Kanchenjunga South and North Base Camp Trek
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Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Overview
The trek goes through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, managed by local communities in partnership with WWF, which is one of the least densely populated areas in Nepal. Pristine forests, alpine meadows and high-altitude wetlands are home to the endangered snow leopard and red panda, the vulnerable Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and Assamese macaque.
This trek is a circuit and includes a visit to the Pathibara Temple, which is an important religious site for many Indian and Nepali pilgrims. The trail goes northwards to Ghumsa where it climbs to the Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5143 m) going through a spectacular high alpine landscape. It then goes east via 2 passes and continues to the Yalung Base Camp (4500 m), after which it goes back south to Taplejung, the starting and ending point of the trek.
Trip highlights
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Get closer views of the world’s third highest peak (8,586 m)
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Enjoy breathtaking views en route to Kanchenjunga Base Camp
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Trek from subtropical valleys to rhododendron forest to high alpine meadows
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Observe the wildlife, including the red panda, blue sheep, Himalayan black bear and the rare snow leopardgnolia
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Spectacular Tibetan village Ghunsa & Phale; feel real Wilderness trekking experience untouched trekking zone
Detailed Itinerary
As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks in Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. As per your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel. Overnight in Hotel
Today after the breakfast we will proceed for sightseeing tour in and around the Kathmandu valley. The Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath temple and Boudhanath temple are the major sight-seeing areas around the Kathmandu valley. These all are listed in a world heritage sites. The Durbar Square shows us the regal life of ancient periods. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages. Swoyambhunath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is the Buddhist temple which is very popular around the globe. Swoyambhunath is also known as money temple stands on the hilltop west of the Kathmandu valley. It can also be known as the viewpoint of Kathmandu valley. Boudhanath temple is the biggest Chhorten ever made around the world. Overnight in Hotel
From Kathmandu we take a flight to Biratnagar. On reaching Biratnagar we will drive to Phidim, our trek starting point.
Today our trek begins and for the next three weeks we will be wondering in the places dominated by beautiful and wild nature. We head to Lali Kharka with the trekking crew. On the trail, we walk by rich pastures and pristine settlements. After several descents for 3-4 hours, we arrive at Lali Kharka.
From your camp this morning, you can see the entire day's walk in front of you. After traversing the hillside for a short distance, you descend to the village of Pokara on the Phawa Khola and cross a suspension bridge before beginning the steep climb towards Kunjari. Your lunch stop will be somewhere below Kangaroo. The afternoon's walk then takes you up over the crest of the ridge to your campsite at Keswa. From here, you get your first views of Mt Kanchenjunga and you can clearly make out the south and main summits, along with Mt Yalung Kang.
From Keswa, the path traverses the steep mountainside through terraced fields high above the Kabeli Khola, with some ups and downs as you cross several side valleys. There are many shady spots to rest along the way and after lunch at one of these, you pass the village of Anpan, before descending to cross the Khangwa Khola. Finally, you climb again through terraced fields to camp at the village of Mamanke. En route you have your first glimpses of the beautiful Mt Jannu mountain away in the distance.
Beginning with an easy climb, the walk to Yamphudin is along a trail, which contours the hillside above the Kabeli Khola. You cross the ridges and streambeds that make up the valley sides and the trail eventually becomes level with the river a couple of hours before Yamphudin. Along the way, you can stop to bathe in one of the many clear pools in this beautiful river. It is a truly idyllic spot and after lunch by the river, you complete the day's walk to Yamphudin. Yamphudin is the most remote settlement in this area and the last habitation you will see until you reach Gunsa. It is a charming place tucked away beneath the ridge of the Deorali Danda, which you must cross next.
Beyond Yamphudin, the trail ascends a steep spur before dropping again to cross the Omje Khola. Walking through beautiful and dense forest, you stop for lunch in a meadow atop this spur, which commands fine views of the valley beyond Yamphudin to the south and of the Omje Khola Valley and Deorali Danda to the north. A steep descent to the river brings you to your campsite in a clearing in the Lamite forest.
From your campsite, you ascend steeply for 3 hours through dense forest to the crest of the Deorali Danda. From the top, Mt Jannu is clearly visible and definitely closer! After crossing the pass, you descend across some fairly steep and exposed screw slopes before re-entering the forest, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, a steep descent takes you down into the valley of the Simbua Khola and after crossing the 'interesting' wooden bridge, you arrive at Torontan. This campsite lies amongst the towering fir trees of what is now a mainly coniferous alpine forest.
This morning, you follow the right bank of the river, passing through pine and rhododendron forests. The valley climbs steeply and, as the day progresses, the trees become sparser and more stunted, giving you glimpses of the snow-capped giants ahead and of the massive snout of the Yalung Glacier. Just before Tseram, the towering heights of Kabru and Rathong start to peep over the moraine. You camp at Tseram where the nighttime temperature plummets, reminding you that you are really gaining height.
You proceed for a relatively short day's walk today to your next camp at Ramche. The scenery is magnificent as you ascend past the snout of the Yalung Glacier and into a series of ablation valleys. A frozen lake, crystal clear streams and views of Kokthan, Rathong and Kabru are the highlights of this walk into Ramche which is situated on a broad, flat ablation zone.
Leaving your camp set up at Ramche, you take a packed lunch and set off very early for your first close encounter with Kanchenjunga. Following the valley around its sweeping curve, you are suddenly confronted with the vast southern wall of the mountain. The ridge forms a cirque, which is over 15 kms long and never less than 7500 metres high. Along this ridge lie the three main summits of Mt Kanchenjunga at 8420m, 8586m, and 8474m. It is truly breathtaking. Proceeding further on towards Oktang [4630m], you may then descend onto the glacier and cross it to a point below Talu from where you can see all the mountains of the area in panorama. Especially impressive is the east part of Khumbakarna Glacier flowing from the east face of Jannu [Kumbhakarna being the local name for Jannu]. You then return to your camp at Ramche.
Leaving your campsite, you trek down the valley, passing the small settlement of Lapsang, before turning off towards the Mirgin La - the pass You must cross in order to reach Gunsa and the north side of Kanchenjunga. As you descend from the Mirgin La, the views, in particular of Mt Jannu, are simply magnificent. Your campsite will be somewhere beyond the pass.
A steep descent from your campsite brings you to Lamba Sumba Kharka where there are more splendid views of the awesome southwest face of Jannu. From here, the going is easy, descending on an excellent trail to the village of Gunsa, where you camp in the fields by the river. Gunsa is a Tibetan village with a tiny gompa and prayer flags fluttering from the wooden houses. It comes as a welcome sight after the rigorous walking of the previous days and provides an excellent opportunity to visit a strange local hostelry and sample the 'tongba' (alcoholic beverage fermented out of millet).
The trail makes a gradual ascent along the south bank of the Gunsa Khola, then crosses a boulder strewn flood plain and crosses back to Rambuk Kharka on the north side of the river. Once on the opposite side, the trail passes a waterfall then makes a short, steep ascent to a very unstable scree slope. It's a passage across the slide, with loose footing, a steep fall to the river and lots of tumbling football-sized rocks. Beyond the slide, the trail drops to the single locked hut at Lakep, then traverses to Khambachen, a Tibetan settlement of about a dozen houses at 4040m.
The trail climbs gradually through open rocky fields to Ramtang at 4240m, then across moraines north-west of the Kanchenjunga Glacier. Lhonak, at 4790m, is near a dry lake bed on an open, sandy plain; water is scarce here. There are no houses, but you can camp among the large boulders to get out of the wind. Terrific mountain views abound in all directions.
From Lhonak, the trail ascends gradually across the plain, and then gets a bit steeper as it follows the moraine. You can drop off the moraine and follow the bottom of the valley to avoid the steeper section. The views are dramatic, but you cannot see Kanchenjunga or Wedge Peak until you are near Peng Pema. The spectacular main peak of Kanchenjunga, and a panorama of other peaks that make up one of the largest mountain masses in the world, tower over the single roofless hut at Pang Pema.
Today is a rest day, but for the more energetic ones, there are several diversions lined up for the day. One is to ascend the lower slopes of Drohmo for panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and its adjoining peaks. Another possibility is to continue up the increasingly difficult terrain on the right flank of the glaciers for alternative views of the more remote peaks around the Jongsang La Pass.
For the next 2 days you retrace your steps to Gunsa, passing through Ramtang and Khambachen en-route. .
From Gunsa, your route out of the mountains follows the beautiful Gunsa and Tamur Kholas and is through spectacular forests of rhododendron, conifer, birch and oak. The valley sides here are steep and the trail follows the river as it cascades downwards. You pass through Kyapra, the last of the Tibetan villages, and, an hour or so further on, you camp in the forest at a spot called Tang.
Heading for the village of Sakathum, your route follows an undulating trail for the first couple of hours until you reach Amjilasa. From here, there is a long steep descent from which you can see the Gunsa Khola Valley stretched out before us. You camp in the fields of Sakathum.
Today is an easy day and just beyond Sakathum, you come to the confluence of 2 rivers. Flowing in from your left is the Simbua Khola [which you followed up to Ramche] and from your right, the Gunsa Khola which issues from the still closed Walunchung Gola area. The 2 rivers combine to form the Tamur Kosi which you now follow. There are plenty of spots for bathing in the numerous small tributary streams, which you cross before reaching the village of Chirwa.
You continue walking through ever more populated and cultivated land and your route brings you to lunch at Mitlung. From here the trail starts the long ascent back and up towards your campsite along the valley floor of Phurumba.
As we leave the valley, we continue ascending along the ridge for about 3 hours to Taplejung village. We can wander around the village getting familiar with village life, cultural richness, custom and village people. Thereafter, 2 hours of drive will bring us to Phidim where our trek concludes officially..
3-4 hours of drive from Phidim will bring us to Biratnagar and then we take a flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival. Overnight in Hotel
As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or any other destinations. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.
Or inform us if you want to stay longer for short tours such as Jungle Safari at National Parks, Mountain Biking, Rafting, a Tibet tour, a Tour to Bhutan or India Tour. We will be happy to assist you.
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Trip facts
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Trip duration : 27 Days
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Grade : Strenuous Trek
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Activity : Cultural sightseeing tour and trekking
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Starts in : Kathmandu
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End in : Kathmandu
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Trek Type : Tea House
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Accomodation : Hotel & Camping Trek
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Max Altitude : 5190 m
Cost Includes
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Airport pick-up and drop off services by private A/C vehicle
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4 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu on twin /double sharing basis with breakfast only
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Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English Speaking local Tour Guide and entry fees
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English speaking local expert guide, porters (ratio:2 members=1 porter) during the trek (per member max 12-13kg weight)
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Transfer from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and from Biratnagar to Kathmandu by domestic flight
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Transfer from Biratnagar to Phidim and from Phidim to Biratnagar by private vehicle
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Required Trekking permit and National park fees
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Trekkers' Information Management System fees
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Equipment clothing for porter & staffs for the trek
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Insurance for all staff & porters
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Rescue assistance (Should any emergency arise during your trek, we will provide prompt and professional rescue and medical services. For this, we recommend you to have your own travel insurance that can cover helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost in case required.)
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Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
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All tax, VAT and company service charge
Cost Excludes
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International flight & any other airfares
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Nepal visa
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Extra baggage charge if any (weight allowance 12kg+3 kg in domestic flight)
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Personal gears & clothing (available on hire)
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Tips for Guide, porters, drivers etc.
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Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/road block due to any reason
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Personal expenses such as table drinks, snacks while walking, hot water/shower, internet, telephone etc during the Everest Base Camp trek.
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Clients insurance and Medical expenses
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Any other tours, transfers and hotel accommodations other than mentioned above
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Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu
Gallery
Extension Tours
Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
Rafting
Necessary Information
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 South 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.
This is a long trek that goes far beyond to remote areas of the country where the landscapes are wild and untamed and where the local inhabitants have seen little change in their way of life for centuries- untouched corners of an increasingly crowded planet. It is physically challenging, likely to include unfavorable weather conditions and strenuous activities, such as, climbing/ scrambling across high passes.
Fully Camping trek (no lodge available)
Camping trek means sleeping in tents. On a camping trek, the tents provided are ‘Two men dome’ or ‘A’ shaped. Foam mattress with insulation underneath is provided for sleeping. Clients need to have their own sleeping bag. Bags or cloth packs are used as pillows. If you wish, you can bring your own ‘Air pillow’.
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.
Your typical day begins with a hot cup of tea brought to the tent at about 6 am, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. After packing all your bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the morning’s walk. All you need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and a warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of your gear for you. After walking for 3-4 hours, we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we arrive at camp in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the nearby villages, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at camp by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.
Dinner is usually served between 6 and 7 pm. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and talking with the crew, or perhaps even joining in some singing and dancing, before heading off to the tent for a well-earned sleep.
From Kathmandu, you take a 45 minutes flight to Biratnagar and then you take another short 30-40 minute flight from Biratnagar to Suketar. The starting point of the trek is Suketar. On your return, you shall fly from Suketar to Biratnagar. You can choose between flying or driving back from Biratnagar to Kathmandu. We will arrange the transportation from your hotel to the airport (Kathmandu).
Our 27 days Kanchenjunga South and 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.
You can exchange money at a Bank or the money exchange counter in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Many Tourist class Hotels have money exchange facilities. For Trekking, there are Banks and exchange counters at major Tourist hubs like Namche and Lukla. These days, there are availability of ATMs everywhere in Kathmandu and some in Lukla and Namche.
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 South and 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 South and 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.
You will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons/ -20C rated), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun-screen and day pack. Comprehensive list of equipment will be provided once you book your trip. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money buying extra equipment and clothing before your trip. Majority of these gears can be bought or hired at reasonable rates in Kathmandu.
You will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons/ -20C rated), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun-screen and day pack. Comprehensive list of equipment will be provided once you book your trip. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money buying extra equipment and clothing before your trip. Majority of these gears can be bought or hired at reasonable rates in Kathmandu.
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.
Before joining the Kanchenjunga South and North Base Camp Trekking, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. Our staff will collect your insurance details before you leave for the trek.
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 South and 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