Trip Overview

KANCHENJUNGA EXPEDITION

Kangchenjunga Expedition, the 3rd highest peak after Sagarmatha & K2 at an altitude of 8586 m, was considered the highest peak in the world until 1856. Crowned by 5 significant peaks, out of which three reside at the Nepal-India border and two reside in the Taplejung district of Nepal, Kanchenjunga is a mystical mountain also believed by the locals to be the home to mountain deity. In the Tibetan language, the name 'Kanchinjínga' refers to the “Five Treasures of the Great Snow”. The treasures represent the repositories of God being Gold, Silver, Grain, Gems, and Holy Books and are often associated with the five peaks in the Kanchenjunga Himal.

The Kanchenjunga section of the Himal extends from Nepal to India with around 16 peaks above 7000m. It is bordered in the north by Lhonak Chu, Goma Chu, and Jongsang La while in the East by the Teesta River. The western limits are distinguished as they run down the Jongsang La to Ginseng and Kanchenjunga Glaciers and the rivers of Ghunsa and Tamor. The southern Face of Kanchenjunga demarcates Sikkim from Nepal and Northern West Bengal.

The first successful ascent to Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition was made by George Band and Joe Brown the British Expedition team via South West Face on 25 May 1955. The next day, Norman Hardie and Tony Streather also summited the gigantic mountain and achieved triumph over Kanchenjunga. They took the route from the Yalung Glacier to the southwest of the peak, leading to the Yalung face. The route to the summit is a mixed terrain of snow, glaciers, and one icefall with a little section of rock. They had set up six camps during their expedition. Interestingly, Being a holly peak, the four summiters from the 1955 expedition remained a few feet below the sacred summit as promised with the local people of Sikkim. This Mt. Kanchenjunga expedition marked the British second triumph over the 8000m mountain after Mt. Everest.

The huge mountain massif of Mt. Kangchenjunga Expedition consists of the following peaks:

Kangchenjunga main 8586m
Kangchenjunga West (Yalung Kang) 8505m
Kangchenjunga Central 8482m
Kangchenjunga South 8494m
Kangbachen 7903m

The massif houses five main glaciers namely, Zemu, Kanchenjunga, Yalung, Talung and Ramtang that drain the Saptakoshi Rivers including Arun, Tamor, and Teesta in Sikkim as well. Mt. Kanchenjunga main is the highest point of the Brahmaputra River Basin, one of the largest river basins. The Mt. Kanchenjunga massif is also a part of the Ganges River Basin.

Kanchenjunga Expedition has been able to retain its pristine beauty and serenity as it is not very easily accessible from Nepal. The remoteness of its location makes it one of the less frequently traveled destinations despite its alluring beauty. The trekking to the Kanchenjunga region has recently been permitted in Sikkim, the Goecha La pass trek is the most popular one, as it offers a marvelous view of the huge southeast face of Kangchenjunga. The reason for restrictions to traveling in this isolated region could be the myth associated with it, making people believe that some mountain deities dwells in this region. The British Expedition team spotted a bipedal creature in 1925, which is believed to be “the Kangchenjunga Demon”, often called “Yeti”.

The trekking route to Kanchenjunga Expedition is unbelievably attractive and mindblowing as it goes through three diverse ecoregions: the eastern Himalayan broadleaved and coniferous forests, the eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows, and the Terai Duar Savanna and grasslands. As you trek along, you will come across numerous small and big rivers that rage at their pace. We ought to trek through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, which is the home to several endangered species including but not limited to Snow Leopards, Asian Black Bears, Red Panda, White-bellied Musk Deer, Blood Pheasant, and Floras like Rhododendrons and Orchids. If lucky enough, we may encounter some of those on our way.

Best Seasons for Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026

The best season to go on expeditions to Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026 is Pre-monsoon or Post-monsoon when the sky is clear, the weather is moderate and the days are neither too hot nor too cold nights. However, we can organize trips to Kanchenjunga any time of the year.

What makes the Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026 difficult?

Kanchenjunga expedition 2026 is comparatively more difficult than other 8000m mountains because of its remoteness, technical difficulty, risk of icefall and avalanche, difficulty in managing logistics, and fewer Sherpas available to climb Mt. Kanchenjunga. Moreover, India has restricted the expeditions from the easier side, compelling the climbers to take a tough route.

Preparation for Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026

Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026 is quite technical as it involves walking on snow, ice, and glaciers. Only a small section of the climb involves walking on rocks. Harsh terrain and extreme weather conditions pose a huge risk and challenge. Climbers are required to trek and hike for about 10 hours a day, so a high level of physical fitness and substantial mountaineering experience is required for the Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026. High altitude mountaineers, who have summited Everest and Kanchenjunga claim the latter to be even more tricky and difficult. The last part of the climb comprises the longest horizontal climbs over 8000m making the summit a bit demanding.

Why Climb Mt. Kanchenjunga Expedition in 2026 with us?

Mt. Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world. To summit the highest mountain like Kanchenjunga requires a strong team of climbing guides, proper logistic support, accurate weather reports and standby backup support from Basecamp. 8K Expeditions is proud to share that we have the best team of Sherpa who have vast experience in climbing with precautions on 8000m mountains like Kanchenjunga. We are responsible and well-known among the mountaineering fraternity for our successful operations with good logistic support and safety. Moreover, Our Founder Lakpa Sherpa's valuable direction and instructions from either on/off the field play a crucial role in shaping your safe and successful summit undertaking.

Let’s make your Kanchenjunga Expedition 2026 Dream come into reality with Eight K. Expeditions.

Max. Altitude 8,586

Trip Grade Very_hard

Best Seasons Spring, Autumn

Group Size 1-10

News and Events

8K Expeditions Manaslu Autumn 2025: 100% Safety & Summit Success image

Trip Itinerary

DAY

1

Arrival In Kathmandu And Transfer To The Hotel

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will need to obtain an Entry Visa for Nepal. As soon as you complete the immigration procedures, you will be greeted by one of our representatives and transferred to the hotel booked for you. You can rest, relax and freshen up at your hotel and go sightseeing around the Tourist Hub, Thamel in the evening.

Altitude 1400

Meals N/A

Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
2-3

Official Formalities, Expedition Preparation, Briefing

Before we start our expedition, we will need to obtain the required permits for the Kanchenjunga Expedition. We will also prepare all our documents and go for last-minute shopping. At our Eight K Expeditions premise, we will conduct a short briefing about the expedition. Enjoy your day in Kathmandu and prepare to head out to a wonderful adventure experience.

Altitude 1400

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
4

Fly To Bhadrapur (91 M) And Drive To Illam Bazaar (1206 M)

We partake a warm breakfast in the morning. Then, we will drive to the airport to catch a short flight to Bhadrapur, a town in eastern Nepal. Then, we will drive to Illam, a beautiful and old market in the Eastern Region of Nepal. It is very popular for tea gardens and exports high-quality tea leaves around the world. We will explore around the Illam Bazaar and rest overnight in a hotel.

Altitude 1206

Meals BLD

Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
5

Drive To Jorpul (1500 M) Via Phidim

The next day, we will drive from Illam Bazaar to Jorpul via Phidim village. We will behold the pleasing sights of terraced farmlands, vegetations, tea gardens, and cardamom plantations as we move higher. We will finally reach Jorpul to rest overnight to release the pain due to the 9-10 hours drive.

Altitude 1500

Meals BLD

Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
6

Trek From Jorpul To Khebang (1740 M)

Our trek starts from Jorpul as we slowly ascend towards Khebang through the lush green forests of Rhododendrons, Pines, Oaks, and Deodars. After a series of ascents and descents for about 5 hours, we will reach Khewang to rest overnight.

Altitude 1740

Meals BLD

Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
7

Trek To Yamphudin (2070 M)

From Khewang, we walk along the Kabeli Khola and cross many streams over the suspension bridges. We start ascending through valleys, dense forests, and waterfalls. As we move from Subtropical to temperate regions, we will notice diverse vegetation and forest density.

Altitude 2070

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
8

Trek From Yamphudin To Torongdin (2995 M)

Yamphudin is a village resided by people from diverse cultures and ethnicities. From there, we ascend towards Dhupo Bhanjyang and further to Lasiya Bhanjyang (3310 m). Then, we descend to Amji Khola and walk along until we reach Torongdin at 2995 m to rest overnight. This will be a very tiring day as we trek for almost 11 hours.

Altitude 2995

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
9-10

Trek From Torongdin To Tseram And Acclimatize (3870 M)

We start after breakfast at Torongdin and trek towards Tseram. As we slowly enter the subalpine zone, green trees are fewer and shrubs and wildflowers are abundant. We will be gaining subsequent height so we will spend a day in Tseram for acclimatization.

Altitude 3870

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
11

Trek From Tseram To Ramche (4620 M)

We will wake up for a warm breakfast and start our trek to Ramche. We will be crossing the Yalung Glacier moraine and beautiful lakes and meadows. After a 6-7 hours trek we will finally reach Ramche to rest overnight. At Ramche, our team will set up comfortable tents for us to sleep.

Altitude 4620

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping
12

Trek To Middle Camp (4900 M)

From Ramche, we start early as we will be elevating to the Middle Base Camp at 4900 m. The trail takes us through the glacier moraines and rugged path until we reach the Middle Base Camp in the meadows.

Altitude 4900

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping
13

Trek To Kanchenjunga Base Camp And Establish Advance Base Camp (5143 M)

Following the glaciers of the northern ridge, we will hike up to the base of Kanchenjunga Base Camp and set up our tents. We will be welcomed by the panoramic views of giant snow-capped mountains including the mystic Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Altitude 5143

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping
14-46

Climbing Period

We will allocate 26 days of our trip for the climbing period of Mt. Kanchenjunga. During this course, we will conduct multiple rotations around the higher camps. We will allocate enough days for acclimatization as it is extremely important to adapt to rarefied air of high altitude. Frequent rotations in between upper camps and basecamp will be our key strategy for acclimatizing. Most of the climbing will be done over the snow, ice, and glaciers so we will train with an ice ax, crampons, and ladder climbing before heading to the summit. The last part involves climbing on a steep horizontal rocky section. We will climb up to a step short of the main summit, as it is considered pious and sacred.

As we reach the top, we will be gifted with the vistas of Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, the Kanchenjunga massif, and other giant snow-capped peaks.

We will then return to the lower camp and prepare to leave.

Altitude 8586

Meals BLD

Accommodation Full Board Camp Service
47

Return To Base Camp, Clean Up And Prepare To Leave

After a successful ascent to the third highest peak of the World, we return to the base camp and pack up our expedition logistics. We then clean up the base camp and prepare to leave.

Altitude 5143

Meals BLD

Accommodation Full Board Camp Service
48

Trek To Ramche (4620 M)

We retrace our path back to Ramche walking on the rugged terrain for 9 hours. We then rest overnight in a lodge or a tented camp.

Altitude 4620

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping
49

Trek To Torongdin (2995 M)

Our trek starts from Ramche and we reach Tseram for lunch. We then walk through the forests down to reach Torongdin to rest overnight.

Altitude 2995

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
50

Trek To Yamphudin (2070 M)

Our trek continues to descend back to Yamphudin until we reach our lodge to rest overnight.

Altitude 2070

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
51

Trek To Jorpul (1500 M)

We start early after breakfast and resume our trek to Jorpul. We will cross the Khebang village and continue towards Jorpul. The total trekking hours will be about 9-10 hours.

Altitude 1500

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Teahouses
52

Drive To Birtamod, Jhapa

Our trek ends at Jorpul, from where we take a private vehicle to reach the commercial city Birtamod. We will rest at a very comfortable hotel in Birtamod.

Altitude 1200

Meals BLD

Accommodation Hotel
53

Fly/Drive To Kathmandu

After a night's rest in Birtamod, we will drive back to Kathmandu. You may choose to take a flight as well at some extra costs. Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, you will be escorted to the hotel to rest and relax.

Altitude 1400

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
54

Leisure Day And Farewell Dinner

This leisure day is for you to explore Kathmandu city. You can go sightseeing to different World Heritage Sites like Bouddhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Basantapur and Thamel areas, and many more. In the evening, we will all meet for a wonderful farewell dinner at a typical restaurant.

Altitude 1400

Meals Breakfast And Farewell Dinner

Accommodation 3-5 Star Hotel
55

Final Departure

If you have not booked any other packages or extended your holiday/stay in Nepal, one of our representatives will drop you off at the airport for your departure to your home country. We will look forward to traveling with you again.

Altitude 1400

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation N/A

Includes

Airport pick-up & drop-off for both (International & Domestic).
04 nights 4-star hotel in Kathmandu on BB plan with single occupancy.
Welcome and farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant in Kathmandu.
Helicopter flights from Kanchenjunga Base Camp to Kathmandu on sharing basis.
Domestic airlines from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur with airport tax.
Land and Air domestic transportation and cargo for our overall expedition crew.
All necessary permit fees to climb Kanchenjunga Expedition.
Drone and Special Filming Permit.
One official Nepal Government Mountaineering liaison officer.
Summit Route Fixing Charge.
Garbage Management and Garbage Disposal Fees.
Freshly Cooked Meals at Base Camp: Variety of Continental, Nepali and Indian cuisine. Hot beverages, including tea, coffee and other warm drinks will also be served to keep you refreshed and energized throughout your stay.
Fresh Green Vegetables, Fresh Meat, Fresh Fruits, Juice and Drinks will be regularly served at Base Camp. We use helicopter in order to bring them to Base Camp.
One veteran and highly experienced climbing guide for each climbing member.
Base Camp Sirdar, Cook and Kitchen Helpers.
Porters up to Base Camp and return from the Base Camp.
Maximum 60kg per member as a personal baggage.
Individual Member Sleeping Tent (Box Tent), Thick Mattress and Pillow at Base Camp.
Common Equipment at Base Camp: Dinning Tent, Kitchen Tent, Communication Tent, Toilet Tent, Shower Tent, Tables and Chairs, Heater etc.
Generator and Solar System for charging electronic devices at Base Camp.
High Camp Services: Member Sleeping Tent (02 Members: 01 Tent), Shovel, Guide Rope, EPI Gas, Gas Burner (MSR Rector) And Coffle Set.
High Food: Readymade Meals (Rice, Meat, Pasta, Etc.), Muesli, Porridge, Oats, Noodles, Plane Rice, Soup Items, Green Tea, Milk, Coffee, Dry Fruits, Chocolate Bar etc.
Satellite phone is available for emergency use.
Walkie-Talkie set for communication during the entire expedition.
Weather forecast during the entire expedition.
Oxygen: 05 bottle of per member in case of emergency and 02 bottles per climbing guide for each mountain.
Summit Mask and Regulator set for each member and climbing guide.
Backup Oxygen Bottles and Mask Regulator set (Chargeable as per use).
First aid medical kit.
8K duffle bags and 8K outdoor cap.
Applicable Nepal Government Taxes and Company Service Charges.
Kanchenjunga summit certificate is issued upon successful climb, with photos and videos required for verification.

Excludes

Nepal entry visa fee (to be applied for 45 days).
International flights.
Lunch and Dinner during stay in Kathmandu.
All the personal climbing gears and equipment.
Insurance minimum US$1,00,000/- coverage for medical and helicopter rescue.
Summit Bonus: US$1,600/- per climbing guide and US$350/- per member for Cook and Kitchen Staffs are paid in cash. Also, US$100/- per member for the porters. The Sherpa summit bonus is mandatory once the summit push begins, even if the climb is discontinued due to the client’s condition or any other reason.
Any other services which are not mentioned in the “Service Includes”.