Taplejung, Koshi · Nepal
Kanchenjunga Base Camp
A long, remote trek to the base of the world's third-highest mountain, in far eastern Nepal.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp is a difficult trek in Taplejung, Koshi, Nepal, reaching 5,140 m. The best time to go is March to May and October and November. Plan 14 to 16 days on the ground from Kathmandu (Bhadrapur / Suketar) and about ₹4,000 per person per day.
What to do in Kanchenjunga Base Camp
The one thing not to miss
Pangpema
The north base camp, facing the mountain's great north face.
- 2OktangThe viewpoint for the south side, above the Yalung glacier.
- 3GhunsaA Tibetan-style village where most people rest a day.
- 4Sele LaThe high crossing that links the two sides.
A sample plan: 15 days
Day 1
Fly to Bhadrapur, drive towards Taplejung
A long day.
Day 2
On to the roadhead near Sekathum
By jeep, on a rough road.
Day 3
Sekathum to Amjilosa
A steep, narrow trail.
Day 4
Amjilosa to Gyabla
Through forest.
Day 5
Gyabla to Ghunsa
The last large village.
Day 6
Rest day at Ghunsa
Acclimatise.
Day 7
Ghunsa to Khambachen
Under Jannu.
Day 8
Rest day at Khambachen
Walk towards the Jannu viewpoint.
Day 9
Khambachen to Lhonak
Above the tree line, on moraine.
Day 10
Lhonak to Pangpema, the north base camp, and back
The high point.
Day 11
Lhonak to Ghunsa
A long way down.
Day 12
Ghunsa to Amjilosa
The way out. Those doing both base camps cross the Sele La from Ghunsa instead.
Day 13
Amjilosa to Sekathum
Walk out.
Day 14
Drive to Taplejung or Ilam
By jeep.
Day 15
To Bhadrapur and fly to Kathmandu
Keep a spare day.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
True wilderness trekking — villages, forests and glaciers with essentially no other trekkers.
Why not
Three weeks, restricted-area permits, and a domestic flight or long drive to Taplejung.
Before you go
- Permits
- Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit + KCA permit. Registered agency required.
- Guide
- Required by law.
- Safety
- Leeches and heavy rain in the lower sections during early season.
- Phone & internet
- Almost none on the trail.
Altitude
Kanchenjunga Base Camp reaches 5,140 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Speak to a doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, or are travelling with small children.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Nepal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Nepal: CIWEC Hospital, Kathmandu; Himalayan Rescue Association aid posts, Pheriche (Everest) and Manang (Annapurna); Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara.
All emergency contacts for Nepal →What to pack for Kanchenjunga Base Camp
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho Mountain weather turns quickly; rain gear doubles as a wind layer.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 180 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
11 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
- Duffel bag, 60–80 litres What porters carry on teahouse treks; your day pack stays with you.
Health and sun
10 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 5,140 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
6 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesIndians need a passport or voter ID to enter Nepal; other nationals need a passport and visa.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsKanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit + KCA permit. Registered agency required.
- Indian ₹100 notes, or Nepali rupees₹100 notes are the safest Indian currency to carry in Nepal; larger notes are not always accepted. Change money in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trail.
- Passport-size photos for trekking permitsNeeded for park and trekking permits. Carry four.
- Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuationA helicopter rescue from high on a Nepal trek is very expensive, and operators ask for proof of cover before they fly.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereAlmost none on the trail.
- Universal travel adapter Nepal's sockets differ from India's in many lodges.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Nepal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathmandu (Bhadrapur / Suketar).
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- No. Take a 4×4 or a local taxi. Mountain roads in Nepal are slow and often rough; allow more time than the distance suggests.
By road
From
Bhadrapur airport
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Drive time
- 9–10 hours
- Bhadrapur
- Birtamod
- Ilam
- Phidim
- Taplejung
Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur first. The walk starts beyond Taplejung. A restricted area: permit through a registered agency, and a guide.
Live directions from Bhadrapur airport
Buses and shared taxis. Shared jeeps run from Birtamod to Taplejung.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathmandu (Bhadrapur / Suketar). Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Kanchenjunga Base Camp yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
The best months for Kanchenjunga Base Camp are March to May and October and November. February and December are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Kanchenjunga Base Camp is rated difficult. The trek is about 180 km in total, starting at 1,200 m and reaching 5,140 m.
How many days do you need for Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Plan 14 to 16 days on the ground, counted from Kathmandu (Bhadrapur / Suketar). Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Kanchenjunga Base Camp cost?
Expect about ₹4,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹64,000 for 16 days, before the cost of getting to Kathmandu (Bhadrapur / Suketar).
How do you reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
By road: from Bhadrapur airport it is about 250 km, 9–10 hours (Bhadrapur → Birtamod → Ilam → Phidim → Taplejung). Shared jeeps run from Birtamod to Taplejung. The nearest gateway is Kathmandu (Bhadrapur / Suketar).
Do you need a permit or a guide for Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Permits: Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit + KCA permit. Registered agency required. Guide: Required by law.
Is Kanchenjunga Base Camp suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is quiet in season. Leeches and heavy rain in the lower sections during early season.
What should you pack for Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Almost none on the trail.
Will I get altitude sickness at Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Kanchenjunga Base Camp reaches 5,140 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Kanchenjunga Base Camp?
Kanchenjunga Base Camp is not a good choice for anyone who has not done a high-altitude trek before, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 5,140 m. Also keep in mind: Three weeks, restricted-area permits, and a domestic flight or long drive to Taplejung.
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