Kanchenjunga Trek South to North

Kanchenjunga (28198ft & treasures of the snow) is the third height mountain in the world and was first climbed by the British in 1956. Lying on the Nepal – Sikkim borders, the lush landscape of the Kanchenjunga area is an ideal environment for musk deer, blue sheep, and the infamous Yeti. Few westerners have travelled to this remote area.

Kanchenjunga, regarded as the ‘Queen of the great Himalayas’, encompasses the mountain ridges of South Peak (8491m), Central Peak (8478m), and Main Peak (8556m), Yalung Kang, Kambachen, and Jannu. It stretches southward from Jonsang La to Langpo Peak, Pyramid Peak, and Nepal Peak – all on India’s border. It continues further from Talung Peak and Kabru North and South Peaks to the Twin Peaks of Rathong and Kokthan. To the west of Jonsang La, on Tibet’s borders, are Jongsang Peak, Outlier, Lashar, Chabuk, and Ohnmi Kangri. Further south lies Nupchu and Sharpu. This, then, is the Kangchenjunga Region, which is also called the “GREAT SNOW MOUNTAIN OF FIVE TREASURES”.

The trek to Kanchenjunga is a long course and offers one of the best high altitude trekking trips, leading to the famous peaks of eastern Nepal as Kanchenjunga and mysterious Jannu via the enormous Yalung Glacier. It also allows a trip to Lamsang La and Kanchenjunga glacier. The view of the Kanchenjunga range and Kanchenjunga (8556m) the third highest in the world, from the north base camp is simply breathtaking and unforgettable, as is the north face of Jannu, a worthy destination itself. The trail goes from the Sub Tropical lowlands up to the Yalung Glacier 5000 m, enabling the trekkers to experience a diverse cross-section of topography, people, culture and fauna, and flora. It is a great mountain range that includes 4 peaks of above eight thousand meters and 18 over 7000m. Set in a remote wilderness, inhabited by a few nomadic yak herders, this region has much to offer the adventurous trekkers who are looking for something different.

We will fly from KTM to Suketar airfield in the Taplejung district. From suketar, we will begin our trek, following a route along a ridge top towards the Tamar River where we will enjoy panoramic views of the Makalu(27825′) and Chamlung(24000′) peaks. We will continue through forests and rhododendron thickets and soon the Kanchenjunga range will arrear. Our route will continue up the Tamour river through the Limbu villages to the terraced mountainside village of Amjilassa and the legendary Sherpa village of Ghunsa(11400′). We will visit the monastery there and soon have our first glimpse of a sea of unclimbed peaks including the Jannu(25289′), known as a “mystery peak” or “Terror “. We will trek to the edge of the Kanchenjunga glacier and after crossing the lateral moraine; we will cut across at this junction and arrive at our campsite at Lhonak, an undisturbed landscape of unspeakable beauty.

After a couple of days of rest and exploration at Lhonak, including a day trip to pangpema (16900′) to see the north face of Kanchenjunga, we will head south to Yalung glacier. We will cross two passes, the Lapsang La (16700′) or Margin La(15300′) depending on which is the safest at the time, into the Simbua Khola valley and camp at Ramche (14000′). We will rest and explore the Yalung Glacier and the southern face of Kanchenjunga, then begin our trek back to heli. If you make this trip in the fall, you will be treated to the site (and taste) of orange everywhere. On our last night of camping, we will celebrate with our sherpas and porters the completion of our trek together. Your dream of seeing one of the most remote lands in the world will be fulfilled.

Destination

Nepal