Many people consider the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek to be the most splendid of the Kanchenjunga treks. The trail climbs above valleys, gorges, and all settlements to reach the north face of the third-highest mountain in the world – Kanchenjunga(8,586 meters/28,169 feet). Along the remote trails beneath this behemoth of a mountain, it is possible you will walk for several days without seeing another trekker. It is a journey of pure peace as you wander through the remote alpine country of far eastern Nepal.

This adventurous trail offers the full-package Himalayan experience. We hike through wide valleys, narrow gorges, and rushing rivers. Ascending through lush rhododendron and bamboo forests, we walk for days among the glaciers and high alpine pastures. Our out-and-back trail ends at Kanchenjunga Base Camp (KBC) Pang Pema (5140 meters). Here, we have a jaw-dropping view of over 16 Himalayan peaks, including Everest (8848 meters), Makalu (8481 meters), Jannu (7710 meters), Kabru (7412 meters), and Tharpu Chuli (Tent Peak) (5663 meters), among many more.

To begin our memorable 16-day excursion, we take a night bus to Birtamod and drive to Suketar the following day. We trek through the lowlands and past terraced agriculture. Along the way, we visit Rai, Limbu, and Tibetan villages. These groups speak their own dialect and practice different religions and customs than most Nepali people. They greet us with their superb hospitality. Try a cup of Tongba, locally made hot millet wine. As you slurp the first cup down, you get more and more refills of hot water, which is soaked up by the fermented millet. Before we know it, we are in a desolate area, too high for any vegetation to live.

As for wildlife on the trek, we may encounter the impedance Pheasant, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, Himalayan black bear, Musk Deer, and even the Red Panda. Oh, and keep your eyes out for the legendary Yeti, known to have been roaming around the region.

We have listed this trek as a ‘camping trek’ because accommodations/general facilities on this trek are limited. During the main tourism months, most teahouses are open. It is up to you whether you would rather camp or stay in a teahouse. We will discuss these logistics with you.

NOTE: If you would like to skip the night bus and fly to Biratnagar and take a shorter drive to Suketar, we can arrange this for an additional cost.

Trekking is possible throughout the year, but Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) provide the best weather. During the Spring, there is a bit more color and the rhododendrons are blooming, and in the Autumn months, the skies are generally clearer. Depending on the time of the year that you make the trek, teahouses may not be open. We will give you the details before you book your trek. The Kanchenjunga North Trek requires moderate fitness and acclimatization to avoid acute mountain sickness. Breeze Adventure arranges the trek with complete management. Please, feel free to contact us for more detailed information.

Accommodation

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp package includes accommodation in the cost. This accommodation is included in the set itinerary. While in Kathmandu, we provide a 2-3 Star hotel for you. During the trek, our guides will pick the best lodge for you to stay in based on their experience as well as room availability. The accommodations will be very basic in the mountains. All the accommodations will be on a twin-shared basis. In the mountain, the Shower and toilet will be on a shared basis. During high trekking season, you may have to share a room with a same-sex trekker from another group.

Food

Kanchenjunga region has a wide variety of food and it is easy to cater to your needs. If you are a vegetarian/vegan, gluten or lactose-free, we are able to work around that if you let us know ahead of time. During your time in the hotel in Kathmandu, your breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner must be covered on your own. On the trek, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. For teahouse treks, we can order typical Nepali food, continental, Italian, Tibetan, and Indian at teahouses. All the food will be cooked by the local cook by using local vegetables so the taste would be very local.

Guide & Porters

A government-licensed guide will lead the trek. All our guides have tremendous experience on the trails and are passionate about the trekking industry. Our guides and porters are dedicated to making your experience of trekking in Nepal a memorable one. If there is any worry during your trek, our guides will address it. Your safety is our number one priority. For groups of more than six people, there will be two guides. For teahouse treks, there will be one porter for every two trekkers.

Acclimatization/Fitness/Experience

As many of our treks lead us high into the Himalayas, it is necessary to let our bodies sufficiently get used to the altitude. Our Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek has two acclimatization days built into the itinerary. It is best to take it slow to prevent altitude sickness. The level of fitness necessary for our treks varies depending on the trek. On average, expect to walk an average of 5-6 hours per day while on the trail. Generally, the treks can be done with an average level of fitness. More important than fitness or experience is one’s personal determination and positive attitude toward finishing and enjoying the trek.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend having travel insurance before going on a trek. We do our best to take care of you, but something can happen that is out of our control. In case of a medical emergency, leading to a helicopter evacuation, it is best to have insurance. You are unable to obtain medical insurance in Nepal and must do so in your home country. Be sure that your insurance covers accidents abroad and high in the mountains.

Best Time to Travel

The peak seasons for trekking to Kanchenjunga region are during the Spring (March to May) and the Autumn (September to November). These times provide the best scenery and clearest skies, but of course, they are a little more crowded than the off-season. It is possible to trek during the Winter (December to February), but you will face cold temperatures. It is also possible to trek during the monsoon season (June to August), though the views will likely be covered by clouds and there is a high chance of rainfall and landslides.