who challenged themselves to reach the top of the world's tallest mountains.
Kanchenjunga Base Camps Trek Difficulty:
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek or Kanchenjunga Base Camps Trek is physically challenging but it’s a rewarding adventure. It is strenuous and quite difficult because the region is very pristine with not many travelers traveling to this region. Due to it being less traveled, it is very raw where long hours walking is an everyday occasion. Kanchenjunga Trek is certainly a challenging remote journey also because it is not as popular as the commercial Everest Circuit, Annapurna Circuit, or Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Through the pristine trails, traditional villages, and breathtaking vistas this epic trek takes to its extreme alpine North and South Base Camps. This trek is off the beaten into the remotest valley of Nepal where the location of teahouses is distant and the only option is to walk to it. Besides the rugged trail and long hours of walking what most matters is walking in the high altitude. A few days over a week you will be walking at an elevation over 3500m and get as high as 5200m.
Despite all these, Kanchenjunga Trek is unquestionably the most beautiful trek that delivers you personal space and serenity of the mountain environment. It’s the best place to get away from the maddening crowd and escape the conventional trekking trail like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp which are overcrowded during the season times.
Furthermore, this classical trek provides you with a billion-dollar view. Along the way, you may encounter rare and elusive wildlife, such as the snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and the rare red panda.
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek or Kanchenjunga Base Camps Trek is truly perfect for those who are in quest of an extraordinary and magical Himalayan experience.
Views along the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek:
Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world at a height of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet), is the climax of this trek.
This off-the-beaten teahouse trek takes you through lush forests, picturesque meadows, beautiful river gorges, and pleasant traditional villages. You will simply be captivated by the beauty of its pristine natural beauty and cultural richness. Every step offers you stunning mountain views, extensive glaciers, and heart-warming landscapes. Significantly, the tranquility that utterly prevails in this pristine valley will take you into the timeless world.
Furthermore, the stories of the YETI that are believed to reside in the region complement more thrill to your adventure. This elusive legendary Yeti or the abominable snowman is believed to roam these remote valleys of Kanchenjunga. Yeti is a fairytale to many but you would hardly find anyone in this region who wouldn’t believe in it.
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek provides you with the most beautiful panoramic mountain view. The view along the trail includes some of the famous world's highest 8000m peaks like Mt. Everest (8,849 m/29,032 ft), Mt. Makalu (8,463 m/27,765 ft), and Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m/27,940 ft). Besides these famed mountains, you will also see intriguing peaks like Tent Peak, Mount Kambachen, Mt. Janu, and many more.
Do you require Permits for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?
Yes, all foreign nationals are to obtain the permits for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. Kanchenjunga is a restricted area so trekkers require THREE different permits.
1) The FIRST mandatory permit required is the 'Restricted Area Permit (RAP)' which is issued by the Department of Nepal Immigration.
The cost of this RAP is:
- USD 20 per person per week (for the first 4 weeks)
- USD 25 per person per week (beyond 4 weeks)
2) The SECOND important permit is the 'Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Permit (KCAP)'. This project contributes to the preservation and maintenance of the region's fragile ecosystem.
3) The THIRD Permit is the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) Card. However, TIMS is for the time being on hold for few other reasons and can be obligatory in the years to come.
