Kanchenjunga Trek is a journey to the base camp of the world’s third-highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga. The base camp of this world’s highest place is known as the hidden treasure of the eastern region of Nepal. There are two base camps of this giant peak – the north side base camp and the south side base camp. While trekking to this region, you can combine both sides in a trip, and it’s a bit longer, but an amazing trip. As you know, this amazing off-the-beaten path is one of the reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek.
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is the protected land border between Sikkim, India, and Tibet, China. Trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp is one of the wilderness journeys in the Himalayas of Nepal. Most of the time, trekkers will walk full of remote and very traditional cultures and amazing rituals. This trek has all the features like the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and other popular treks. Although this trek is a less-traveled trail in Nepal, because of various reasons.
Until Mt. Everest and K2 were discovered, Mt. Kanchenjunga was the world’s highest peak. In Nepal, everything has its name in the local language, and Mt. Kanchenjunga means “The five treasures of the high snow”. In 2000 AD the Nepal Government declared it A gift to the earth as part of the WWF’s Living Planet Campaign. Since then, the number of international travelers has been increasing slowly, but after an earthquake in 2015 and the coronavirus pandemic, this number has decreased. Hope the tourism sector will rise again, and the Kanchenjunga region as well.
There are many reasons why an adventure lover must do the Kanchenjunga Trek once in a lifetime. If you don’t have time to read the whole blog, here is the list of reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek for a lifetime trekking experience.
Journey to the world’s third-highest peak
Remote lifestyle and unexplored trekking trail
Stunning Mountain View
Diverse Flora and fauna
Typical culture and tradition
High passes and extreme adventure
Beautiful Valleys and Glaciers
Journey to the base camp of the world’s third-highest peak
Doing the Kanchenjunga Trek means making a journey to the base camp of the world’s third-highest peak. And it’s gonna be one of the greatest accomplishments for trekking enthusiasts. Because the feeling of the completion of the Kanchenjunga Trek is truly very significant and mindblowing. So to make a journey to the world’s third-highest peak is one of the first reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek.
There are two different base camps for this mighty peak: the south side and the north side. The elevation of the base camps is (Oktang 4740m) and (Pangpema 5140m) above sea level. Each year, hundreds of trekkers go to these base camps, and climbers will ascend the third-highest peak. However, this mountain is one of the deadliest mountains for climbers. Even though many climbers try to summit the top of the Kanchenjunga each year.
Remote lifestyle and unexplored trekking trail
Kanchenjunga is the far eastern part of Nepal and is still one of the least undeveloped regions in Nepal. The typical lifestyle of this area entices visitors very much, and still, this region is unexplored by many people. Therefore, the remoteness and untouched nature are the best reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek. People are still far away from modernization, such as the internet, wifi, social media, and the outside world. Even far from the capital city of Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley.
People are very social and friendly, always helping each other, even tourists. If any serious problems occurred during the Kanchenjunga Trip, the local people are always there for you. The main reason this place is unexplored that much is because of the transportation facilities. So the Kanchenjunga Trek is a virgin in the eastern part of Nepal.
Stunning Mountain View – The reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek
Like the Everest region, the Annapurna region, and the Langtang region, this Kanchenjunga area is also the home of the snowy peaks. The famous peak is, of course, Mt. Kanchenjunga and alongside this mighty peak, other mountain peaks are waiting to welcome you. Hence, the stunning mountain views are the other most important reasons to do the Kanchenjunga trek. The most fascinating beauty of this trek is that you will have different views of the same peaks from different base camps.
The landscapes of this region are very dramatic because they range from a lower elevation to a very high. Farmland, dense jungle, and alpine naked landscape, so that the combination of the landscape and mountain glimpse is outstanding. And this trek is once in a life trekking holiday.
Diverse Flora and fauna
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is home to several flora and fauna. Especially, this is the best-protected area for the endangered Red Panda. Also, this is the best place to observe the national flower Rhododendron flower, during the spring season. Not only are the Red Panda and Rhododendron vital attractions to this region. There are many other elements that are also the best tourist attractions of this region. That is why the various types of elements are the reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek.
Due to the fewer tourists visiting this region, still, this is still the best place for wildlife photography and landscape photography. The Kanchenjunga region is one of the best places to encounter snow leopards, too. And also the best place to get close to the local people and their lifestyle. Still need to walk from 800m to 5000m above sea level. So that during this trek, there are chances to witness the various types of weather, temperature, and landscapes.
Typical culture and tradition
The typical culture and tradition are other reasons why you should do the Kanchenjunga Trek once in your life. The culture and tradition of this region are very different from the Everest region and the Annapurna region. Because here is living completely different ethnic group of people from other popular trekking routes. The main dominant ethnic group of this region is the Limbu and then followed by the Tamang/Lama (Tibetan origin) community.
The Limbu community is one of the culturally richest communities in Nepal. They have their language, costumes, ornaments, and rituals to celebrate their good and bad ceremonies. So the mixed culture and tradition of the Limbu, Tamang, and Sherpa communities are a phenomenon. And the unique culture of these different castes is watchable for every traveler to this region.
High pass and extreme adventure – Reasons why you should do the Kanchenjunga Trek
Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most difficult treks in Nepal because of the high pass and challenging walking trails. The most common high pass during the Kanchenjunga Trek is the Selele pass, 4480m. I did this trek two times, once as a porter and once as a guide. When I was there as a porter, the trail was full of snow and was super extreme.
Beautiful Valleys and Glaciers
En route to Kanchenjunga Base Camp, there are a lot of beautiful valleys. And those valleys are the place to gaze at the Yak and other wild animals. Also, people are living in and camping at places for trekkers. Nowadays, most of these valleys are converted into hotels and guest houses. The spectacular glaciers on both sides of Mt. Kanchenjunga. So the stunning valleys and icy glaciers are one of the best reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek
In conclusion – Reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek
Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the restricted trekking trails in Nepal. Trekking to the base camp of the world’s third-highest peak is a lifetime holiday memory. This trekking region offers outstanding views, diverse culture, tradition, flora, and fauna. And also get an opportunity to be close to the local people’s daily lifestyle. Walking on the glaciers of the snow-capped mountain peaks is one of the best reasons to do the Kanchenjunga Trek.
Raby, your blog about Kanchenjunga is captivating! The untouched charm of this remote region, far from modernization, is truly enchanting. Your words paint a vivid picture of a place where time seems to stand still, offering a unique escape from the hustle of the outside world. Thanks for sharing the allure of Kanchenjunga’s untouched beauty and traditional way of life.