Kanchenjunga Region

Introduction

Kanchenjunga is the third-highest peak in the world and the second-highest peak in Nepal. It stands proudly with an elevation of 8,586 m in the region of the Nepal Himalayas. Kanchenjunga Himal is limited to the west by the Tamur River, to the north by the Lhonak Chu and Jongsang La and to the east by the Teesta River. Kanchenjunga is situated between Nepal and Sikkim, India. The name Kanchenjunga means, The Five Treasures of Snow in the Tibetan language. Nepal is a land of mountains. It includes many magnificent mountains, such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Makalu and many more. Peak climbers always admire these peaks. These peaks are famous for trekking and climbing. Situated far from these peaks, Mt. Kanchenjunga remains isolated and the most gorgeous.

Kanchenjunga draws the border between Nepal and Sikkim with three peaks (main, central and south) directly on the border similarly, the other two remaining in Nepal’s Taplejung District. Till early 1852, Kanchenjunga was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world. But, according to the calculations made by the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1849, Mount Everest, known as Peak XV at that period, was confirmed as the highest. Further, in 1856, it was officially announced that Kanchenjunga was the third-highest peak in the world.

The Kanchenjunga trek is classified as demanding due to its remoteness and altitude. Kanchenjunga trekking is one of Nepal's most thrilling and adventurous trekking destinations. A hike to Kanchenjunga is for those trek enthusiasts who want longer trek in remote places and with the least tourism development. Kanchenjunga trek is renowned for adventure, remoteness and breathtaking location intact with pure natural beauty. As it sits in the remote and high altitude of Nepal, participants should be physically fit enough to walk for hours continuously.

Kanchenjunga is considered one of the most beautiful mountain massifs in the world. Due to its unique geographical land and geological properties, it has been home to many different ecosystems. Naturally, various biodiversity is also something you will not get to observe anywhere else in the world, with beautiful mammals and bird species, like the snow leopard, Asian black bear, red panda, golden-breasted fulvetta, snow cock, blood pheasant, red-billed chough, etc.

Kanchenjunga History and Myth

Kanchenjunga was assumed to be the world’s tallest mountain until 1852, when the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India declared Mount Everest, which was called until then as Peak XV, as officially the tallest in the world. The mountain remained intact for more than a hundred years, as far as climbers George Band and Joe Brown reached a summit distance on 25th May 1955. Interestingly, they stopped short of the summit, in harmony with the commitment to the Chogyal that the top of the mountain would remain intact. Every participant or climbing group that has reached the summit has followed this tradition.

The distance over Kanchenjunga summit is said to be home to a mountain deity known as "Kangchenjunga Demon," a type of yeti or rakshasa. A mortal creature was spotted by a British geological expedition in 1925, and they asked the locals about it, who referred to it as the "Kangchenjunga Demon."

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

Kanchenjunga falls under the protected area, which shares the transboundary with 4 different nations; Nepal, China, India and Bhutan and thus is preserved under other names. In Nepal, Kanchenjunga is protected by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is one of the most important ecological sites with many biodiversity. The unique floras and faunas can be found here, including the snow leopard, the Himalayan black bear, the Tibetan wild ass, musk deer, wild dog, red panda, Himalayan blue sheep, serow, goral and takin.

The vegetation in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area includes thick forests of oak, fir, birch, maple, willow, etc. The region’s protected areas are dedicated to conserving some of the world’s endangered species mentioned already.

Kanchenjunga View

Even though the great mountain is visible from many parts and corners, certain spots are glorious for their panoramic view of the five peaks of Kanchenjunga. Some of the best places for the best view of Kanchenjunga are the Darjeeling War Memorial in Darjeeling and Antu Dada of Ilam in Nepal.

Kanchenjunga Climbing Routes

Mt. Kanchenjunga has four climbing routes, three passing through Nepal, including the South-West, North-West and North-East routes. The remaining one, North-Eastern, is from Sikkim, India. The most popular and safer routes are North-West and South-West. However, the climber needs to know that the trail is not easy and includes technical climbing, off-beaten paths, isolated regions and slippery glaciers. Kanchenjunga is a less climbed peak. One of the routes, which lies in the northeastern Sikkim of India, is less used. It is said that to date, it has been used successfully three times. The government of India has banned the expedition to Kanchenjunga since 2000.

Kanchenjunga South Base camp Trek

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.

• Breath-taking views of Mount Kanchenjunga and Rathong, Kabru and Talung Peaks
• Stay and roam around the base of the world’s third-highest peak in the world, Kanchenjunga, 8,586 m
• Learn about the lifestyles and cultures of the Rai and Limbu communities
• Trek through the most trending off-the-beaten trails in Nepal
• Explore the vast Kanchenjunga Conservation Area with the chance of a rare encounter with a Snow Leopard and Blue Sheep

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking

Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trekking offers an extraordinary chance to explore the off-beaten trails in Far Eastern Nepal and leads you to the base of the World’s 3rd highest mountain through complete wilderness. Kanchenjunga was first climbed by the British Expedition Team of George Band in 1955 AD, whereas the journey to the base camp of Kanchenjunga was only allowed to foreigners after 1988.

Kanchenjunga trekking begins with a scenic flight to Bhadrapur, the starting point of our fantastic adventure. The trek progresses through a lovely forest of rhododendron, magnolia, birch, pines, oaks and fir tree lines to visit the south base camp. After a beautiful time at Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, our journey continues crossing three ridges, Mirgin La, Sele La and Sinion La, towards the north base camp with super views of Mt Makalu, Baruntse and Chamlang peaks. Finally, our adventure takes us to our main highlight in Kanchenjunga North Base Camp at Pang Pema 5380m, the highest spot of this trekking. Getting to Pang Pema is interesting itself, as you will be traversing through the remote farm villages of Ghunsa, Kambachen, and Lhonak.

• A hidden jewel on the least visited and less-explored area by other trekkers
• Combination of both South and North base camps
• Superb panoramic view from the beginning to the end of the adventure
• Explore traditional villages of the Far East region in complete wilderness
• Fascinating view of the Kumbhakarna Himalayan range of mountains