Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek 19 days

The majority of the lodging options on the Kanchenjunga Circuit are tea houses with simple bedding, rooms, and communal amenities. Accommodations at higher elevations are more basic and offer fewer conveniences. Teahouses provide basic rooms with a twin bed, a mattress, a blanket, and a pillow. They are generally affordable but as you hike to higher altitudes the price can be expensive. At higher altitudes, the rooms are more rustic, with less comfort, but they offer protection from the elements. It is highly recommended to bring your own sleeping bag for extra warmth, as temperatures can drop significantly, especially at night.
The important part of the trek is acclimatization. Before you reach higher altitudes like Pangpema Base Camp, you need to adjust and train your body for the upcoming challenge. Resting at a lower altitude will give your body time to recover. You can acclimate in Khambachen which is a popular stop to make during the trek. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the alpine scenery, towering peaks, glaciers, rocky landscapes, and stunning views of the Kanchenjunga Range. To avoid the risk of altitude sickness, you have to take proper rest before ascending to a higher altitude place. It is most important to take care of your body rather than the trek. So, by following proper precautions and resting well, you can enjoy a safer and more adventurous trek.

Food and drinking water in the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek can be more basic and limited as it lies in a remote location. The tea houses that are available along the routes provide you with basic local and Western food which are still filling. Dal bhat, momos, noodles, pasta, pizzas, sandwiches, French fries, noodle soup, rice porridge, and Tibetan bread are some of the basic foods available there. You can also get snacks like chocolates, nuts, and energy bars in the tea houses. As you ascend to higher altitudes like Lhonak, and Ghunsa, you can charged more for the basic food.
Hydrating yourself is the most crucial part of the trek. Along the route, you can get many water sources like rivers, and streams but they might not be clean enough to drink. So you can use water purifications like tablets, a UV sterilizer (Steripen), and boiling water. The teahouses buy bottled water but it can be pricy. So it is recommended to boil the water in teahouses by paying a small amount of money. For the long trek, you have to hydrate yourself properly by drinking 3-4 liters of water per day.

There is a high chance of altitude sickness while trekking to the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek but it is also avoidable if you take proper precautions and acclimatization before ascending to the higher altitude places. Altitude sickness causes various symptoms such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and difficulty in sleeping. If you experience any symptoms, descend quickly and settle until you are fully recovered. You must prioritize your health over anything else. Always stay hydrated, eat enough food, acclimate, and adjust your body enough to hike to higher altitudes. Then you can continue your trek peacefully without any difficulties.

The trek to Kanchenjunga Circuit is rewarding but it can be also quite difficult due to its remote location, rugged terrain, and high-altitude challenges. It requires a lot of physical strength, patience, and a proper guide and porter for you to carry out this trek. The trek also includes several long, difficult days with significant altitude gains. It may be challenging if any unpredictable weather occurs like rain, storms, etc. The trails along the route are narrow and can be blocked by rocks and due to rugged terrain, it can be hard to walk. You must take an experienced guide who knows the trails very well to avoid any uncertain difficulties. If you take full precautions and make planning before starting the trek, then you can enjoy the stunning beauty of one of the most majestic mountain regions in the world.

Bhadrapur is situated near the Indian border in the Jhapa District in the southeast of Nepal. It grants entrance to the Kanchenjunga region and serves as the entry point to Nepal’s eastern region. You can take a flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur which takes 45 – 50 minutes. Flights to Bhadrapur are usually available in the morning to avoid afternoon weather disruptions. Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, and Sita Air offer flights to Bhadrapur.

Domestic flights have strict weight limits due to the small aircraft set up on these routes. You should carry 20 kg per person or more than that. You may have to pay an extra fee if your baggage weighs more than that. The carry-on baggage limit is usually 5 kg per person. You can put your essential items such as your passport, camera, valuables, and any necessary medications. If you have luggage, you can pay extra for it.

Note: Flights can be delayed due to the uncertain weather conditions. So it is recommended to plan for your trek in a best season like spring and autumn.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek group size can change depending on whether you are hiking alone or in a group organized by a trekking agency. The group size varies from 2 to 20 people. Smaller groups( 2-4 people) are provided with personal care, more flexibility, and easier practical coordination because they are better suited to the demanding environment and remote nature of the hike. The guides can also give personal attention if the group is small. It can be quite challenging to travel with big groups due to the slow progress of the trek, delays, and the crowd. But if you are already planning to trek in a larger group (12-20 people), you will get social experience too. Solo trekking is not allowed for the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek has access to electricity and internet service but it can be limited as it is a remote location. In the lower areas of the trek around Suketar, Bhojpur, and Ghunsa, electricity is generally available in teahouses. Solar energy is the primary source of electricity in the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. You can charge small devices like phones, cameras, and headlamps in teahouses by paying extra money. In higher altitude places like Ramche, and Kanchenjunga Base Camp, electricity may not be available or can be very limited.

You can also find internet connectivity at the lower altitude of the trek. However internet speeds can be slow and unreliable, and sometimes the connection may drop due to weather or network error. Some teahouses provide Wi-Fi services which can be slow and you can do text-based communication. You can bring power banks for charging the phone.

Nepal is generally considered the safest country for the trek. You can have a great time during the trekking days in Nepal but be sure to go with proper planning and precautions.

The Kanchenjunga trek is the most exciting, achievable, and challenging trek in Nepal. The 19 days to Kanchenjunga trek is really a great time to create a memory with the most beautiful scenes you have ever seen. But you should adopt proper security and safety before setting to the trek.

You may greatly lower the risks involved in the trek by hiking with a guide, keeping up with weather conditions, following acclimatization procedures, and making sure you have the right equipment and insurance. Then you can freely and peacefully enjoy the trek with best adventure and create great memories.

Trek to the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek requires several permits for the safety, conservation, and regulation of tourism. These permits help to protect both the natural environment and local communities while ensuring a controlled and enjoyable trekking experience for the trekkers. The required permits for the trek are listed below:

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP): This permit is required for entering the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which is a protected region that covers the trekking route.

Restricted Area Permit (RAP) :The Kanchenjunga region lies in a restricted area which is close to the India-Nepal border so this permit is necessary for trekking in the area. The government strictly controls access to this region.

TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) Card : This is a general trekking permit for all trekkers in Nepal, helping authorities track your movements in the mountains.

If you’re in Nepal, you can easily apply for the permits yourself and can look for a trekking agency too. Trekking agencies often assist in securing all the necessary permits.

Required Documents for Permits

Passwords with validation for at least 6 months

Valid Nepal tourist visa (can get from Tribhuvan International Airport)

2 passport-sized photos for each permit.

Copy of the permits

Copy of Travel Insurance (covering high-altitude trekking and evacuation)

Equipment is the major thing to consider during a trek. The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is remote and challenging so it’s important to have the right trekking gear to ensure both safety and comfort. The weather can be variable, and you’ll be trekking at high altitudes, so your gear should be appropriate for a range of conditions. Here are some of the trekking equipment required for the Kanchenjunga circuit Trek:

General

Passport: With extra copies and passport-sized photos for permits.

Trekking Permits: TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

Sleeping Bag (at least -15°C (5°F) for cold nights)

Cash: Nepali rupees for tips, snacks, and small purchases.

Duffel Bag: Used for your primary luggage, which porters typically carry.

Backpack: main trekking backpack (for carrying foods and sleeping bags) and day backpack (for short treks with needed essentials like water, camera, extra layers, and snacks)

Upper body

Sunglasses (with UV protection)

Sun hats, and woolen hats.

Scarves/ Buff

Torso

Base layers

fleece or down jackets

insulated jackets

sweaters

waterproof outer layers

Lower Body

Trekking Pants

Base Layer: Thermal bottoms for added warmth in cold weather.

Hiking Shorts: For warmer sections of the trek.

Comfortable Pants: For relaxing in teahouses.

Waterproof Pants: Shields against rain and snow.

Hands

Lightweight gloves (for warmth)

Insulated and waterproof gloves (for colder weather)

Footwears

Woolen Socks

Sturdy trekking boots (waterproof, ankle support)

Camp shoes or sandals (for resting)

Flip-flops or sandals

Undergarments

Moisture-Wicking Underwear

Sports bra for women

Thermal or Base Layer Bottoms

Medication and First Aid Box

Altitude Sickness Medications like Diamox.

Sunscreen & Lip Balm with high SPF

Bandages

Pain Relievers like Ibuprofen, Paracetamol

Cough Syrup

Antibacterial Cream eg. Neosporin

Thermometer

Other Essentials

Hand sanitizer

Water bottles (carry 3-4 liters)

Toiletries like toothbrushes, wet wipes, soap, etc

Flashlights and Headlamp (with extra batteries)

Towel

Optional

Camera (for capturing the scenery with extra batteries)

Trekking poles

Snacks like chocolate, energy bars, nuts

Power bank (for charging devices)

Dry bags (for keeping things dry)

Notebook or journal

Earplugs and Eye mask

Our goal is to give our guests a seamless and adaptable booking experience.

The specifics of our Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek reservation policy are listed below:

Advance Payment & Booking Confirmation

To secure your place, a 30% deposit of the entire trip cost is needed.

When you arrive in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance.

Paying the entire money in advance is an additional choice.

In order to finalize the reservation, you need to send:

The cost of the reservation

An electronic copy of your passport

Additional data is required, including travel insurance details or an emergency contact.

Payment Methods

For your convenience, we provide a variety of payment methods:

Online Payment: Use our website’s payment gateway to make a secure online payment.

Debit/Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, and other debit/credit cards are accepted, but there is a 4% bank service fee. Transfer money straight to our bank account by wire transfer or bank transfer (transaction fee).

Cash or Check: You have the option of paying with cash or a check if you’re in Kathmandu.

Final Payment

The remaining 70% of the trip cost must be paid before departure. You can pay with cash, a card, or a bank transfer when you get there.

Booking Modifications & Rescheduling

Please give us at least 30 days’ notice if you must change the date of your trek.

Depending on the circumstances, date adjustments may be contingent upon availability and additional fees.

Travel Insurance Requirement

Every trekker has to have full-coverage travel insurance that covers evacuation, high-altitude medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and delays.

Last-Minute Booking

All trekkers must have full vacation coverage that covers medical situations at high altitudes, evacuation, trip cancellations, and delays.

It is highly recommended to have travel insurance while hiking to the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek which covers the unique risks associated with trekking in remote, high-altitude regions. Your insurance should cover:

Emergency medical coverage: All of your altitude sickness-related medical costs should be covered by your emergency medical coverage when you travel over 2,500 meters.

Evacuation: You might require an emergency helicopter evacuation from a distant area to a hospital in Kathmandu if you have a serious injury or medical emergency.

Protection for trip interruptions: You should purchase short-term protection insurance if you have to cancel your vacation due to a significant disease or sickness while trekking.

Lost gear: Protection against leaving personal items such as a cell phone, equipment, etc.

High-altitude trekking: Make sure you have insurance for the high-altitude trekking to Pangpema Base Camp, which is located on the south side of Mount Kanchenjunga, at an altitude of around 5,143 meters (16,876 feet).

For your travel, you must bring Nepali currency. In Thamel, Kathmandu, you may exchange your currency at several different outlets. You can also exchange your money at Tribhuvan International Airport, although it is a bit more expensive than the other places. Only Nepali currency is accepted at the hotels and teahouses along the route.

Cancellation by the Guest

30 days prior to departure: Full reimbursement, excluding the cost of the bank transfer.

Thirty percent of the total trip cost gets refunded ten days prior to departure.

There will be a 50% refund if you cancel five days or fewer before your trip.

If you need to postpone or cancel your trip at the last minute, there won’t be any extra charges.

There will be no refunds for any reason (such as personal illness, injury, or early return) after the trek has started.

Cancellation by the Company

In the event that unexpected events, natural disasters, or current events force the walk to be canceled, you have the following options:

Receive an entire refund for the cost of the trip.

Postpone your hike till a later time.

Cancellations Due to Weather or Flight Delays

We’ll make every effort to reschedule your vacation at no additional expense. Your trekking area will be adjusted if needed.

30% of the entire trip cost, less service fees for lodging, permits, and transportation, will be refunded to you in the event that you choose to cancel.

No-Show Policy

There won’t be compensation if the visitor unexpectedly doesn’t arrive on the scheduled departure date.

Travel Insurance Requirement

Having comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation expenses, and trip cancellations is highly recommended.