Government-licensed trekking agency
Popular treks
Annapurna Base Camp Trek11 days · from $850Annapurna Circuit Trek13 days · from $550Everest Base Camp Trek14 days · from $1,000Langtang Valley Trek10 days · from $890
KanchenjungaUp to 5,143 m
Annapurna RegionUp to 8,091 m
Everest RegionUp to 8,848 m
Langtang RegionUp to 7,227 m
Manaslu RegionUp to 8,163 m
Mustang RegionUp to 7,061 mTaplejung, Nepal
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov
A long, wild trek in the far east of Nepal to the base camps of Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain.
About the region
Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the world's third-highest mountain, stands on the border of Nepal and Sikkim in the far east of the country. The trek to its base camps is long and remote, through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, home to snow leopards and red pandas, and few trekkers ever reach it.
The route links two base camps: Pangpema, the North Base Camp (5,143 m), below the mountain's great north face, and Oktang, near the South Base Camp, over the high passes of the Sele La. On the way you pass Limbu villages, terraced hills and Ghunsa, a Tibetan village with a monastery and prayer flags.
Kanchenjunga's north face from Pangpema, one of the great views of the Himalaya.
A restricted area far from Kathmandu: you may see more yaks than trekkers.
From Limbu farming hills to the Tibetan village of Ghunsa and its monastery.
Glaciers, high pastures and forest in a conservation area with snow leopards.
Treks
Remote wilderness
Our Kanchenjunga trek
To Pangpema below Kanchenjunga's north face (5,143 m), across the Sele La to the South Base Camp, and back through Limbu villages. Permits and guide included.
From $2,350 per person
North Base Camp only, both base camps, or a slower pace with extra rest days. We plan it around your days.
Best time to go
Best
April and May are good, with rhododendron forests in flower lower down. Snow can linger on the passes in March.
Not ideal
Heavy rain in the east, landslides and leeches on the long lower trail. Not recommended.
Best
The best time: clear skies and settled weather from late September to November for both base camps.
Not ideal
Deep snow on the high passes and many lodges closed. Not recommended.
Your guides
Senior trek leader, Everest region · 20+ yrs guiding
“We climb slowly and check everyone every evening. The mountain is not going anywhere.”
English, Nepali, Sherpa
Kanchenjunga trek leader · 18+ yrs guiding
“Kanchenjunga is a long way from anywhere. That is exactly why it is worth it.”
English, Nepali, Limbu
Photos
Travel guides
PlanningGetting there, the north and south base camps, permits and seasons for Nepal's wildest trek.
Questions
About 20–25 days to see both base camps, or 16–18 days for the North Base Camp only. Add travel time to and from far-eastern Nepal.
A Kanchenjunga restricted area permit and the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP). The restricted permit is issued only through a registered agency with a licensed guide. We arrange both and confirm the current group rules when you book.
Strenuous. It is long, with many steep up-and-down days and several nights above 4,000 m. It suits fit trekkers with experience of multi-day walking and altitude.
Yes, along most of the route now, though they are basic and far apart in places. Food is simple, and some nights are in village homes. Camping is no longer needed for the standard route.
Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (about 1 hour), then drive to Taplejung (9–10 hours) and on by jeep to the trailhead. When flights to Suketar near Taplejung run, they save a day.
The North Base Camp at Pangpema has the most dramatic view of the mountain. The South side has forests and the Yalung Glacier. The full trek links the two over the Sele La.
Other regions
Tell us your dates and fitness. A local planner replies on WhatsApp or by email within a few hours.
