Kangchenjunga Circuit

Overview

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The best trek in Nepal - experience the Himalaya from bottom to top

Introduction

At 8,586m, Kangchenjunga is the world's third highest mountain, located in the far north eastern corner of Nepal, on the border with Sikkim. The region remains relatively inaccessible and sees fewer western visitors, compared to the Everest and Annapurna regions. This is a tough trek, venturing deep into the heart of the Himalaya and passing through mountain villages that have changed little since Douglas Freshfield came here in 1899 on his expedition that circumnavigated the massif. This trek visits both the north and south base camps and crosses the Mirgin La (4,550m) to the south west of Kangchenjunga.

Join us on the Kangchenjunga Circuit

• The best itinerary we can think of - we have completed this trek many times.
• Trekking from north to south provides a better acclimatisation and ascent profile than the ‘standard’ south to north route.
• The trek visits Oktang (4,730m) on the south side of the mountain and stays overnight at Pangpema - base camp on the north side. Shorter, cheaper versions of this trek don't have time to do this and miss out on these highlights.
• You will complete the final days of the trek via a little-used route through local villages that see few westerners.

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Experience Required

The Kangchenjunga Circuit is a tough trek, suitable for experienced trekkers who are able to walk up to 8 hours a day. You need to be mentally prepared for consecutive days of tough trekking in a remote part of the Himalaya.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sat 17 Oct – Sun 15 Nov 2026	UK	Kathmandu	Available Book now »
	£5,395	£4,195

This trek is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 3 – 8 people.

Single room supplement: £250

For comparison, this trek starts from £140 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Nepal on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airline taxes.
• One in-country, return flight between Kathmandu and Bhadrapur by scheduled, fixed-wing aircraft.
• Two return transfers between the airport and the hotel (one on arrival and departure of your international flight and one for departure and arrival of your in-country flight).
• 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4-star Hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 3 nights' full-board accommodation in local hotels/lodges on a twin-sharing basis.
• 22 nights' full board accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing basis.
• Emergency equipment (oxygen for therapeutic use, Portable Hyperbaric Chamber (PAC), Satellite Communicator (either phone or InReach)) – see trip PDF for more details.
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• All costs for a Jagged Globe Sherpa guide, Sherpas, Cook staff and porters.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your trekking experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly to Kathmandu Team members joining on a "land-only", please plan to arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2 no later than 1630, when your services will begin. Overnight hotel.
Day 3:	Fly to Bhadrapur, drive to Illam Drive to Illam. Afternoon walk through tea plantation. Overnight in local hotel.
Day 4:	Drive to Taplejung Overnight lodge.
Day 5 - 10:	Trek to Ghunsa (3,400m) From Taplejung you trek on a dirt road initially beside the Tamur River through the well-kept village of Sinwa to a camping field at Chirwa (1,270m). The next day you climb high above the west bank of the river before dropping down to Sekathum (1,660m), where the Tamur is joined by the Ghunsa Khola. These first couple of days can be very hot and humid. The Ghunsa Khola is followed upstream on a rocky undulating path, until you climb up onto the hillside and arrive at the Tibetan village of Amjilosa (2,510m). From here the scenery becomes more alpine as you approach Gyabla (2,730m) and the following day arrive in Ghunsa. Ghunsa is an attractive village with a small hydro station. It's a good place to buy Tibetan jewellery and Yak wool shawls. Overnight camps.
Day 11:	Acclimatisation day in Ghunsa (3,400m) Trek through forest to a point above the tree line at c4,200m and return to Ghunsa. Overnight camp.
Day 12:	Trek to Kambachen (4,100m) Delightful walking through Larch and Juniper, with some trickier sections across small landslides and along the riverbed. Just beyond some landslides you have your first views of Jannu's north face. Overnight camp.
Day 13:	Acclimatisation day at Kambachen (4,100m) It is tempting to continue to Lhonak (4,785m) today, but it is better to acclimatise with a day-walk towards Jannu base camp. Overnight camp.
Day 14:	Trek to Lhonak (4,785m) The path is rocky and can be icy in places until you reach the yak grazing pastures at Ramtang. Lhonak is a few stone huts on a beautiful pasture next to the Kangchenjunga Glacier. Overnight camp.
Day 15:	Trek to Pangpema - Kangchenjunga North Base Camp (5,100m) It is a steady 6 mile walk to Pangpema, following a grassy trail along the edge of the glacier. Breathtaking views of Chang Himal and Kangchenjunga. Overnight camp.
Day 16 - 17:	Return trek to Ghunsa via Kambachen View Kangchenjunga in the morning sunlight before descending to Ramtang via Lhonak. Blue Sheep can often be spotted on the hillside above Ramtang. The following day you continue back down the valley to Ghunsa. Overnight camp.
Day 18:	Rest day in Ghunsa A much appreciated rest day before crossing the high passes.
Day 19 - 20:	Cross the Sele Le (4,300m) and Mirgin La (4,480m) to Tseram (3,870m From Ghunsa the trail climbs steeply through dense forest to emerge high on a ridge. It contours over a series of high mountain passes via a camping spot on the Sele La, before descending to a small collection of huts at Tseram. These two days are possibly the highlight of the trek, with the scenery being reminiscent of the Lake District. Overnight camps.
Day 21:	Trek to Oktang (4,730m) and descend to Ramche (4,470m) Easy walking to eventually follow the lateral moraine of the Yalung Glacier to Ramche. It's a further 1.5 hours to Oktang to view the south face of Kangchenjunga. Overnight camp back at Ramche.
Day 22:	Descend to Torontan (2,995) Trek down the valley Torontan, perched above the river. Overnight camp.
Day 23:	Cross Lasiya Bhanjyang (3,500m) to Yamphudin One of the longest and toughest days on the trek, crossing a high pass and descending a long way to Yamphudin. The trail is extremely steep through thick forest and crosses an enormous landslide. Overnight camp.
Day 24 - 26:	Trek out to Tharpu via Khebang An interesting three days 'off the beaten track' walking through local villages and trekking next to terraced fields. Expect a lot of interest from the locals, as few trekkers go this way.
Day 27:	Drive to Bhadrapur Overnight local hotel.
Day 28:	Fly to Kathmandu Overnight hotel.
Day 29:	At Leisure in Kathmandu A chance to explore the bustling capital, with its beautiful temples and bustling markets. Overnight hotel.
Day 30:	Fly home Airport transfer. For those joining "land-only", you should book your flight home today.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is adventure travel in a very remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, availability of porters and the health of team members can all contribute to changes. The guides and their Sherpa assistants will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

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• View of Kangchenjunga north face from Pangpema
• Kangchenjunga Circuit

Reports & Reviews

Total: 6 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “Excellent trek in a remote and spectacular setting.” IW, Kangchenjunga Circuit - Oct '14
• “Spectacular scenery and great team from Mungo to porters.” IT, Kangchenjunga Circuit - Oct '14

Leader Reports

• Kangchenjunga Circuit - October 2023 report
  “Well, where to start? By walking downhill obviously! After an internal flight to pretty much the Indian boarder and to what must be one of the lowest points in Nepal at 95m above sea level, followed by a bus journey up (and down...”
  report added 20/Nov/23
• Kangchenjunga Circuit - October 2017
  “Wow - what a trek!  Much as I like familiarity (albeit with different team members), the chance to go somewhere new in Nepal was an exciting prospect indeed for me, and the Kanchenjunga Circuit did not disappoint, in fact...”
  report added 23/Nov/17
• Kangchenjunga Circuit 10th Oct to 8th Nov '14
  “KANGCHENJUNGA CIRCUIT TREK 2014. ìWhatís the point?î A fair enough question at six in the morning, the seventeenth morning of sticking our heads out the tent door to greet yet another spectacular view, only this morning to...”
  report added 14/Nov/14
• Kangchenjunga Circuit - 6 Oct to 4 Nov '11
  “Apart from Lizzie & Alexander, who were each travelling independently & would meet us at the Summit Hotel, we met up at London Heathrow for the flight via Delhi to Kathmandu. The flight was problem-free and we were all...”
  report added 08/Nov/11