Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek - 19 Days

Major Attractions of the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek

Wonderful trekking journey to Mount Kanchenjunga's South Base Camp 

Trekking through tropical lowlands to spectacular Rhododendron woodlands, chocolate box towns, glaciers, and breathtaking views of the Himalayas, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp walk is an amazing experience. The majesty of the area, accentuated by some of the highest mountain peaks on Earth, enchants you with an unmatched happiness. It feels like you're in a picture book. Being near mountains stimulates the mind, but staying in local lodges and tents and consuming food grown nearby humbles the spirit.

Hiking in the biologically diverse Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

Covering 2,035 square kilometers, the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is a large protected area. More than 250 birds and other endangered species call the incredibly thick trees of this protected area home. Its rich biodiversity includes Himalayan black bears, musk deer, snow leopards, red pandas, and other amazing animals. Red-billed blue robins and Amphibian pheasants are two of the most beautiful bird species that may be found in this region. In a matter of days, you ascend to gorgeous alpine flowers blooming and yaks grazing on high-elevation pastures.

Relatively new and undiscovered hiking path

One of Nepal's newest high-altitude hiking routes, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is not well-known because it was only made accessible to hikers in 1988. Even if the walking track may not have the best amenities, there are still plenty of tea houses and lodging choices nearby. You could occasionally have to spend the night in a tent. It's one of the rare trekking routes that requires certain permissions. The trailhead for this distant path is a long 10-hour drive and a 30-minute fly away from Kathmandu.

Strolling through verdant forests and quaint Himalayan towns

It goes without saying that you will pass through verdant forests decorated with exquisite wildflower blossoms when hiking in the Nepalese Himalayas, particularly during the spring. You may even witness the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal, transforming the entire forest into a vibrant red mass. You would also pass through charming towns on the slopes of the massive Himalayas. The construction of the dwellings differs from the typical Nepali design, depending on the ethnic group. It is astounding that more than 100 different ethnic groups call Nepal home, despite its small size. Seeing these people live in harmony in these remote places offers a sense of unity in diversity.

Physically and emotionally taxing hike that truly evokes adventure

The trekking route in the Kanchenjunga Region includes several steep climbs, treacherous ground, landslides, and other challenging terrain. Your physical endurance will be put to the test as you climb the rugged, high Himalayan terrain on the 19-day Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek. While prior trekking experience at high altitudes is usually beneficial, it's also acceptable if you maintain a good physical condition before starting the tour. For this walk, mental toughness is just as vital as physical fitness. This route offers the off-the-beaten-path walking experience that avid hikers crave.

Learning out about the unique culture of the locals

What distinguishes this excursion from others are the locals and their rich culture. On this walk, you will come across Tamang, Rai, Limbu, and Bhote communities, who are indigenous to East Nepal, in addition to the Gurung, Magar, and Sherpa people you frequently see when trekking in the western or central parts of Nepal. They adhere to their own cultural practices, food, traditions, and customs. People working in agriculture and animal husbandry make up the majority of the population in these communities in the Kanchenjunga region. 

Weather and Temperature

There may be considerable temperature variations throughout the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek. Temperature and weather patterns are influenced by elevation, time of day, and season. The nights will be cold, with lows of 5 degrees Celsius, between 1,000 and 3,500 meters above sea level. Occasionally during the day, the temperature may increase to 25 degrees Celsius. Temperatures between 15 and -15 Celsius are common at higher elevations.

Best Time to Trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

Nepal experiences a huge influx of tourists from late September to early May since this is the peak trekking season. The best months to go trekking in Nepal are the spring months of March, April, and May and the fall months of September, October, and November.

Autumn is one of the best seasons for trekking because it coincides with many festivals, including Dashain and Tihar, and has ideal weather with moderate temperatures. Consequently, this is when the majority of hikers embark on their journey. As flowers blossom in the spring, the Kanchenjunga trekking trail is covered with rhododendron blooms and lush flora. The great Himalayan range contains a wide variety of flora and flowers, thus spring is the greatest season for those who enjoy the outdoors.

The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is not recommended during the winter or monsoon seasons. Traveling here in the winter will be extremely cold due to the high altitude and heavy rains from the monsoon could result in a landslide or flood that blocks the trail. We can assist you if you wish to give it a go this season, nevertheless.

Kanchenjunga SBC Trek Difficulty

Trekking to the unexplored Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is among the most challenging hiking routes in Nepal. The trail has elevation changes of 1070 meters to 5140 meters. The remote location of the trailhead makes getting there difficult in the first place. The trail passes through landslide-prone sections and several steep ascents and descents across the untamed Himalayan terrain. The weather in the Himalayas is unpredictable, making the trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp more challenging. The hike becomes even more difficult at night when the area's poor infrastructure only offers basic tea shops and tents for accommodation.

The level of fitness and prior experience you have with high-altitude trekking also have an impact on the difficulty of the trek. It takes exceptional physical fitness to walk nonstop for three weeks while carrying a backpack. It's advisable to get in shape and go on a few short treks around your neighborhood before starting the trek, even if you've never gone hiking in the Himalayas. Go cycling, running, or swimming to build cardio endurance. Join a gym to improve your stamina, core, and leg muscles. Start your training a few months before the expedition begins if you are not used to working out.

Safety Concerns during the trek

In the Himalayan region, yaks, mules, and dzo—a mix between a yak and a cow—are frequently used modes of transportation. They are employed in the delivery of supplies and food to the hotels. When a herd of yaks or mules and a throng of trekkers are in the vicinity, you have to exercise caution and stay in the safe area at the trail's corner. If you stand at the edge of the trail, you have a greater chance of being driven over the cliff by them. You should stay away from animals like yaks, dzo, cows, and buffalo because they could attack you at any time.

The 19-day Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek path passes through jungle, hills, glaciers, rocks, and suspension bridges that require hikers to exercise extra caution. Sometimes people don't give any thought while taking images in dangerous areas, but you should always make sure you have enough room and aren't close to a precipice. You should always carry the most valuable items with you, such as your passport, credit cards, insurance policy, camera, cell phone, and other valuables.

Risks of Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

The highest point of the trek, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, is located 4850 meters above sea level. Trekking at altitudes below 3000 meters is unproblematic, but above that, low oxygen levels could make breathing challenging. You have to hike slowly and gradually to keep up with the oxygen level dropping in the thin air at a high altitude. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is more likely to strike those who walk quickly to reach their destination. Drinking adequate liquids, such as water, tea, soup, etc., can also help prevent altitude sickness.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can result in headaches, disorientation, breathing problems, sleeping difficulty, and muscle aches. In moderate cases, Diamox and a restful night's sleep might be beneficial. If the problem gets worse, returning to a lower elevation and obtaining medical attention might be necessary. In the worst-case scenario, it is advisable to get ready for a medical air evacuation. AMS can be fatal if you ignore it or don't get treatment. Kindly inform your guide if you encounter any AMS symptoms.

Our trekking itinerary for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is planned to ensure a comfortable journey and ease altitude worries. Your body will have ample opportunity to acclimate to the lower oxygen concentration of the mountain air because of the itinerary's leisurely pace and acclimatization days.

Transportation to and from the trailhead

The trek starts and concludes in Taplejung town in Nepal's Taplejung district. Taplejung can be reached in two different ways: by road and by air. Although it is connected to Kathmandu Airport, Taplejung's Suketar Airport is frequently closed. Another option is to ride in a bus or jeep, however, this could be taxing. Driving from Kathmandu through Birtamode to Ilam and finally to Taplejung would take two days.

We take the most practical way to get from Kathmandu to Taplejung. First, we take a 45-minute morning flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Airport. After that, we drive from Bhadrapur to Taplejung in a jeep for ten hours the same day. The next day, we set off on our walk from Taplejung. To avoid having to hike for a few days, you can rent a private jeep to go further from Taplejung by road.

Accommodation and Meals on the trail

While there are occasional uses for tents, lodges provide the majority of lodging during the walk. In the lodge, you’ll be provided with shared accommodation, usually for two travelers. You’ll find two decent beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows, and bed linens in most rooms. Bring a sleeping bag with you to better handle the colder temperatures.

Menus in the lower altitude mostly consist of daal bhat, momo, chowmein, thukpa, and instant noodles. As you ascend higher, you’ll only find the locally made traditional Nepali food, Daal Bhat, consisting of rice, lentils, veggies, and pickles. You don't have to worry because daal bhat is a filling dish that is rich in essential minerals, carbohydrates, and protein. Eating meat items and packaged food is not advised because it might not be hygienic as it takes days to reach the high altitudes of the Kanchenjunga region.

Washroom and Toiletries

There might be an adjoining bathroom with a western toilet available at lodges in Taplejung. However, private restrooms are not always available when trekking at high altitudes. You have to be comfortable using squat toilets in public restrooms. There may not even be proper restrooms in much higher-altitude lodges. You need to carry your own toiletries for hygienic reasons. In certain places, you might not even get any toiletries. Some lodges in the lower regions may offer hot showers for an additional fee. However, hot showers are not available or practicable in higher elevations. 

Drinking Water Facilities 

All of our guests are encouraged to practice ecotourism and travel responsibly. Please bring a bottle and fill it with hot water in the lodges rather than paying for single-use plastic bottled water (which might not be available everywhere). You can also bring a water bottle with an integrated filtration system to filter the fresh water from the route's natural water sources. Carry water purification pills to filter your water if you're still worried about its safety.

Guide and Potters for Kanchenjunga SBC Trek

Since the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is a restricted region, it is not possible to hike there without a professional guide. In order to hike in the region, you must make travel arrangements with a Nepali trekking company that is licensed to conduct treks there and travel in a group of two or more hikers. The stroll is significantly more convenient and informative when there is a knowledgeable guide who speaks fluent English. We assure you that you will be accompanied by a qualified trekking guide with years of local knowledge in the area when you book a tour with Outfitter Nepal.

There is no strict requirement for a potter when trekking to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. If you wish to carry your own rucksack while hiking in the Kanchenjunga region, you must be in good physical health. We strongly advise hiring a potter because you would be walking on rough terrain for almost three weeks. We provide potters who are in good physical condition and can lift up to 24 kg from two hikers (12 kg each).

Permits for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking

Due to its location in a restricted area, the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek requires a special permit in addition to an entry permit for a conservation area. To begin the hike, a person needs the following two permits in total.

• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP) – US$ 20 per person
• Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (RAP) – US$ 10 per person for a week (US$ 30 for 3 weeks trek)

Trekking Gear List

It is vital to be well-prepared when hiking in the Himalayas because conditions can change drastically with the weather. The purpose of the gear set is to keep you warm in the evenings and at night while keeping you dry and shielded from the sun and rain during the day. Your daypack and duffle bag should weigh approximately 5 kg and 10 kg, respectively, for a comfortable hike.

Don't forget to include the following items in your hiking kit:

• Good quality trekking boots and crampons
• Sandals/Crocs
• Few pairs of undergarments
• High-quality down jacket and pant
• Thermal wears
• T-shirts and trousers
• Light shirts and half-pants for the days
• Fleece jacket
• Backpack and daypack
• Trekking poles
• A pair of gloves
• Woolen hat
• Sun hat or scarf
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Rain gear
• Water bottles and water-purifying tablets
• Energy bars
• Face/body wipes
• Small/medium drying towel
• Toiletries
• Some local currency for personal use