world’s third
highest peak. First climbed in 1955 by Joe Brown and
George Band, Kangchenjunga lies in one of the most remote
parts of the Himalaya, astride the northeast corner
of Nepal and the western frontier of Sikkim. This trek
takes us from the rice and tea growing tropical lowlands
to the high glaciers, which tumble from the surrounding
peaks of Kangchenjunga and visits the south face base
camp.
We start our journey by flying to Biratnagar
in Nepal’s eastern corner. A further flight takes
us to the remote Suketar airstrip where we begin our
trekking.Our approach to Kangchenjunga’s stunning
south face is up the heavily forested Simbua Khola valley.
Above the tree line the valley opens to provide amazing
close views of the peaks surrounding Kangchenjunga.
We will base ourselves at Ramze (4360m) for two nights
on the edge of the Yalung glacier. From our camp we
have superb views of Kangchenjunga’s south face.
We have a day to explore the area further, visiting
south face base camp with the magnificent sight of the
huge south wall of Kangchenjunga towering ahead. Now
we head north crossing the Mirgin, Sinion and Tamo passes
to Ghunsa in the Ghunsa Khola Valley. These two days
are pure magic. To the west a corrugated land of ridges
and valleys lead the eye to a fairytale Himalayan skyline,
dominated by the peaks of Makalu, Chamlang and Everest.
Our return descends through a fascinating landscape
of scattered villages and a patchwork of terraced fields
to conclude this magnificent trek.
Fact Box |
|
Starting
from: |
Kathmandu Taplejung
(Suketar) (1hour flight from Kathmandu) |
Ending
at: |
Taplejung (Suketar)
(1hour flight from Kathmandu) |
Grade: |
Adventurous |
Highest
access of the trek: |
Pang-pema (5120m)
|
Culture
encounter |
Gurung, Brahman,
Chhetri, Rai, Limbu, Tamang and others. |
Trekking
type |
Camping |
Himalayan
sights: |
Himalayan ranges
Mt. Kanchanjunga Kumbhakarna, Nepal Peak, Khambachen,
Mt. Everest, Makalu, Lotse, Nuptse and many mores.
Most Attraction of the trek: Non Touristy route
Specially mixed life and very famous blue Sheep |
Most
Attraction of the trek: |
Non Touristy route
Specially mixed life and very famous blue Sheep. |
Best Seasion: |
February, March, April, May,
October, November |
Meal: |
breakfast, lunch, & Dinner) |
Activities:
|
Trekking |
Transportation:
|
Car / Van |
Accommodation: |
Camping |
Minimum
Group Size: |
1 |
Per
day Walking: |
5 to 7 hours |
Itinerary type |
Fixed / Customized |
Day
to Day Itinerary |
Day
01 |
Arrive
in Kathmandu Airport & Transfer to Hotel
Welcome dinner in the evening. |
Day
02 |
Full
day Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley.
We will be visiting three of the famous heritage
sites in Kathmandu. You will visit first the Swayambunath
Stupa (Monkey Temple). It is said that
Swayambunath Stupa is more than 2,000 years old,
and it symbolizes knowledge. The painted eyes on
all four sides symbolize the all-seeing power of
Buddha. It is an important Buddhist place where
pilgrims from all over the world come. It
is a 30 minutes drive to Boudhanath
Stupa, another important Buddhist pilgrims
site. This ancient Stupa is considered one of the
biggest in the World. Every morning and evening,
many Buddhist devotees come here to pray and circumambulate
enabling the visitors to observe local religious
practices. One
of the holiest hindu shrines in the world,
The fabulous pagoda houses the linga of
Lord Shiva and people bathe in the Bagmati River
with a faith of cleansing themselves spiritually.
Many Sadhus or Hindu Ascetics live here. During
religious festivals, Hindus come to make offerings,
and it is sometimes very crowded. Bhaktapur
Durbar Square: This former royal palace
complex offers the elegant 15th century Palace of
55 win-dows, artistic courtyards, the Golden gat.
Patan
Durbar Square : Durbar Square an enchanting
melage of palace buildings, courtyards and pagoda
temples, is the center of Patan's religious and
social life. |
Day
03 |
Kathmandu
to Biratnagar
Today we fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar, the second
largest city in Nepal. The flight takes almost 1
hour and if the weather is clear we are treated
to some spectacular views of the Himalayan chain,
stretching from the peaks of Langtang to the huge
bulk of Kangchenjunga, including Gauri Shankar,
Menlungtse, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Jannu (Khumbhakarna).
Overnight hotel.
|
Day
04 |
Biratnager
- Lal Kharka (2000 metres)
A 30-minute flight from Biratnagar takes us to Suketar
(2400m), a grassy airstrip above the large bazaar
town of Taplejung. Our trekking crew and porters
will be waiting for us on arrival and after lunch
we will start trekking with a 3-hour walk to Lal
Kharka. The walk takes us through some beautiful
mixed forest; our camp is a clearing with one bamboo
hut and distant views of Kangchenjunga. Overnight
Camp.
|
Day
05 |
Bhanjyang
(2100 metres)
From Lal Kharka we contour around the hillside passing
through a number of small hamlets where the people
are mostly Hindu - Chettris and Brahmins. Along
the way there are many chautarra's by the side of
the trail, stone benches, used by porters for resting
their loads. After the village of Tambawa we descend
to cross the Phawa Khola on a wooden suspension
bridge and stop for lunch. After lunch we climb
steeply to Kunjari and then a more gradual climb
to our camp at Bhanjyang, a small village on a grassy
ridge with tremendous view of the Kangchenjunga
massif. (6 hours walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
06 |
Mamamkhe
(2000 metres)
From our camp on the ridge we descend through terraced
fields to Khesewa and then climb gradually, contouring
through thick, lush forest to Fun Fun, a small village
on top of a narrow ridge with views of Jannu, Kangchenjunga
and Talung. From here we descend through more terraced
fields and by thatch roofed houses where the people
grow a great variety of crops including millet,
spinach, limes, chilli's, maize and even castor
oil trees. Today's lunch stop is in an idyllic spot,
by a waterfall and stream, perfect for washing hair,
bodies and clothes. After lunch we climb quite steeply
for an hour to round a ridge, giving views up the
Kabeli Khola and across to the village of Mamamkhe,
a small village on the opposite hillside and our
camping stop for the night. To get there we have
to descend steeply through the small hamlet of Ponpe
Dhara, crossing the Kasshawa Khola on a rickety
suspension bridge and then climbing steeply towards
Mamamkhe, camping on the terraced fields just opposite
the village. (6 to 7 hours walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
07 |
Chitre
(2750 metres)
From Yamphudin we continue along the left bank of
the Kabeli Khola before crossing the tributary stream
of the Omje Khola and begin a steep ascent to the
Dhupi Banjyang pass, about 2 ½ hours of steady
climbing through open grassland. Near the top we
enter forest and prayer flags overhead mark the
top. From here it is a steady descent through deciduous
forest to the Omje Khola and lunch. After lunch
2 hours of steady climbing brings us to Chitre a
clearing in the forest with a single bamboo shelter
and our camp for the night. (6 hours walking) Overnight
Camp. |
Day
08 |
Simbua
Khola (3000 metres)
Today we enter rhododendron and bamboo forests but
first we have to cross the Lamite Bhanjyang pass
crossing the Deorali Danda ridge at 3230m. From
the saddle we get our first close views of Jannu,
Kabru and Kangchenjunga and down to the Simbua Khola
Valley, our route to the Yalung glacier. From the
pass we descend into the Simbua Khola valley, first
crossing a short landslip area before descending
through forest to our lunch stop, a clearing in
the woods. The afternoon walk from here is beautiful,
first descending to the Simbua Khola (called the
Souke Khola by the Nepalese) and then climbing gently
up the valley through mixed forest to camp at a
clearing on the banks of the river. (7 hours walking) |
Day
09 |
Tseram
(3770 metres)
We continue climbing gently up the Simbua Khola
valley. As we near the tree line there are good
views of Kabru Peak (7338m) and Rathong (6678m).
After 4 hours of walking we arrive at Tseram (3770m),
a delightful grassy meadow beneath the Mirgin La.
We will camp here as it is important to gain altitude
slowly and an afternoon resting here will help with
acclimatisation. (4 hours walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
10 |
Tseram
A day for exploring the area and relaxing around
camp. It is very important to gain height gradually
to enable our bodies to acclimatise to the altitude.
A second night at Tseram will help enormously, particularly
if we have been higher during the day to the height
we will be sleeping at. Overnight Camp. |
Day
11 |
Ramze
(4360 metres)
We eventually emerge above the tree line following
the left bank of the Simbua Khola into yak pastures
and glacial moraine. The scenery is magnificent
as we ascend to Yalung Bar, the end of the forest
line and at Lobsang La the valley opens to give
commanding views of Kabru, Rathong and Kokthan.
We ascend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier before
reaching Ramze at 4360m, camping in a broad flat
glacial valley surrounded by towering peaks and
grazing yaks! (3 ½ hours from Tseram). After
lunch those who wish can explore the area by walking
further up the valley or ascending a ridge above
camp for even more tremendous views. Overnight Camp. |
Day
12 |
Ramze
After breakfast those who wish can follow the glacial
valley towards the huge Yalung Glacier with spectacular
views of Kangchenjunga's south wall. The route by
which the mountain was first climbed in 1955 is
clearly visible and there are dramatic views all
around. There is time to climb the lateral moraine
of the glacier towards a Chorten (monument) for
better views (2 ½ hours from camp). Ranged
in an enormous circle is a fantastic array of peaks.
A great sweep of snow crested ridges lead to the
rocky pyramid of the main summit of Kangchenjunga.
From the last of the Kangchenjunga peaks the ridge
sweeps down to form the Talung saddle and rises
to Talung Peak and the massive whale back of Kabru.
Overnight Camp. |
Day
13 |
Below
Mirgin La (4300 metres)
We descend to Yalung Bara and then a short steep
climb after the river to lunch (2/2 hours). After
lunch we traverse above Tseram with great views
of Kabru and Rathong behind. Finally a steep ascent
to our campsite beside a small lake. (4 to 5 hours
walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
14 |
Camp
below the Tamo La (4000 metres)
Today we cross the Mirgin, Sinion and Tamo La's.
From our camp we continue climbing to emerge on
an open trail with tremendous views back down to
the Simbua Khola Valley and across to the peaks
rising above the Yalung Glacier, to Kabru Peak and
to Kangchenjunga. It takes around 2 hours of steady
climbing to arrive at our first pass, the Mirgin
La (4550m). The views from here are spectacular,
a beautiful spot to rest and eat our picnic lunch.
Overnight Camp.
From the Mirgin La the trail is much gentler as
we contour around the hillside on an easy trail,
gently climbing to the Sinion La (4500m). This is
a beautiful walk, high above the valleys with magnificent
views across ridge after ridge to Makalu and the
Baruntse/Chamlang massif. From the Sinion La the
trail descends slightly to our last pass, the Tamo
La (4500m) and from here we are treated to a tremendous
view of Jannu (Khumbhakarna). Now it is downhill
to our camp, a beautiful grassy meadow, surrounded
by snow-splattered hills with views across the Ghunsa
Khola Valley to a tremendous panorama of peaks.
(5 to 6 hours walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
15 |
Phere
(3100 metres)
An easy day descending to Ghunsa, a village situated
on the right bank of the Ghunsa Khola. From our
camp we descend into beautiful rhododendron forest
to enter the village near the school. After lunch
we cross to the right bank of the river and descend
along forest trails to Phere, a small village with
a very interesting monastery. (6 hours walking)
Overnight Camp.
|
Day
16 |
Amjilassa
(2500 metres)
We continue our descent south, along the river valley
towards Taplejung. From Phere the trail descends
to the river through mixed forest and bamboo. A
short climb brings us to the small hamlet of Kyapra
and then on into the bamboo forest where we stop
for lunch in a clearing (3 hours). After lunch the
track winds its way up and down across the steep
hillside, until finally open ground is reached shortly
before the small Sherpa hamlet of Amjilassa (7 hours
walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
17 |
Tapethok
(1300 metres)
From Amjilassa we continue first traversing then
descending, steeply through rocky, open pastures
towards Ghaiya Bari and the small hamlet of Sakathum
(1650m), 4 hours from Amjilassa. Here we have lunch
before crossing the Ghunsa and Simbua Kholas and
following the left bank of the Tamur River, once
again entering an area of lush vegetation and terraced
fields. Today's camp is alongside the Tamur River
near the small village of Tapethok, 2 hours from
Sakathum. (6 hours walking) Overnight Camp. |
Day
18 |
Phrumba
(2000 metres)
We continue following the east side of the Tamur
River to the village of Chirwa with its giant boulders.
We then start to climb and traverse the hillside
through many scattered villages and woods to our
lunch spot. In the afternoon we continue to climb
to the village of Phrumba where we camp at the school.
(5 to 6 hours walking). Overnight Camp.
|
Day
19 |
Suketar
(2400 metres)
The morning sees us gaining most of the remaining
height before we traverse around ridges and past
villages to lunch (31/2 hrs). Now it is an easy
traverse around the hillside to Suketar, high above
the town of Taplejung. (5 hours walking) Overnight
Camp. |
Day
20 |
Kathmandu
Today we fly to Kathmandu, first by charter flight
to Biratnagar and then by scheduled flight on to
Kathmandu where we transfer to our hotel. Overnight
hotel. |
Day
21 |
Depart
Kathmandu
Morning free in Kathmandu for last minute sightseeing
and shopping. Transfer to the airport for the Qatar
Airways or Gulf Air flight to London Heathrow. |
Day
24 |
Tour
ends |
Trek Price as per above
program
Group Size |
01 |
2 - 3 |
4 - 5 |
6 - 7 |
8 - 9 |
10 - 11 |
12 + Above |
Price in US$ |
800 |
750 |
700 |
700 |
650 |
600 |
550 |
Package Price Includes
-
Airport Pickup
and Drop
-
All the ground
Transportation by toursit bus
-
4 night hotel
in Kathmandu
-
All the meal
during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
-
Trek Permit
& National Park Fee
-
Trek leader
for entire tour (All camping equipment like tent,
Sleeping Bag, Kitchen Equipment etc.)
-
An experience
guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), necessary
staff and their meal/accommodation/transportation/salary/insurance/equipments.
-
Demostic Airfare
( Kathmandu - Biratnagar
/ Suketar, Suketar- Biratnager/ Kathmandu and domostic airport tax)
Package Price Excludes
- Personal bar bill, travel
insurance/International airfare.
- Items of personal expenses
such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry,
tips etc.
- Nepal entry visa fee US$
30 (duration 60 days from date of issue)- Available
at Royal Nepalese Embassies and Royal Nepalese Consulates
abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International
Airport in Kathmandu.
- All the entrance fee of temple
in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- All
the meal while you are in Kathmandu
|