Day 1
Taplejung to Sekathum
5 hrs / 12 km / sleep 1,575 m
Drive to Sekathum and begin trekking along the Tamor River.
Kanchenjunga
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Trek to the base of the worlds third-highest peak through some of Nepals most remote and pristine wilderness. The full circuit visits both north (Pangpema) and south (Oktang) base camps.
Challenging20 days5,143 mMar - May, Oct - Nov
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Pangpema North BC (5,143m)
- Oktang South BC (4,730m)
- Remote wilderness
- Limbu & Sherpa culture
Trek to the base of the worlds third-highest peak through some of Nepals most remote and pristine wilderness. The full circuit visits both north (Pangpema) and south (Oktang) base camps.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 20 planned days, 220 km of walking, and 9,500 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Pangpema North BC (5,143m), Oktang South BC (4,730m), Remote wilderness, Limbu & Sherpa culture.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Sekathum to Amjilosa
6 hrs / 11 km / sleep 2,310 m
Trek through bamboo and rhododendron forests with river crossings.
Day 3
Amjilosa to Gyabla
5 hrs / 7 km / sleep 2,730 m
Continue through forests and waterfalls to the Tibetan-origin village of Gyabla.
Day 4
Gyabla to Ghunsa
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,595 m
Ascend to Ghunsa, a significant Sherpa village and key acclimatization point.
Day 5
Ghunsa acclimatization
4 hrs / 6 km / sleep 3,595 m
Acclimatization day. Explore the village and surrounding ridges.
Day 6
Ghunsa to Khambachen
6 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,050 m
Trek with views of Jannu (Kumbhakarna) to the yak-herding settlement of Khambachen.
Day 7
Khambachen acclimatization
4 hrs / 6 km / sleep 4,050 m
Acclimatization day. Hike to Jannu viewpoint.
Day 8
Khambachen to Lhonak
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,790 m
Trek through moraines to Lhonak, the last stop before North Base Camp.
Day 9
Lhonak to Lhonak
7 hrs / 14 km / sleep 4,790 m
Hike to Pangpema North Base Camp (5,143m) for views of Kanchenjungas massive north face. Return to Lhonak.
Day 10
Lhonak to Ghunsa
6 hrs / 17 km / sleep 3,595 m
Long descent back to Ghunsa.
Day 11
Ghunsa to Sele Le
7 hrs / 11 km / sleep 4,290 m
Ascend toward south side, crossing high passes with panoramic views.
Day 12
Sele Le to Tseram
7 hrs / 12 km / sleep 3,870 m
Cross more passes and descend to Tseram.
Day 13
Tseram to Ramche
7 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,610 m
Trek to Ramche near the Yalung Glacier.
Day 14
Ramche to Ramche
6 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,610 m
Hike to Oktang South Base Camp (4,730m) for views of Kanchenjungas south face and Yalung Glacier. Return to Ramche.
Day 15
Ramche to Tortong
6 hrs / 14 km / sleep 2,995 m
Big descent through forests and meadows to Tortong.
Day 16
Tortong to Yamphudin
5 hrs / 12 km / sleep 2,080 m
Continue descent through diverse landscapes and Limbu/Rai villages.
Day 17
Yamphudin to Taplejung
6 hrs / 14 km / sleep 1,820 m
Final trek back to Taplejung through villages and farmlands.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
1,820 m
Start
4,790 m
Highest sleep
5,143 m
Max altitude
17
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
Loading route map...
GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
- Duration
- 20 days
- Altitude
- 5,143 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek runs 20 days and covers 220 km of walking. That includes 2 acclimatization days where you sleep at the same village instead of climbing higher. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek go?
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek tops out at 5,143 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 4,790 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek normally requires: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit, Restricted Area Permit, TIMS Card. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?
Mar - May, Oct - Nov is the usual window for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is rated challenging, with 9,500 m of total ascent over 220 km. Walking days are roughly 5-7 hours. Above 4,000 m the limiting factor is usually altitude rather than fitness, so pace and rest days matter more than training volume.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?
Yes. The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek reaches 5,143 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days (2 on this itinerary), and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Is there a GPX file for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?
Yes - the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek GPX and KML tracks are free to download from this page and open in TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Garmin Connect, Organic Maps or Google Earth. The track is a planning reference built from route data, not a surveyed trail: verify junctions on the ground and follow local signage and guides over the line on your screen.
Where does the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek start and finish?
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek starts and finishes at Taplejung, in the Kanchenjunga region.
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A detailed Nepal trek packing guide covering the three-layer clothing system, footwear, first aid, electronics battery strategy, permits, pack weight decisions, and pre-departure digital prep with TrekGuard.
Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
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Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail - free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
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