Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular and thrilling trekking adventures in eastern Nepal, located near the border with Sikkim, India. Dominated by Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m)—the world’s third-highest mountain—this trek offers a truly remote and rewarding Himalayan experience.
Opened to trekkers only in 1988, the Kanchenjunga region remains one of Nepal’s most unspoiled and less-crowded trekking routes. The trail passes through dramatic landscapes, from lush valleys and dense forests to high alpine terrain, while offering breathtaking views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga.
The trek lies within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP), which covers 2,035 square kilometers and protects rich biodiversity. The region is home to rare wildlife such as the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, and numerous bird species, including pheasants and red-billed blue magpies.
Beyond natural beauty, the trek provides deep cultural insight. Along the route, trekkers encounter traditional villages inhabited by Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, and other ethnic communities, experiencing their unique lifestyles, customs, and warm hospitality. With stunning mountain views, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a perfect choice for trekkers seeking adventure in a pristine Himalayan setting.
Trip Info
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Hotel/Tea houses.
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Mar-May and Sept-Nov
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5130
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Fly/Car/Jeep/ Bus
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5/6 hours
Overview
The trek begins in Taplejung, reached by a 45-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, followed by a jeep drive to Birtamod and onward to Taplejung. From here, the adventure into the remote Kanchenjunga region begins. A detailed itinerary for the entire trek is outlined below, with the journey starting toward the North Base Camp.
This spectacular circuit trek around Mount Kanchenjunga includes visits to both the North and South Base Camps. The route first approaches the northern face of Kanchenjunga, offering stunning views of Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, and Cross Peak, before the massive south face of Kanchenjunga gradually comes into view.
After reaching Pangpema, the North Base Camp, the trail returns to Ghunsa and then crosses the high Mirgin La Pass to enter the southern side of the massif. From here, the trek continues through Ramche and Oktang, where trekkers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the south-west face of Mount Kanchenjunga, one of the most dramatic mountain vistas in the Himalayas.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the epic landscape of the Kanchenjunga conservation area, en route to the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
- Trek in one of the few restricted areas of Nepal.
- Take a journey through various landscapes, including valleys, rivers, jungle, and woodland, and of course, the amazing views of Kanchenjunga and its equally impressive surrounding peaks.
- Experience a wide range of flora and fauna, including the world-famous Nepal Rhododendron bloom.
- A chance to see some of the world's most endangered animals, such as the elusive Snow Leopard, Red Pandas, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Monal, and many more!
- Cross mountain passes and thrilling suspension bridges.
- Visit the North and South base camp of the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
- Immerse yourself in Tibetan and Buddhist culture by visiting many monasteries along the way.
- Discover the path less trodden, while traveling one of the lesser established trekking routes in Nepal, before it becomes overcrowded like many others.
- Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek by Road - Begin and End the trek with Bus Journey.



