Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek – Come close to five great treasure houses of the snow

After meeting your trek leader, you have the second day at your disposal. Kathmandu is brimming with attractions. A major one is Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist shrines in the world. Another is Pashupatinath, the country’s most famous Hindu temple, where you can see sadhus (holy men) meditating, pilgrims bathing and sometimes funeral pyres ablaze. Another site is Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a medley of pagoda and shikhara-style temples surrounding a 55-window palace constructed of brick and wood.

You take an afternoon flight to Biratnagar which lasts for 40 minutes and enter a tea house.

Another flight, this time of half an hour, transports you to Suketar Airport in Taplejung. In the afternoon you get some exercise: an easy walk of two or three hours along the ridgeline to the grazing area of Lali Kharka. You will be camping from now until you to return to Kathmandu.

You traverse the hillside for a short distance and then descend to the village of Pakora on the Phawa Khola. You cross a suspension bridge prior to a steep climb that heads for Kunjuri. After lunch, the campsite at Khesawa is not far. Here you are presented with your first views of Kanchenjunga. The south and main summits and Kangchenjunga West, otherwise known as Yalung Kang, ought to be perceptible.

Today you cross steep hillside far above the Kabbeli Khola. There are ups and downs but no shortage of shady places to rest. Following lunch, you pass the village of Anpan prior to descending to cross the Kashawa Khola. Then it is time to climb once more, through terraced fields to the village of Mamankhe.

Walking begins with a gentle climb on a track above the Kabeli Khola. The path undulates as it passes ridges. After that, the ground is mostly flat. Eventually, the river becomes level with the trail, after which there are a few hours before Yamphudin is reached. This is the last village you will see before Ghunsa. This charming place is found below the ridge at Deurali Danda, which you cross, and then the tent comes out.

Leaving Yamphudin, you find yourself on a trail that ascends a steep spur, a sight to which you will grow accustomed. You trek through pleasing forest. Lunch is in a meadow with a grand view to the north and south. A sharp drop to a river brings you to an interesting bridge over the Omje Khola and then your campsite at Chitre.

Your day begins with three hours ascending steeply to the crest of Deurali Danda, mostly through dense forest. You arrive at a pass from which you can see Jannu. You descend across steep and exposed areas and then go back into the beautiful forest. The path goes down the the valley of the Simjua Khola. You cross a very interesting-looking wooden bridge to reach Tortongn, where numerous rock shelters provide places to camp.

You follow the river through more beauteous forest, with conifers giving way to rhododendrons. The valley climbs steeply and as the day progresses, trees become increasingly stunted and scattered. In the distance you can see snow-capped giants. Just before you get to Tseram, the mammoth heights of Kabru and Rhong peaks come into sight. Tseram, where you stay, is a grazing area. The temperature at night is a reminder that you are really gaining height.

In the run-up to Ramche, the scenery is marvellous. You pass the snout of Yalung Glacier, where there is a series of ablation valleys which make for easy walking. The highlights of this stroll are clear streams, a frozen lake and views of Kabru, Koktang and Rathong.

Kanchenjunga is clearly visible and stunning. You cross the Yalung Ri glacier. At Oktang you are on a massive ridge that forms a cirque – a steep-walled, bowl-shaped mountain basin – that is more than nine miles long and always more than 25,000 feet. Kanchenjunga’s three main summits can be observed – a breathtaking mountain panorama.

You remain at a high altitude. Determination is called for. Crossing high passes is only possible in good weather – and with good logistics. Your abode for the night is at Yalung Ri Base Camp.

Traversing Yalung Glacier, the walking is good.

You trek down a valley. You come to a pass that is rough and dangerous. After what begins as a steep climb with a number of false summits, you reach Mirgin La. On the horizon are Everest, Jannu, Chamalung, Gyakung Kung, Lhotse and Makalu. To the south is the Terrai, a belt of marshy grasslands, savannahs, and forests that is a most worthwhile sight.

South of Ghunsa Khola, the trail ascends. You cross flood plains and emerge onto a pasture north of the river. There is a steep climb and you then cross a slide before descending to Lakepo. There is a short climb that puts you in the village of Kambachen.

This day is devoted to acclimatisation. A day hike will take you to Jannu Base Camp. A shorter hike will allow you to explore the vicinity of Kambachen. Or you could catch up on your laundry. Or even read a book, so long as you brought a good one.

A gentle climb through rocky fields puts you in Ramtang. You cross northwest of the Kanchenjunga glacier to reach Lhorak, which is situated on a sandy plain close to a dry lakebed. There are beautiful mountain views in every direction. Water is scarce in Lhorak, so you should be abstemious. You camp between boulders to protect yourself from the wind.

From Lhorak, the path ascends slowly through a plain but later becomes steeper. This gets you to Pang Pema, the base camp for Kanchenjunga, 16,900 feet up. Since Biratnagar was only 266 feet high, you have come a long way. Here you get the best view of the peak of Kanchenjunga.

You hike a few hundred feet up a ridge to the north of Pang Perma. This is a wonderful vantage point where Kanchenjunga, Tent Peak, the Twins and Wedge Peak stand before you. You descend to Kambachen.

Today sees more lovely forest which soon turns into steep, grassy hillside. It is there that you find Amjilosa.

Now you have a short climb and then a radical descent, which consumes most of the day. Camp is at the junction of the Tamur and Ghunsa Kholas.

You cross the Simbu Khola, which stems from Kanchenjunga’s southern base camp. It is pleasantly warm at such a low altitude – only 4,000 feet. Cardamom grows freely in this moist and shaded forest. You cross a goodly number of small tributary streams to reach Chhirwa, a village surrounded by large boulders. Camp is in a field before the village.

You encounter minor valleys and picturesque villages before reaching Suketar Airport late in the afternoon.

Flying from Taplejung , you have a final glimpse of the mountains with which you are now rather more familiar.

You return to Kathmandu.