Head to head
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek vs Gokyo Lakes Trek
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is the more approachable option (Challenging, max 5,143 m), while Gokyo Lakes Trek is the bigger undertaking (Challenging, max 5,357 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Difficulty
Kanchenjunga: Challenging
vs Gokyo: Challenging
Max altitude
Kanchenjunga: 5,143 m
vs Gokyo: 5,357 m
Duration
Kanchenjunga: 20 days
vs Gokyo: 12 days
Choose
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
if you want…
- Lower max altitude (5,143 m) - gentler on acclimatization
- More time on the trail - 20 days to immerse
- Quieter, more remote region
- Explores the Kanchenjunga region
Choose
Gokyo Lakes Trek
if you want…
- Shorter trip - 12 days vs 20
- Higher summit point (5,357 m) for bigger mountain views
- More popular and better supported with teahouses
- Explores the Everest region
Full comparison
| Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek | Gokyo Lakes Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Challenging | Challenging |
| Duration | 20 days | 12 days |
| Max altitude | 5,143 m | 5,357 m |
| Total distance | 220 km | 100 km |
| Elevation gain | 9,500 m | 5,200 m |
| Best season | Mar - May, Oct - Nov | Mar - May, Sep - Nov |
| Est. budget | USD 700-1,500 | USD 700-1,500 |
| Permits | Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit, Restricted Area Permit, TIMS Card | Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit |
| Accommodation | Teahouses and local lodges | Teahouses, lodges, and camping where required |
| Mobile network | Patchy in upper sections | Patchy in upper sections |
| Safety level | High | High |
Planning aid only. GPX and route pages are not live trail authority. Map packs need download on Wi‑Fi; weather and SMS need connectivity when used.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek vs Gokyo Lakes Trek: common questions
Which is harder, which goes higher, which costs more, and which one to do first - answered from the route data in the table above.
Which is harder, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek is the harder of the two: challenging versus challenging, topping out at 5,357 m against 5,143 m. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is the more approachable option (Challenging, max 5,143 m), while Gokyo Lakes Trek is the bigger undertaking (Challenging, max 5,357 m). Pick based on your experience, available days and how high you're comfortable sleeping.
Which goes higher, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Gokyo Lakes Trek reaches 5,357 m, against 5,143 m on Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek - a difference of about 214 m. A higher maximum means a slower ascent profile and more exposure to acute mountain sickness.
Which takes longer, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek takes 20 days against 12 for Gokyo Lakes Trek - 8 days more on the trail, plus buffer days for weather and flights.
Which is cheaper, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Typical per-person budgets are USD 700-1,500 for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek and USD 700-1,500 for the Gokyo Lakes Trek, covering permits, lodging, food and local transport. Guides, porters, domestic flights and insurance are extra and usually dominate the difference.
Which should a first-time trekker choose, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is the safer first choice: challenging rating, a maximum of 5,143 m, and 20 days on the trail. Save Gokyo Lakes Trek for after you know how your body handles sleeping above 2,500 m.
When is the best time to do the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek or the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is best in Mar - May, Oct - Nov; Gokyo Lakes Trek is best in Mar - May, Sep - Nov. If your dates are fixed, let the season pick the route rather than forcing a route into the wrong season.
Still weighing it up? Build a side-by-side with any routes in our interactive tool.
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