Destination: Kanchenjunga Region

Kanchenjunga region is located at the far-eastern side of Nepal. This 2,035 sq km region is the community managed protected area.

While travelling this region you will find steep rivers, old rhododendron forests, and high yak pastures. 

This region hosts the world’s third-highest mountain i.e Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m). 

From tourism to forest and wildlife, everything in this region is managed locally. In fact, locals even manage the habitats of red pandas. 

What makes the Kanchenjunga trek so special?

The trail in this region starts from Taplejung side and moves through Sekathum, Amjilosa, Gyabla, and Ghunsa. Then it moves towards Khambachen, Lhonak, and the North Base Camp at Pangpema.

The alternative branch climbs from Yamphudin to Tortong, Tseram, Ramche, and the South Base Camp viewpoint at Oktang near the Yalung Glacier.

During your trek, you will see high passes like Sele La, Sinion La, and Mirgin La link the south and north valleys on a quiet circuit.

Talking about the side routes, through them you can reach Olangchung Gola, a historic trans-Himalayan trading village with a 16th-century monastery, and the Pathivara temple ridge above Phungling.

A word of advice, between Kambachen and Lhonak, and on the Amjilosa and Tseram approaches, there are landslide and rockfall sections where you move early and follow local advice. 

Different Routes To Kanchenjunga Base Camp

• North Base Camp via Ghunsa, Khambachen, and Lhonak to Pangpema
• South Base Camp via Yamphudin, Tortong, Tseram, and Ramche to Oktang
• Complete the Kanchenjunga Circuit by crossing Sele La, Sinion La, and Mirgin La to link Tseram, Ramche, Ghunsa, Lhonak, and Pangpema
• Olangchung Gola high-valley route to Ghunsa and onward to Pangpema
• Pathivara side trip above Phungling, then join the south or north approach

List of mountains you can see in Kanchenjunga Base Camp

Here are the list of mountains you can see from Pangpema and Ramche–Oktang  following:

8000m Peaks

• Kanchenjunga Main (8,586m)
  
• Yalung Kang / Kanchenjunga West (8,505m)

7000m Peaks

• Kangbachen (7,903m)
  
• Jannu / Kumbhakarna (7,710m)
  
• Jongsong (7,483m)
  
• Kabru North (7,412m) 

6000m Peaks

• Rathong (6,678m)
  
• Kokthang (6,147m)
  
• Siniolchu (6,888m) in the wider skyline from the south side 

How to experience the culture of Kanchenjunga

The main local communities are Limbu, Rai, Sherpa, and Walung. 

To get a better idea about their culture, spend time in Ghunsa and Olangchung Gola, visit Diki Chhyoling monastery, and learn how the community council manages the conservation area.

A respectful visit to Pathivara is a common add-on for pilgrims and trekkers.

Simple etiquette that you can follow to show your respect:

• Ask before photos
• Keep to the main path 
• Accept tea or Tongba when offered, a warm millet drink traditional to Limbu families. 
• Try local kinema, a fermented soybean dish from the Limbuwan region.

How to do eco-conscious trekking on the Kanchenjunga trail

Since this region is managed locally, little help from your side can go a long way. Here are the things that will help you to make your trekking eco-conscious:

• Use lodge refills and filters instead of buying plastic bottles
• Many villages have no formal waste collection. So, follow the conservation rules posted by the community council.
• Move early through known landslide and rockfall zones like Kambachen–Lhonak and sections near Amjilosa and Tseram, and take local reroutes after storms
• Charge power banks during dining hours and ration device use in upper villages; electricity often comes from small solar or local hydro initiatives along the Ghunsa Khola.
• Keep streams clean around Ghunsa, Lhonak, Ramche, and Oktang; use lodge wash areas so the upper valleys stay clear for wildlife like red panda. 
• Travel with a registered guide and a small team so your spending stays in village lodges and your group follows restricted-area rules that protect border valleys.

At Eco Nepal Trekkers, we build itineraries that give you time in Limbu and Walung villages, monastery stops, and quiet mornings at Pangpema and Ramche. We help you travel light on the land and connect with people in a respectful way.