.....for the admirers of nature....
info@natureloverstrek.com
Kanchenjunga South base camp trekking is an epic, adventurous journey in the Eastern Himalayas of Nepal. Slightly shorter than the Kanchenjunga North base camp trek, this journey is no less than any other trekking journey in the Himalayan region of Nepal with its beauty and the incredible experience it offers. Long before Everest was confirmed as the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga was believed as the highest one.
The Kanchenjunga South base camp trek explores the hidden picturesque Yalung Glacier and the south part of the massive Kanchenjunga. The less explored and rarely walked trekking trail takes you through the lush forests into the valleys, along the fields and villages and gradually to the desolated and pristine mountain land of Kanchenjunga south base camp. While familiarizing yourself with the heart cultures of the region, your steps will take you to the blissed land on the earth. The geography will change in the Kanchenjunga Conservation area, and so will the climate and the biodiversities. It feels like a different part of the world you have never been to and never expected it to be. As the oxygen level diminishes, your heartbeat starts to skip a beat, and you will be breathless at some points. Solely due to the extraordinary natural formations and the structures of the heavenly land below the Kanchenjunga base camp.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has so much to offer to any clients in Nepal. With no exception, the Kanchenjunga base camp trekking adventure with us will be your memorable trip for a lifetime. You just need to trust us and enjoy walking along with taking photographs of your most gorgeous peaks next to you.
Day 01: Fly to Bhadrapur and go sightseeing in the tea gardens
Day 02: Drive from Ilam to Suketar 4 hours and trek to Lalikharka (2200m), 4 hours
Day 03: Trek from Lalikharka to Khesewa (2100m), 5 hours
Day 04: Trek to Mamankhe (2200m), 6 hours
Day 05: Trek from Mamankhe to Yamphudin (2150m), 6 hours
Day 06: Trek from Yamphudin to Tortong (2995m), 7 hours
Day 07: Trek from Tortong to Tseram, 6 hours
Day 08: Trek from Tseram to Ramche and explore Yalung Glacier (4580m), 7 hours
Day 09: Rest day in Ramche and explore Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4730m)
Day 10: Trek back from Ramche to Tortong
Day 11: Trek from Tortong to Yamphudin and drive to Bhadrapur
Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu
Kathmandu sightseeing: $80 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)
Porter service: $20/day per porter
Day 01: Fly to Bhadrapur and go sightseeing in the tea gardens
Fly early in the morning to Bhadrapur airport and later drive to a beautiful town called Ilam where you can do the panoramic sightseeing around the tea gardens.
Day 02: Drive from Ilam to Suketar 4 hours and trek to Lalikharka (2200m), 4 hours
After breakfast early, drive first to Suketar to start the trekking adventure from this point onwards. After taking lunch we head to Lali Kharka while in the beginning of our trek, we can see Limbu villages and their daily lifestyles and we head to Lali kharka.
Day 03: Trek from Lalikharka to Khesewa (2100m), 5 hours
We descend to the village of Pokora through the Phawa Khola, crossing a suspension bridge. Before beginning the trek, climb up to Kunjuri. We get our first views of Kanchenjunga and we stay further ahead in Khesewa.
Day 04: Trek to Mamankhe (2200m), 6 hours
It takes 6 hours to Bhanjyang, a Gurung village with several hotels then we cross suspension bridge and climb to Mamankhe, a prosperous Limbu village with hotels, shops and a school.
Day 05: Trek from Mamankhe to Yamphudin (2150m), 6 hours
Today’s trek will be towards Yamphudin hillside above the Kabeli Khola. We cross several ascending and descending for a couple of hours before Yamphudin. Eventually you will have the glimpses of the snowcapped mountains en route.
Day 06: Trek from Yamphudin to Tortong (2995m), 7 hours
In a short while, we climb from Amje Khola uphill and arrive at Chitre. We pass the spectacular forests until we come out in the open to cross a suspension bridge and do the final gentle climb to Tortong.
Day 07: Trek from Tortong to Tseram, 6 hours
We star our day by ascending through the rhododendron forests to the isolated hut at Tsento Kang. We walk through, to a shrine decorated with rock cairns, prayer flags and a Trisul (a weapon of the Hindu God Shiva) just before Tseram. We hike up to the unnamed lake for a couple of hour ahead of us to feast the breath-taking views of the surrounding panoramas.
Day 08: Trek from Tseram to Ramche and explore Yalung Glacier (4580m), 7 hours
Trek from Tseram to Ramche and after lunch continue to Oktang to descend back to Ramche at the end of the day. We will continue along the trail passing the Yalung Glacier and gradually to the Yalung Base Camp. We will walk through beautiful farmlands and cattle grazing fields before climbing the Ramche. We can see beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains surrounding the valley and the green forests and the rivers flowing by will catch our attention in Ramche. Ramche has the last teahouse on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek.
Day 09: Rest day in Ramche and explore Kanchenjunga South Base Camp (4730m)
Explore for the whole day around the tranquil valley of Kanchenjunga south base camp. Finish your breakfast and pack your lunch to visit your neighbour who has been waiting for you all this time. The ever-smiling Kanchenjunga will welcome you with wide smile and will almost hug you which will definitely tear your heart and fill it with much love and admiration. You will come across a ridge from where you can observe the 3 main summit routes of Kanchenjunga from the south side. Another impressive thing is the eastern part of Kumbhakarna Glacier flowing from Jannu. Back to Ramche for the night.
Day 10: Trek back from Ramche to Tortong
Retrace the way back on the same trail, towards Tseram and ultimately to Tortong. Enjoy the scenery of the vicinity as much as possible before coming to a halt for the day.
Day 11: Trek from Tortong to Yamphudin 5hrs & drive to Bhadrapur
Final day to trek back to Yamphudin to catch a vehilce direct to Bhadrapur.
Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu
After successful completion of Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trekking with Nature Lovers Treks and Tours’ team, now it’s time to finish our journey and fly back to Kathmandu where the final farewell or celebratory dinner will be held. Cheers.
Customized Trips and Trip departure
Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.
But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.
Accommodations in Kathmandu and during trek
You will be staying in the teahouse lodges during the trek.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.
Route Map and Company T-shirt
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.
Safe Drinking Water during Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking
Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.
Your trekking guides and porters
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.
Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.
Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.
Your safety
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking.
We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is totally safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are solo. However, since it is a restricted area, at least 2 travelers are needed for this trek. If you are traveling solo, we can arrange in such a way that you have to share the permit with other travelers & you might have to pay a little extra.
Extra personal expenses during and after trek
The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks like, for buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staffs, etc. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $300-400, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in majority of the Nepali market.
Shower during the trek
It's an important matter to discuss about. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and get fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend to shower on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offers you hot shower, but in the upper elevation, a bucket of hot water is provided. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($3-5).
Laundry on the trail
None of the lodges have laundry services and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or in any city. Please plan in advance about it.
Urgent point to note
We always suggest you to keep extra one or two days in your trek since we are taking the domestic flights. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can change anytime drastically which means your flight can be delayed or at worst cancelled and postponed for the next day. Therefore, this goes to all the Kanchenjunga base camp trekkers, that extra days are needed if you wish to take domestic flights.
How much does the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking cost?
The cost of the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking varies depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the group sizes. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.
How is the Accommodation during the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
In Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking, we will provide you the teahouses accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Few teahouses have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Also very few teahouses provide the European toilets while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.
What are the permits that I need for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek?
For Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek, you will need to make three different permits: Kanchenjunga Restricted area permit, KCAP {Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project} fee and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).
How does this tipping system in Nepal work and do I have to tip?
Tipping is not compulsory for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.
Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
You can charge your electronic devices during Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking only in few days but also by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.
Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking route has poor network coverage most of the days. But you can buy one of the Nepalese Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu which has coverage mostly all over Nepal. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek whenever available.
WiFi isn't available yet in the Kanchenjunga base camp trail.
When is the best time to trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp?
Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.
Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
The itinerary of our Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking.
Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 4730 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high passes and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, it's going to be tough on you but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least two months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp.
What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
Full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are good choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc. during teahouse days. Our Sherpas will make sure that you eat enough food for the trekking journey.
Do I need a travel insurance for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 4800 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.
In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks.
How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?
Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well.
For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
Is there any age limit for Kanchenjunga south base camp trek?
Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is.
How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you by cash or I can use my card?
On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance either on cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card but however, you can also swipe your card which will incur you extra 3.5% charge from the bank.
How big should my backpack be?
It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag.
If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the restroom?
You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself.
Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?
Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?
For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.
What if I get sick or injured during the trek?
Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu.
How cold is it during the Kanchenjunga south base camp trekking?
The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude.
What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trekking?
Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.
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