Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek – A Hike among the Himalayan Giants 

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, there’s a mystery in the name, a promise of delights where the monsoons and winter seasons keep pace with relentless time. The destination of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is not only the Goechala Pass or the Base Camp at the foot of the Iconic Kanchenjunga, but the Hill sides Decorated with exotic Rhododendron flowers and the horizon adorned with the white mountains of the Himalayas. And as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trail passes through moss laden Pine and fur forest you can experience the pure fresh air with every breath.

Getting Around

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek located in Sikkim and the trek head, Uttaray is a distant five hours drive from Gangtok. And the trail is a walkable cobble stone path through forests littered with lakes,  at times a little steep till we reach Dafey Bhir Pass (4635m), the highest point on the Sikkim side of the Singalila Ridge. From here on, as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek slowly unfolds, the entire valley on the Nepal  side and as well on the Sikkim Side along with Everest, three sisters and the Kanchenjunga Range can be surveyed with ease.

Although the final destination that you are headed for  is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp at Goechala Pass, you will notice that the entire hiking trail is made up of beautiful mountain scenery and natural wonders. The very first thing that you notice once you start the trek are the crystal clear alpine lakes and the Himalayan views, a scenery like out of a nature magazine.

View from Daphey Bhir Pass

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek especially on the day while crossing the Dafebhir Pass (4735m), are truly otherworldly as you have incredible view over on the Everest and the Kanchenjunga Range along the way. Another vital part of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is, you also have the local cultural experience of engaging with the local Yak herders along the trek route, and you may also get an opportunity to share a cup of tea with them. If you have a limited time then, there is also a shorter variation of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, the Yuksom Goechala Trek . An eight days and 80Km trek.

Not only the views and the trail but, also the smiling demeanour and the mannerism of the people of Sikkim make the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek  refreshingly different from all other trekking trails in the Himalayas. Every turn and bend on the Kanchenjunga Trail beckons one to stop and admire the unusually long Himalayan Range. The Peaks rising from the sea of clouds, and sometime cloudless right from the bottom, an enduring scene indeed. A peculiar dreamy feeling will envelope the onlooker and the surrounding appears surreal. The world may have taken a different garb now, but the charms and magic of the old Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek still hangs in the air.

How hard is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is the most beautiful in Sikkim Himalayas. But is also amongst the most strenuous of the treks that Sikkim has on offer.  This is because instead of going up a single valley, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek traverses through one valley after another. The trek especially from Gairi to DafeBhir Pass is strenuous as it involves gaining altitude every day of the trek. After Dafey Bhir Pass the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trail is fairly easy  till Yuksom where the trek ends.

A solitary Trek

This section of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Sikkim isn’t as frequently traversed as other areas of the park, so is best suited for experienced hikers who prefer a more solitary experience. Best part about this trek is, you can trek for days without seeing a glimpse of  any human being, besides your own small trekking group.

Best time to visit 

April – May is a good time to trek when the Park is alight with different varieties of flowering plants and the high meadows filled with wild flower blooms.  October to November is another season recommended for this trek when the area around are crisp and fresh and the horizon clear for great mountain views.

Kind Of Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Sikkim is a camping Trek as no settlements are allowed inside the Kanchenjunga National Park.

—– o0o —–

TRIP FACTS

• Type of Trek : Camping Trek
• Minimum No. of Participants Required : 2 Persons
• Trek Grade : Moderate to Strenuous
• No. of Days on the Trek : 14Days
• Total No. of Days : 19Days
• Highest Point : Goechala Pass – 4990m / Kanchenjunga Base Camp
• Highest Camp Site: Pangdin – 4210m
• Starting & Ending Point: Bagdogra Airport / NJP Rail Station / Nepal Border
• Group Departure Dates : No Group Departures are available for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek . Only private trek for a minimum of Two Persons can be arranged on a date of your choice

KANCHENJUNGA BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY:
DAY 1 : Arrive at Bagdogra Airport. Drive to Gangtok (4Hrs Drive). Overnight Hotel(B/B only).

DAY 2 : A Day in Gangtok.

After breakfast drive to Rumtek Monastery,23Km from Gangtok. The monastery built in the Year 1959 by the 16^th.Gyalwa Karmapa is the replica of the Tsurpu Monastery in Kham in Tibet & is the biggest monastery in Sikkim. Rumtek monastery is the seat of the Kagyu sect or the black hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism which also houses the School for the monks. Visit the Institute of Tibetology which contains some ancient Buddhist Scriptures and artifacts. In the mean time our staff will process the Trekking Permits. Overnight Hotel (B/B only).

DAY 3 :  Drive Gangtok to Uttaray ( 2100m/5-6Hrs. Drive). Overnight Lodge.

DAY 4 : Sikkim Kanchenjunga Trek Starts. Trek  to Chewabhanjyang ( 3200m/14Km/5-6 Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 5 : Acclimatization Day. Side Trek to Singalila Pass. Overnight Tents.

DAY 6 : Trek to Gairi (3600m/10.5Km). Overnight Tents. Overnight Tents.

Day 7 : Trek  Gairi to Dhond (3900m / 9Km). Overnight Tents.

Day 8 : Trek Dhond  to  Paharae Megu (3800m/12Km /7hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 9: Trek Paharae Megu to Lam Pokhari (4100m/11Km/5Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 10: Trek Lam Pokhari to Gomathang (3543m/9Km/4Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 11 : Trek Gomathang to Pangdin(4210m/14Km/6-7Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 12 : Trek Pangdin to Ghattey Khola (3900m/9Km/4Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 13 : Trek Ghattey Khola to  Dzongri (4030m/8Km/4Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 14 : Trek Dzongri to Lamunee (4164m/11Km/5-6Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 15 : Trek to Goechala Pass view point and back to Kookrochoong (14Km/6-7Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 16 : Trek Kookrochoong to Tchoka (2975m/15Km/6Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 17 : Trek Tchoka to Yuksom (1760m/13Km/6Hrs). Overnight Lodge ( Breakfast & Lunch is included).

Day 18 : Drive to Kalimpong ( 124Km/4Hrs). Overnight Hotel / Home Stay.

DAY 19 : Drive to Bagdogra Airport for Final Departure.

After breakfast Drive to Bagdogra Airport (68Km/3Hr). End of  Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Sikkim

—– o0o —–

• Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Cost :  US$1520  per  Person.
• Indian Trekkers Kindly enquire for quotes in Indian Rupees

—– o0o —–

NOTE:  The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, Physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety, comfort and general well being.

NOTE:  This is a strenuous & high altitude Camping trek through the most uninhabited part of Sikkim. Average camp sites are at an average altitude of 4000m and is therefore meant for seasoned and experienced trekkers only. A Physical check up is mandatory.