How to reach Kathmandu? 

​

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is well-connected to other parts of the world via air, road, and rail. Here are the various ways to reach Kathmandu:

1. By air: Kathmandu has an international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, which is well-connected to major cities across the world. Several airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air India, and Turkish Airlines operate flights to Kathmandu.

2. By road: Kathmandu is accessible by road from India via the Sunauli border in Uttar Pradesh or the Kakarbhitta border in West Bengal. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from these border towns to reach Kathmandu. The journey takes around 8-10 hours.

3. By rail: There is no direct rail connectivity to Kathmandu. The nearest railway station is in Gorakhpur, which is around 200 km away from the Sunauli border. From Gorakhpur, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Kathmandu.

​

Once you reach Kathmandu, there are several modes of transportation available to explore the city and its surroundings, including taxis, buses, and motorcycles.

​

Here is a day-by-day detailed itinerary for a typical Kangchenjunga Expedition:

​

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal.

 

Meet with expedition leaders and other team members for a briefing and gear check.

​

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseen

​

Spend the day sightseeing and preparing for the expedition, obtaining necessary permits and supplies. 

​

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is a vibrant and historic city with many interesting sights and attractions. Here are some popular places to visit in Kathmandu:

​

Swayambhunath Stupa: Also known as the Monkey Temple, this ancient Buddhist stupa sits atop a hill and offers stunning views of the city.

 

Pashupatinath Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Hindu temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Nepal.

 

Boudhanath Stupa: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this massive Buddhist stupa is one of the largest in the world and is an important center of Tibetan Buddhism.

 

Durbar Square: The historic heart of Kathmandu, Durbar Square is a complex of palaces, temples, and courtyards that showcase the city's rich cultural heritage.

 

Thamel: A popular tourist district, Thamel is known for its vibrant atmosphere, colorful streets, and many shops, restaurants, and cafes.

 

National Museum: Located in the western part of the city, the National Museum houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits related to Nepal's art, history, and culture.

 

Patan Durbar Square: Situated in the nearby city of Patan, this ancient square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful temples and traditional Newari architecture.

 

Garden of Dreams: A peaceful oasis in the midst of the city, the Garden of Dreams is a beautiful neo-classical garden that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu.

​

Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur

​

The distance between Bhadrapur and Ilam is around 40 km, and the drive takes approximately 1-1.5 hours, depending on road conditions. We will start early in the morning from Bhadrapur and head towards Ilam. We will take the Mechi Highway, which is the main road connecting Bhadrapur and Ilam. The road passes through scenic tea gardens and small villages and offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Make stops along the way to take in the scenery and explore the local culture.

​

Once you reach Ilam, you can check into your hotel and explore the town.

​

Day 4: Drive from Ilam to Suketar.

​

The drive from Ilam to Suketar takes around 6-7 hours, depending on the road and weather conditions.  We will start early in the morning from Ilam and head towards Kanyam. From Kanyam, we will continue towards Terhathum and follow the Mechi Highway. After Terhathum, the road becomes narrower and windy as it climbs up towards Suketar. Enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys as you drive. Make stops along the way to rest and take in the scenery.

​

Once you reach Suketar, you can explore the town and prepare for your trek to Kanchenjunga Base Camp.

​

Stay in a lodge or camp.

​

Day 5: Trek from Suketar to Mitlung (921 m).

 

Trek through scenic terraced fields, dense forests, and several villages. 

The trek from Suketar to Mitlung takes around 6-7 hours, depending on your pace and trail conditions. We will start our trek from Suketar, which is the starting point of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek. Follow the trail that leads to the Tamor River and cross it using a suspension bridge.

Continue on the trail, which is a gradual uphill climb through small villages and farmlands.
Pass through the village of Kunjari and then climb up to the Gurja Khola valley. From here, the trail descends to the village of Mitlung, which is situated on the banks of the Tamor River.
 

 

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 6: Trek from Mitlung to Chirwa (1,270 m).

 

The trek from Suketar to Mitlung takes around 6-7 hours, depending on your pace and trail conditions. After breakfast, start your trek toward Chirwa. The trail follows the Tamor River and passes through beautiful forests and waterfalls. Cross the bridge over the Simbuwa Khola and continue on the trail until you reach Chirwa.

 

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 7: Trek from Chirwa to Sukathum (1,576 m).

 

Pass through several ethnic villages and enjoy scenic views. 

The trek from Chirwa to Sukathum takes around 5-6 hours, depending on your pace and trail conditions.

We will start our trek from Chirwa, which is situated on the banks of the Tamor River. The trail follows the Tamor River and passes through small villages and farmlands. Cross the bridge over the Thiwa Khola and continue on the trail until you reach the village of Sekathum.
From Sekathum, the trail climbs up through beautiful forests and crosses several suspension bridges before reaching the village of Amjilosa.

Continue on the trail, which is a gradual uphill climb, and pass through the village of Solima before reaching Sukathum.
 

 

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 8: Trek from Sukathum to Amjilosa (2,308 m).

 

The trek from Sukathum to Amjilosa takes around 5-6 hours, depending on your pace and trail conditions. Here is a detailed itinerary for the trek:

We will start our trek from Sukathum, which is situated on the banks of the Tamor River. The trail climbs up through beautiful forests and crosses several suspension bridges before reaching the village of Amjilosa. En route, you will pass through the small villages of Sinchebung and Tamor Chyang, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. After crossing the Ghunsa Khola, the trail continues uphill until you reach Amjilosa, which is a small village situated in a deep valley.

​

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 9: Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730 m).

​

The trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla takes around 5-6 hours, depending on your pace and trail conditions.  Start your trek from Amjilosa, which is situated in a deep valley.
The trail climbs up through beautiful forests of rhododendron and bamboo and passes through several small streams and waterfalls. After crossing the Simbua Khola, the trail continues uphill until you reach the village of Gyabla, which is situated on the banks of the Ghunsa Khola.

 

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

​

Day 10: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,595 m).

​

The trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa takes around 5-6 hours, depending on your pace and trail conditions..  Start your trek from Gyabla, which is situated on the banks of the Ghunsa Khola.
The trail continues uphill through beautiful forests of rhododendron and pine and passes through several small streams and waterfalls. After crossing the Phale Khola, the trail climbs up to the village of Ghunsa, which is situated at an altitude of 3,595 meters.

​

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 11: Rest day at Ghunsa. Acclimatization day.

​

Rest days are essential during any high-altitude trekking expedition, and Ghunsa serves as an ideal location for acclimatization due to its altitude. On this day, you will take a break from the daily trekking routine and allow your body to adjust to the high altitude conditions.

You can spend the day exploring the Ghunsa village and interacting with the local community to learn about their unique culture and lifestyle. The village is home to the indigenous Sherpa people, and you can visit the local monastery to witness their spiritual practices.

You can also take a short hike to nearby viewpoints for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Jannu, Kanchenjunga, and Yalung Kang.

It is important to rest and avoid overexertion on this day to avoid altitude sickness and ensure a successful ascent to higher elevations. You can spend the day relaxing, hydrating, and preparing for the upcoming trekking days.

​

Day 12: Trek from Ghunsa to Kambachen (4,150 m).

​

On this day, you will continue your trek toward Kambachen, which is situated at an altitude of 4,150 meters. The trek will take approximately 6-7 hours, covering a distance of around 10 kilometers.

Leaving Ghunsa, the trail will gradually ascend through the rhododendron and pine forests, with occasional river crossings. You will also pass through the Tibetan settlement of Rampuk Kharka, where you can observe the traditional lifestyle of the local people.

As you move further up, the vegetation will become sparse, and you will be able to witness the stunning mountain views of Jannu, Kumbhakarna, and other peaks. The trail will then lead you to a rocky riverbed, which you will need to cross before reaching Kambachen.

Kambachen is a small settlement surrounded by snow-capped mountains and offers a spectacular view of the Kanchenjunga massif. You will spend the night in a local tea house, where you can enjoy a warm meal and rest before continuing your journey toward higher elevations.

​

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 13: Trek from Kambachen to Lhonak (4,790 m).

 

On this day, you will trek from Kambachen to Lhonak, which is situated at an altitude of 4,790 meters. The trek will take approximately 5-6 hours, covering a distance of around 8 kilometers.

The trail will lead you through rocky terrain and moraines as you ascend toward the Lhonak Valley. Along the way, you will be able to witness the beautiful views of the Kanchenjunga massif and other surrounding peaks. You will also come across the stunning Kanchenjunga Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas.

As you reach Lhonak, you will be surrounded by towering peaks, including Kanchenjunga, Wedge Peak, and Mera Peak. The valley is also known for its high-altitude wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard and Himalayan tahr. You will spend the night in a local tea house, where you can enjoy a warm meal and rest before continuing your journey toward Pangpema.

​

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 14: Trek from Lhonak to Pangpema (5,143 m).

​

On this day, you will trek from Lhonak to Pangpema, which is situated at an altitude of 5,143 meters. The trek will take approximately 3-4 hours, covering a distance of around 5 kilometers.

The trail will lead you through rocky terrain and moraines as you ascend toward Pangpema. Along the way, you will be able to witness the beautiful views of the Kanchenjunga massif and other surrounding peaks. As you approach Pangpema, you will be able to see the towering North Face of Kanchenjunga, which is one of the most spectacular views in the Himalayas.

Pangpema is a high-altitude plateau that offers stunning views of Kanchenjunga and the surrounding peaks. It is also the base camp for expeditions attempting to climb Kanchenjunga. You will spend the night in a local tea house, where you can enjoy a warm meal and rest before exploring the surrounding areas.

 

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 15-18: Acclimatization and rest days at Pangpema.

​

At Pangpema, it is important to take an acclimatization and rest day to adjust to the high altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. During this day, you can explore the surrounding areas and take short hikes to nearby viewpoints for stunning panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and its neighboring peaks. 

You can also take this opportunity to rest, hydrate and eat well to prepare yourself for the challenging trek back down to Ghunsa. It is recommended to do some light activities to keep your body active and to maintain your fitness level. 

In addition to resting and acclimatizing, you can also spend some time interacting with the locals and learning about their culture and way of life. The Sherpa people who live in this region have a unique culture and are known for their hospitality and warmth. You can also visit the monasteries and prayer flags in the surrounding areas, which are an important part of the local culture.

 

Day 19-47: Establish intermediate camps and advanced base camp, and begin the ascent of Kangchenjunga via the North Face route. The climb includes crossing steep rock and ice faces, negotiating challenging snow and ice terrain, and dealing with unpredictable weather conditions.

​

Day 48-52: Descend to Lhonak and then to Ghunsa.

​

On this day, you will start your descent from Pangpema and trek back to Lhonak, which will take approximately 2-3 hours. After a short break at Lhonak, you will continue your trek down to Ghunsa, which is situated at an altitude of 3,595 meters. The total trekking distance for the day is around 19 kilometers and will take approximately 7-8 hours.

​

The trail will lead you through a combination of rocky terrain and meadows, with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys. Along the way, you will pass through the villages of Kambachen and Phale, where you can interact with the locals and learn more about their way of life. 

​

As you descend, it is important to pace yourself and take breaks as needed to avoid exhaustion and reduce the risk of injury. Once you reach Ghunsa, you can relax and enjoy a warm meal and comfortable accommodation. You can also take this opportunity to explore the village and visit the local monasteries.

 

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 53-54: Trek from Ghunsa to Suketar.

 

On this day, you will continue your trek from Ghunsa to Suketar, which is the endpoint of the trek. The total trekking distance for the day is approximately 23 kilometers and will take approximately 8-9 hours.

The trail will lead you through a combination of forests, hills, and small villages. You will pass through the village of Phale, which is known for its beautiful monastery and traditional architecture. Along the way, you will have stunning views of the mountains and valleys.

As you descend, the climate will become warmer and the vegetation will become more lush. You will pass through several small settlements and cross a few suspension bridges over rivers and streams.

Once you reach Suketar, you can relax and celebrate the completion of your trek. You can also explore the small town and visit the local markets and shops. From Suketar, you can take a jeep or bus back to Bhadrapur or Ilam, where you can catch a flight back to Kathmandu.

​

Stay in a tent or lodge.

​

Day 55: Fly from Suketar to Bhadrapur and then to Kathmandu.

​

Yes, after completing the trek, you can take a flight from Suketar to Bhadrapur. The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes. From Bhadrapur, you can take another flight to Kathmandu. The flight duration from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu is approximately 1 hour.

Alternatively, you can also take a jeep or bus from Suketar to Ilam or Bhadrapur and then take a flight from there to Kathmandu. The road journey can take around 10-12 hours, depending on the road conditions and traffic. 

It is recommended to book your flights in advance, especially during the peak trekking season (October-November). It is also advisable to keep a buffer day in your itinerary to account for any potential flight delays or cancellations due to weather conditions.

 

Celebrate the successful expedition with the team.

​

Day 56-57: Debriefing and rest in Kathmandu. 

​

Yes, it is a good idea to have a debriefing session with your trekking team and rest for a day or two in Kathmandu after completing the Kangchenjunga Expedition. You can use this time to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or just relax and recover from the trek.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Kathmandu, including visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. You can also try the local cuisine, enjoy the nightlife, or take a scenic flight over the Himalayas.

It is important to take it easy and give your body time to recover after a strenuous trek like Kangchenjunga Expedition. Make sure you drink plenty of water, get enough rest, and listen to your body's signals to avoid any potential altitude sickness or other health issues.

​​