Trip Introduction
Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek takes you through some unexplored areas and far from the trodden path. Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world with the height of 8586m. The “Five treasures of snow” as it is translated in Nepali stands on the Nepal-Sikkim border. It is only a few miles from Tibet. The Kanchenjunga region was opened to trekkers in 1988, there are still many rules and restrictions that apply to this region. The trek to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga has had far fewer visitors as compared to other trekking destination.
Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek starts in the tropical lowlands and passes through thick rhododendron forests, stopping at picturesque villages and goes all the way up to the glacier providing overwhelming views all along the journey. The trails climb from 1200m to 5180m above sea level. Wedge Peak, Pyramid Peak, Janu Himal, White Wave, the Twins are some of the mountains that you will be seeing on this trek. Besides that, you will get great views of Mt Yalung Kang, Dromo Peak and Yalung Ri. As well as the others, you will also be able to see a face of Mt Everest as you trek to the south face of Mt Kanchenjunga.
What's included
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Foiur nights accommodation in a Three start Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast. This will be for the two nights before trek and two nights after trek
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All necessary trekking paper, trekking permit (TIMS), national park entry permit & conservation permit and Kanchanjunga Restricted area permit.
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All domestic airport taxes
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Birtamod to Bhadrapur by bus
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All accommodation whilst on trek.
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You are able to choose any food, any tea and coffee from menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Internal Flights for Members, Guide and Assistant Guide.
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Trekking leader, guides accommodation and food.
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Porter accommodation and wages while on trek.
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Trekking Leader, guides and porters insurance.
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An English speaking tour guide for Kathmandu sightseeing
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Private transportation in Kathmandu including all airport arrivals and departures. This is also for the sightseeing tours.
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Government taxes and service charge.
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Medical supplies (first aid kit)
What's excluded
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Nepal visa.
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International airfare.
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Travel and rescue Insurance
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Food in Kathmandu.
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Extra night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu if arrive early or late departure.
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All the hotel accommodation or meals in Kathmandu.( in the case return early from trek due to any reason)
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Personal expenses( bar bills, coke, beer, bottle of water, phone call, laundry service etc.
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Tips for guide porter.
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Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m /4,264 ft)
Welcome to the country of Top of The World! As you arrive in Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will receive you and transfer to the hotel and check into the hotel there is time for a cup of tea, shower and then a chance to see the tourist district of Kathmandu by night as we go for dinner before an early night!
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Day 2
Sightseeing in Kathmandu and preparation for trekking
A day in Kathmandu where we will take you to Swayambhunath which is a Buddhist stupa and Monastery, which is over 2000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. Here is a great chance to see across the valleys, see some monkeys and begin to learn about this fascinating country. The afternoon will be spent getting for the trek and some time to relax and make sure all the kit and packing is complete. Also the first time you can go shopping which in Thamel is an adventure in itself!
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Day 3
Fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (81 m/266 ft)
You will fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. Depending upon the availability of flying options to Suketar from Biratnagar you will be presented with either of the two possibilities listed below: a If there is availability of flight to Suketar you spend the night in Biratnagar and fly to Suketar the next morning. b. If there are no flights available to Suketar you drive to Taplejung Suketar and spend the night there.
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Day 4
Fly from Biratnagar to Suketar and Trek to Tembewa, (2,420 m/7,938 ft) or Drive from Phidim (1,179 m/ (3,868 ft) to Suketar and Trek To Tembewa.
If you spent overnight at Biratnagar the previous day you will directly fly to Suketar and trek to Tembewa through the Rhododendron forest and Limbu Village. Over night Camp / Lodge. this day and spend the night there. But, if you spent your night in Phidim you will be driving to Suketar and trek to Tembewa for Over night.
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Day 5
Tembewa to Khesewa, 2120m. 5 hrs.
The path goes up to the ridge and descent to village. After the village steeply up to Kunjari. Many beehive and tropical village welcome you the diverse culture and snowy view mountain. Over night at lodge/Camp site.
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Day 6
Khesewa to Mamanke: 7 hrs. 1765m.
Walking through the valley and passing some crest and series of waterfalls and pass some Bhatties where you can have some nice cup of tea.. The last part of the trek is up hill to Pauwa and Mamank. Over night at Lodge/Tented camp.
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Day 7
Mamanke to Yamphudin 5hrs. 2080m
This is a short day of the trek and heading to the north Kabeli khola. Along the way small chortens and water falls will pass. Over night at Lodge/Tented camp.
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Day 8
Yamphudin to Amji Khola 5hrs. 2700,m.
You are trekking inbetween two river valley. The path is more Zigzags and walking through the ferns and forest to the edge of Amji Khola. The alternative path is available but more steep up hill. Over night at Camp.
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Day 9
Amji Khola to Torontan. 6hrs. 3300m.
Walking through the Bamboo forest steep path to Kharka which resound to the chiming of Yak bells. This is final step of Lamite Bhyanjing. We have to pass the land slide and often big rock falls down. Mostly we pass the Orchid filled forest and following the woodcutter path. Over night at Camp.
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Day 10
Torontan to Tseram. 3870m 6hrs.
The day start with long steep climb to Tseram. We are walking mixed rhododendron and old land slide to an isolated goth-herders hut. Continue an atmospheric forest dripping with Spanish moss with glimpses of snow peaks between trees. Finally you arrived at the river side near the boulder. Over night at camp.
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Day 11
Tseram to Ramche 3hrs. 4620m.
The trails goes above the tree lines through the mani and facing with Rathong 6678m. and kabru 6700m.Now you are serious in the mountain country and there are little shelter from the icy winds that blow off the glacier. Over night at Camp.
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Day 12
Day trip to Yalung Glacier and return to Tseram.
This is your last destination of the trek and climber who goes for climbing it takes 2 days more to go. Most group are happy to make a half day trek to a view point on top of the morine. From Ramche descent through the forest and up to the heart stopping view point of south face Kanchanjunga. Over night at Tseram.
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Day 13
Tseram to Tortong Trekking time 6hrs
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Day 14
Tortong to Yamphudin 8hrs.(1500m)
Today after breakfast we leave Tortong and Ascend to Lasse Bhanjyang climb to steep up to get Lasse Ridge, If weaither is clear then we will have amazing view of Kanchenjunga. We have lunch at Lasse then after lunch we will take all way down Yamphudin through thick forestry.
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Day 15
Yamphudin to Khebang Trekking time 6hrs.(1300m)
After breakfast we leave Yamphudin, Today is easy walking day through by local communitis village where you can explore mix local cultrure, then we arrive at Khebang.
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Day 16
Khebang to Khangdenbe Trekking time 5hrs
Today is short walking day through by rocky trail and Limbu Village where you will have good time to learn real limbu cultural and costom then we arrive at Khangdenbe.
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Day 17
Khangdenbe to Kanyam (5hrs by Bus)
After breakfast we drive to Kanyam through by crossing bridge at Samekham, following Kabeli Khola, passing through Mamankhe, Phidim Bazaar, Ilam Bazzer and we arrive at beautiful tea garden Kanyam Bazzar, where you will have plenty time to visit Tea garden and last mountain view of Kanchanjunga range.
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Day 18
Kanyam Bazzar to Birtamod by (Jeep 3 hrs) 300 M
We start our day with early breakfast as we have to travel a lot. We leave Yangpang and travelling through small villages we settle at Thorpu for lunch and march Birtamod. Here good accommodation facilities are available. Overnight at hotel.
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Day 19
Drive from Birtamod to Bhadrapur and fly to Katmandu
Early in the morning after breakfast will dreve to Bhadrapur and check in the airport and will fly from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu and you will have plenty of time for shopping and visit Thamel.
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Day 20
Kathmandu Sighteeing
Today after a leisurely start we will continue the tour of Kathmandu by visiting them largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Boudhanath stupa is a world heritage site and a place which is an amazing place to see Buddhism and understand more about not only the religion but the Nepali culture.A group dinner will be had in the evening to celebrate the end of the trek.
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Day 21
Departure Day
Return to theHome . Extra days are available at your own cost but we will be happy to arrange this for you.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please be aware that your safety while in Nepal is our number one propriety. All itineraries are subject to change if there are safety concerns, health concerns of people in the group and/or weather concerns. This will be decided by the trek leader but we will always discuss the options with the group where possible to ensure peoples wishes are taken into account, however, the Treks leader decision is final.
Book our fixed departures
Equipments
Equipment Check – List
What clothing and equipment to take is one of the things that people worry the most about! We can advise you and help you and it does, of course, depend on the time of year, the area, the altitude and how many days you are trekking/climbing. When you arrive in Kathmandu we will go through all your equipment to ensure that it is correct for your trip. In Thamel (the tourist area of Kathmandu where you will be staying) there is an abundance of shops selling equipment and clothing so if anything is forgotten it can easily be sourced. It is also possible to hire climbing equipment and also items such as down jackets, and sleeping bags saving you a large purchase.
The following equipment list is suggested and necessary for both camping and tea house treks. Use this list as a guideline. The basic checklist should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag should weigh no more than 15kg. Please remember this is just a checklist and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed below.
GENERAL CHECKLIST
The following basic checklist should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag should weigh no more than 15 kilograms. Please remember this is just a checklist and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed below. Use your own experience and judgment to make your decision.
-Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
-Fleece jacket or pullover.
-fleece wind –stopper Jacket (optional)
-Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
-Lightweight thermal gloves.
-Underwear (4)
-Shorts (2)
-Lightweight cotton long trousers/pants.
-Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms.
-Sun hat or Scarf.
-Warm fleece hat or light balaclava.
-T-shirt (2)
-Thin, lightweight (inner socks) (4).
-Sunglasses with UV protection.
-Sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees ¾ season
-Headlamp (eg Petzl) Spare bulbs and batteries.
-Small padlock to lock trek bag.
-Basic first aid kit(see First aid medicine bellow)
-Plastic bags –for keeping items dry inside trek bag.
-Daypack ( 35 to 40 litters/ 2500 to 3000 cubic inches.)
-Camping mattress, eg Thermarest pad.
-water bottles.
-Toiletries.
-Small wash towel.
-Footwear, appropriate to the trip.
-Waterproof shell trousers/pants. (Preferably breathable fabric)
TREKKING CHECKLIST
In addition to the items listed in our general checklist you will need to take the following on your trekking trip:
-Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer.
-Down vest and/ or jacket (optional).
-Fleece or wool trousers/ pants.
-Trekking/ hiking boots with spare laces.
-Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
– Footwear for around camp, eg running shoes and /or sandals.
-Gaiters (optional).
-Telescopic trekking/ ski poles (optional)
MOUNTAINEERING / CLIMBING CHECKLIST
In addition to the checklists for general trekking equipment above, and depending on the trip you have chosen, various items of mountaineering equipment may also be required, eg:
-Plastic boots and crampons (preferably step – in bindings ) with front points.
-Mountaineering Safety harness.
-Mountaineering Ice axe(60 to 75 cms long – depending on your height and personal preference).
-120 cms (4ft) climbing sling and to locking and unlocking caravans.
-Telescopic ski – sticks (optional).
-Prussik loops.
-Climbing helmet (optional).
-Jumper (Ascender & Descender).
-Pocket Knife.
-Headlamp.
-Mattress.
-Rope and Snow bars.
-Ice crew.
-High altimeter.
Most if not all of this equipment will be needed for any trip that crosses steep, snow-covered ground, or which includes sections of glacier travel. Our recommendation that you take no more than fifteen kilos of trekking equipment dose not include your plastic boots, ice axe, Crampons otherness/carabiners. During the trek, climbing hard wear will be carried separately from your trek bag, in group bags until needed.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
To minimize your expense outlay for trekking and climbing equipment you may never use again, equipment rental and buying is possible in Kathmandu. You find them a lot cheaper than you find in Europe and the USA. Shops in Thamel offer a wide range of equipment available for rent and buy. Here is some cost which gives you an idea of the cost to rent in Kathmandu.
-Sleeping bags.
-Down Jackets.
-All-purpose mountaineering Ice axe (60 – 70 cms)
-Ice hummer.
-Climbing Harness.
-2 looking Carabiners, Climbing Sling.
-12 – point Crampons.
-Plastic Climbing boots.
-Helmet.
FIRST AID MEDICINE
-Bandage for Sprains.
-Plaster/ Band-aids.
-Iodine or Water filter(optional)
-Moleskin/ Second skin – for blisters.
-Antiseptic ointment for cuts.
-Anti-bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)
-Aspirin/ paracetamol- general painkiller.
-Oral rehydration salts.
-Broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin).
-Anti – diarrhoea medication (antibiotic).
-Diarrhoea stopper (Imodium – optional).
-Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria.
-Diamox (Altitude sickness – can be bought in Kathmandu.
-Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution).
– For more details please see our staying healthy topic.