Kanchenjunga North Trek to South Trek: What You Need to Know

The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek (Kanchenjunga North to South Trek) is among the adventurous and remote trekking paths in Nepal. This journey links the North Base Camp (Pangpema) and the South Base Camp (Oktang) of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters). You can witness the mesmerizing view of Mt Kanchenjunga from both sides (North as well as South). While trekking, you will traverse through deep valleys, high mountain passes, and culturally rich villages. This trek requires proper planning, physical fitness, and the support of a licensed guide to complete this trek successfully.

In this blog, we provide detailed information regarding Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, key differences between them and Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek: Explore Both North & South Base Camps.

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is the most preferred trek for those who want to spend time in a remote and pristine Himalayan environment. This base camp is also recognized as Pangpema and is located at an elevation of 5,143m (16,873 ft) in the district of Taplejung, Nepal. Due to its elevation, the difficulty is challenging and strenuous.

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp lies away from crowded places and has breathtaking views of the mountains. At the same time, you can immerse yourself in rich local culture, the highlight of this trek. You should trek at the best times, to immerse yourself and witness the stunning views of the mountains. The best times, difficulties and highlights you are searching for are listed below.

Major Highlights of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

The major highlights of the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek provide you with a detailed experience of the mountain landscapes, remote Tibetan-influenced villages, and rich biodiversity. Some of the major highlights that can be seen while trekking are as follows:

• Spectacular Mountain Views: Witness stunning views of Mt Kanchenjunga (the world's third-highest peak) and other mountains.
• Kanchenjunga Glacier and Pangpema: Take in the spectacular views of Kanchenjunga Glacier as you journey towards Pangpema.
• Remote and Untouched Trails: Trek through peaceful places while observing natural beauty.
• Diverse Landscapes and Ecosystems: Hike through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, navigating vibrant rhododendron woods, grassy alpine fields, and elevated glaciers.
• Authentic Cultural Encounters: Immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, and Tibetan-influenced communities.
• Cultural and Religious Significance: Kanchenjunga is considered sacred by the local communities and holds spiritual significance.

Difficulty of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

Kanchanjunga North base camp trek is considered challenging and strenuous. This trek is made for experienced trekkers as there are many difficulties you can face during the trek. Some of the difficulties can be attributed to altitude challenges, terrain and trail conditions, weather and remoteness, and trekking duration. Due to its high challenges, the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek is very hard. Furthermore, the trail conditions are rugged, as you can find rocky paths and remote trails. The weather is somewhat unpredictable and there are only limited teahouses. Regarding the duration, it takes around 18-24 days to complete with 5–8 hours of daily hiking. It is good to have proper physical preparation to ensure a safe and successful journey.

Best Time to Visit Kanchenjunga North Base Camp

Among the four seasons (Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn), the ideal time is during the Spring and Autumn seasons. In these seasons, the climate is favorable, featuring mild temperatures, clear skies, and optimal visibility of the Himalayan summits. In the spring (March, April and May), you can witness the blooming rhododendrons and lush greenery while trekking. This makes the trek even more iconic and memorable. Additionally, in the Autumn (September, October and November), you can witness the crystal-clear view of majestic mountains along with pleasant trekking conditions.

Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is one of the scenic treks that offer panoramic views of the Himalayas and deep insights into the traditional lifestyles. This Base camp leads you to the southern face of Mt Kanchenjunga. The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is not as popular as other trekking destinations such as Everest, Annapurna, and Makalu. Consequently, a lower number of trekkers go to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. However, if you are seeking for less-crowded trails, this camp is ideal for you. Furthermore, many trekkers may be unaware of the highlights of Kanchenjunga South Base Camp as well as the optimal seasons to trek. The details on these are given below:

Major Highlights of Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek presents a distinct combination of stunning scenery, cultural depth, and tranquil nature. The Major highlights include many things. Some of them are as follows:

• Stunning Viewpoint at Oktang (4,610m): Witness the enchanting views of the south face of Mt. Kanchenjunga and surrounding peaks.
• Remote and Peaceful Trails: A Peaceful trek that offers a serene Himalayan experience.
• Cultural Immersion in Limbu and Rai Villages: Observe the customs, language, and lifestyle of ethnic communities while traversing through traditional villages.
• Rich Biodiversity in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area: Discover the fauna of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which includes red pandas, Himalayan black bears, and musk deer.
• Glaciers, Rivers, and Waterfalls: Trek near the base camp by witnessing beautiful views of rivers, waterfalls, and the Yalung Glacier.
• Adventure Off the Beaten Path: This place is great for the trekker who likes peaceful hiking. It offers a real, traditional Himalayan experience by combining it with beautiful nature.

How Difficult Is Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek is regarded as moderately to highly challenging in terms of difficulty. This trek may be appropriate for you if you are an experienced trekker. This trek is suitable for those trekkers who have enough fitness level and high-altitude trekking experience. Although the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek doesn't involve as much climbing as the North Base Camp trek, it still follows a similar path with rugged trails and steep terrain. Additionally, similar to the tea houses found on the North Base Camp trail, the lodgings provide only essential amenities and minimal infrastructure. Moreover, hikers might encounter difficulties caused by unpredictable weather and the area's isolation. Therefore, it is important to be well-prepared to ensure your safety.

Best Time to Visit Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

The ideal time to go to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is during the spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November) months. During spring, you can watch the blooming rhododendrons, crystal clear view of the Mountains and enjoy the fresh mountain air. The autumn season offers a favourable climate, the best views of the mountains and excellent trekking conditions. During these seasons, there is very little chance of landslides and heavy rainfall. It’s advisable to avoid Kanchenjunga South Base Camp during the monsoon months (June, July, and August) due to intense rainfall and slippery paths. Furthermore, during the winter season (December, January and February), there is extreme cold and there is a possibility of snow falling.

Key Differences Between Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camps

Till now, you may have got the information regarding the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp and the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. For more information regarding these, we provide you with the differences between them.

Aspects: Elevation

• Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: It has an altitude of around 5,143 meters.
• Kanchenjunga South Base Camp: This base camp has an elevation of 4,610m.

Aspects: Views

• Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: From this base camp, you can witness the north side of Mt Kanchenjunga.
• Kanchenjunga South Base Camp: This base camp offers breathtaking vistas of Mt. Kanchenjunga on the south side.

Aspects: Difficulty

• Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: The difficulty level is strenuous because of high altitude.
• Kanchenjunga South Base Camp: The difficulty to trek at Kanchenjunga South Base Camp ranges from moderate to strenuous as the altitude gain is less.

Aspects: Landscape

• Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: Trek through rugged, and rocky high-altitude terrain with glaciers.
• Kanchenjunga South Base Camp: Traverse via Lush forests, alpine meadows, glacial moraine near the base camp

Aspects: Duration

• Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: The duration to complete the trek is slightly longer than the south base camp.
• Kanchenjunga South Base Camp: To complete this trek, it takes slightly shorter to complete.

Aspects: Wildlife

• Kanchenjunga North Base Camp: You can witness Blue sheep, snow leopard (rarely seen), and Himalayan tahr while trekking in this base camp.
• Kanchenjunga South Base Camp: Red panda, and Himalayan black bear can be seen while trekking.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek: Explore Both North & South Base Camps

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek allows you to discover both the North and South Base Camp trails. This trek ranks as one of the most exciting and rewarding long-distance treks in Nepal. This route provides breathtaking sights of Mt Kanchenjunga (8,586m), various landscapes, and meaningful cultural interactions with Limbu, Rai, and Sherpa groups. During the trek, you have to pass the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where you can witness the wild fauna (red pandas and snow leopards). On average, this trek takes around 21–28 days to complete. The best times to experience the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek are in Spring and Autumn. This peaceful trail is ideal for experienced trekkers who are seeking an off-beat Himalayan adventure.

Conclusion

The treks to the North and South base camps of Kanchenjunga are challenging journeys that lead you to the furthest corners of Nepal. This trek offers jaw-dropping views of mountains, including Mt Kanchenjunga, diverse terrain, and rich culture. If you have a good fitness level, proper preparation and a well-experienced guide, you can complete this trek. However, you can face difficulty in trekking as the difficulty level is challenging and strenuous. If you are an experienced trekker and need a place that has a peaceful environment for trekking, this Kanchenjunga trek can be one of them. This trek offers you a long-lasting memory.

In this blog, we have provided the detailed information regarding Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek, key differences between them and Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek: Explore Both North & South Base Camps. Furthemore, if you want some more destinations to trek, visit Himalayan Odyssey - one of the one of the travel and trekking companies in Nepal.

FAQ on Kanchenjunga North Base Camps and Kanchenjunga South Base Camp

Is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek difficult?

Yes, the Kanchenjunga Base Camp presents challenges because of its isolated location, high elevation, rough terrain, and tough weather conditions. The hike includes challenging climbs and descents, elevated mountain crossings, and extended trekking durations.

What is the altitude of Kanchenjunga South base camp?

The Kanchenjunga South base camp trek stands at the height of 4,730 meters (15,518 feet). At these altitudes, you might experience altitude sickness, breathlessness, and tiredness. So, it is important to stay hydrated and acclimatize properly.

Is it possible to visit both base camps in one trek?

Yes, the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek allows for a visit to both base camps in a single trek. This trek involves traversing through the remote and rugged terrains that help to connect the base camps. Furthermore, the trail offers the opportunity to experience diverse landscapes, rich cultural encounters, and stunning views of mountains.

What is the altitude of Kanchenjunga North Base Camp?

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, recognized as Pangpema, has an altitude of 5,143 meters (16,873 feet). From this point, you can witness the mesmerizing views of the northern face of Mt Kanchenjunga. Furthermore, you can also observe the surrounding peaks such as Kirat Chuli, Nepal Peak, and glaciers.