The world's third-highest peak and the second-highest peak in Nepal after Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is located in the eastern part of Nepal and the northeastern Taplejung district. Three of the five peaks of Kanchenjunga—Kangchenjunga Main (8586 m), Kangchenjunga Central (8482 m), and Kangchenjunga South (8476 m)—are at the border between Nepal and India, while two of the peaks—Kangbachen (7903 m) and Yalung Kang (8505 m)—are located inside Nepal. So the people of Taplejung worship this mountain as the Five Treasures of Snow. Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek can do basic teahouse trekking.
Kanchenjunga is quite far from the capital city of Kathmandu; air and road are the main access points for this trip. There is a regular flight from Kathmandu to Suketar, or you may fly Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and drive about seven to eight hours to Taplejung by private vehicle or public bus via Birtamod too. Another option is to fly Kathmandu to Biratnagar and drive to Basantapur through the Dharan, Chainpur, and Dhankuta. If you are curious to explore more, then you can directly drive from Kathmandu to Birtamod and change the bus to Taplejung. Anyway, Kanchanjangha is a less-trodden trekking trail in Nepal. Beautiful land escapes, amazing mountain views, glaciers, thundering rivers, and people's unique cultures and traditions are the main attractions of this trip.
The Kanchanjungha Conservation Area Project (KCAP) has protected rare plants and animals, including the critically endangered Red Panda. Normally, this trek begins in Suketar after a scenic flight from Kathmandu and continues through Tembewa, Khesewa, Mamanke, Yamphudin, Tortang, Cheram, Ramche (4580 m), and Yalung Base Camp or Kanchanjangha South Base Camp (4730 m). Alternatively, there is a trail from Suketar to Mitlung, Sinwa, Chiruwa, Tapethok, Lelep, Hellok, Lapsetar, and Yasang (one-night tented camping or stay at Yak Harder's hut here), then into Tortang for Kanchanjangha South Base Camp and back to Talpejung via Yamphudin, Phumphe, and Simbu. Sherpa, Limbu, Bhraman, Chetri, Magar, Rai, and other ethnic groups live in lower areas, with the majority of Sherpa and Bhotiya living at higher elevations.
Because the Kanchanjangha South Base Camp Trek is in a restricted area, a minimum of two people and one professional guide are required to obtain a special permit, which must be obtained from the immigration office in Kathmandu. This trek begins at the lowest elevation of 75 meters in Jhapa and ends at Yalung Base Camp at 4730 meters. It can be combined with the Kanchanjunga Circuit via Sele La Pass. Kanchanjunga is one of the best tea houses to trek in because it is less crowded and has spectacular natural scenery. As this is a recently opened tea house trekking, trekkers cannot expect many facilities like in other popular tea house treks in Nepal.
We at Nepal Mother House Treks are delighted to plan your Kanchenjunga trip with an expert local guide and porters based on your specifications. This trek is best done between September and November in the fall and March and May in the spring. Why are not you getting to Kanchanjungha Base Camp before others? Your warm welcome has made the mountains smile.
