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Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, is located in the easternmost part of Nepal. The Milke Danda Range in eastern Nepal and north of Taplejung is a sanctuary for Nepal's National flower, the rhododendron. The foothills of these mountains get upwards of 3,500 mm of rain per year, triple the amount of annual rainfall of western Nepal. The effect is most visible in the thick, verdant forests and heavy undergrowth. Even at the height of the dry season, the jungle trails are lush and green. The entire trek through the humid forests of the Tamur River basin is an orchid enthusiast's delight!
This trek entails flying to Taplejung and trekking the ridge route to Kangchenjunga south base camp, then backtracking to Tseram to cross over to the northern side.
ITINERARY
| Day 01 |
Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International airport and be met by a member of our crew. We will be driven to our hotel and later go on a familiarization walk with one of our guides.. |
| Day 02 |
Kathmandu
Spend the early part of the day on a guided tour of sacred Tibetan stupas and monasteries. Later we will take a flight to Biratnagar where we will spend the evening relaxing before our trek begins the following day.
Overnight in Hotel |
| Day 03 |
Lali Kharka (2,250m/7,402ft)
Fly to Taplejung on the early morning flight and trek 5km (3 hrs) to Lali Kharka past picturesque multi-ethnic villages.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 04 |
Mamankhe (1,920m/6,317ft)
Trek 11.5km (5 hrs) to Mamankhe, a Rai and Limbu village where the houses are surrounded by barley, millet and corn fields.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 05 |
Langtang (3,500m/11,515ft)
The trail traverses up and down through the forest and later reaches Ghoratabela. Following, there is a short ½ hour climb that will bring us to a pass to the right of where the Langtang Valley begins. Total trekking for the day is 13.5km/7hrs.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 06 |
Yamptudin (1,635m/5,379ft)
Today we trek 7km (3 hrs) to Yamptudin. It is most probably the only Gurung village this far east, and unlike their Rai and Limbu neighbours, the Gurung speak Nepali.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 07 |
Lamite Bhanjyang (2,900m/9,541ft)
Trek 8.5km (4 hrs) to Lamite Bhanjyang, which is surrounded by a thick forest of tall trees. Beyond this point one comes across only herders and shepherds taking their livestock to high pastures.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 08 |
Tseram (3,770m/12,403ft)
Trek 16km (7 hrs) to Tseram, located at the junction where the trail branches off to the Yalung Glacier.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 09 |
Ramche (4,800m/16,055ft)
Trek 9km (3 hrs) to Ramche, a yak shelter 2.5 hours away from the Kangchenjunga South Base Camp. Further up there is a broad glacier field at Oktang, which is a great place to camp barring any altitude symptoms.
Overnight stay in tents. |
| Day 10 |
Tseram (3,770m/12,403ft)
Today we trek a total of 18.5km (7 hrs). The day begins with an ascent to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp and finishes with a quick descent to Tseram.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 11 |
Rapka Kharka (4,000m/13,160ft)
Today is a long day's trek (11.5km/7 hrs), crossing two 4,800 m passes. From the exotically named Sinion La there is a most spectacular view. Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586m/28,248ft) and Mt. Junnu dominate the eastern horizon, to the west is the jagged ridge of Jaljale Himal which separates the Tamur and Arun watersheds, and far in the distance are Mt. Makalu (8,485m/27,916ft) and Mt. Everest (8,848m/29,110ft). On a clear day, you can see down to the Indian plains in the south.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 12 |
Ghunsa (3,550m/11,670ft)
A 9km (4.5 hrs) trek down to the valley takes us to the site of a Tibetan Refugee Camp, where we will halt for the night.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 13 |
Rampuk Kharka (3,720m/12.239ft)
Trek 11.5km (7 hrs) through forest and moraine country with narrow trails and rock falls.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 14 |
Lhonak (4,780m/15,726ft)
After trekking 13.5 km (6 hrs) we arrive in Lhonak. From here the north face of Kangchenjunga is visible with its three stacked glacier shelves from which seracs break off from time to time and tumble down in billowing clouds of ice. At the head of the valley there are views of Mt. Kirat Chuli (7,365m/24,231ft), Nepal Peak (7,168m/23,583ft) and The Twins (7,350m/24,182ft), with the valley itself seeming to go on and on.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 15 |
Pang Pema (5,200m/17,060ft)
Trek 10.5km (4 hrs) to Pang Pema where you can get even better views of the north face. It is a wonderful place to relax, and soak up the silence and tranquility.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 16 |
Ghunsa (3,550m/11,670ft)
This will be a long day, as we will descend 31.5km (10 hrs) to our camp at Ghunsa. We will have a thrilling view of Mt. Kumbhakarna (7,170m/23,589ft) as well as a magnificent view of the Kumbhakarna Glacier.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 17 |
Ghunsa (3,550m/11,670ft)
This will be a long day, as we will descend 31.5km (10 hrs) to our camp at Ghunsa. We will have a thrilling view of Mt. Kumbhakarna (7,170m/23,589ft) as well as a magnificent view of the Kumbhakarna Glacier.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 18 |
Chirwa (1,500m/4,935ft)
Trek 23.5km (7 hrs) to Chirwa. From Amjillasa the trail climbs steeply above the Ghunsa Khola, providing a wonderful view of the valley below. After passing Sakathum Village we will arrive at the confluence of the Tamur and Ghunsa Khola. The trail later crosses the Simbuwa Khola (formed by the Yalung Glacier) as it follows the Tamur to Chirwa.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 19 |
Taplejung
Today is another long day (31km/9 hrs) as we climb up to the ridge to get back to Taplejung for the return flight.
Overnight stay in tents |
| Day 20 |
Kathmandu
We will fly back to Biratnagar on the early morning flight and make our connection to Kathmandu.
Check into Hotel |
| Day 21 |
Kathmandu
Spend the day sightseeing and shopping, or take a free day and rest.
Overnight in Hotel |
| Day 22 |
Kathmadu
Depature from kathmandu. |
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