Kanchenjunga North Trek Travel Guide
Exploring Remote Eastern Nepal
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The area around Kanchenjunga was opened to trekkers in 1988 and its remote location and therefore difficult approach helps ensure it remains one of Nepal’s least-trekked regions. That’s not to say that there is little to see – far from it – the treks in the area (known as North and South) have much to offer, the north especially so; visiting both the north and south in the same trip would take quite a lot of time and is not usually within the timeframe most people have available.
This is hard walking through much lowland scenery, the land of the Limbus people. It appeals to experienced trekkers who have made extensive walks either elsewhere in Nepal or in other walking destinations. Experience in walking at altitude essential. The maximum elevation reached is 5,140m. Trekking season: October and November.
You’ll need to be travelling in a group in order to get a permit for travel to the region – lone trekkers are not permitted. Trekking here is camping, rather than teahouse style as there are few chai-bhattis after you have left the foothills.
Treks start in Basantpur and ascends in around 14 days to the highest point at Pang Pema, 5140m; here there are excellent views of Kanchenjunga, 8598m and indeed many other peaks. The views are all you would expect and it’s incredibly rewarding to find yourself in a place few westerners have ever set foot in.
A choice of descents is available: retrace your footsteps as far as Tawa, cross the Lapsang la (5140m) to Lapsang or the lower 5 separate passes which include the Mirgin La, 4663m and Sinion La, 4660 to Tseram. The difficulty of the high passes should not be underestimated with snow likely, no visible trails and evacuation in an emergency almost impossible. The descent takes around 6 days and ends in Suketar where there is an airstrip.
Relaxing
Enjoy a night around a campfire enjoying sunset views.
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