Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Sikkim
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is 150 Km long and about thirteen day’s worth of rigorous but beautiful trail for experienced hikers. Better attempted in the month of May and October when there’s little snow at Dafeybhir Pass and high mountains. Apex of this trek is Goechala Pass at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga, the tallest mountain in the Eastern Himalayas and the third in the world. Hikers on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek should be prepared for plenty of elevation gain and loss, along with stunning panoramas of the Himalayas.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek boasts of breathtaking views, gushing streams and splendid meadows, making each step more beautiful than the last. This off trail route takes hikers through dense forests and high Himalayan trails that will awe even jaded outdoor enthusiasts. This section of the trek isn’t as frequently traversed as other areas of the park, so it suits experienced hikers who prefer a more solitary experience.
Good For ?
- Peace and Quiet
- Empty trails
- Wildlife watching
- Close up views of Kanchenjunga , Makalu & Everest Range from DafeyBhir Pass
- Crystal Clear Mountain Lakes,
- Trekking off the Map
- Wilderness.
Trekkers who venture on the Sikkim Kanchenjunga trek enter a world of pristine wild scenery and clear mountain lakes. The reward is the chance to trek far beyond not touched by the modern world and Human civilization.
Best part about this trek is, you can trek for days without seeing a soul, besides your own small trekking group
Why Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Hiking on the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek presents different challenges than hiking in other parts of Sikkim, but the rewards are unique as well. Running close to the border with Nepal, it provides stunning Himalayan Trail hardly found anywhere else in the Eastern Himalayas.
Sikkim Kanchenjunga Trek is a trek through virgin high Himalayan terrain. In other words you can call this off beat Trek in Sikkim, a window to the most scenic part of Kanchenjunga Himalayas. One of the greatest trek ever in Indian Himalayas dominated completely from the very first day by the giant Mount Kanchenjunga 8548m tall, standing erect like a Guardian Angel.
Sikkim Kanchenjunga Trek – A Trek through Kanchenjunga National Park
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek covers a big chunk of the Kanchenjunga National Park totally uninhabited by any human beings. Therefore it can be easily surmised from here that this is a solitary trek. It may also not come as a surprise that on some days you may have the pleasure of being the sole occupant in this part of Kanchenjunga National Park in Sikkim Himalayas.
Also Known as Kanchenjunga Himal, Kanchenjunga Range occupies a large portion of the eastern Himalayas. With very few trekkers on this path Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a quiet and an incredible trek. Where in most days you can have the pleasure of having the entire place to yourself and not have to jostle for space as is the case with other popular Treks in the Himalayas.
For those who find the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek a bit too long could try the eight days Goechala Pass Trek or even a shorter four day Yuksom Dzongri Trek.
How hard is Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Sikkim ?
With a series of ascents and descents to high altitudes through some of the most hostile trekking environments and that too in the most remote part of Sikkim Himalayas. Sikkim Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is definitely recommended for experienced trekkers only.
Best time to visit the Kanchenjunga National Park
Best time to embark on this Trek is from April to May when the Kanchenjunga National Park is alight with different varieties of Rhododendron trees in full bloom and the meadows filled with high altitude flowering plants.
October to November is another season best suited for this trek when the mountain views are clear for viewing.
Kind Of Trek
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek in Sikkim is a camping Trek as no settlements are allowed inside the Kanchenjunga National Park.
What to Bring ?
- All you need to bring is your personal clothing and a Sleeping Bag with you.
- Twin Share sleeping Tents with mattress, Dining Tent, Kitchen Tent and a Toilet Tent will be provided for the entire duration of the Trek.
- Cook and his helpers will cook and provide food for the Participants and as well for the entire support team.
- Sherpa’s will be in charge of the tents.
- Ponies or Yaks will be used in most cases to to carry food Items, Camping materials and the baggage of the participants.
- We use paraffin stove and paraffin as fuel to cook food.
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
- Highest Camp Site: Pangdin-4210m
- Starting & Ending Point: Bagdogra Airport/NJP Rail Station/Nepal Border
- Group Departure Dates : No Group Departures are available for this Trek.
- Customized Private trek for a minimum of Two Persons can be arranged on a date of your choice
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. Rumtek monastery built in the Year 1959 by the 16th.Gyalwa Karmapa is the replica of the Tsurpu Monastery in Kham in Tibet & is the biggest monastery in Sikkim. This monastery is the seat of the Kagyu sect or the black hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism which also houses a school for the monks. Visit the Institute of Tibetology on the way back. Overnight Hotel (B/B only).
DAY 3 : Drive Gangtok to Uttaray ( 2100m/5-6Hrs. Drive). Overnight Lodge.
DAY 4 : Trek Starts. Trek to Chewabhanjyang ( 3200m/14Km/5-6 Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 5 : Acclimitization 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 Paharay 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 : Rest Day in Dzongri. Overnight Tents.
Day 15 : Trek Dzongri to Lamunee (4164m/11Km/5-6Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 16 : Trek to Goechala Pass view point and back to Kookrochoong (14Km/6-7Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 17 : Trek Kookrochoong to Tchoka (2975m/15Km/6Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 18 : Trek Tchoka to Yuksom (1760m/13Km/6Hrs). Overnight Lodge ( Breakfast & Lunch is included).
DAY 19 : Drive to Bagdogra Airport for Final Departure.
After early breakfast will start 198Km(6Hrs) drive to Bagdogra Airport. End of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.
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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: Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek 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.
