Nepal Trekking 2027 – OT-09 — Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek (Pangpema)

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2
  • 17 Nights / 18 Days
  • Difficulty : Strenuous
  • Highest Point : 5,143 m (Pangpema)
  • Accommodation : Hotel / Lodge
  • Starts / Ends : Sekathum / Sekathum
  • Route : Kanchenjunga · Taplejung · Sekathum · Ghunsa · Kambachen · Lhonak · Pangpema
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek (Pangpema)

A remote trek in far-eastern Nepal to Pangpema, the north base camp of Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest mountain in the world. From Sekathum the route follows the Ghunsa Khola gorge to the Sherpa village of Ghunsa, continues to Kambachen below Jannu, and climbs along the Kanchenjunga Glacier to Lhonak and Pangpema (5,143 m). Lodges are basic, and a restricted area permit is required.

Highlights
  • The north face of Kanchenjunga from Pangpema (5,143 m)
  • Jannu (7,711 m) from Kambachen
  • The Sherpa village of Ghunsa
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
Places on This Route
  • Kathmandu — Nepal’s capital, filled with centuries-old Temples and historic courtyards.
  • Taplejung — The district headquarters and gateway to the Kanchenjunga region.
  • Ghunsa — The largest Sherpa village of the region, at 3,595 m.
  • Kambachen — A pasture at 4,050 m facing the north face of Jannu.
  • Lhonak — An open plain at 4,780 m beside the Kanchenjunga Glacier.
  • Pangpema — The north base camp of Kanchenjunga at 5,143 m.
Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu (1,337 m)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 02Trek preparation in Kathmandu

Permit formalities, gear check and pre-departure briefing. Free time for personal activities. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 03Fly Kathmandu – Bhadrapur and drive to Taplejung (1,820 m) – 9 hours drive

Flight east to Bhadrapur, then a drive through the tea gardens of Ilam to Taplejung. Overnight stay in Taplejung.

Day 04Taplejung – Sekathum (1,640 m) – 6 hours drive

Drive along the Tamor valley to Sekathum at the confluence of the Ghunsa Khola. Overnight stay in Sekathum.

Day 05Sekathum – Amjilosa (2,510 m) – 6 hours

Follow the narrow Ghunsa Khola gorge, with steep climbs, to Amjilosa. Overnight stay in Amjilosa.

Day 06Amjilosa – Gyabla (2,730 m) – 5 hours

Trek through bamboo and rhododendron forest to the Tibetan-style village of Gyabla. Overnight stay in Gyabla.

Day 07Gyabla – Ghunsa (3,595 m) – 5 hours

Climb through forest and pastures to Ghunsa, the largest Sherpa village of the region, with its monastery. Overnight stay in Ghunsa.

Day 08Acclimatisation at Ghunsa (3,595 m)

A rest day with a hike to Lapsang Gompa or the ridge above the village. Overnight stay in Ghunsa.

Day 09Ghunsa – Kambachen (4,050 m) – 6 hours

Cross landslide areas and a scree slope to Kambachen, facing the north face of Jannu (7,711 m). Overnight stay in Kambachen.

Day 10Acclimatisation at Kambachen (4,050 m)

A rest day with a hike towards the Jannu Glacier viewpoint. Overnight stay in Kambachen.

Day 11Kambachen – Lhonak (4,780 m) – 4 hours

Follow the Kanchenjunga Glacier moraine to the open plain of Lhonak. Overnight stay in Lhonak.

Day 12Lhonak – Pangpema (5,143 m) – Lhonak – 7 hours

Hike along the moraine to Pangpema, the north base camp, facing the north face of Kanchenjunga (8,586 m). Return to Lhonak. Overnight stay in Lhonak.

Day 13Lhonak – Ghunsa (3,595 m) – 8 hours

Descend via Kambachen to Ghunsa. Overnight stay in Ghunsa.

Day 14Ghunsa – Amjilosa (2,510 m) – 7 hours

Descend via Gyabla to Amjilosa. Overnight stay in Amjilosa.

Day 15Amjilosa – Sekathum (1,640 m) – 5 hours

Descend the gorge to Sekathum. Overnight stay in Sekathum.

Day 16Sekathum – Taplejung – 6 hours drive

Drive back along the Tamor valley to Taplejung. Overnight stay in Taplejung.

Day 17Taplejung – Bhadrapur – Kathmandu

Drive to Bhadrapur and fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel; evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 18Departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kathmandu International Airport according to your flight schedule.

Please note: the itinerary sequence is subject to change based on the availability of accommodation.

Accommodations
DestinationHotel / Lodge
KathmanduDeluxe Hotel
TaplejungBest available Hotel
Sekathum – Lhonak (trek)Best available Trekkers’ Lodge (basic)

Includes

  • Airport pickup and drop
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu on twin/triple sharing basis with breakfast
  • Kathmandu – Bhadrapur – Kathmandu airfare
  • Bhadrapur – Taplejung – Sekathum transfers by jeep
  • Experienced trekking guide
  • An assistant guide for groups of 10 pax and above
  • One porter for every two trekkers, with a weight limit of 10–12 kg per person
  • Kanchenjunga restricted area permit
  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) fee
  • Accommodation and meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek, with tea and coffee
  • Insurance coverage for the guide and porters
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Excludes

  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Single supplement cost
  • Client insurance policies
  • Any personal expenses, such as beverages, hot water and mineral water
  • Accessory charging and Wi-Fi use during the trek
  • Trekking gear
  • Rescue and emergency cost
  • Extra costs arising from unforeseen or unavoidable conditions
  • Gratuities (tips)
Essential Information

Visa & Entry Requirements

Entry rules differ for Indian and other foreign nationals. Every trek in this pack also needs national park or conservation area permits, and several need restricted area permits issued by the Department of Immigration. We arrange all permits from the documents you share at booking.

Indian Nationals

No Visa Required
  • Indian citizens need no visa to enter Nepal, by air or at any open land border
  • Carry a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card; a passport is recommended for restricted areas
  • Indian currency notes of ₹100 and below are widely accepted; higher notes are not accepted in Nepal

Foreign Nationals

Tourist Visa on Arrival
  • Most nationals can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or open land borders
  • Visa fee: 15 days USD 30 · 30 days USD 50 · 90 days USD 125
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months, one photograph, fee payable in cash or by card

Restricted Areas

Restricted Area Permits
  • Required for Rolwaling, Tsum, Manaslu, Nar Phu, Kanchenjunga, Upper and Lower Dolpo and Humla (Limi)
  • Issued by the Department of Immigration only through a registered trekking agency, with a licensed guide
  • Fees are charged per week or per day by season, and are included in the package cost

All Treks

National Parks and Conservation Areas
  • Makalu Barun, Langtang, Shey Phoksundo, Rara, Khaptad and Shivapuri Nagarjun national parks
  • Gaurishankar, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, Annapurna and Api Nampa conservation areas
  • TIMS card where applicable; all permits are included in the package cost

Entry, visa and permit rules are set by the Government of Nepal and may change; please reconfirm with us before travel.

Documents

Indian nationals must hold a valid passport or Voter ID card; foreign nationals must hold a passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity and a valid Nepal visa. Passport / ID copies and one photograph per trekker should be shared with us at least 15 days before departure so that restricted area permits and domestic flights can be arranged.

Booking & Payments

A deposit of 25% of package cost is payable at the time of booking confirmation. The remaining balance is payable no later than 7 days prior to the arrival date. Payments are made by bank transfer to our Nepal company account.

Risk & Liabilities

ABC Adventures Pvt. Ltd. and its associates are committed to providing a smooth, safe and memorable journey. We are not liable for itinerary changes due to unavoidable circumstances, such as road blockages, landslides, snowfall on passes, weather, flight delays or cancellations, strikes, or illness and accidents. Flights to Juphal, Jumla, Simikot, Talcha, Tumlingtar and Lukla are weather-dependent, and delays of one or more days are common. Any additional costs incurred under these conditions must be borne by the traveller.

Fitness

Treks graded Easy to Moderate suit most active travellers. Treks graded Strenuous cross passes above 5,000 m and involve long days, and those graded Strenuous (Expert) or Technical, such as Tashi Lapcha (OT-02), Sherpani Col (OT-06), the Dhaulagiri Circuit (OT-28) and Upper Dolpo (OT-33), require prior high-altitude and glacier experience. Travellers with cardiac or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before booking.

Food & Beverage

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with tea and coffee are provided during trekking days, in lodges or prepared by our camp cook. In Kathmandu, accommodation is on BB basis.

Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency helicopter evacuation up to the maximum altitude of the trek (6,500 m for OT-06) is strongly advised, including cover for domestic flight delays.

Cancellation

All notice of cancellation must be sent in writing by email; verbal cancellation does not qualify for any refund.

TimingCharge
15 days or more prior to arrival25% of package cost
7–14 days prior to arrival50% of package cost
3–6 days prior to arrival75% of package cost
Less than 3 days / no show100% of package cost

Packing List

  • Passport (6+ months’ validity) or Voter ID (for Indians), visa documents for foreign nationals, photocopies and 4 passport photographs
  • Travel insurance policy and emergency numbers
  • Broken-in waterproof trekking boots and camp shoes
  • Layered clothing: thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket and waterproof shell
  • Warm hat, gloves, UV sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Sleeping bag rated to –15 °C for camping and high-pass treks
  • Trekking poles, daypack, headlamp, power bank and reusable water bottle
  • Water purification tablets, personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
  • Microspikes for snow on high passes; full climbing gear for OT-02 and OT-06
  • Cash in Nepali Rupees for remote villages, where cards are not accepted

Health Notes

Many of these treks go above 4,500 m, and several cross passes above 5,000 m, where Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a real risk. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, loss of appetite and poor sleep; worsening symptoms mean descending without delay.

Each itinerary builds in acclimatisation days. Drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol at altitude, walk at a steady pace and tell your guide promptly about any symptoms.

Medical facilities in remote regions such as Dolpo, Humla, Makalu and Kanchenjunga are very limited, and evacuation is usually by helicopter. Travellers with cardiac, respiratory or other relevant conditions should consult their doctor before booking.

Photos
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