Trekking

Kanchenjunga South (Yalung Khang) Base camp Trek

Taplejung

Duration

16D, 15N

Start / End

KATHMANDU TO KATHMANDU

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Grade

Moderate

Stay

Hotel, Tea house and Camp

Best Season

MAR-MAY, SEP-NOV

Max Altitude

4786 m

Group Size

1-15 Pax

Transport

Flight + Land

Overview Highlights Itinerary Trekking Map Altitude Profile Inclusions Equipment FAQ

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Overview

Remote and absolutely beautiful scenery as you head to Yalung Glacier and to Ramche (South Base Camp – 4610m) on the south side of the world’s 3rd highest mountain (8586m). Lush forests and soul-touching villages expose you to natural unspoiled beauty and amazingly kind and hospitable villagers. This is a never to be forgotten experience to a region where the pace of life calms and relaxes the spirit. The Taplejung people refer to Kanchenjunga as “Five Treasures of Snow.” Kanchenjunga lies in the Taplejung region in the northeast of Nepal. Be prepared to stop and regain your breath as the gigantic peaks loom before your eyes: Kanchenjunga’s 5 peaks, Kangbachen (7903m), Yalung Kang (8505m)- all being within Nepal’s boundaries, and Kanchenjunga Main (8586m), Kanchenjunga Central (8482m) and Kanchenjunga South (8476m) lying on the border with India and Nepal. Kanchenjunga is claimed to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world and is believed to be where the Gods live. The area around Kanchenjunga Base Camp has some unique plant life and animals, largely due to its high rainfall during summer. There have been sightings of the elusive Snow Leopard in the region and more frequent sightings of the red panda. More common to this region are the Himalayan black bear and the Assamese macaque. In order to protect the area’s unique flora and fauna the entire region has been declared a conservation zone. The area is also home to several castes, including the Rai and Limbu ethnic groups. The Kanchenjunga Base Camp was first opened, from the Nepal approach, to explorers in 1950, and only become a commercial trekking destination after 1988. The trek begins at an altitude of 2200m and rises to 3000m in the first three days of the trek. The trail winds its way across high ridges, through steep gorges and across extensive grazing land near Sherpa villages. The trail follows raging rivers, such as the Tamur and Ghunsa Rivers high into the mountains and closer to their source. The trail drops down to the Ghunsa Khola Valley and the quaint and authentic Sherpa village of Ghunsa. The trail from Ghunsa takes us to Kanchenjunga and on to Kanchenjunga Glacier. While standing at the base of the glacier you have unparalleled views of the enormous mountains that surround you everywhere. While feeling totally insignificant in the face of these giants, you will also experience a feeling of being at peace with the world. The peaks surrounding you are Pyramid Peak, the Twins - Jannu and Kanchenjunga, will leave you spell-bound. There are also several other 6000m plus peaks that seem less awesome because of their proximity to the more dominant higher peaks of Kanchenjunga. Leaving the Kanchenjunga glacier we head back to Ghunsa and over a period of three days cross three mountain passes before arriving at Tseram Village, the beginning of the Yalung Glacier. We then make our way to Southern Kanchenjunga Base Camp where the first mountaineers began their climb to the summit of Kanchenjunga. The trail from Yalung Glacier (the face of the glacier is 300m high) passes through valleys and across icy ridges until eventually reaching the gorges that take us to Tharpu. Due to its remoteness, there are fewer tourists and more solitude. The maximum altitude we reach on the trek is South Base Camp (4610m). From the beginning to the end of this trek you will experience a vast variety of landscapes, from following the raging torrents of the Tamur and Ghunsa rivers to the high altitude regions of glaciers and Kanchenjunga Base Camp. The memories of this wonderful journey will stay with you for a lifetime.

Highlights

Visit the world’s 3rd highest Mountain Kanchenjunga (8586m).

Isolated, peaceful, and fewer trekkers.

Home of red panda and the elusive Snow Leopard.

Amazing mountain scenery and landscapes with unique flora and fauna.

Experience high altitude trekking to remote Tibetan villages.

Visit South Base Camp – also known as Yalung Base camp.

Pristine rhododendron forests, unique vegetation, high alpine passes (Selele, Mringla and Sinionla), and terraced farmlands in these remote localities.

Itinerary (16D, 15N)

Trekking Map

Altitude Profile

Kanchenjunga South (Yalung Khang) Base camp Trek Altitude Chart

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

Airport picks up and transports by private Car/Jeep.
Three meals a day (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
Fresh fruit every evening after dinner.
Transportation from Bhadrapur to Suketar and Taplejung to Bhadrapur by sharing Jeep.
Trekking Lodge (Tea House)/ tent accommodation during the trek.
All necessary paperwork including Kanchenjunga conservation area Entry Permit & Special permit.
Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu flight with private airport transfer and domestic airport tax.
A highly experienced, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
Strong, helpful Sherpa porters with proper safety equipment and walking equipment, his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance (one porter for two people).
Comprehensive medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
Arrangement of emergency helicopter service (paid by your Travel Insurance Company).
Use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag and walking poles (if you don’t have your own, to be returned after trip completed).
Sherpa Expedition and Trekking T-shirt
Government taxes and official expenses.
Oxygen meter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) which will ensure your health during the trek.
Assistant guide for groups of 8 or more people.

What's Excluded

Meals whilst you are in Kathmandu - lunch, and dinner.
Nepal entry visa fee (easy to obtain the visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport – Kathmandu). $30 USD for 15-day, $50 USD for 30 Days, and $125 USD for 90 Days visa.
Personal travel and medical insurance.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
International airfare.
Your personal expenses.
All the alcoholic and nonalcoholic, soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa, mineral water, extra food, cold and hot drinks on trek ( i.e. those you choose to purchase along the way and during evenings in the tea houses)
All desserts & sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
Hot shower and battery charging at the tea houses.
Tips for the guide, porter, and driver (tipping is expected)
Excess baggage of more than 20 kg for Bhadrapur flight.