Restricted region of Nepal’s Kanchenjunga is now doable entirely on teahouse. It’s a third highest mountain the world and belongs to restricted region on trek. In past there used to happen only camping trek. Big crews of trekkers explore the region carrying their tent, large number of kitchen staffs. Because of this Kanchenjunga Trek was on shadows in compare to other mainstream treks. Now there are good enough teahouses up to Ghunsa on north side of Kanchenjunga. Kambachen, Lhonak and Pangpema host stone huts for accommodation. These seasonal stone huts are operated as a teahouses and lodges by local. I had recently trek Kanchenjunga on my own. This was one of the remotest parts of Nepal I had ever explored. I feel like Kanchenjunga Base Camp is totally isolated from modern world. Peoples belong to Mongolian Tribe. They were hospitable and friendly.
This remote teahouse trek in Nepal is pretty expensive than most of other treks. Up to Ghunsa was somehow pretty much fine in term of cost for accommodation and food. But ahead in Kambachen, Lhonak, Pangpema, Cheram and Ramche cost was pretty high. Especially for foods cost was pretty overrated. For a plain noodle soup I had paid USD 5 (Rs. 490). Isn’t that pretty expensive?
Also it is hard to find reliable information about this remote teahouse trek in Kanchenjunga. If you are looking for some other mainstream treks then you can’t enough trail notes, map, itinerary and any other details. For my adventure I had browse Kanchenjunga Trek Map published on Kanchenjunga trek’s website. It was so easy to navigate. Also this blog contains good information about itinerary and necessary permits. I had gone for 18 days Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek.
Itinerary I had followed for Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek
Day 01
Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and drive to Phidim
Day 02
Drive from Phidim to Suketar (You don’t have to, instead you can directly head to Mitlung from Taplejung. This is save your couple of hours and effort)
So I recommend on staying Taplejung instead of Suketar.
Day 03
I had trekked from Suketar to Mitlung. It was good trail on lower belt of Kanchenjunga. Terraced rice field and riverbank will provide you different amphitheater for trek.
Day 04
Trek from Mitlung to Chirwa was something like my previous day’s trek. There was no such up and down.
Day 05
Trek to Sukathum was also something like before. But if you look around you will found yourself on middle of nowhere. Some parts you will pass through narrow trail. Couple of cascading waterfalls will accompany you on trail.
Day 06
This was the first tough parts I experienced during my Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek. I had encountered some steep up and down. Trails are mostly slippery on gorge. Nature is astonishing, as several high waterfalls will accompany you. I would love to say it is cascading series of waterfall. Be careful while passing through up and down on slippery rocky gorge.
Day 07
This day I had trekked pretty long. I was trying to merge two days itinerary on one single day. Normally I was supposed to stay in Gyabla. But I decided to make that on one day. I trek all the way to Ghunsa. But it is not recommended. Stay in Phale and enjoy the monastery. There were lots of Tibetan Refugees there.
Day 08
I just plan to relax in Ghunsa. It is beautiful town. Good food and cozy accommodation. There was some day hiking point but I was too lazy for that. Also visited Churim Sherpa’s House. She is record holder Everest summiteer with multiple summits in a week. She also runs a lodge there.
Day 09
Ghunsa to Kambachen and onward is something you shouldn’t take lightly. Trail was disgusting. You need to passes through several landside prone sections. All I was doing was taking enough rest at start point of rock fall prone zone. And run over the trail to reach next side of trail as fast as I can. There were two small stone huts in Kambachen.
Day 10
It’s very easy walk to Lhonak. Very beautiful places where surrounding is mostly flat. A teahouse was stone hut. You will receive overwhelming greeting from local. Try some dry yak meat along with Dal Bhat.
Day 11
Walk pretty early in the morning. I pass through large rocky boulders before approaching Pangpema. This is Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Just going little above to glacial edge will enrich your alpine experience.
It was rapid descend back to Taplejung. I had managed to reach there in five days from Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. Going down is pretty much safe. Descend at your best. Remember those who summit Mount Everest investing hard effort and couple of weeks descend to base camp in two days.
Lastly if you are looking for some sorts of adventure on remote part of Nepal then Kanchenjunga is for you. Though Kanchenjunga – The remote teahouse trek in Nepal is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly should be your next destination.
Enjoy your trek.
