Trip Highlights

• Be in the lap of the third highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga (8.586 m).
• The less explored route is in the Kanchenjunga region.
• Walk through the dense forest of Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
• Home of endangered animals including Snow Leopard and Red Panda.
• Diverse landscapes from forests to meadows.
• The glorious sight of frozen lake crystal clear stream, Okthan glacier, etc.
• Visit the most popular Jannu View Point (4,400m).
• Unique culture and traditions of Sherpa and Limbu culture.

About The Trip

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Is located in the eastern part of Nepal and borders of India and Tibet. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world is also known as the abode of gods who give success and kindness to them. This trek takes you to the secluded region of Nepal and it is visited by few trekkers. During trekking, you can enjoy different types of picturesque views of snowy peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu, Kambachen, and many more. This is the culturally fascinating trip that allows you to immerse yourself with the Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, and Tibetan-influenced people. 

Overview

Kanchenjunga Cicuit Trek in Nepal Himalayas is less touristsc, challenging, and unspoiled trial in Kanchenjunga Region. In Tibetan name, it is also termed “Kanchendzonga”, which means five jewels of snow peaks. Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary is an inspiring walk around the third highest peaks in the world, located toward the end of the Himalayas range towards the northeast. 

You will experience the unforgettable experience where trekkers get into the front of Himalayan chains and nature’s beauty. You will also experience several hard ascends and descends snowy paths, steps, and rocky rugged trails. Kanchenjunga 360 trek is challenging as you pass through a moraine of glaciers and snow rivers. During the trek, you will be able to see the beautiful peaks of Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Everest (8,848.86), Makalu (8,481 m), Kambachen (7,903 m), Janu (7,710 m), Jongsong (7,483 m), Kabru (7,353 m), Tent Peak (7,365 m), and Twins (7,350 m), Chang Himal (6,802 m.). 

Trekking to the Kanchenjunga circuit offers you the exceptional beauty of nature with the stunning Himalayas with diverse floras and faunas. As you have to pass the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, you may encounter numerous floras and fauna during the trek. This conservation is the home of many wildlife including Musk deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Black Bear, and many more. Birds include impedance pheasant, red-Billed blue magpie, and many more.

This remote trek to Kanchenjunga is an unusual degree of wellness with some mesmerizing Himalayas in the background. You will get to know the family lifestyle of local people and also get to visit Ramtang and Oktang monasteries. As you start the trek you will see the mixed cultures from many parts of Nepal. But, as you ascend higher, you will see distinct tribes including Limbu, Rai, and Sherpa communities. Usually, you will see attractive traditional dresses, foods, and drinks in higher parts of the Kanchenjunga region.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Route

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Itinerary starts with a scenic ride or fly to Taplejung. The route then passes through the lush rhododendron forest and climbs to the village of Chiruwa and then Japantar. As we ascend high terrain and valley with a pleasant view of Kanchenjunga and other peaks, we will be at Amjilosa. As we walk further up, we will observe an elevated landscape and valley. We will then enter into the arctic territory of ice and icebergs at Kanchenjunga North Base Camp around a place called Pangpema.

After we walk further, we will head towards a charming village of Gunsa, where our trial turns, southeast through the thick forest of rhododendron and pine trees as well as crossing Sele La. After that, we cross Sinon La Pass to enter South Kanchenjunga Base Camp. As we trek ahead, we will cross Yalung Glacier, Ramche, Totongdin, Hapu Khola, and ultimately to Kathmandu via Bhadrapur.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Difficulty

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek overall is an exciting off-the-beaten trek with strenuous which requires good fitness and endurance capacity. This trek is one of the difficulties due to its height and landscapes. This trekking also holds a diverse landscape from 1,308 m to 5,143 m which causes an exciting variation in temperature. You have to cross the four high passes while being in the lap of renowned mountain peaks. So, without a doubt, Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is the most demanding and technical trek of Nepal.

Trek difficulty also highly depends upon the weather conditions when you will trek to such a high-altitude landscape. The best season during Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is March to June and September to November. The rainfall and temperature in these seasons remain moderate compared with other seasons. Also, be sure that you are fit in terms of both physically and mentally. This trek is challenging, and you may suffer high altitude sickness because of the diverse altitude range. It is recommended to be physically fit so that you will normally be able to walk 5 to 7 hours a day.

Best Time for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The best season for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is in (February – late May) spring and (September – late November) autumn. The weather tends to remain stable in spring and autumn, with clearer views. But the pattern doesn’t remain the same.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Spring

Spring month starts from March and continues up until May. You will feel excellent, and temperatures at high altitudes are still cold during the early season. The tea houses and lodges start to initiate in an alpine zone that was closed during the winter. You can easily cross the high-altitude lands without any difficulties in this season. Forest inside Kanchenjunga Conservation Area starts to blossom, giving the forest new greener looks, which feel amazing. You will get a chance to see many exotic and even endangered wildlife on the way to trek.

Around mid-spring, the temperature in lower elevation starts to rise, and it will be even hotter in late spring. Still, the upper elevation is perfect to trek during this weather. You will experience the blossom of flowers in the entire lush green forest in late spring. Green hills and snow-capped mountains in the backdrop view are amazingly stunning.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Summer

June to August months fall in the summer season in Nepal and are also known as the monsoon or rainy season. During this season, you will experience the super-hot in the lower region, especially in the eastern region of the Terai and Hilly region.

The month of June is the pre-monsoon period, and temperature declines during the downpours and thrives on sunny days. Clouds are most likely covers majestic views of mountains, but you may see mountains occasionally. From July to August, you will experience frequent rainfall. 

As Nepal is located in a hilly area, there will be a chance to occur landslide problems in monsoon seasons. If you decide to trek in this season, just be sure to take precautions and safety measures. Your trek will be memorable if you have a proper guide who knew the route well as this is the offseason, so there will be few lodges that remain open in this weather condition.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Autumn

The autumn season starts from September to November when the monsoon is just leaving its effect. But still, the possibility of rainfall is high in the first two weeks. Rain steadily decreases, and moderately skies turn out to be clear where the green rich forest and stunning snow-capped mountain views will come to life. During the season, the trek route will be perfect with not much wind or clouds resulting in the best view of nature and mountains.

The autumn season is also the perfect time of the year, and many Nepalese festivals fall in this season. Taking part in local culture and celebrations is an experience not to be missed. During the late autumn, you will encounter cool weather at high altitudes. The number of tourists will slowly decrease in late autumn. Even the weather is cold; it doesn’t affect the spectacular view of the mountains.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Winter

December to February is the winter season in Nepal. It is moderately cold at high altitudes, but the perspectives of the landscape are crystal clear.

In mid-winter, huge snowfall will make your trek tough or impossible sometimes. High altitude landscape is yet possible to cross before thick snow seal it down. This high altitude will be excessively challenging at this time. You can pass the trail but only with the best trekking gears.

The lodges will be closed this season, and you may have to camp at some stops. As the weather at a high altitude is challenging, it will add to the adventure. In the late winter, the temperature starts to improve. The snow deposits begin to meltdown, and wildflowers start to blossom everywhere at the lower altitudes.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Cost

When you are thinking about such a high passes trekking, there will be many factors to take into like the best route, time, and how fit do we need to be. But most importantly confusion will be, “How much does Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek cost ?”

This trek is one of the best off-the-beaten trails in the world. In addition, the cost of this trek is relatively expensive because this is a camping trek. The number of tea houses is limited on the trial. Price also heavily depends upon the itinerary and route you are trekking with. This trek can be done in both long or short ways, depends upon your decisions. The number of days and amenities you are consuming during the trek also determines the cost.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek cost is more average than other normal trekking in Nepal. On average, this trek will usually take 20-21 days. You will get some discounts if you are in groups. The cost of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek extremely depends upon traveling in private or in a group.