Kanchenjunga Trek Trip Description
Kanchenjunga trek takes you to the lap of the third highest peak of the world in Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m). Kanchenjunga is situated to the far northeast of Nepal and bordered with Sikkim, India. The mountain of Kanchenjunga was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world until 1852.
Kanchenjunga Trekking is best trip for those prepared to devote time and energy required to complete this route to the Nepal side of Kanchenjunga. This trekking is undoubtedly one of the rewarding walk in the entire Himalaya. Straddling the border with Sikkim in the remote northeastern corner of the country, the massif is the third highest peak on earth afterMt. K2in Pakistan- one of the most formidable world’s 14 eight-thousand meter summits. Steep and narrow trails, magnificent forests, utterly breathtaking mountain vistas, few settlements and a real sense of wilderness characterize this corner of Nepal. This approach route cuts across the grain of the mountains, crossing a series of ridges of increasing height before following the valley of the Simbuakhola into the awesome amphitheater formed by the south wall of Kanchenjunga.
Kanchenjunga trekking was first opened to trekking parties in 1988, the very inaccessibility of the Kanchenjunga Himal deters all but the most avid mountain enthusiasts. Trekker parties must be self-sufficient in every respect. Provisions are all but unobtainable beyond Taplejung. And the services of a competent trekking outfitter are both a legal requirement and a matter of common sense.
First arriving at the Suketar airstrip above Taplejung involves one of the most hair-raising landings imaginable. On the final approach Kanchenjunga sways alarmingly back and forth through the windscreen of the Twin otter, as the pilot fights the air-currents to keep the plane level. One second you are cruising high above the Tamur valley, the next you touch down on a postage-stamp landing-strip with mountainside falling away from it on three sides
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
Lukla may be famous, but its way behind Suketar in adrenaline stakes. Taplejung to Ramze Flights into Suketar operate early in the morning, so you’ll probably want to set off the same day. The path heads northwards along the top of the ridge for a couple of kilometers before dropping east into the valley of the Phawakhola. At a colourful collection of Shiva shrines in the forest just before the main trail drops away Bara (3794m). A small Shiva temple stands on top of this forested hill to which Hindu pilgrims come from all over Nepal-if you have time, join them and spend an extra night sleeping out up there.
Memories of the sunrise views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse first camping place on the main route-reached after about three hours-is the primitive settlement of Lalikharka, where you can pitch your tents on some disused terraces from here the next night’s camp is visible on the clearly defined notch in the ridge to the east across the Phawakhola, at a place called SinchewaBanjang.
The going is immediately strenuous, as the trail descends steeply to cross the river via a small sus-climb up the other side. The villagers hereabouts are scattered settlements of beautiful thatched farmhouses, with colourful flower gardens shaded by poinsettia trees, pumpkins ripening in the sun and corn hung to dry under the eaves. Khunjuri, about an hour up from the bridge, makes a good lunch spot as there are several enormous papal trees affording delicious shade. There are stunning views to the entire Kangchrnjunga massif from the camp at SinchewaBanjang. Make the most of them, for you will not see the main peaks again until you round the corner of the yalung glacier above base camp at Ramze, though jannu makes sporadic appear-ances along the way. From sinchewaBanjang the trail contours gradually around into the huge valley of the kabelikholafor two days to reach Yamphudin (1650m/5414ft), the most remote settlement on this route, with plenty of steep ups and downs as it crosses tributary streams.
The terracing of the rice paddies around here is quite incredible, and care should be taken to stay on the correct path as it weaves its way through a vast tapestry of tiny emerald-green fields. Camping sites are hard to find between Sinchewa and Yamphudin, as every last piece of horizontal ground is planted with rice. The school-yard at Mamankhe village may be your only option, and it will not be a peaceful night. The next day, as the trail descends across steep open hillsides to approach Yamphudin, it finally meets the river, and an hour before the village crosses the Omjekhola debouching from its fearsomely steep and densely forested valley to join the main stream. This is a wonderful place for a combined lunch-stop and Jacuzzi session- the last opportunity for ablution that does not entail potential hypothermia for at least two weeks. The second half of the walk-in really is a contrast to the first. Above Yamphudin the tiny trail climbs a brutally steep ridge to a single farm-house commanding fine views over the country traversed so far. It continues upwards in dense forest before crossing the DupheBanjang and descending into the upper Omjekhola valley, where you will probably want to spend the night camped by the river.
The final obstacle between you and the Simbuakhola valley is immediately above you now, and it’s a steep, waterless climb to the crest of the DeoraliDanda ridge at LamiteBanjang (3235m/10599ft), best tackled early in the morning to avoid the heat. Given clear skies, jannu is visible from this ridge. The descent into the wild coniferous woodlands of the Inbuakhola commences with an airy traverse of some steep screes-a place to watch your feet! Abruptly the entire environment changes as the trail plunges down from the col. At the head of the valley lies the Yalung Glacier, and at sunset the temperature plummets as the cool air from above sinks to the valley floor. The last few days to Ramze camping at Dorondin and Tseram amongst towering, lichen-swathed pine trees and by rushing glacial streams, are simply idyllic. More rugged now, the path follows the boulder-strewn riverbed, ascending steeply towards the snout of the glacier.
The flora becomes increasingly alpine and sparse and the valley opens up gradually to reveal stunning vista of snow- capped Himalayan peaks. Koktang (6147m/20168ft), Ratong (6678m/21910ft) and Kabru (7353m/24125ft) from a scintillating hori-zone ahead as you enter the ablation zone above Tseram and stroll along through golden grasslands into Ramze. There is a single stone hut at Ramze which is invariably locked, and though it may be tempting to continue further on this easy trail, the last water is here and you should pitch camp. Spend a day resting to acclimatise for the days ahead, and to allow time to gape at the scenery. Ramze to Pangpemathere are two options for the next stage of this trek, which takes you across the southern flanks of Boktoh peak to the Ghunsakhola and thenorth side of the massif.
A higher north, via the 5250m (17225ft) Lapsang La, is strenuous, takes two long days, and yields only partial views of KANGCHENJUNGA and Jannu. The lower, more southerly route rec- Ommended here, via the La 4500m (14765ft) Sinelapche La and the 4400m (1436ft) Margin La follows a better before camp. The phenomenal north face of jannu rears up above the head of this serpent of corrugated ice like a hooded. Apparition,its vertiginous cliffs cold sinister in perpetual blue shadow. Away to the north leads the Dakhunapokhola, beneath the jagged bastions of the SharpuHimal (6236m/ 20460ft) and Nupchu (6690m/21950ft). An extra day’s hike up this valley is worthwhile, as is a back across the river and onto the moraine of the Jannu Glacier. Above Kambachen you enter an area of pure Himalaya mogic. Leaving the tiny settlement past a cluster of fluttering prayer flags, the path crosses an open mountainside and finally enters the old ablation zone of the Kanchenjunga Glacier at Ramtang. From hate the intimidating north face of Kambachen (7903m/ 2593ft) briefly appears up a side valley to the south, and there are scattered roofless stone huts that provide good shelter for cooking lunch.
Yaks graze on the sparse golden grass, the sound of their bells rising on the cold wind. Camp is at Lhonak, the coldest night on the entire trip as the wind rips across this huge open space and chills you to the bone. From here a trail heads north over the Chabuk La (5682m/18643ft) into Tibet which is still used today by the Tibetans you will meet at this desolate, airy place, Arriving midafternoon, do not be tempted to pitch your camp on fine, level plain- choose a spot up on the fine, level plain- choose a spot up on the moraine or tucked under the cliffs. The reason should be apparent from the qusk the herds return, thousands of snorting, bell-donging animals; bull yaks do not step daintily over guy-lines! The sheer scale and grandeur of the mountain world you now find yourself in defies superlatives, and the final easy hike to pang pema is a walk to savor all the way.
Ahead, Nepal peak, the twins and tent peak notice you onward, but to the south across the glacier it is the lesser wedge (6750m/22147ft) that really draws the eye, with its exquisite fluted summit. Until just before pang pema that is, when suddenly the incredible north face of Kanchenjunga itself looms into views. Pang pema is a place to just sit and relish the mountain prospects. Those seeking an head off up the slopes immediately behind pang pema to drohmori, from the cairned summit of which- at 6200m(20342ft) – you can see the entire Kangchrnjungahimal, jongsang peak and the mountains from the border with Tibet to the north, and even makalu on the horizon to the west. Walk – Out Taplejung to Suketarending.
