Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek

Best time to do this trek

While trekking, it’s better to trek in the best season that provides you with the best view, and scene that one trail has to offer. The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is best to be taken during Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November) seasons when weather conditions are favorable for an enjoyable and memorable lifetime trekking experience without any difficulty.

In the Spring season, the weather is mild and pleasant. The clear skies during this time make the views of mountain ranges and landscapes perfectly visible. The forests along the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, are covered with vibrant rhododendrons and other wildflowers sprinkle the color to verdant hills and landscapes.

During the autumn season, the air quality is at its maximum which boasts the clearest skies and the most conducive weather. The days are hot and the nights are cold, and the weather and temperature remain pleasant making this season the ideal time to go trekking to get the best experience of the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trekking.

Transportation

The transportation for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp combines domestic flights, private vehicles, and trekking on foot.

From Kathmandu, you will take a domestic flight to Bhadrapur, Airport – the nearest airport to the Kanchenjunga region. You will be taking the domestic flight of Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines for around 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Bhadrapur.

From Bhadrapur, if there is enough time, you will be transferred to a private vehicle for a scenic drive for around 8 hours to reach the starting point of the trek Taplejung.

After finishing the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek, you will follow the same types of transportation. Scenic drive from Taplejung to Bhadrapur airport and domestic flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu.

Acclimatization

While trekking at higher altitudes, acclimatization is essential for the body to cope with decreasing oxygen levels. Due to the presence of low oxygen levels, walking continuously can cause altitude sickness. As per the itinerary, we have the rest day at Yamphuding, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek. But we can add a few more days for acclimatization as per your need.

Food and Drinking Water

The variety of food during Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is limited. You might not get a variety of food options but provided food choices and simple Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari will make no regret while selecting food.

If you are fond of beverages, the traditionally prepared millet juice (Tongba) is available in the Limbu settlements.

The scarcity of drinking water throughout the route of the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is zero. You can get various sources of water like taps or springs where you can fill up your water bottle. It is recommended that you carry two water bottles and water purification pills or filters.

Communication and Internet

In the Kanchenjunga region, connectivity to mobile networks or internet access might be limited. The lower area possesses strong mobile networks or strong wifi connections to stay connected with friends or families. While at higher altitudes, mobile networks may be non-existent however tea houses provide internet access through WiFi.

Electricity

In the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, the availability of electricity is limited as you ascend to higher altitudes. Tea houses or Lodges provide the electricity facility but charging the batteries or electrical equipment might be challenging or you have to pay some additional costs. So, it is recommended trekkers bring their own power bank or portable chargers to ensure keeping their essential devices fully charged.

Physical Fitness

The Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is a journey of around 16 to 18 days, full of rough hilly terrain with extensive lengths uphill and downhill, narrow cliffs, crossing rivers, and upstream. The trek demands a high level of physical fitness as it involves 6 to 7 hours of uphill and downhill walking and altitude gain can be quite significant.

To successfully conquer the trek, trekkers must be in good physical shape, stamina, and condition. So it is highly advisable you train for at least 3 months before trekking on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp focusing on physical shape, cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility.

Guide and Porters

We at Bold Himalaya provide you with dedicated, highly experienced, and licensed holder guides and porters who will be invaluable companions for your trek. Throughout the journey, they will confer essential support and assistance so you have a smooth and enjoyable trekking trip at the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek.

A Guide will help you to get the permit, pack essential gear, and plans the perfect itinerary for your Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek. Moreover, a guide will assist with cultural interactions acting as a bridge between you and local people. They can aid you by giving a knowledge about cultural and traditional insights as well as navigating your trekking route of the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek. We provide a guide to every trekking group with a size of people, if you are a larger group then you will require more guides.

Porters may come in handy while trekking at Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. He will take care of your heavy lifting by carrying your backpacks, equipment, food, and other essential materials. He will ensure you have less physical strain and has an enjoyable journey without any worries.

Therefore, trekking with a guide and porters will support you not only in guiding and carrying equipment but also assure that you are safe by giving priority to the management of altitude sickness symptoms and monitoring weather and climate so that you can have enjoyable trekking at the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp.

Cost

There are a number of expenses connected with the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek. You can estimate the required cost for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek by a list of the following requirements.

• Trekking permits cost
• Guide and Porters cost
• Food and Accommodation cost
• Transportation cost
• Trekking equipment cost
• Travel insurance cost
• Other Miscellaneous costs

After expenses on the given requirements and trekking on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, it will cost around US$ 2000 per person to complete the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek.

Trekking Permit

Obtaining a special permit from the government is essential if you are planning to trek on Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. The region surrounding Kanchenjunga has been designated as a conservation area to help preserve the environmental and cultural assets of the area. Therefore, the permit will give you to access the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. You will require two types of permits.

• Kanchenjunga Restricted Area permit
• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit

During the permit application process, it is compulsory require to provide documents such as passport-sized photographs, passport, VISA, and travel insurance details. After transmitting such documents to us we will handle the submission and obtain the necessary permits for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek.

Travel Insurance

Trekking to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is difficult and hazardous which takes you up to an altitude of 4,580 meters/15,026 feet. The high altitudes and severe cold might be problematic for trekkers and anything might happen on the journey. Having travel insurance is essential to cover all medical expenses or helicopter rescue facilities if sudden circumstances occur during the trek. Be sure your insurance policy covers all of your activities while in Nepal.

Altitude Sickness and Safety Measures

Beginning of The trek from Taplejung at 1,441 meters and leads you up to an altitude of 4,580 meters at Ramche, there is a quite possibility the trekkers might suffer altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If managed properly, altitude sickness is nothing to worry about. You can consult with your guide if the symptoms of altitude sickness began to show.

The symptoms of altitude sickness may include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

To deal with altitude sickness while trekking, you should follow the mentioned preventive measures.

• Acclimatize properly
• Take it easy and climb slowly
• Drink 3 to 4 liters of water daily to stay hydrated
• Consume highly nutritious and carbohydrate-rich foods
• Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills
• Descend to a little lower if necessary

Packing List

A packing list is crucial as it draws a clear picture of all these essential things that you will need during the trek. Considering the uncontrollable weather conditions and demand of the trek, a comprehensive packing list for Kanchenjunga South Base Camp may include:

Travel Documents

• Valid Passport
• Travel Insurance
• Nepal visa
• 4 passport-size photos
• Cash and credits

Clothing items

Headwear

• A brimmed hat or suncap
• sunglasses
• Headscarf

Bodywear

• Waterproof jacket and down jacket
• Lightweight thermal tops
• Insulated jacket
• Hiking pants or fleece pants
• Light thermal trouser

Handwear

• Gloves

Footwear

• Trekking boots
• Hiking socks
• Trekking sandals
• Gaiters

Trekking equipment, gears, and accessories

• Trekking backpack and trekking poles
• Duffel bag
• Head torch and extra batteries
• raincoat
• Water bottle
• Face mask

First aid and medicines

• Antibiotics and painkillers
• Bandages
• Eye drops and earplugs
• Water purification tablets or water filters
• Sunscreen cream and Lip balm

Toiletries and Personal hygiene

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• personal first aid kit
• Deodorants
• Hand and face moisturizing cream
• Toilet paper

Miscellaneous items

• Contact lenses or power glasses
• Umbrella
• Powerbank
• Cameras