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Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Itinerary

A remote trek to Pangpema, the north base camp of the world's third highest mountain. A 16-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

16 days

10 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

5,143 m

Pangpema (North Base Camp)

Difficulty

Strenuous

Kanchenjunga (restricted area)

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Restricted area. You need a permit arranged through a registered trekking agency and a licensed guide. You cannot trek here independently.
Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k6k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startJannu viewpoint: about 4,540 mPangpema (North Base Camp): about 5,143 mDay 1: Phidim, about 1,270 mDay 2: Sekathum, about 1,585 mDay 3: Amjilosa, about 2,450 mDay 4: Gyabla, about 2,730 mDay 5: Ghunsa, about 3,595 mDay 6: Ghunsa, about 3,595 mDay 7: Kambachen, about 4,100 mDay 8: Kambachen, about 4,100 mDay 9: Lhonak, about 4,780 mDay 10: Lhonak, about 4,780 mDay 11: Ghunsa, about 3,595 mDay 12: Gyabla, about 2,730 mDay 13: Amjilosa, about 2,450 mDay 14: Taplejung, about 1,820 mDay 15: Bhadrapur, about 93 mDay 16: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m13579111315Day

3 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Bhadrapur to Phidim

    Sleep: Phidim · about 1,270 mFlight to Bhadrapur about 45 to 50 min, then about 6 h by road

    Fly to the Terai and drive up into the eastern hills.

  2. Day 2

    Phidim to Sekathum via Taplejung

    Sleep: Sekathum · about 1,585 mAbout 8 h by road via Taplejung (about 1,820 m)

    A long, rough road. Some itineraries walk from Taplejung through Chirwa and Lelep instead, which adds about two days.

  3. Day 3

    Sekathum to Amjilosa

    Sleep: Amjilosa · about 2,450 m (sources: 2,395 to 2,510 m)Walking 4 to 6 h

    Enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and climb through forest above the Tamor river.

  4. Day 4

    Amjilosa to Gyabla

    Sleep: Gyabla · about 2,730 mWalking 4 to 6 h

    Through Thyanyani and forest to Gyabla.

  5. Day 5

    Gyabla to Ghunsa

    Sleep: Ghunsa · about 3,595 m (sources: 3,427 to 3,595 m)Walking 4 to 6 hSleeping altitude +870 m

    Ghunsa is the main village of the upper valley. Sources give between 3,427 and 3,595 m.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 870 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  6. Day 6 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Ghunsa

    Sleep: Ghunsa · about 3,595 m (sources: 3,427 to 3,595 m)

    Rest and take a short walk. Do not skip it.

  7. Day 7

    Ghunsa to Kambachen

    Sleep: Kambachen · about 4,100 m (sources: 4,050 to 4,100 m)Walking 5 to 6 hSleeping altitude +510 m

    Past Labuk and into the high valley beneath Jannu.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 510 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  8. Day 8 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Kambachen

    Sleep: Kambachen · about 4,100 m (sources: 4,050 to 4,100 m)Reach Jannu viewpoint · about 4,540 m

    A rest day, with an optional walk to a Jannu viewpoint (about 4,540 m). Return to sleep at Kambachen.

  9. Day 9

    Kambachen to Lhonak

    Sleep: Lhonak · about 4,780 m (sources: 4,760 to 4,790 m)Walking 4 to 5 hSleeping altitude +680 m

    Cross a landslide area and follow the moraine to Lhonak, a basic camp beside a lake.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 680 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  10. Day 10

    Lhonak to Pangpema and back

    Sleep: Lhonak · about 4,780 m (sources: 4,760 to 4,790 m)Walking 7 to 8 hReach Pangpema (North Base Camp) · about 5,143 m

    A long day trip to the north base camp. The approach includes a steep, loose section over a landslide. Turn back in poor weather or with altitude symptoms.

  11. Day 11

    Lhonak to Ghunsa

    Sleep: Ghunsa · about 3,595 m (sources: 3,427 to 3,595 m)Walking 6 to 8 h

    A long descent of about 26 km.

  12. Day 12

    Ghunsa to Gyabla

    Sleep: Gyabla · about 2,730 mWalking 4 to 6 h

    Return times are not given separately in the sources. Allow about the same as the way up.

  13. Day 13

    Gyabla to Amjilosa

    Sleep: Amjilosa · about 2,450 m (sources: 2,395 to 2,510 m)Walking 4 to 6 h

    Retrace the route down the valley.

  14. Day 14

    Amjilosa to Sekathum to Taplejung

    Sleep: Taplejung · about 1,820 mWalking 4 to 6 hThen a jeep to Taplejung

    The last day of walking, then a vehicle to Taplejung.

  15. Day 15

    Taplejung to Bhadrapur

    Sleep: Bhadrapur · about 93 mAbout 10 h or more by road

    A very long drive down to the Terai, with delays common on the road.

  16. Day 16

    Bhadrapur to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 mFlight about 50 min

    Fly back to Kathmandu.

Permits

  • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, arranged only through a registered trekking agency
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit
  • A TIMS card is also commonly listed
  • A licensed guide is required. Confirm the full permit list and any group-size rule with the agency

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is the third highest mountain in the world, on the border with India and Sikkim. This plan follows the Tamor valley from Taplejung through Gyabla and Ghunsa to Kambachen and Lhonak, then makes a long day trip to Pangpema (about 5,143 m), the north base camp, and returns the same way.

It is a remote, long trek in a restricted area, with simple lodges and long drives at either end. The approach to Pangpema crosses a steep, loose landslide section. The full circuit crosses Sele Le (about 4,390 m) and visits the south base camp from Cheram, and takes 21 to 22 days.

Day-by-day itinerary (16 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Bhadrapur to Phidim. Sleep at Phidim (about 1,270 m). Flight to Bhadrapur about 45 to 50 min, then about 6 h by road.
  2. Day 2: Phidim to Sekathum via Taplejung. Sleep at Sekathum (about 1,585 m). About 8 h by road via Taplejung (about 1,820 m).
  3. Day 3: Sekathum to Amjilosa. Sleep at Amjilosa (about 2,450 m). Walking about 4 to 6 h.
  4. Day 4: Amjilosa to Gyabla. Sleep at Gyabla (about 2,730 m). Walking about 4 to 6 h.
  5. Day 5: Gyabla to Ghunsa. Sleep at Ghunsa (about 3,595 m). Walking about 4 to 6 h.
  6. Day 6: Acclimatisation day at Ghunsa. Sleep at Ghunsa (about 3,595 m).
  7. Day 7: Ghunsa to Kambachen. Sleep at Kambachen (about 4,100 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  8. Day 8: Acclimatisation day at Kambachen. Sleep at Kambachen (about 4,100 m). Reach Jannu viewpoint (about 4,540 m).
  9. Day 9: Kambachen to Lhonak. Sleep at Lhonak (about 4,780 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  10. Day 10: Lhonak to Pangpema and back. Sleep at Lhonak (about 4,780 m). Walking about 7 to 8 h. Reach Pangpema (North Base Camp) (about 5,143 m).
  11. Day 11: Lhonak to Ghunsa. Sleep at Ghunsa (about 3,595 m). Walking about 6 to 8 h.
  12. Day 12: Ghunsa to Gyabla. Sleep at Gyabla (about 2,730 m). Walking about 4 to 6 h.
  13. Day 13: Gyabla to Amjilosa. Sleep at Amjilosa (about 2,450 m). Walking about 4 to 6 h.
  14. Day 14: Amjilosa to Sekathum to Taplejung. Sleep at Taplejung (about 1,820 m). Walking about 4 to 6 h. Then a jeep to Taplejung.
  15. Day 15: Taplejung to Bhadrapur. Sleep at Bhadrapur (about 93 m). About 10 h or more by road.
  16. Day 16: Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). Flight about 50 min.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, arranged only through a registered trekking agency
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit
  • A TIMS card is also commonly listed
  • A licensed guide is required. Confirm the full permit list and any group-size rule with the agency

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 16 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 10 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Pangpema (North Base Camp), at about 5,143 m.

What is the best time for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek?

Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit, arranged only through a registered trekking agency. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit. A TIMS card is also commonly listed. A licensed guide is required. Confirm the full permit list and any group-size rule with the agency. A licensed guide is required in this restricted area. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

Do I need a permit and a guide for Kanchenjunga?

Yes. Kanchenjunga is a restricted area, and sources agree that a Restricted Area Permit arranged through a registered trekking agency and a licensed guide are required. You also need a Conservation Area permit.

How high is Kanchenjunga Base Camp?

The north base camp, Pangpema, is about 5,143 m. The trek is a long day trip from Lhonak, at about 4,780 m.

How long is the Kanchenjunga trek?

This plan takes 16 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with two acclimatisation days. The full circuit including the south base camp takes about 21 to 22 days.