Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

159 Reviews in Tripadvisor
Recommended by 99% of Travelers
Duration
18 Days
Trip Grade
Strenuous
Maximum Altitude
5143 M
Group Size
Min 2 Person
Activities
Trekking
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Best Time
Sept, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr & May
Video

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek; Nepal’s one of the best adventure treks that lasts 18 to 21 days. It is a complete blend of lush green forest, diverse cultures, giant peaks, including the world’s third highest peak; a great trek offers a perfect mountain trekking holiday for adventure tour seekers in Nepal.

Main Highlights of Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

  • Jannu Viewpoint (4,420m): A mesmerizing panorama of Jannu (Kumbhakarna), one of the world's most technically demanding peaks.
  • Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema, 5,143m): A high-altitude sanctuary offering awe-inspiring views of the sprawling Kanchenjunga massif.
  • Tamo La (Altitude unknown): A scenic mountain pass with sweeping vistas of the lush Ghunsa Valley below.
  • Selele La (4,355m): Crossed in deep snow, leaving the views to our imagination—though they were surely spectacular.
  • Mirgin La (4,633m): A breathtaking high pass framing panoramic views of Jannu and the distant Makalu.
  • Unnamed La: A mysterious, undocumented pass—absent from maps and online resources.
  • Sinelapche La (4,700m): The crown jewel of an exhausting day, rewarding us with unmatched views of Kanchenjunga, Rathong Peak, Kabru, the Yalung Glacier, and countless other giants.
  • Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (Oktang Viewpoint, 4,730m): A stunning vantage point, though landslides now block access to the historic base camp itself.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Overview

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek has been ranked by many trekkers as the best trekking route in rural Nepal, an extensive trek going deep into the remote mountain ranges on Nepal’s border with Sikkim and Tibet. The trail explores the area around Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. You will see a wide range of scenery, from lush tropical jungle through to rhododendron, chestnut, and oak forests, and then, at higher altitudes, into the alpine zone. You will see a range of Nepalese culture and lifestyles, from Rai and Limbu to Tibetan Buddhist villages. The Kanchenjunga region offers unbelievable trekking, and now, in addition to the traditional full camping trek style, it’s possible to do a teahouse trek to the region as well. Here is all you need to know!

The trek around Kanchenjunga north and south Base Camp can be done entirely as a basic teahouse trek in September-October-November and March-April-May. Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world at 8586 m/28,169 ft and is on the border between Nepal and Sikkim (India). Wilderness Excursion’s trekking itinerary to Kanchenjunga only covers the trekking routes in Nepal on this site. The usual trekking destinations are the viewpoints near the climbing base camps on the south and north sides of this massive mountain; traversing between the north and south base camps is also highly enjoyable, making for a very pleasing wilderness experience. The Kanchenjunga Trekking Trail is not formed by tracks of the Everest and Annapurna regions, though tracks are being rapidly improved up the north side. If you are grateful for a stone hut, a wooden bed, evening Daal Bhat, and daily rough country, you will greatly enjoy this remote trek.

Only about 1,000 trekkers a year trek this place, compared to over 35,000 in the Everest Region of Khumbu, so it is possible to walk blissfully all day and see nobody else. Most people you will meet will be in camping groups, but you may meet some small private groups of teahouse trekkers with their guides and porters. Note that there is considerable exposure on many of the tracks, so don’t go if you have vertigo or a fear of heights. This matrilineal Limbu (‘the bearer of bows and arrows’) homeland is not highly populated, particularly on the south side, and the people follow animist, Buddhist, and some Hindu beliefs. Phale and Ghunsa on the northern side are uniquely Tibetan in architecture and religious practice, but surprisingly, the general lack of outward religious signs that characterize the Khumbu region, for instance. There is a focus on tongba, a local drink: warm millet beer served in brass-decorated wooden pots with a straw. The Kanchenjunga Trek can be done entirely as a lodge trek in September-October-November and in March-April-May. At the start and end of these periods, there may be some lodges closed, particularly at higher altitudes. Always inquire before relying on these notes. There are toilets in nearly all places, and phone access is limited on the south side. Wilderness Excursion provides tents just in case the lodges are closed, with light meals.

The Kanchenjunga range consists of five individual peaks, of which Kanchenjunga II is the highest among them. People from the Kanchenjunga Region believe this mountain is sacred, as well as the five treasures of snow in the form of gold, silver, gems, grain, and holy books on each different summit. Joe Brown and George Band, part of the British expedition team, first conquered the summit of Kanchenjunga in 1955. The entire range generates four different glaciers, which result in a couple of famous rivers for rafting in Nepal. This is basic Kanchenjunga information. Now let us discuss a bit about Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking, which is conducted in the state of Kanchenjunga, Nepal. The first thing foreigners need to know is that trekking in Kanchenjunga is declared a restricted area trekking region in Nepal with a strict policy of controlled tourism, which clearly states that one needs to obtain a special restricted area permit as well as be accompanied by a Nepali citizen before trekking in Kanchenjunga. Since trekkers possess special permits, there is no necessity for a Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card, although a conservation area project entry permit card is mandatory to obtain. If trekking the Kanchenjunga Circuit were on one’s to-do list, then it would be fruitful to obtain information about Kanchenjunga.

A teahouse-based trek to Kanchenjunga is now encouraged and promoted. The government of Nepal is emphasizing the development of infrastructure in Kanchenjunga to support the local economy and its involvement in the tourism sector. Trekking in Kanchenjunga can be one of the most adventurous treks, with close interaction with Tibetan refugees whose settlement is along the Kanchenjunga Circuit.

While trekking with Wilderness Excursion, your safety is paramount. While we strive to follow the planned itinerary, traveling in remote mountain areas requires flexibility. Your leader may adjust or cancel portions of the trip due to safety concerns, weather, natural disasters, or group health. We will always prioritize your well-being and make every effort to minimize disruptions and make the trip memorable in the fullest.

Kanchenjunga Trek November 2024
Itinerary
Expand all

This is our standard itinerary. It can be customized or slightly changed if required considering your pace and trekking habit that cause a change of day-to-day plan.

Route Map
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Map
Altitude Chart
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Altitude Chart
Still Confuse?
Download brochure or customize your trip.
Cost Details
Includes
  • Domestic airport pick-up and drop-off by private car or van, depending on group size.
  • A registered, experienced, English-speaking Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking guide.
  • Assistant Sherpa guides to support the group and help the potters, as per the group size.
  • All necessary Sherpa porters to carry your main pack and camping gear.
  • Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Kathmandu round-trip flight.
  • Ilam to Bhadraour by public bus. 
  • Meal: 18 breakfasts, 19 lunches, and 18 dinners.
  • Tea house accommodation during the trek.
  • Guide and porter fees with all their expenses.
  • Kanchenjunga Trekking permits and documentation fee.
  • All local taxes and airport taxes for domestic flights,
Excludes
  • Transfers, accommodation, and meals in Kathmandu.
  • Alcoholic beverages, drinks, and appetizers.
  • Personal nature expenses: e.g., laundry, toiletries, internet, phone calls.
  • Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  • Personal travel insurance and trekking gear.
  • Rescue operation charge in case of emergency.
  • Any operating costs that arise due to a change of the tour because of landslides, political trouble, strikes, etc.
  • Tipping your guide and porter. 
Dates & Availability
Select Departure Dates
Sep 2025
Oct 2025
Nov 2025
Departure Date
Starts: Sep 20, 2025Ends: Oct 07, 2025
Price
US$1699
US$1870
Status
Available
Departure Date
Starts: Sep 27, 2025Ends: Oct 14, 2025
Price
US$1699
US$1870
Status
Available

Check our published date! If it doesn’t match, we are happy to customize your tour perfectly to suit your interests and needs, creating a unique travel experience for you

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek FAQs

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is one of the most challenging and remote treks in Nepal, known for its rugged terrain, high altitudes, and limited infrastructure.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a stunning and remote trekking route in eastern Nepal, circling around Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the third-highest mountain in the world. The trek takes you through diverse landscapes, from lush subtropical forests to high-altitude alpine terrain, with breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is one of the most remote and challenging treks in Nepal, circling Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the world's third-highest peak. The trek typically takes 18 to 24 days, depending on the route and itinerary

What Our Clients are Saying?
based on 7 reviews
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek (May 2025)

A Heartfelt Thank You for an Unforgettable Trek

We had the most incredible trip to Nepal, made truly special by your outstanding team. In Kathmandu, Yuhan took wonderful care of me, and during the trek, Heri Man and Krishna were...

read more +
M
Maria P- Poland
May 23, 2025
Kanchenjunga Trek

Unforgettable Kanchenjunga Trek with Wilderness Excursion – November 2024

The Kanchenjunga Trek with Wilderness Excursion was an absolute dream! From the moment we landed in Kathmandu, their team ensured a seamless experience—flawless logistics, expert guides, and top-notch hospitality. Our guide,...

read more +
S
Sarah K.- Australia
November 29, 2024
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek - 18 Days

Great Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek with Wilderness Excursion!

Having visited Nepal for the third time, this Kanchenjunga Circuit (south-to-north base camp trek) is the greatest I've ever done, thanks to the superb weather, diverse natural beauty, and excellent guides and porters....

read more +
Paul van der Stap
Paul van der Stap- Netherlands
November 25, 2024
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