Day 1: Arrival in Nepal and passport to Himalayan Quests

Day 2: Trek briefing and preparation

Day 3: Flight Kathmandu to Badrapur and then a long drive to Taplejung (1,820m)

Day 4: Taplejung – Mitlung (921m).  Today we walk down to the Tamur River and then follow it upstream, stopping for lunch at Handewa. We will be following the Great Himalaya Trail Cultural Route, a spectacular and interesting route through some of Nepal’s most remote villages.  Approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 5: Mitlung – Chiruwa (1,270m). Today is quite challenging as we follow rough paths high above the river. The trail passes through the Limbu and Tamang villages of Sinwa, Tawa and Porke and as the valley narrows, passes over old landslide debris and boulder-strewn river deposits. We will finally descend to the Thiwa Khola, crossing it on a wooden bridge, before the final leg of up and down arriving at the small market town of Chirwa our stop for the night, approx. 5-6 hours

Day 6: Chiruwa – Sukethum (1,579m). Today we pass through Limbu, Rai, Tamang, and Sherpa villages. The trail follows the Tamur River and climbs a spur before descending to the Simbua Khola, which originates from the Yalung Glacier on the south of Kanchenjunga. After another ridge, we join the steep and narrow Ghunsa Khola Valley and then where the confluence of the Tamur River and Ghunsa Khola meet it is only a short walk to our campsite on the banks of the river at Sukethum, approx. 5 hours.

Day 7: Sukethum – Amjlosa (2,308m).  From Sukethum we trek northeast along the Ghunsa Khola gaining altitude as we head towards Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Today’s walking is on exposed terrain with steep uphill after our lunch stop at Jaubari, bringing us to the Tibetan village of Amjilossa where we will camp for the night, approx. 6 hours.

Day 8: Amjilosa – Gyabla (2,730m). Today we will walk through rhododendron and bamboo forests. After lunch, we will start our ascent to our final destination of the day, Gyabla. Nearing our destination, we need to keep an eye out for a big waterfall on the opposite side of the river as this signals our imminent arrival at our campsite, one of the most beautiful campsites of the trek, with amazing views, approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 9: Gyabla – Ghunsa (3,595m).  Today we head for not only the largest but also the last village in the valley, Ghunsa. Ghunsa is a picturesque Tibetan village with wooden houses, a micro hydropower plant, school, and a health post. There are also several lodges and shops in the village and a small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office, plus a couple of gompas. Ghunsa is the junction for all the trekkers coming and going to KBC and the Sale La Pass. From Gyabla, the trail crosses a broad meadow past a village and climbs a gentle hill before descending to cross the river into the village of Ghunsa, approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 10: Ghunsa acclimatisation day. Today we do a morning acclimatisation hike to the other side of the river with a gain of about 400 m, taking about 3.5 hours for the round trip. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing and exploring the lively Tibetan village of Ghunsa.

Day 11: Ghunsa – Khangpachen (4,050m). From Ghunsa the trail makes a gradual ascent through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests along the south bank of the Ghunsa Khola, passing several mani walls and chortens along the way. We will have to cross several scree slopes and some glacial moraine before we drop down to Khambachen, our home for the night. Khambachen is a Tibetan settlement with about a dozen houses nestled in a grassy plain, surrounded by mountains and a very impressive view of the huge north face of Jannu, approx. 7 hours.

Day 12: Khangpachen – Lhonak (4,780m).  Reaching the source of the Ghunsa Khola, we’ll stay on the left (north) side of the Kanchenjunga Glacier, hiking along a high plateau past the intersecting Lhonak Glacier to our left to reach the high, flat campsite at Lhonak. Although a cold campsite due to its high elevation, the views are fantastic as we will be surrounded by some of the highest snow-peaks on the planet – Wedge Peak (6,750m), Mera Peak (6344m), Nepal Peak (6910m), Twins (7,351m) among others, approx. 7 hours.

Day 13: Lhonak – Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5,143m).  After leaving Lhonak we head directly east following the same glacier on the northern ridges to a fantastic campsite at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, also called Pang Pema. Camping here is one of the highlights of the trek and makes us realize just how small and insignificant we are in this world of snow and rock, approx. 3 hours.

Day 14: Kanchenjunga Base Camp – Ghunsa (3,595m). Today is a long day as we retrace our footsteps back to Ghunsa where we stay for the night, approx. 8 hours.

Day 15: Ghunsa – Tseram (3,870m).  Today is a bit of an epic, taking us over passes on our way to Tseram, the highest being Sele La (4,480m) and Sinion La (4,660m). After completing the final pass of the day, we descend 1,000m to Tseram, where we will camp for the night, approx. 8 hours.

Day 16: Tseram – Ramche (4,580m).  Today we walk up to Ramche, where we pass the snout of the Yalung glacier into an ablation valley. All the peaks to the east straddle the India-Nepal border, Koktang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m) and some of the Kabrus which are all over 7,000m. There is a lake and a meadow along with two stone houses at Ramche and blue sheep can often be seen on the grassy slopes above.  Approx. 7 – 8 hours.

Day 17: Ramche – Yalung Base Camp (4,500m). Trekking this day is pretty adventurous, as you have to walk along the glaciers. Today you cross the Oktang glacier, giving panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Jannu amongst others. We stay overnight at Yalung Base Camp.  Approx. 7 – 8 hours

Day 18: Yalung Base Camp – Lapsang (4,432m).  This day you retrace your steps back to Lapsang, approx. 6 hours

Day 19: Lapsang – Tortong (2,995m).  We are starting to descend from today. We steadily descend through a forest of rhododendrons to Torontam. Approx 5 hours.

Day 20: Tortong – Yamphudim (2,080m).  The trail drops steeply to the Imja Khola then crosses the Dubi Pass and descends into Yamphudin. The village has a mixed community of Sherpas, Rais, Limbus, and Gurungs and is also home to a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office. Approx 5 – 6 hours.

Day 21: Yamphudim – Rest day

Day 22: Yamphudim – Phumpe (1,858m).  We descend from Yamphudin to the Kabele Khola and climb to Phumpe for our camp. Approx. 5-6 hours

Day 23: Phumpe – Pha Khola (1,500m).  From Phumpe we climb to a ridge and then descend through a series of side valleys past Phun village to Kesawa (2,120m). The trail ascends to the Gurung settlement at Bhanjyang. From here the trail traverses a ridge and descends to the Limbu village of Khanjari. We camp below on the banks of Pha Khola. Approx. 6-7 hours.

Day 24: Pha Khola – Suketar (2,420m).  We descend today to the airport at Suketar for our overnight camp. This will be our last night to celebrate with our crew and porters. Approx 5 hours.

Day 25: Drive to Bhadrapur.

Day 26: Fly to Kathmandu.

Notes:

The trek itinerary is a guide only and may be subject to change at short notice

In order to obtain your Kanchenjunga restricted access permit, we need your original passport at least 2 working days before departure

Himalayan Quests uses a layering system where different pieces of clothing are worn together or separately to achieve optimum body temperature control. The upper body garments listed here are either synthetic or merino wool garments that retain their insulating properties when wet, or nylon or Gore-Tex layers which help prevent heat loss by cutting wind, rain, and snow.

This is a guideline only

Your trek cost includes:

• Pre-trip advice and detailed information
• Expert trip leadership and motivated staff for the duration of the trek
• Airport transfers in Nepal (where applicable)
• 2 nights accommodation pre-trek & 1-night post-trek in Kathmandu
• 1-night accommodation pre or post-trek in Pokhara (where applicable)
• Transportation to and from trek start and finish for you and your trekking team (different budget options available)
• Basic teahouse/lodge/camping accommodation during the trek on a twin sharing basis
• During the trek all meals on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to include tea/coffee during the meals, but excluding any drinks outside of the meal times
• All permits, conservation area, and restricted area fees
• Porters
• Insurance and equipment for Nepali staff
• Rescue assistance
• Group medical kit

Your trek cost does NOT include:

• International flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal
• Visa for Nepal
• Travel insurance (insurance to include evacuation is mandatory.  Please make sure you are covered to the correct altitude)
• Personal expenses such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, gifts, snacks, hot showers during the trek, etc.
• Meals unless specified
• Sightseeing
• Gratuities
• Excess baggage on internal flights
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Himalayan Quests

Day 1: Arrival in Nepal and passport to Himalayan Quests

Day 2: Trek briefing and preparation

Day 3: Flight Kathmandu to Badrapur and then a long drive to Taplejung (1,820m)

Day 4: Taplejung – Mitlung (921m).  Today we walk down to the Tamur River and then follow it upstream, stopping for lunch at Handewa. We will be following the Great Himalaya Trail Cultural Route, a spectacular and interesting route through some of Nepal’s most remote villages.  Approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 5: Mitlung – Chiruwa (1,270m). Today is quite challenging as we follow rough paths high above the river. The trail passes through the Limbu and Tamang villages of Sinwa, Tawa and Porke and as the valley narrows, passes over old landslide debris and boulder-strewn river deposits. We will finally descend to the Thiwa Khola, crossing it on a wooden bridge, before the final leg of up and down arriving at the small market town of Chirwa our stop for the night, approx. 5-6 hours

Day 6: Chiruwa – Sukethum (1,579m). Today we pass through Limbu, Rai, Tamang, and Sherpa villages. The trail follows the Tamur River and climbs a spur before descending to the Simbua Khola, which originates from the Yalung Glacier on the south of Kanchenjunga. After another ridge, we join the steep and narrow Ghunsa Khola Valley and then where the confluence of the Tamur River and Ghunsa Khola meet it is only a short walk to our campsite on the banks of the river at Sukethum, approx. 5 hours.

Day 7: Sukethum – Amjlosa (2,308m).  From Sukethum we trek northeast along the Ghunsa Khola gaining altitude as we head towards Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Today’s walking is on exposed terrain with steep uphill after our lunch stop at Jaubari, bringing us to the Tibetan village of Amjilossa where we will camp for the night, approx. 6 hours.

Day 8: Amjilosa – Gyabla (2,730m). Today we will walk through rhododendron and bamboo forests. After lunch, we will start our ascent to our final destination of the day, Gyabla. Nearing our destination, we need to keep an eye out for a big waterfall on the opposite side of the river as this signals our imminent arrival at our campsite, one of the most beautiful campsites of the trek, with amazing views, approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 9: Gyabla – Ghunsa (3,595m).  Today we head for not only the largest but also the last village in the valley, Ghunsa. Ghunsa is a picturesque Tibetan village with wooden houses, a micro hydropower plant, school, and a health post. There are also several lodges and shops in the village and a small Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office, plus a couple of gompas. Ghunsa is the junction for all the trekkers coming and going to KBC and the Sale La Pass. From Gyabla, the trail crosses a broad meadow past a village and climbs a gentle hill before descending to cross the river into the village of Ghunsa, approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 10: Ghunsa acclimatisation day. Today we do a morning acclimatisation hike to the other side of the river with a gain of about 400 m, taking about 3.5 hours for the round trip. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing and exploring the lively Tibetan village of Ghunsa.

Day 11: Ghunsa – Khangpachen (4,050m). From Ghunsa the trail makes a gradual ascent through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests along the south bank of the Ghunsa Khola, passing several mani walls and chortens along the way. We will have to cross several scree slopes and some glacial moraine before we drop down to Khambachen, our home for the night. Khambachen is a Tibetan settlement with about a dozen houses nestled in a grassy plain, surrounded by mountains and a very impressive view of the huge north face of Jannu, approx. 7 hours.

Day 12: Khangpachen – Lhonak (4,780m).  Reaching the source of the Ghunsa Khola, we’ll stay on the left (north) side of the Kanchenjunga Glacier, hiking along a high plateau past the intersecting Lhonak Glacier to our left to reach the high, flat campsite at Lhonak. Although a cold campsite due to its high elevation, the views are fantastic as we will be surrounded by some of the highest snow-peaks on the planet – Wedge Peak (6,750m), Mera Peak (6344m), Nepal Peak (6910m), Twins (7,351m) among others, approx. 7 hours.

Day 13: Lhonak – Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5,143m).  After leaving Lhonak we head directly east following the same glacier on the northern ridges to a fantastic campsite at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, also called Pang Pema. Camping here is one of the highlights of the trek and makes us realize just how small and insignificant we are in this world of snow and rock, approx. 3 hours.

Day 14: Kanchenjunga Base Camp – Ghunsa (3,595m). Today is a long day as we retrace our footsteps back to Ghunsa where we stay for the night, approx. 8 hours.

Day 15: Ghunsa – Tseram (3,870m).  Today is a bit of an epic, taking us over passes on our way to Tseram, the highest being Sele La (4,480m) and Sinion La (4,660m). After completing the final pass of the day, we descend 1,000m to Tseram, where we will camp for the night, approx. 8 hours.

Day 16: Tseram – Ramche (4,580m).  Today we walk up to Ramche, where we pass the snout of the Yalung glacier into an ablation valley. All the peaks to the east straddle the India-Nepal border, Koktang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m) and some of the Kabrus which are all over 7,000m. There is a lake and a meadow along with two stone houses at Ramche and blue sheep can often be seen on the grassy slopes above.  Approx. 7 – 8 hours.

Day 17: Ramche – Yalung Base Camp (4,500m). Trekking this day is pretty adventurous, as you have to walk along the glaciers. Today you cross the Oktang glacier, giving panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Jannu amongst others. We stay overnight at Yalung Base Camp.  Approx. 7 – 8 hours

Day 18: Yalung Base Camp – Lapsang (4,432m).  This day you retrace your steps back to Lapsang, approx. 6 hours

Day 19: Lapsang – Tortong (2,995m).  We are starting to descend from today. We steadily descend through a forest of rhododendrons to Torontam. Approx 5 hours.

Day 20: Tortong – Yamphudim (2,080m).  The trail drops steeply to the Imja Khola then crosses the Dubi Pass and descends into Yamphudin. The village has a mixed community of Sherpas, Rais, Limbus, and Gurungs and is also home to a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area office. Approx 5 – 6 hours.

Day 21: Yamphudim – Rest day

Day 22: Yamphudim – Phumpe (1,858m).  We descend from Yamphudin to the Kabele Khola and climb to Phumpe for our camp. Approx. 5-6 hours

Day 23: Phumpe – Pha Khola (1,500m).  From Phumpe we climb to a ridge and then descend through a series of side valleys past Phun village to Kesawa (2,120m). The trail ascends to the Gurung settlement at Bhanjyang. From here the trail traverses a ridge and descends to the Limbu village of Khanjari. We camp below on the banks of Pha Khola. Approx. 6-7 hours.

Day 24: Pha Khola – Suketar (2,420m).  We descend today to the airport at Suketar for our overnight camp. This will be our last night to celebrate with our crew and porters. Approx 5 hours.

Day 25: Drive to Bhadrapur.

Day 26: Fly to Kathmandu.

Notes:

The trek itinerary is a guide only and may be subject to change at short notice

In order to obtain your Kanchenjunga restricted access permit, we need your original passport at least 2 working days before departure

Trekking Gear List

Himalayan Quests uses a layering system where different pieces of clothing are worn together or separately to achieve optimum body temperature control. The upper body garments listed here are either synthetic or merino wool garments which retain their insulating properties when wet, or nylon or Gore-Tex layers which help prevent heat loss by cutting wind, rain and snow.    

THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY

UPPER BODY LAYERS

• T Shirts – walking 2  Merino wool, Capilene or other synthetic, wicking fabric.  No cotton
• T-shirt – sleeping 1  Can be cotton
• Base layers 1  Light weight or mid weight thermal long sleeved t-shirt
• Top insulating Layers 1  Mid weight fleece that can be worn over other layers
• Fleece Vest 1
• Rain jacket 1
• Down jacket 1

LOWER BODY LAYERS

• Underwear  Sufficient for trek (remember you can wash them)
• Thermal long underwear 1       
• Trekking Trousers  2  Lightweight quick dry trousers (no cotton). Zip-offs are good
• Hiking Shorts  1  If no zip-off trousers. Below the knee for ladies
• Rain Pants  1

PACKS & BAGS

• Day pack  1  35ltrs. HQ will provide you with a duffle bag for your trekking gear
• Sleeping bag & compression sack  1  Minimum 3 season

FOOTWEAR

• Hiking boots  1  Must be well worn and comfortable with ankle support
• Socks  3 or 4  
• Flip flops/Camp shoes  1  Lightweight for evening use

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

• Water bottles  2  One litre each, Nalgene or Sig style or a bladder if preferred
• Water purification drops  Cheap and easy to buy in Kathmandu (Piyus)
• Sunscreen  We recommend SPF 30 or greater
• Lip Balm  With SPF factor
• Personal first aid kit  To include any prescribed medications
• Sunglasses
• Bandana/Buff
• Flash light /head torch  Head torch is best as it leaves your hands free + extra batteries
• Travel towel  Lightweight and compact
• Wash kit  Travel size items for the trek & eco friendly if possible
• Hand Sanitizer   Alcohol-based for keeping hands clean
• Sun hat
• Warm hat
• Gloves
• Trekking poles  Optional, but advised if you have dodgy knees
• Toilet paper & rubbish bag
• Trekking snacks  Good selection available in KTM
• Camera  With charger &/or extra batteries
• Book/journal
• Pack of cards/travel game  For evening entertainment
• Mosquito repellent
• Passport photos  Always useful and a must have if you want a local sim card
• Photocopies of all your important documents
• A great sense of humour & positive attitude  Essential – don’t come without it!! J

Much of the above equipment can be bought cheaply in Kathmandu. You do not need to spend a fortune on gear.

Your trek cost includes:

• Pre-trip advice and detailed information
• Expert trip leadership and motivated staff for the duration of the trek
• Airport transfers in Nepal (where applicable)
• 2 nights accommodation pre-trek & 1-night post-trek in Kathmandu
• 1-night accommodation pre or post-trek in Pokhara (where applicable)
• Transportation to and from trek start and finish for you and your trekking team (different budget options available)
• Basic teahouse/lodge/camping accommodation during the trek on a twin sharing basis
• During the trek all meals on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to include tea/coffee during the meals, but excluding any drinks outside of the meal times
• All permits, conservation area, and restricted area fees
• Porters
• Insurance and equipment for Nepali staff
• Rescue assistance
• Group medical kit

Your trek cost does NOT include:

• International flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal
• Visa for Nepal
• Travel insurance (insurance to include evacuation is mandatory.  Please make sure you are covered to the correct altitude)
• Personal expenses such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, gifts, snacks, hot showers during the trek, etc.
• Meals unless specified
• Sightseeing
• Gratuities
• Excess baggage on internal flights
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Himalayan Quests