Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek

You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. For that, you require a valid passport with 2 copies of passport size photos. Similarly, A visa for Nepal can be obtained at Nepal India border entry point at Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Kakadvitta, Bhairahawa, Gaddachowki and Kodari on the Nepal China border.

A15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

We will be at the airport to welcome you upon your arrival to Nepal. We will be carrying the Raj BalaTreks & Expedition placard with your name underneath. From airport you will escorted to your hotel and we help you to check-in.

As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

The main health consideration during Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor and purchase them in Kathmandu. Our itinerary will allow your body to acclimatize properly and handle the low oxygen rate.

If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you to consult your doctor about your suitability for trekking in high altitude areas before booking. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will greatly help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions.

The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is considered a strenuous and challenging high-altitude trek, suitable for experienced trekkers with a good level of fitness. The route involves long walking days (6–9 hours), steep ascents and descents, and multiple high passes, including Sele La (4,290 m) and Sinion La (4,450 m). Altitude is a significant factor, with the trail reaching up to Pangpema (5,143 m), where the air is thin and the risk of altitude sickness is real. Additionally, the remoteness of the region, basic infrastructure, and limited rescue access make self-sufficiency, physical endurance, and mental preparedness essential. Though the terrain is non-technical, the combination of high elevation, weather variability, and isolation contributes to its classification as one of Nepal’s more demanding treks. Proper acclimatization, a licensed guide, and careful planning are critical for a safe and successful journey. 

The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is a semi-remote trek that can be undertaken as a teahouse trek. In recent years, basic teahouses and home stays have become available in key villages such as Mitlung, Chirwa, Sekathum and Ghunsa, offering simple lodging and traditional meals. However, these facilities are rudimentary and limited, often consisting of shared rooms with minimal amenities, and may not be open year-round. For trekkers seeking more flexibility or traveling during off-peak seasons, camping is often essential, especially in higher or less-inhabited areas like Ramche and Oktang. All treks in this region require a licensed guide and at least one companion due to permit regulations, making it best suited for those with a spirit of adventure and willingness to embrace Nepal’s wild, untamed landscapes. 

The accommodation is relatively basic and limited compared to more developed routes like Everest or Annapurna, but it is steadily improving with the growth of trekking in the region. Most overnight stays are in small local teahouses or home stays, which provide simple lodging with shared rooms, wooden beds, foam mattresses, and blankets. However, trekkers are strongly advised to carry a four-season sleeping bag for warmth, especially at higher altitudes like Ramche and Cheram, where temperatures can drop significantly at night. Facilities are modest, with common dining areas heated by wood or yak dung stoves, and toilets are usually basic pit latrines or squat toilets. Electricity for lighting is available in some villages via solar power or micro-hydro systems, but it's inconsistent—charging gadgets may not be possible every day. In remote sections such as Amjilosa or Tseram, accommodation is extremely limited and may involve staying in rudimentary shelters or converted yak herders’ huts, especially during the off-season. Trekkers opting for more comfort or flexibility often hire guides who carry tents for occasional camping if teahouse options are full or unavailable. Regardless of simplicity, the warm hospitality of the local communities makes the overnight experience culturally enriching and memorable. 

We provide three tasty and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread.

Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads. After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3 course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals.

We use as much fresh produce as possible and special diets are regularly catered for. The leaders are able to maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with respect to personal hygiene. 

This has allowed us to maintain remarkably high standards of health over many years of trek organization - and good health is vital to an enjoyable and successful trek and climb. All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. Boiled water is served for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for.

We provide a comfortable experience on our teahouse lodge-style treks. Our team works hard to support you so that you can relax and enjoy trekking in Nepal. The lodges provide your meals in a communal dining room. There is a range in standard and service in teahouse lodges depending on location. i.e. lodges at higher altitude and places with fewer trekkers tend to have more basic facilities.

The day starts with getting up in your room shared with another trekker in our group. Before heading for breakfast you pack your overnight gear into your duffel bag. You would have given your breakfast orders to the guide to pass onto the kitchen last night. At the designated time the group will assemble in the dining room to eat breakfast. The menu has a range of items to choose from such as porridge, cereals, chapattis, and a choice of egg dishes. There is also the choice of tea or coffee plus other hot drinks like the popular ginger, lemon honey drink.

While the group is having breakfast the porters arrange their loads and set off in the cool of the morning. After breakfast, between 7am and 8am, we start trekking. The pace of the trek is moderate as there is plenty of time in the itinerary to reach the lodge for tonight. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the local villages. Lunch will be around midday at a teahouse lodge by the side of the trail.

After lunch, we continue the trek and on most days we arrive at the lodge by mid-afternoon. For dinner, you get a two-course dinner (soup and main meal). The menus are quite standard with a range of dishes such as dal bhat, momos and the famous Sherpa stew. Dal bhat is a Nepalese dish of rice and lentils with vegetable curry. It is also possible to order spaghetti and pasta; pizzas; vegetable burgers and chips and fried rice.

After the meal, the leaders will discuss the plan for the next day. Afterwards, people might stay in the dining room chatting about the day’s events or playing cards. After a tiring day, most people head to their rooms quite early for the night. Tomorrow is likely to be very similar to today!

We cater for a variety of dietary requirements. There are always meals that are suitable for vegetarians. During booking, we find out if you have any dietary needs and agree upon meal plans before departure. If you have any questions about the food provided please get in touch with us to discuss further.

From Kathmandu, you take a 50 minutes flight to Bhadrapur and then you drive to Mitlung and further to Sekathum. The starting point of the trek is Sekathum. On your return, you shall drive from Sekathum to Taplejung and again drive to Bhadrapur. You can then take the domestic flight back to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur. We will arrange the transportation from your hotel to the airport (Kathmandu).

Our 16 days Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek cost is all inclusive of your accommodation, meals, permits and other official expenses.(See price includes and excludes section for more detail). Besides, other expenses depend on your spending habits. A USD 10-15 is sufficient to buy bottled water, snacks, chocolate bars, hot and cold drinks, and showers during the trek besides your included meals and accommodation.

There are no official money exchange facilities available along the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, so trekkers must plan carefully and carry sufficient Nepalese Rupees (NPR) from Kathmandu or other major towns like Birtamod, Bhadrapur or Illam before beginning the trek. The last point to reliably withdraw or exchange money is typically Taplejung, but even here, ATMs and banks can be unreliable or out of service. Once you enter the remote trekking trail, all transactions—such as for meals, lodging, snacks, and tips—must be done in cash, and only NPR is accepted. It is essential to calculate your estimated daily expenses, adding extra for contingencies or emergencies, and bring small denominations for easier handling in rural areas where change may not always be available. Since there are no ATMs or banking services in villages like Sekathum, Amjilosa, or Tseram, being financially self-sufficient is crucial for a smooth and stress-free trekking experience. 

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the completion of your trekking in Nepal. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise that you can allocate 5- 10 % of the total tour cost as tips. It is recommended that you talk to the members and hand it over individually as per the hierarchy on the last day of the trek.

Communication during Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is not challenging but there are certain things to be considered. Phone reception is available in most of the places during the trek.  Likewise, WIFI services are also available on the trail. To use WIFI services, you are expected to pay a fee. These fees increase as you scale up the higher altitude. Usually, the cost of WIFI services ranges about NPR 400-500 each depending upon the location you are staying in. And another option to stay connected with your family back home is by using an internet data package if you have a local SIM card. You can buy a SIM card around the street of your trip hotel in Kathmandu/Pokhara or ask your guide to arrange it one for you. However, we must inform you that internet service may not be strong in all places.

During Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking, your main luggage will be carried by porter. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 to 15 kgs for travel safety and porter welfare as per IPPG standard. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel in Kathmandu while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel's safekeeping.

The Kanchenjunga Trek is a fairly challenging trek in Nepal that requires a good level of physical fitness. Trekkers should be prepared for long hours of walking, often 5–7 hours per day, on rugged and steep terrain with significant elevation gains. The trek reaches altitudes of over 5000 meters, so endurance and acclimatization are crucial to prevent altitude sickness. Cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, and stamina are essential, making pre-trek training, including hiking, running, or cycling, highly recommended. Additionally, core strength and flexibility exercises can help prevent injuries and improve overall trekking performance. A well-prepared trekker with good physical fitness will find the Kanchejunga Trek more enjoyable and rewarding.  

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.

Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.

Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors and a user’s manual. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.

Your safety and security are our top priority, and we always make sure that nothing untoward happen to you. However, if anything serious like sickness or a casualty occurs, we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. As you are responsible for all the expenses incurred in evacuation, please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it.

Staying adequately hydrated is crucial for trekking. You have to consume at least 4 liters or more of water to counter sweat-induced water loss. While natural water sources like rivers and springs are abundant on the trails, they are unsafe for direct consumption. To address this, tea shops heat water and offer it to trekkers. Boiled water is available for free at tea houses, but at tea shops, a small fee of USD 1 or 2 may be charged.

An alternative is purifying tap water using purification tablets. It’s advisable to carry a water bottle with a built-in filtration system, allowing you to filter water from natural sources along the trail. If you prefer the conveniences of bottled water, mineral water bottles are available for purchase at around $2 to $3. Although we strictly discourage the use of one-time plastic bottles on the trek path due to the increasing issue of plastic waste on the Annapurna trails.

All our guides are certified and trained trekking leaders. Our guides are certified by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal. They have years of experience working in this line of work and know the different trekking trails of Nepal, mountain ranges, culture, and mountain sickness.

Your booking of this Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of 20% of the total trip and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.

If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply:

• 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (20% of the total trip)
• 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost
• 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost
• Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost