Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival to Illam
You'll fly into Bhadrapur and then drive to Illam, which sits at the heart of Nepal's tea country. The drive gives you a chance to settle in and get acclimated before the trek starts. This first night is all about resting up and preparing mentally for the days ahead.
- Start point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (We will meet in our office.)
- Day 2
Ranipool to Sekathum
After heading out from Ranipool, you'll trek toward Sekathum. The route takes you across a bridge that spans the Yalung Glacier-fed river, then along a ridge traversing the Ghunsa Khola Valley. By evening you'll reach camp at Sekathum where the river confluences create a scenic setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Ranipool to Sekathum
- Cross bridge over Yalung Glacier river
- Trek across ridge
Landmarks Yalung Glacier Ghunsa Khola Valley - Day 3
Sekathum to Amjilosa
Walking northeast along the Ghunsa Khola banks, the trail climbs steeply toward the Kanchenjunga Base Camp area. You'll pass through bare mountain terrain before reaching the Tibetan village of Amjilosa, which sits in a landscape shaped entirely by high altitude conditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp
- Trek to Amjilosa village
Landmarks Kanchenjunga Base Camp Amjilosa - Day 4
Amjilosa to Gyable
The trek takes you through thick rhododendron and bamboo forests as elevation increases. A distinctive waterfall marks your route, and later you'll reach Gyable where views of the surrounding countryside open up in all directions from your vantage point.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rhododendron and bamboo forests to Gyable
- Day 5
Gyable to Gunsa
Walking through meadows and over rolling hills, you'll cross the river to enter Gunsa, a substantial Tibetan Buddhist village. Spend time checking out the wooden houses, school, health post, and the local hydroelectric plant. Several Gompas dot the area, and you'll likely encounter other trekkers here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Gunsa Village
- Visit Gompas (Buddhist monasteries) in Gunsa
Landmarks Gunsa Village Kanchenjunga Conservation Area 
- Day 6
Acclimatization Day at Ghunsa
This is an acclimatization day at high altitude. In the morning, cross the river and trek 400 metres above the village on a 4-hour round trip to keep moving. By afternoon, wander through the village chatting with locals and observing how they live in this remote setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization trek across river and 400 metres above village (approximately 4 hour return)
- Village exploration and interaction with locals
Landmarks Ghunsa Village - Day 7
Ghunsa to Kambachen
You'll trek for five to six hours through fragrant pine and rhododendron forests along the south bank of Ghunsa Khola. Chortens and Mani walls line parts of the route as you cross several slopes and glacier moraines. Tiny Kambachen, a small Tibetan village surrounded by peaks, comes into view by day's end.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through pine and rhododendron forests to Kambachen
- Pass chortens and Mani walls along the trail
Landmarks Kambachen Ghunsa Khola - Day 8
Acclimatization Day at Kambachen
Another acclimatization day with optional treks to high viewpoints. You can head to Nupchu Pokhari or Jannu viewpoint to see snow-covered peaks from different angles. In the evening, a short hike to a ridge north of the village lets you capture the sunset and get back to camp by dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Evening short hike to ridge for sunset views
Optional Activities
- Trek to Nupchu Pokhari for Himalayan views
- Trek to Jannu (Khumbarnakarna) viewpoint
Landmarks Khabur Phole Jannu (Kumbharna) Sarfu Himal Nupchu Pokhari - Day 9
Kambachen to Lhonak
Trek toward the source of Ghunsa Khola, then continue along the north side of Kanchenjunga Glacier and past Lhonak Glacier on relatively flat terrain. The crisp air and open views allow you to see Wedge Peak, Mera Peak, Nepal Peak, and the Twins from your vantage point.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to source of Ghunsa Khola
- Trek along Kanchenjunga Glacier
- Trek past Lhonak Glacier to Lhonak
Landmarks Ghunsa Khola Kanchenjunga Glacier Lhonak Glacier Wedge Peak Mera Peak Nepal Peak - Day 10
Lhonak to Kanchenjunga Base Camp and Return
Heading easterly while staying close to Lhonak Glacier on the northern ridges, you'll reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp at Pangpema Peak, which offers excellent photo opportunities. After spending time at the base camp, return to Lhonak for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp (Pangpema Peak)
- Return trek to Lhonak
Landmarks Kanchenjunga Base Camp (Pangpema Peak) Lhonak Glacier - Day 11
Lhonak to Kambachen via Ghunsa
The return journey begins heading back toward Kambachen. You'll break for lunch at Kambachen itself, where views of Mt. Kanchenjunga are fantastic from the village. Continue through Ghunsa and end the day back at Kambachen for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Kambachen with views of Mt. Kanchenjunga), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lhonak to Kambachen via Ghunsa
- Lunch break at Kambachen
Landmarks Mt. Kanchenjunga Ghunsa - Day 12
Kambachen to Ghunsa
Wake early to photograph sunrise over Mt. Janu, Sobi, Ghabur, and Phole from high vantage points. Trek through pine forest past waterfalls heading to Ghunsa Village for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore this nice village and wander around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Ghunsa Village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise photography trek
- Trek through pine forest and past waterfalls to Ghunsa
- Village exploration
Landmarks Mt. Janu (Kumbakarna) Ghunsa Village - Day 13
Ghunsa to Amjilosa
Descend toward Phale and visit several monasteries scattered through the area. Walk through juniper forests, then continue over grassy hillside terrain. The tiny village of Amjilosa marks your stopping point for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Descent to Phale
- Visit monasteries at Phale
- Trek through juniper forests to Amjilosa
Landmarks Phale Amjilosa - Day 14
Amjilosa to Sakathum
This is your last day on the trail. Head out from Amjilosa passing many black cardamom fields and walking along Ghunsa River before reaching Sakathum by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Ghunsa River
- Trek through black cardamom fields to Sakathum
Landmarks Ghunsa River - Day 15
Sakathum to Illam
A short 15-minute walk gets you to the Ranipool jeep station. From there, drive through terraced hillsides and villages to Taplejung for lunch, then continue to Illam, Nepal's tea capital, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch stop at Taplejung), Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk to Ranipool jeep station
- Scenic drive to Illam via Taplejung
Landmarks Ranipool Taplejung Illam - Day 16
Illam to Kathmandu
Wake to tea plantations surrounding you in Illam. You'll fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel in Thamel for the night. This is your time to rest and reflect on completing the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek. A welcome and farewell dinner with cultural performances is included to celebrate your accomplishment.
- End point
- Thamel, Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (We will drop you to your hotel)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome and Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances)
Included Activities
- Flight from Illam to Kathmandu
- Welcome and Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances
Landmarks Thamel
