| Duration: 23 day | Max Altitude: 4785 m | ||
| Group Size: 2-10 | Location: Kanchenjunga | ||
| Difficulty: moderate | Per Day Walk: 06-07 hrs | ||
| Accommodation: Hotel / Teahouse |
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
Kanchenjunga circuit trek, 23 days of the organized trek, is another popular adventure after Everest Base camp and Annapurna Region Trek.
The trek to the world’s third highest mountain base is an extraordinary experience. Still, this trek is even more remarkable when you add the stunning views of Mt.Kanchenjunga and the other four subsidiary summits exceeding 8,000m.
The two peaks of Kanchenjunga fall under the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, established in 1997, and it covers 2,035 km2 (786 sq mi) in the Taplejung District. Therefore, trekkers need a special trekking permit for the area.
The Kanchenjunga trek opened for trekkers in 1988. Hence, you can experience the wilderness and remoteness of nature up-close during the trek route. There is no luxury during the Kanchenjunga trek route, but you get every chance to get close to nature.
It’s an isolated area with few, if any, other trekkers on the rocky trail. So during the trekking days, you feel like the world belongs to you!
The circuit trek of Mount Kanchenjunga is perfect for solitude lovers. Comparatively, the trails leading to Kanchenjunga Base Camp are less crowded. Therefore, trekking in Kanchenjunga Region is best suited if you love the mountains and prefer solitude.
Before 1852, Kanchenjunga was the highest mountain in the world. But in 1856, Kanchenjunga was officially announced as the third highest mountain. British Kanchenjunga expedition climbed Kanchenjunga first on 25 May 1955. The team consisted of George Band and Joe Brown, and other members.
Start and end of Kanchenjunga circuit trek
To reach the hiking point at Suketar, Taplejung, you fly to Bhadrapur from Tribhuwan International airport, Kathmandu. From Bhadrapur, you travel to Taplejung by road.
The hiking point of the trek starts from Suketar, Taplejung, on the 3rd day of the trek.
At first, we trek towards Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, passing through the Tibetan villages and trails of pine forests on the way. Then, the exciting journey takes you through coniferous forests, paddy fields, and subtropical forests while in the lower region. As you ascend higher, you fall in love with the magnificent views of Jannu Peak, Rathong, Kanchenjunga, Wedge Peak, and Dhormo Ri.
Make sure to carry extra batteries for your camera. You don’t want to miss capturing the breathtaking views while treading on the rocky terrains of the Kanchenjunga region.
The trek ends after reaching Khamdime from the southern part of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek. Khamdime is the end point of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek and starting point of road travel to Bhadrapur. From Bhadrapur, we fly back to Kathmandu, concluding the trek.
What to expect during the Kanchenjunga circuit trek
Firstly, the Kanchenjunga trekking region is a restricted area, and you cannot travel alone. You must choose a trekking company for a guided trek. Experienced guides of Mountain Routes make your trip easy.
The epic trek to Kanchenjunga Base camps can be a camping trek. However, camp trekking adds trek crew and the cost, respectively.
The trekking season you choose to go for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a decisive factor that makes your trip an epic trek for a lifetime. However, trekking trails during Monsoon (June through August) is a risk factor because of the landslides and roadblocks.
Likewise, people move to the lower area during winter to avoid cold and snowfall. And the tea houses are also closed during that time. The Sele Le Pass remains blocked due to snowfall in the region.
October through November is the best time to trek the region as the weather is pleasant with clear blue skies and perfect weather. However, humid April to May is the second best time to trek the region. The mountain scenery is at its best.
Your entire accommodation is at tea houses for the entire route. The food items are primarily local and fresh from vegetable gardens. While you might find the same Nepali cuisine round the trip in the teahouses, you can ask for a change based on the available food. For example, you can ask for boiled water at tea houses at an additional cost or get yourself bottled water.
While trekking to the northern or southern part of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, you pass through the sections that are prone to landslides, where you need to be extra careful. In addition, some sections are steep and uphill, which tests your physical endurance. At places, you can go to a Buddhist temple, spin the prayer wheel, and add your prayer flags to the myriad of colorful prayer flags flying in the wind.
You should also be prepared for altitude sickness during the trip and inform your guide immediately. The professional guides can then help you to recover in time.
Includes
- Airport Pickup
- Licensed Local Guide
- Porter Service Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit
- TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Accommodation (Three star in Kathmandu and Teahouses in Trekking)
- First Aid Kit: Available with the guide
- Pre-departure Information
- All government taxes
- Farewell Dinner
- Souvenir: Mountain Routes T-shirt
Excludes
- International airfare
- Travel insurance
- Nepal visa fee
- Personal expenses (Phone calls, WiFi, bar bills, laundry, boiled water and hot shower)
- Tipping to porter and guide.
Fixed Departure
Select Year
Select Month
Departure Dates
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek: Itinerary
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Day 1:
Arriving at Kathmandu
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Day 2:
Kathmandu to Bhadrapur
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Day 3:
Bhadrapur to Taplejung (2420 m)
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Day 4:
Trek to Chhirwa (1185 m)
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Day 5:
Chirwa to Lelep (1860 m)
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Day 6:
Lelep to Amjilosa (2510 m)
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Day 7:
Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730 m)
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Day 8:
Gyabla to Ghunsa (3595 m)
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Day 9:
Acclimatization at Ghunsa
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Day 10:
Ghunsa to Khambachen (4100 m)
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Day 11:
Khambachen to Lhonak (4785 m)
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Day 12:
Lhonak to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (4785 m) to Lhonak
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Day 13:
Lhonak to Ghunsa (3595)
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Day 14:
Ghunsa to Sele Le (4200 m)
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Day 15:
Sele Le to Tseram (3868 m)
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Day 16:
Tseram to Ramche; visit Kanchenjunga Base Camp to Ramche
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Day 17:
Ramche to Torongten (2980 m)
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Day 18:
Torongten to Yamphuding (2080 m)
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Day 19:
Yamphuding to Khebang (1910 m)
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Day 20:
Khebang to Khamdime (1500 m)
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Day 21:
Khamdime to Bhadrapur (91 m)
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Day 22:
Bhadrapur to Kathmandu
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Day 23:
Departure
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Day 1 : Arriving at Kathmandu
On the first day of the trek, representatives from Mountain Routes will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your respective hotel. At the hotel, they will explain the trekking routes, schedule, and other important information regarding the trek. Then, you can spend your time either at a hotel or exploring the nearby places of the beautiful city of temples.
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Day 2 : Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Trip Duration: 45 minutes
Today, we take a 45 minutes domestic flight to Bhadrapur from Kathmandu. While at Bhadrapur, we explore the town. At the same time, we will also prepare for our trek. Overnight stay at Bhadrapur.
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Day 3 : Bhadrapur to Taplejung (2420 m) Trip Duration: 8-9 hours
On the third day of our Kanchenjunga trek, we travel by road from Bhadrapur to Taplejung. It takes approximately 8-9 hours while traveling through the Mechi highway. During the day trip, you can see dense forests and beautiful green hills of Illam along the way. Finally, we reach Suketar, Taplejung, and stay overnight.
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Day 4 : Trek to Chhirwa (1185 m) Trip Duration: 6-7 hours
4th day marks the beginning of our actual trek. We start trekking from Suketar to Chhirwa, which takes about 6-7 hours. Today’s trail is downward, descending up to Chhirwa and passing through pastures, grassy plains, and small villages with stone huts on the way. We will also enjoy the excellent view of the Hungdewa and Tamur rivers. After continuing to walk further, we will reach Sinwa village and trek towards Tawa. We will also cross the suspension bridge at Thiwa, following the trail for some time. We finally reach our destination for today, Chhirwa. Chhirwa is a small Limbu village where we will be spending the night today.
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Day 5 : Chirwa to Lelep (1860 m) Trip Duration: 7 hours
The 5th day of trekking starts from Chhirwa to Lelep, which takes about 7 hours. We will pass Tapethok on the way. The restricted area starts at Tapethok, and we must pass through a checkpoint. We will have lunch at Tapethok and continue our Trek to Lelep, where we will spend the night.
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Day 6 : Lelep to Amjilosa (2510 m) Trip Duration: 5-6 hours
On the 6th day of our Kanchenjunga circuit trek, we trek from Lelep to Amjilosa. It takes us about 5-6 hours. The trek is a bit slippery, and a good pair of boots is what you need for the trek. We will pass through Lamatar along the way. Passing through various waterfalls along the way, we will significantly enjoy today’s trek. Overnight at Amjilosa.Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730 m).
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Day 7 : Amjilosa to Gyabla (2730 m) Trip Duration: 5 hours
The 7th day of trekking starts from Amjilosa to Gyabla. The trail traverses through dense Rhododendron and oak forests. Along the path, we also cross many waterfalls and small villages. Along with the beautiful view of the mountains, we will also see occasional wildlife among the trees or on high slopes. Walking further along the trail, we finally reach Gyabla and stay overnight at Gyabla.
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Day 8 : Gyabla to Ghunsa (3595 m) Trip Duration: 5 hours
On day eight of our trek, we travel from Gyabla to Ghunsa. It is a short trek, mostly on flat terrain, to reach Phole village. It is a Tibetan-style village, from where a steady climb leads to the small town of Ghunsa. The view from Ghunsa is astounding, and upon reaching there, we will roam around a bit, enjoying the view. Then, go to our lodges, and stay the night there. You might as well enjoy hot showers based on the availability of the service at an additional cost.
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Day 9 : Acclimatization at Ghunsa
Our 9th day of the Kanchenjunga trek consists of acclimatizing at Ghunsa. We do this to better adapt to the climatic condition of the region. Furthermore, we explore its surrounding area to utilize this acclimatization day better. The natural beauty of the place and its surrounding, along with its cultural highlights, makes Ghunsa the best place for acclimatization.
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Day 10 : Ghunsa to Khambachen (4100 m) Trip Duration: 4-5 hours
The 10th day of our trek consists of hiking from Ghunsa to Khambachen. But, first, we will trek north along the riverside.
Then, following the trail for some time, we slowly ascend through high-land trees and vegetation. We then reach Rampuk Kharka. At Rampuk Kharka, we cross across a beautiful waterfall. Next, following the trail, we reach Jannu and Khambachen. Overnight at Khambachen.
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Day 11 : Khambachen to Lhonak (4785 m) Trip Duration: 4 hours
On the 11th day of our Kanchenjunga circuit trekking, we will trek from Khambachen to Lhonak. Today, we must cross a risky area – a landslide-prone area carefully. Then, we will walk along the river bank, crossing a beautiful waterfall and a bridge, before reaching Ramtang. Following the trail further, we finally reach Lhonak, where we will be spending the night.
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Day 12 : Lhonak to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (4785 m), Back to Lhonak Trip Duration: 8-9 hours
Today, we will reach one of the Kanchenjunga – North base camps. We will walk along with the glaciers on the northern rides. Finally, the Buddhist prayer flags will guide us to the north base camp of Kanchenjunga.
The panoramic view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks is rewarding. After spending some time at the base camp and enjoying its fantastic view, we head back to Lhonak.
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Day 13 : Lhonak to Ghunsa (3595) Trip Duration: 6 hours
From Lhonak, we will be heading to Ghunsa today. It will take us about 6 hours. We will follow the same trail we used while going up. Upon reaching Ghunsa, we will spend the night there.
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Day 14 : Ghunsa to Sele Le (4200 m) Trip Duration: 4-5 hours
Today, we trek to Sele Le Pass. The trail is a steep one, with a gradual walk. Traversing through dense and beautiful Rhododendron and Juniper forests, we enjoy the view of Mt. Makalu in the distance throughout the walk. Having lunch on our way, we finally reach Sele Le.
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Day 15 : Sele Le to Tseram (3868 m) Trip Duration: 6-7 hours
Day 15 marks the trek from Sele Le to Tseram, which takes about 6-7 hours. After walking for about 1 hour, we reach the bottom of Mirgin La pass and continue further. Next, we reach Sinion La pass. Then, walking further, we cross another pass. Taking packed lunch and water with us, we enjoy it along the way. Following the trail further, we come across some ponds. From there, we start to see Tseram. After walking for some time, we finally reach Tseram to spend the night.
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Day 16 : Tseram to Ramche (4610 m); visit Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (), back to Ramche Trip Duration: 3 hours + 2 hours
Trekking from Tseram to Ramche takes us about 2 hours. First, we lunch at Ramche. Then, the trek from Ramche to Kanchenjunga South base camp begins. It takes us about 2 hours to reach. We spend some time at the Kanchenjunga South base camp, enjoying the stunning views of the majestic mountains. After that, we return to Ramche, which takes 2 hours. Overnight at Ramche.
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Day 17 : Ramche to Torongten (2980 m) Trip Duration: 4-5 hours
On the 16th day of our Kanchenjunga circuit trek, we hike from Ramche to Torongten. Following the trail along the Simbhuwa Khola, we reach Torongten. The trail also traverses through some forests along the way. Upon reaching Torongten, we check into our lodge and have something hot to eat. Overnight at Torongten.
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Day 18 : Torongten to Yamphuding (2080 m) Trip Duration: 7-8 hours
Today’s trek consists of trekking from Torongten to Yamphuding, which takes about 7-8 hours. Today’s trail passes along the tree-lined and green pastures on the slopes. Before reaching Lasiya Bhanjyang, we pass over a landslide-prone area on the trail. Finally, we reach Yamphuding, following the trail. Yamphuding has access to motor roads. Overnight at Yamphuding.
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Day 19 : Yamphuding to Khebang (1910 m) Trip Duration: 5-6 hours
Day 19 of our Kanchenjunga circuit trek consists of trekking from Yamphuding to Khebang. It takes about 5-6 hours, and we walk through local villages and terrace fields. Today’s trail is less frequently used, so we walk through a more natural and unspoiled trail. Also, the locals are amicable and welcoming. We stay in a homestay in Khebang.
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Day 20 : Khebang to Khamdime (1500 m) Trip Duration: 5-6 hours
Today, we will be trekking from Khebang to Khamdime, which takes about 6-7 hours. After reaching Khamdime, we will explore the place. Overnight at Khamdime.
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Day 21 : Khamdime to Bhadrapur (91 m) Trip Duration: 10 hours
We will drive from Khamdime to Bhadraur, which takes 10 hours. The first few hours are an off-road drive, but after that, we will drive on a highway leading to Bhadrapur.
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Day 22 : Bhadrapur to Kathmandu Trip Duration: 40 minutes
We will take a return flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. We will then go to our hotels and freshen up. After that, we will go out to explore the beautiful city of Kathmandu. We will also do some shopping today, to take as a souvenir. At night, we can enjoy the fantastic nightlife of Thamel. A good night’s sleep is all that’s left for the day.
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Day 23 : Departure
Today is the departure day. Our representatives will pick you up from your hotel and drop you at the airport.
Kanchenjunga Trekking: FAQ
- Personal Health
- Acclamation
- Elevation and
- Weather
Kanchenjunga the worlds third highest mountain is located in one of the most remote areas of Nepal it lies in the eastern part of Nepal in Taplejung District Inside the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Kanchenjunga is situated in the border between Nepal and India.
Kanchenjunga could be reached through two ways
By Air: You can get the flight from Kathmandu airport which will take you to the Bhadrapur airport it will take 45 minutes to reach Bhadrapur airport. And from there you need to travel on a vehicle for around 8 to 10 hours to reach Taplejung. Our company will arrange all ticketing of the flight and Provide a jeep from Bhadrapur to Taplejung.
By Road: Our company will arrange a private jeep which will take you Taplejung.it will take us 20 hours to reach Taplejung which we will be breaking into 2 days. The total distance is 676 km from Kathmandu. The journey to Taplejung is itself an adventurous Be prepared for the bumpy roads.
While trekking in Nepal we encounter many passes. Passes are also called LA in Tibetan language. Passes are challenging high altitude areas which are used for crossing from one region to another region or valley. Crossing a pass is same like ascending a peak you need ascend and descend in the steep rocky hills. Most of the passes are above 4500m. Passes are one of the regions that makes Kanchenjunga trek difficult. We will be travelling through three different passes
Mirgin La pass
Mirgin La pass is situated at an elevation of 4645 m. we will be crossing this pass on our way from Ramche to Ghunsa. Mirgin La pass is an adventurous and challenging pass.
Sele La pass
Sele La pass lies at the altitude of 4290 m at a small distance from Sele La camp. This pass connects us from sele la to tsreem. Sele la pass is considered as one of the most important passes in the Kanchenjunga region. it is the crucial pass for visiting both the base camps as it connects those two base camps.
Sinion La (4,440m)
We will be crossing all these passes in one day Our itinerary has a detail description of these passes.
Getting to Base camp is not as easy as it looks. You need to cross several passes Walk for long distance in the rocky steep trails and glaciers The most important thing to keep in mind is proper acclizamation. Both the base camps are situated in altitude of more than 4000m. The temperature will also be cold and shivering. We need full preparation for reaching the base camp.
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Take you to the bottom of the Kanchenjunga North side base camp. This base camp is also known as Pangpema Situated at the elevation 4785m. After reaching the Base camp we will already have covered the beauty of places like Ghunsa, lhonak, kambachen and more all the places are situated in the lap of the Himalayas. We will also witness the majestic view of snow-capped peaks glaciers, ice falls and the magnificent Kanchenjunga itself.
Kanchenjunga South Base camp offers you the south view of the majestic Kanchenjunga. This base camp is situated at the altitude of 4160m. When we reach to base camp our body would have already acclimatized properly reducing the risk of AMS. We will be walking through the colorful forest passing the settlements like Tortong, Khebang, Khamdime, Yamphudin and so on these villages offers you the unique culture and their typical indigenous lifestyle. After reaching the base camp we be spending some time witnessing the beautiful mountains.
The key to overcoming the difficulties would be keeping your health in good condition all the time you need to monitor your health at least once a day asks yourself whether you are feeling good or not, whether you need rest or not, you need to drink plenty of water 3 liters is recommended per day as you would be trekking in high altitudes. Make sure your gears like walking boots , Rucksack, trekking poles, sleeping bags and insulated jackets are in good condition. Another major factor would be proper acclimatization it is essential for safe trek.
Well, Fear is always about something uncertain it is said that 80% of the fear is just created by our mind. The rest 20% is of survival. It is normal to be fearful of certain conditions. We see these Fears and problems as an opportunity to grow ourselves and get out of our comfort zone. There are certain things one needs to care about :
These factors should not be underestimated one needs to conscious and fearful about these things. You don’t need to worry about these things as we will be providing experienced Guides and Helpers who will be with you all the time and ensure your safety. If you’re a person who dares to take the challenge and loves adventure then there is nothing to be afraid of.
Being a remote area we can only find a few teahouses and homestays, in some part, we may not even see a settlement. The tea houses and homestays offer only the minimum services of lodging. Most of the days we will be camping, Our company provides the best of the best facilities in camping all the tents will be prepared by our helpers. You will be spending the nights inside the tents in your warm sleeping bags stargazing the billions of star. If you want to have the unique experience of wildlife camping here it is.
Kanchenjunga being the remote areas doesn’t offer a variety of food items. The menu in the tea houses and homestays are very limited they offer you the typical Nepali meal dal Bhat (rice and lentils)with lots of vegetables. You can also taste the local rice beer though drinking a lot is not recommended. While camping our experienced cook will be preparing you the variety of dishes, Our cooks prepare the meal by well sanitizing and by maintaining the standard hygiene our key concern is clients health. We will prepare the food regarding the weather and body needs by maintaining the proper carbs, proteins and nutrients. There won’t be a single day you will be feeling hungry. You can always pack your favourite snacks, chocolate, energy bars and few flavoured water mixes. But don’t bring too much adding extra weight to your backpack.
All the waters will be properly treated by our teams through the purification process and boiling. We make sure that the waters are disinfected we do not recommend drinking untreated water. Drinking 2 to 3 litres daily per day is compulsory while trekking as our body dehydrates quickly. In case of really cold weather, we provide hot waters. If you want to drink the direct source water we recommend you to bring your own life straw.
Most of the trekkers might feel sick during trekking it may be of the new place, new heights, or new food but our company makes sure that you will get the basic techniques of avoiding that sickness. All of our guides have taken the first aid course and they always carry basic first aid kit with them in case of emergency. If the sickness arises from the altitudes and causes AMS the first and only option would be to descend down as soon as possible. IF the basic treatments do not work and get more serious we will immediately arrange a helicopter and get you back to Kathmandu because our first concern is clients health and safety. The cost of the Helicopter and insurance will be forwarded to your mail before the trip.
The first thing is not to get AMS. We make sure that none of us get AMS.AMS could be avoided through proper acclimatization good and hygienic food and rest. Our experienced guides are professionals make sure that you are always in good shape. The rule is you don’t lie anything to your guide not even a simple headache or cold should be kept hidden even minor problems should be informed immediately to the guides. If we encounter the problem we will try to treat it with basic first aid and rest for few days if the symptoms gets worse then we decend down to lower elevations. THE key rule of treating AMS is DECEND DECEND DECEND.
Your backpack may weight from 5 to 8 kgs. All the group equipments foods, will be carried by our team members.We do not recommend bringing unnecessary things.
Kanchenjunga trek is long journey we will be walking around 6 to 8 hours per day depending on the itinery. As a professional trekking company our guides will not take to to more than 300-400 meters after 3000m altitude because it increases the risk of altitude sickness.
You need to inform us about the medicines you are taking on regular basis. Any medical surgeries or injuries you got in the past should also be informed to us. IF you are allergic to certain things like foods smells, etc you should pre inform us so that we make sure that you would not encounter these problems.Kanchenjunga region as safe as other regions there aren’t any diseases that you need to be afraid of. We recommend consulting your doctor before coming to Nepal.
Our company Follows the principle of LEAVE NO TRACE we are highly conscious of the environment and conservation.We respect the wildlife and only set up our camps on durable surfaces minimizing the human and fire impact.We dispose the waste properly our teams will make sure to dispose all the garbages including the human waste. We recommend our guest to Leave only footprints and take only photographs.
Why Mountain Routes ?
- Local Support
- Instant Response
- Customized Packages
- Friendly and Professional Guides
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We can customize the trip for you.
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Map
Destination Path
Return Path
