Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek is a challenging adventure in the Himalayas. It takes you to the north and south base camps of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world.

Reaching the base camps of this mountain is not the only tough part of this trek. You will also cross Sele Le (4,290 m/14,075 ft), Sinion La (4,646 m/15,243 ft), and Mirgin La (4,480 m/14,698 ft) passes.

Also known as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, it is the ultimate adventure that requires strong fitness and willpower. The region is remote and isolated, and very few tourists visit Kanchenjunga.

You may not even come across any other trekker. If you are looking for a tranquil trip in a secluded part of the Himalayas, the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek is a great option.

The trekking route is inside the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which is home to numerous flora and fauna, including rare species like red panda. While trekking, you will traverse various climatic zones.

Trekking through lush forests of birch, pine, and rhododendrons, ascending to meadows and glacier moraines. The trail has beautiful rivers and waterfalls. In the starting few days of the trek, you will enjoy the lushness of the Himalayan foothills and later dive deep into the barren, glacial landscape.

Oktang Base Camp and Yalung Glacier are two other highlights of Kanchenjunga Circuit trekking. Similarly, your nights in picturesque, remote villages will also be quite memorable.

You can look forward to interesting interactions with the locals and their generous hospitality. Away from the busy Himalayan trails, the Kanchenjunga Circuit offers a breath of fresh air.

Even though the region is very remote, the trek route has a decent teahouse network, so you do not have to do an expensive camping trek. However, we highly recommend that trekkers be well-packed for the journey.

Highlights

• A challenging adventure in the Himalayas that takes you to the north and south base camps of Mt. Kanchenjunga
• Cross three high mountains and witness jaw-dropping mountain panorama from all three of them
• Follow lush forested hills and green meadows and ascend to the glacier zone
• Test your fitness and endurance and go beyond your limits on this challenging trek
• No busy trails, an isolated trekking region, and tranquility at its fullest
• Explore the flora and fauna richness of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
• Stop at ancient monasteries and stupas along the trail and see the daily lives of the locals
• Enjoy nature, wilderness, cascading waterfalls, and gushing rivers
• Witness breathtaking landscapes, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, and excellent mountain vistas

What to expect during the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek?

Kanchenjunga was opened for tourism in mid-1980. Most of the early expeditions were to map Mount Kanchenjunga itself. Down the line, the Kanchenjunga Circuit was developed, which now stands as one of the only few pristine trekking routes in the Himalayas of Nepal.

It is a restricted area in Nepal. So, foreigners have to follow a few strict rules to travel here. For example, you cannot do the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek solo or with an independant guide.

Your trek must be organized by a local Nepali trekking company. Likewise, there should be at least two trekkers in the group. The landscapes are breathtaking along the circuit. It changes quite drastically as you gain elevation.

You can see mountains like Jannu, Kambachen, Kabru Himal, Tent Peak, Wedge Peak, Twins, and many others while trekking. Simillary, there are also excellent sunrise and sunset points along the trail.

Altitude Sickness

The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek starts from Sakathum, which is situated at 1,441 meters (4,727 ft). From here, you will reach Kanchenjunga North Base Camp at 5,140 meters (16,863 ft) in six days of walking.

Then, you will cross three passes, all under 4,700 meters, and spend another six days above 2,500 meters before descending Khebang at 1,910 meters (6,266 ft), where the trek ends.

Our Kanchenjunga Circuit trek itinerary includes one acclimatization day and multiple opportunities to hike high and sleep at lower elevation days. This balances the elevation you gain during trekking and helps you acclimatize and avoid altitude sickness.

• Symptoms: Headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, etc.
• Preventive measures: Ascend slowly, maintain your pace, drink at least 2 liters of water and other fluids a day, get ample rest, eat carbohydrate-rich food to keep up with your energy, and enjoy the trek.

Is this trek suitable for you?

The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek 21 days is suitable for experienced trekkers. This trek demands good fitness and previous high-altitude experience. The Kanchenjunga region is not as popular as the Everest and Annapurna regions, so very few tourists visit here every year.

This has kept the region untouched and trekking infrastructure scarce. So, the journey will be perfect for those who dare to challenge themselves and are ready to have a raw experience.

Kanchenjunga Circuit trek preparation

If you have never been exposed to high altitude before, we recommend aerobic exercises like running, biking, and swimming. These will improve your VO2 max, which means increasing the maximum volume of oxygen that your body can use.

During the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, the oxygen level decreases as you gain elevation. This training will help your body adjust to using less oxygen. Also, make sure to include some kind of hill training.

We also recommend strength training to build your leg muscles and make them strong. Walking long hours is the main requirement of the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, so make sure you are capable of that.

Last but not least, practice yoga breathing rhythms. It will help you calm down while trekking.

Kanchenjunga Circuit trek cost 2024/2025

Below is the cost of our Kanchenjunga Circuit trek for 2024 and 2025. The package cost covers expenses such as accommodation, meals, permits, transportation, guide, porter, etc., as per our itinerary.

Similarly, expenses like international flights to/from Kathmandu, travel insurance, tips, shopping, etc, are not included in our package cost. So, you have to allocate money wisely to cover all the additional expenses for the journey.

Why do the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek with Himalayak Trekking?

We have been organizing treks for foreigners for more than 20 years at this point. We are aware of foreigners' standards and requirements, so we organize our trips to ensure maximum comfort.

By choosing us for your Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, you will choose the most reliable and trustworthy travel agency. Our many years of expertise and knowledge about the region make your trip quite immersive.

You will get a native guide and porter. Likewise, our trips are also customizable. You can make changes to the itinerary as you wish. There are no limitations with us when it comes to exploring Nepal.

Get in touch with us if you have any unanswered questions about the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. Our team will help you. Bookings are open for Kanchenjunga Circuit trek 2024/2025 departures.