Touch down in Kathmandu, the gateway to your Kanchenjunga trek. As the aircraft descends over terrace-cut hills and pagoda rooftops, you’ll feel the first hush of the mountains. After arrival formalities, meet our representative outside the terminal for a smooth transfer into the city. Keep your arrival day light—this is your soft landing before the remote trails of far-eastern Nepal and the serious trekking in Nepal to come.

Once checked in, take time to rest, rehydrate and reset your body clock. Kathmandu sits at roughly 1,400m, so treat today as gentle acclimatisation: drink plenty of water, avoid overexertion and enjoy the city at an easy pace. If you fancy a short orientation later, wander the lanes of Thamel, browse prayer flags and brassware, or pause in a quiet courtyard café as incense drifts on the afternoon air.

If energy allows, consider a quiet sunset visit to the great stupa of Boudhanath or the evening aarti (ceremony) at Pashupatinath—both evocative introductions to Kathmandu’s living heritage (optional at extra cost). Otherwise, keep it simple: a warm drink, a hearty but not heavy supper, and a good sleep. Tomorrow, your journey turns decisively towards the wild northeast and the flanks of Kanchenjunga.

Ease into Nepal’s rhythm with a gentle day in Kathmandu. Treat this as active recovery before the remoteness of the Kanchenjunga trek: sleep in, hydrate well and enjoy unhurried strolls through courtyards and cafés. At ~1,400m, the valley makes an ideal soft start for trekking in Nepal—enough altitude to nudge acclimatisation, without taxing the legs.

If you’re keen to look around, choose one or two sights and keep the pace easy. The goal is to arrive at tomorrow’s departure feeling rested, organised and excited for the far-eastern Himalaya.

Round off with a calm evening and an early night. Tomorrow the journey pivots from the valley to Nepal’s wild northeast—the gateway to glacier-cut valleys and the towering ridgelines of Kanchenjunga.

An early transfer takes you to the domestic terminal for the short flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi). On a clear morning, the aircraft tracks south-east with distant glimpses of the Himalayan chain—an inspiring prelude to your Kanchenjunga trek and days of trekking in Nepal ahead.

From lush, lowland Bhadrapur, you drive north into the green folds of far-eastern Nepal, winding past cardamom groves, terraced hillsides and the tea gardens around Ilam/Kanyam. The road climbs steadily through small market towns and ridgelines, offering broad valley views and a first sense of the wild country leading towards Taplejung.

By late afternoon or early evening you roll into Taplejung (approx. 1,400–1,800m, depending on the overnight location). After check-in, enjoy a hot meal, repack for the trail and settle in early. Tomorrow you pivot from highways to footpaths, stepping into the quiet river valleys and village networks that guard the flanks of Kanchenjunga.

Today we leave Taplejung by road and wind through terraced hills and cardamom country to reach the trailhead at Sekathum (also written Sukethum/Serkathum). The drive traces lively river valleys and ridge crests with far-reaching views—an engaging transition from market towns to the quiet edge of the Kanchenjunga trek corridor and the deep-cut gorge of the Ghunsa Khola. It’s a longer travel day, but there’s always something to watch: tea stops, village life, and switchbacks opening new panoramas of trekking in Nepal country.

On arrival in Sekathum, check in and take the afternoon gently: stretch your legs, watch the river surge below the suspension bridge, and settle into the rhythm of the hills. This is your pause before footpaths take over tomorrow.

Your first full walking stage on the Kanchenjunga trek begins by dropping gently towards the Ghunsa Khola before a steady, undulating ascent through oak, bamboo and rhododendron. Narrow balconies carve along the gorge, waterfalls thread the cliffs, and the trail criss-crosses the river via a series of suspension bridges—an instantly immersive taste of classic trekking in Nepal.

You’ll pass tiny hamlets and terrace edges alive with cardamom and millet, with glimpses upstream to higher, fir-darkened valleys. Breaks come naturally at bridgeheads and clearings: sip water, loosen shoulders, and take in the thunder of the river below as it squeezes through the gorge.

By mid-to-late afternoon, arrive in Amjilossa—a modest, welcoming village cupped by forested slopes with wide views back down the valley. Settle in, stretch out the calves, and savour a slow evening as the gorge hush deepens. Today has set the cadence: peaceful walking, river music, and the steady pull towards the high country of Kanchenjunga.

The rhythm set yesterday continues as you leave Amjilossa, rising through oak, bamboo and rhododendron. Narrow hillside paths contour above the Ghunsa Khola, with windows onto the south-western reaches of Kanchenjunga—a tantalising glimpse of the high country drawing you on. Terrain undulates with short downs and purposeful ups, a classic day of the Kanchenjunga trek and archetypal trekking in Nepal.

Midway, the soundtrack swells: a broad, beautiful waterfall drapes from the cliffs, misting the path as you traverse beneath. Expect several sharp pulls on stone staircases, then breathers along ferny traverses where the river thunders below and bamboo leans into the light. Pace is unhurried and steady—perfect for finding your mountain cadence.

A final, steeper climb threads you into Gybala, a quiet settlement perched above the river with forested views back down the gorge. Unlace your boots, stretch calves and hips, and settle by the stove with a hot drink. The routine is set now: steady walking, big water, early supper, restful sleep—the surest way to flourish as the trail arcs deeper towards Kanchenjunga.

Leaving Gybala, the trail carries gently to the hamlet of Kyapra (often written Gyabla), then follows the right bank of the Ghunsa Khola on an easy rising traverse. You cross a broad meadow, pass a few scattered villages and climb a modest hill before descending to the river and crossing into the beautiful village of Ghunsa. Stone houses, prayer flags and low gompas announce your first truly Tibetan-influenced settlement on the Kanchenjunga trek—a serene milestone in classic trekking in Nepal.

As the valley opens, look for mani walls and carved prayer stones along the approach to Ghunsa. The river slackens into broader reaches, larches and firs take over from bamboo, and sunlight pools on the meadow flats. With the final descent and bridge crossing complete, you step into a village of timber-fronted lodges, small gompas and a few simple shops—perfect for a hot drink and quiet afternoon.

Settle into your lodge, stretch, and breathe in the pine-cool air. With Ghunsa reached, the route begins to feel truly high and wild—the gateway to the upper valleys and the imposing ramparts that guard Kanchenjunga.

Today is a purposeful pause in Ghunsa, a pine-scented village cradled in a deep valley beneath serrated walls of rock and ice. Peaks tower on all sides—Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna (Jannu) and lesser-spoken sentinels—framing a natural amphitheatre that hints at the high country ahead. We use the day to gently raise our ceiling, taking a viewpoint hike above the village and returning to sleep low—an ideal rhythm for the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal.

The trail threads larch and rhododendron, opening to knotted spurs where the Ghunsa Khola glints below and glacial walls crowd the skyline. Expect ravens carving thermals, the distant sigh of waterfalls and patches of dwarf juniper underfoot. From the high perch, the valley reads like a relief map: talus fans, hanging side-valleys, and the scar of ancient ice leading your eye towards tomorrow’s objectives.

Return to Ghunsa by early afternoon for a relaxed pace: stretch, journal, charge devices when power is available and wander the lanes lined with timber-fronted houses. If open, pay quiet respects at the local gompa (walk clockwise; keep left of mani walls) and enjoy the stillness as prayer flags lift in the breeze.

We ease away from Ghunsa along the south bank of the Ghunsa Khola, the path rising gradually through rhododendron, pine and larch. Prayer flags lift in the breeze, mani walls and small chortens stud the trail, and the river flashes silver below—an archetypal morning on the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal. As the valley narrows, the track tilts towards moraine and scree, with the skyline stacking into buttresses of dark rock and ice.

Beyond the last tall pines the valley feels wilder; the tread narrows across grey fans where the mountain has shed stone. Here the route climbs more steeply over scree slopes to a hanging bench, and with one turn the immense north face of Jannu (Kumbhakarna) rears into view—ice-plastered, fortress-like and utterly magnetic. It is a moment that fixes itself in memory as we contour to the Tibetan-influenced settlement of Khambachen, a scatter of stone houses and lodges cupped beneath high walls of rock and glacier.

Rolling into Khambachen, the amphitheatre of peaks closes around the village and the north aspect of Jannu dominates the skyline. Check into the lodge, unlace boots and stretch, then wander the lanes with quiet respect—keep left of mani walls and walk clockwise around chortens. As the evening chill settles, the air turns crystal-clear and stars feel almost within reach.

Khambachen is the ideal base for a deliberate acclimatisation push. After a relaxed start, we hike up-valley towards the Jannu (Kumbhakarna) amphitheatre, aiming for the high viewpoint near the snout of the Jannu Glacier. The trail climbs past moraine ribs and juniper, opening to thunderous icefall views and a skyline crowded with serrated walls. From the perch (around 4,500–4,650m), the north face of Jannu/Kumbhakarna (7,710m) dominates—a rare, close-quarters panorama on the Kanchenjunga trek and a highlight of trekking in Nepal.

As height is gained, the valley spreads like a relief map: braided streams, moraine benches and dark rock bastions shouldering the glacier. With luck you may spot bharal (blue sheep) on the slopes, a circling lammergeier, or the quick flash of Himalayan snowcock among the rocks. The air is cool and dry—layer promptly during photo stops and keep breaks short to stay warm.

We return to Khambachen by mid-afternoon to rest, rehydrate and prepare for tomorrow’s move higher. Early supper, light stretching and an unhurried evening set you up to thrive as the trail edges closer to the inner sanctuaries of Kanchenjunga.

From Khambachen the trail rises onto open, rocky benches, threading exposed moraine and boulder fields towards the summer hamlet of Ramtang. Here the valley broadens, the river braids in silver ribbons, and stone huts sit among wind-combed grasses. We continue across the north-west flanks of the Kanchenjunga Glacier, skirting lateral moraine and passing clusters of large stone shelters on the approach to Lhonak—a stark, beautiful shelf above the glacier, perfectly placed for immense views and classic trekking in Nepal.

As height and distance accumulate, the skyline unfurls a gallery of peaks: Wedge Peak (6,750m), Mera Peak (6,344m), Nepal Peak (6,910m) and the twin summits of Twins (7,351m). The glacial architecture is on full display—seracs, shattered buttresses and the long grey sweep of lateral debris guiding our way towards the high basins of the Kanchenjunga trek.

On arrival at Lhonak, the world feels vast and crystalline: thin, bright air; the glacier murmuring below; peaks etched with evening light. Settle into the lodge, stretch, rehydrate and eat well. With this high platform secured, we are perfectly poised for tomorrow’s push deeper into the inner sanctuaries of Kanchenjunga.

We set out early from Lhonak, following lateral moraine and sandy flats along the Kanchenjunga Glacier. The tread undulates over stony ribs and short scree ramps, gradually climbing to the high terrace of Pangpema—the Kanchenjunga north side base camp. As height builds, the skyline unfurls a pageant of summits: Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, Cross Peak, the Twins, and—commanding the horizon—the colossal mass of Kanchenjunga itself. This is a banner day of the Kanchenjunga trek and a defining moment of trekking in Nepal.

With each rise the views amplify: knife-edged ridges, serac-jagged icefalls and the long grey sweep of lateral debris guiding us to base camp. In clear weather, the amphitheatre is breathtaking—Tent Peak poised like its namesake, Nepal Peak and Cross Peak braced behind, the Twins lifting to 7,351m, and the immense north walls of Kanchenjunga dominating the skyline.

We reach Pangpema (5,143m) by early afternoon and take time to absorb the panorama, photograph the glaciers and quietly savour the immensity of these walls. As the sun tilts west, the faces ignite—gold on rock, blue in shadow, wind banners streaming from the crests.

As night settles at base camp and the air turns crystalline, you’ll feel the rare stillness of high Himalaya. This is the roof of the trek—a place to move gently, breathe deeply and let the grandeur of Kanchenjunga imprint itself on memory.

Wake to thin, crystalline air at Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp) and a horizon crowded with ice-clad ramparts. We take a gentle half-day circular hike from base camp across lateral moraine terraces and sandy flats to elevated knolls above the glacier. The unfolding panorama—Kanchenjunga, Tent Peak, Nepal Peak, Cross Peak and the Twins—is a signature moment of the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal. Move unhurriedly, breathe deeply, and let the vastness soak in.

From each rise the geometry of ice reveals itself: crevassed tongues, serac walls and the long grey braid of lateral debris. Watch for bharal (blue sheep) on the slopes, a lammergeier circling high, or the quick call of Himalayan snowcock among boulders. Photostops are irresistible—layer promptly to stay warm in the katabatic breeze.

After the loop, we retrace the high-valley path back to Lhonak, easing over moraine ribs and sandy flats as the amphitheatre recedes behind. Arrive by mid-afternoon: rehydrate, stretch, and settle into the lodge as evening light washes the peaks. With Lhonak regained, we are perfectly placed for the onward arc of the Kanchenjunga trek.

We retrace our line from Lhonak along the lateral moraine and sandy flats, easing back across gritty ribs towards the stone hamlet of Ramtang and on to Khambachen. With altitude slipping away, the air feels kinder and the stride lengthens; views reorganise in reverse—braided streams, wind-brushed terraces and the dark bastions that guard the Kanchenjunga basin. Midway, the great north face of Jannu (Kumbhakarna) reappears with fresh drama, a constant companion as we descend—another signature scene of the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal.

Although we’re following the same path, returning reveals new angles—serac walls, side-valleys and glacial textures missed on the approach. Keep a measured pace on loose grit and take care stepping down off moraine ribs; poles help spare the knees and steady balance on steeper pitches.

Arrive in Khambachen by early afternoon and settle back into the lodge. Stretch, rehydrate and enjoy the valley outlook as the amphitheatre closes around you once more—Jannu’s ramparts catching the day’s last light.

We follow the outward route in reverse, leaving the stark benches of Khambachen and drifting down-valley towards Ghunsa. The path backs off the moraine ribs and short scree ramps to regain larch and pine, with the Ghunsa Khola flashing below. Mani walls, prayer flags and small chortens gather as the valley widens, while the dark bastions of Jannu (Kumbhakarna) fade behind—an elegant, unhurried descent on the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal.

Although familiar, the return reveals new angles—side valleys, braided streams and fresh views through the forest galleries. Keep the camera handy, but pause safely away from loose slopes and bridge ramps.

Arriving in Ghunsa, settle back among timber-fronted lodges and quiet gompas. Stretch, rehydrate and enjoy an easy afternoon as prayer flags lift in the valley breeze—perfect recovery before the next stage towards the lower villages.

Leaving the timber-fronted lodges of Ghunsa, we climb decisively towards High Camp, the staging post for tomorrow’s traverse of Mirgin La. The path rises from larch and pine into yak pastures, then onto rockier spurs where cairns mark the way. It’s a compact but purposeful ascent—perfect for settling into a slow, even breathing rhythm as the views widen to snow-streaked ridges and the upper Kanchenjunga trek skyline. This short, high move keeps energy in the bank for the pass day while showcasing why trekking in Nepal is so compelling: quiet slopes, big skies and the hush of thin mountain air.

As we crest the final rise, High Camp sits tucked beneath the ridge—a simple, windswept perch with wide views back over the Ghunsa Khola valley. Expect a quieter afternoon to hydrate, rest and prepare kit for an early start. Sunset can be spectacular here, with silhouettes of distant buttresses and prayer flags lifting in the evening breeze.

A banner day on the Kanchenjunga trek: from High Camp we rise to the skyline and thread a spectacular ridge, collecting a chain of passes with vast views to the Himalaya. Prayer flags snap in the wind, cairns mark the way, and the horizon stacks with buttresses of rock and ice—this is high, airy trekking in Nepal at its finest, culminating in a long descent to the small settlement of Tseram above the Simbua Khola.

Underfoot the terrain varies—firm ridge path, wind-scoured scree and short rocky steps—while the views swing between the ice ramparts of Kanchenjunga, the austere walls of Jannu/Kumbhakarna, and distant ranges shouldering the horizon. The air is thin, the light diamond-bright; we keep a measured, unhurried rhythm between passes and pause briefly where the wind allows.

The final drop unwinds through high pasture and moraine benches towards Tseram. As the wind eases and air thickens, legs find their stride again. Settle into the lodge, rehydrate and refuel—today’s five-pass traverse is a crown jewel of the Kanchenjunga trek, and tomorrow we pivot towards the glacier-fed valleys of the south side.

One of the signature days on the Kanchenjunga Circuit. From Tseram the path trends up-valley beside the outwash flats, curving around the glacier snout into a widening basin of pale moraine and alpine turf. Scenery is superb throughout—an ever-unfolding amphitheatre that showcases why the Kanchenjunga trek is among the finest trekking in Nepal experiences. To the east along the India–Nepal border the skyline stacks with peaks including Koktang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m) and a procession of 7,000ers that crowd the horizon.

Beyond the glacier nose the valley softens: a small lake mirrors the sky; yak-grazed meadows open under stone-walled terraces; and clusters of weathered stone houses signal the approach to Ramche. Each rise reveals new geometry—serac walls, hanging side valleys and long grey crests of lateral debris running like rails towards the high sanctuary of Kanchenjunga’s south side.

Roll into Ramche by early afternoon and settle in for the night. As evening light tilts across the basin, the border peaks glow and the glacier murmurs below—an unforgettable chapter of the Kanchenjunga Circuit as we position for tomorrow’s explorations deeper into the high valleys.

We leave Ramche at first light, following the ablation valley beside the Yalung Glacier towards Oktang, the celebrated viewpoint for the Kanchenjunga South Face. The path rolls across sandy flats and low moraine ribs, gradually lifting to a high balcony where the world opens in tiers of ice and shadow—an unforgettable centrepiece of the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal.

From Oktang the panorama is immense: the entire cirque towers above 7,500m with the south face of Kanchenjunga (8,586m) rising sheer behind sculpted seracs. On a clear day you trace the historic summit route across the upper glacier and ridges (first ascent 1955 by Brown & Band; the team famously stopped a few metres shy of the top in respect of local beliefs). Around the amphitheatre, satellite giants bristle in every direction—ice cliffs, avalanched couloirs and long bands of wind-combed snow.

Many rush this day; we linger. Take time to absorb the silence, the scale and the slow drift of spindrift banners on the skyline. After unhurried exploration and photos, we return the same way to Ramche for a restorative evening—hot drinks, hearty supper and an early night as the glacier murmurs below.

We leave the high basin of Ramche and descend purposefully, dropping through moraine benches and alpine turf until altitude eases and colour returns to the hillsides. Soon the trail slips beneath boughs of rhododendron and hemlock, the air softer and scented with moss—a beautiful transition that reminds you why the Kanchenjunga trek is such evocative trekking in Nepal. The path leads to Torontan, a river-hugging hamlet framed by forest and waterfalls.

From Torontan we climb steadily through mossy forest to the pass of Lamite Bhanjyang. The ridge opens to superb views—ice-armoured Kanchenjunga to the north and the dark bastions of Jannu (Kumbhakarna) shouldering the skyline. Beyond the col a long, sure-footed descent threads between rhododendron trunks and ferny gullies to Tortong, tucked high above the Simbua Khola, where we overnight.

Arriving in Tortong, the river’s hush replaces glacier wind and the forest gathers close. Stretch out the legs, rehydrate and enjoy a calm evening—the south-side valleys of Kanchenjunga unfold ahead.

From Tortong the trail tips downhill quickly, dropping through ferny gullies and rhododendron stands to the river floor at the Imja Khola (local khola). After crossing, we contour and climb towards the shoulder of the Dubi Pass—a steady pull through damp, mossy woodland—before the gradient eases into a long, more gradual descent towards Yamphudin. This lovely settlement blends Sherpa, Rai, Limbu and Gurung heritage—an atmospheric waypoint on the Kanchenjunga trek and a gentle re-entry to lower valleys after days of high, airy ridges and glaciers.

The morning’s steep drop threads damp stairways and rooty spurs; water murmurs below and the air warms as altitude falls. Beyond the pass the path softens, slipping past terrace edges, bamboo copses and small hamlets before the roofs of Yamphudin gather above the valley—a friendly, green-framed village that feels worlds away from the high moraine benches of earlier days.

Settle into your lodge amid kitchen-garden plots and quiet lanes. Rehydrate, stretch and enjoy a restful evening as the low valley breeze replaces glacier winds—another rich chapter of trekking in Nepal complete.

Pause and exhale in Yamphudin, a serene hill village where Sherpa, Gurung, Rai and Limbu communities share fields, shrines and forested slopes. After the high passes and glacier basins, today is about gentle exploration and recovery—an unhurried window into daily life on the Kanchenjunga trek and the quieter rhythms of trekking in Nepal.

Wander terraced lanes edged with millet and cardamom, watch weavers at a back-strap loom, or sit with a tea as children race along the footpaths. Wooden houses lean into the slope; prayer flags lift in the valley breeze; the Simbua Khola murmurs below. With luck, you may glimpse traditional chhyabrung (drum) practice or a quiet courtyard blessing.

As dusk gathers, village lights prick the hillside and cooking fires scent the air. Savour a hearty supper, then turn in early—the trail soon winds towards the lower valleys, and today’s gentle pause in Yamphudin will pay you back with fresher legs and a clearer head.

From Yamphudin the trail tips quickly into the forest, descending stone steps and ferny gullies towards the Kabeli Khola. The air warms as altitude falls; bamboo and cardamom fringe the path and water murmurs ahead. We cross the river—often by a simple log bridge—then contour out of the gorge, passing terraced plots and small hamlets on the approach to Mamanke, where we stay overnight. It’s a short but engaging day that links the high valleys of the Kanchenjunga trek with gentler foothill country—classic trekking in Nepal with a village welcome at day’s end.

The cable of birdsong replaces the rush of high wind; kitchen gardens gather beside wooden houses; children wave from terrace walls. Views open and close as the path threads spurs and side-streams, before the roofs of Mamanke collect on a sunny shoulder above the valley.

Settle into the lodge at Mamanke, stretch out the legs and enjoy a calm evening among hillside fields and river-borne breezes—a gentle, human-scaled chapter before tomorrow’s onward trail.

We leave Mamanke and rejoin the road network for a scenic drive to Taplejung, rolling past terrace-cut hillsides, bamboo groves and tea-clad spurs. With windows down and valleys opening at each bend, it’s a gentle reintroduction to the rhythm of village life—schoolyards, wayside stalls and farmers tending cardamom and millet—an engaging counterpoint to the high, hushed days of the Kanchenjunga trek and classic trekking in Nepal.

We make time to pause for broad valley views and village snapshots, watching the Himalayan foothills fold away in layers. Each ridge reveals new angles on the country you’ve just walked—river corridors, forested shoulders and distant serrated skylines.

By mid-afternoon we arrive in Taplejung. Settle into a local lodge, enjoy a hot drink and a stroll through the market lanes—an easy, human-scale evening to reflect on the circuit you’ve completed.

We depart Taplejung at around 06:00, descending through tea-clad spurs, cardamom groves and terrace-cut valleys towards Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi). Windows frame a last sweep of the eastern hills—market towns waking, mist lifting off river flats—an evocative closing chapter to the Kanchenjunga trek and a gentle re-entry to city life before our evening hop back to Kathmandu (KTM).

On arrival at the lowland airport, we check in for the early evening flight to Kathmandu. As the aircraft lifts, the patchwork of the Tarai gives way to serrated skylines—the hills you’ve just crossed—before dropping into the bowl of the Kathmandu Valley for an easy transfer to your hotel of choice.

Touching down in Kathmandu, a representative meets you for the transfer. The evening is yours—hot shower, celebratory supper, and time to reflect on days of high passes, glacier basins and quiet forest paths that define this remarkable piece of trekking in Nepal.

After breakfast, enjoy a final look across the rooftops and temple spires of Kathmandu before your private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. The streets unfold in a familiar rhythm—prayer flags at chautaras, copper pots catching the morning light—and with them the memories of your Kanchenjunga trek: high passes, glacier basins and quiet forest paths that define world-class trekking in Nepal.

At the terminal, check in your duffel, breeze through security and immigration, and enjoy a calm moment over tea before boarding. This is your gentle runway from mountain time back to city clocks.

As your aircraft lifts over the valley bowl and the Himalaya rucks the horizon, carry the stillness of the high country with you. Dhanyabad and Namaste—until the mountains call again.