Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Cost

19th Feb, 2019

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek costs USD 1500 per person. Discover the cost details for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, including transport, permits, guide and porter services, food, and accommodation—making it easier to plan your Himalayan adventure with accurate pricing. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from transport options to the trailhead and essential trekking permits for this restricted region to the costs of hiring a licensed guide. The total cost of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek can vary significantly based on several factors, including the chosen trekking route, trek duration, required services, group size, and personal preferences such as gear and equipment, travel insurance, and miscellaneous expenses.

Kanchenjunga North-South Base Camp Trek - Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel by private vehicle (1350 m), overnight at hotel
Day 2: Permit Processing and Travel to Birtamode (350 m)– flight to Bhadrapur and drive to Britamode
Day 3: Drive to Taplejung (1820 meters)-7-8 hrs drive, Overnight in tea-house
Day 4: Drive to Tapethok (1,380 m) 3-4 hrs and Trek to Sukathum (1,476 m) 4/5 hrs walk. Overnight in Tea-house
Day 5: Trek to Amjilosa (2,320 m) 5/6 hrs walk. Overnight in tea-house
Day 6: Trek to Gyabla (2730 m) 5/6 hrs walk. Overnight in a tea house
Day 7: Trek to Ghunsha (3595 m) 4/ 5 hrs walk. Overnight in tea-house
Day 8: Trek to Khambachen (4050 m) 4/5 hrs walk. Overnight in tea-house
Day 9: Trek to Lhonak (4785 m) 4 hrs walk. Overnight in the Teahouse
Day 10: Hike to Pangpema North Base camp (5200 m) then trek back to Lhonak (4785 m) , 6 hrs walk. Overnight at the teahouse
Day 11: Trek to Ghunsa (3595 m) 6/7 hrs walk. Overnight in Tea-house
Day 12: Trek to over Sele La pass (4290 m) 5/6 hrs walk. Overnight in Home stay
Day 13: Trek to Mirgin-La Pass (4480 m) Sinelapache –La pass (4646 m) Cheram (3870 m) 6/7 hrs walk. Overnight in tea-house
Day 14: Trek to Oktang (4730 m) 4/5 hrs walk. Overnight at home-stay
Day 15: Hike up to South Base Camp and back to Cheram (3870 m) 6/8 hrs walk. Overnight in tea-house
Day 16: Trek to Chitre (2960 m) 4 hrs walk. Overnight at the tea-house
Day 17: Trek to Hapu Khola (1350 m) 7/8 hrs walk. Overnight at Tea-house
Day 18: Drive to Biratnagar (250 m), 8/10 hrs drive. Overnight in hotel
Day 19: Flight to Kathmandu (1350 m), overnight in hotel
Day 20: Final departure to your home

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek - Cost Breakdown 

Kanchenjunga Trek permits Cost 

To trek in the Kanchenjunga region, two essential permits are required: the Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (KRAP) and the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP). Visiting this remote region mandates a minimum of two foreign trekkers accompanied by a licensed guide, as the area is protected under the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) and regulated by the Government of Nepal.

All trekking permits must be obtained through a government-registered trekking agency, such as High Pass Adventure.
Permit costs for the Kanchenjunga Trek vary based on the duration of the trek, season, and nationality of the trekkers. Below are the detailed costs:

Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit (KRAP)

• Cost: USD 20 per person for the first two weeks
• Additional: USD 10 per person for each extra day

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)

• Cost: NPR 1,000 per person for SAARC nationals
• Cost: NPR 3,000 per person for all other foreign nationals

These permits are mandatory for anyone planning a Kanchenjunga Base Camp or Circuit Trek, ensuring the protection and sustainability of this pristine Himalayan region.

Transport and Cost – Kanchenjunga Trek 

There are various transport options available, including private vehicles, public buses, and domestic flights, depending on your budget and trekking preferences. Since the trek starts from Sekhathum, you’ll need to travel there either entirely by road or by taking a flight to Bhadrapur, followed by an overland journey to Sekhathum.

The transport costs are as follows:

• Kathmandu to Bhadrapur: NPR 150 per person by public bus (9–10 hours)
• Bhadrapur to Taplejung: NPR 2,000 per person by public bus (8–10 hours)
• Kathmandu to Bhadrapur: USD 125 by flight (40 minutes)
• Taplejung to Sekhathum (Reserved Jeep): NPR 10,000 per vehicle (3–4 hours, accommodates 5–6 people)
• Taplejung to Sekhathum (Shared Jeep): NPR 1,500 per person (3–5 hours; departure depends on full capacity)

Kanchenjunga Trek – Food and Accommodation cost 

Accommodation and Costs – Kanchenjunga Trek

Accommodation on the Kanchenjunga Trek is provided by basic teahouses. Rooms are usually twin-sharing and include clean mattresses, bed covers, blankets, and pillows. However, bathrooms and toilets are shared with other trekkers.

During the peak trekking season, finding quality accommodation can be challenging, especially for large groups. Advance booking is recommended, and your guide can assist with this. Since the route is less traveled, most place can accommodate around 50 people per day.

Teahouses typically offer hot showers, charging facilities for electronic devices, and Wi-Fi, but these are not included in the room cost and are charged separately.

Approximate Costs:

• Room: NPR 500 to 1,000 per night (twin room – two beds)
• Hot Shower: NPR 200 to 500 per shower
• Wi-Fi: NPR 300 to 700 per person (per night)

Please note: In more remote locations, these facilities (hot shower, charging, and Wi-Fi) may not be available.

Food and Cost - Kanchenjunga Trek

Food during the Kanchenjunga Trek is primarily provided by teahouses and a few small local restaurants along the trail. Every teahouse has its own menu, and although the food options are similar across locations, the selection is limited. Trekkers can choose meals based on their preferences.

Teahouses are run by local families, and while the cooks typically have basic training, they are able to prepare all the items listed on their menu. However, the taste may differ slightly from Western cuisine. Due to the remoteness of the Kanchenjunga region, fresh meat is hard to find, especially at higher altitudes, so a vegetarian diet is recommended.

Many teahouses at lower elevations grow fresh vegetables in their own gardens and serve them to guests.

Approximate Food and Drink Costs:

• Meals: NPR 300 to 1,000 per dish, depending on the location
• Hot drinks (e.g., tea): NPR 100 to 300 per cup, depending on the location

Trekkers should be prepared to spend approximately NPR 3,000 to 4,000 per day per person for food and accommodation combined.

Recommended Food Options:

• Porridge: Oatmeal or other grain-based porridge
• Bread: Tibetan bread, chapati, or toast with jam, honey, or peanut butter
• Eggs: Boiled, scrambled, fried, or in an omelet
• Pancakes: Often served with honey, jam, or chocolate spread
• Tea/Coffee: Local tea, black tea, green tea, or instant coffee
• Dal Bhat: A traditional Nepali meal consisting of rice, lentil soup (dal), vegetable curry, and sometimes meat. Highly recommended for its balanced nutrition and high energy content
• Noodles: Fried noodles, noodle soup, or Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup)
• Rice Dishes: Fried rice or rice with curry
• Momos: Nepali dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, served steamed or fried
• Pizza: Basic pizza, often with a thick crust and limited toppings
• Pasta: Simple pasta dishes like spaghetti or macaroni with sauce
• Soups: Various soups including garlic soup (recommended for altitude sickness), vegetable soup, and tomato soup

Guide, Guide-cum-Porter, Porter, and Costs – Kanchenjunga Trek

High Pass Adventure offers a variety of guide options for the Kanchenjunga Trek to suit different budgets. The cost varies depending on the type of support you choose, such as a Licensed/Certified Guide, Guide-cum-Porter, Porter-cum-Guide, or Porter.
For a hassle-free trekking experience, we highly recommend hiring a guide and porter, as they allow you to fully focus on enjoying the journey while they take care of navigation, logistics, and carrying your gear.

Full Package Cost- Kanchenjunga Trek

The cost of the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek for a 20-day itinerary—from arrival to departure in Kathmandu, including travel to and from the trekking starting point—is USD 1,500 per person in a group (minimum of two people required).

This price includes:

• Two nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu
• All necessary transportation as per the itinerary
• All required trekking permits
• Guide and porter salaries, including their insurance
• Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with one cup of tea or coffee per meal for each trekker

Please note that the overall cost may vary depending on factors such as:

• Level of service selected
• Group size
• Type of transportation
• Trekking duration
• Trekking agency policies

Additional expenses such as extra food and drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and other unforeseen costs may increase the total cost. When itemized, the total may seem higher than the base price, as all essential expenses are bundled together in the package.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek – Highlights

• It will be a wonderful experience to reach the trekking starting point and return to Kathmandu after completing the trek, traveling by both flight and overland through the hilly roads of Nepal.
• The trek offers breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga and its surrounding peaks, including Mount Jannu, Kabru, and Yalung Kang.
• The region is far less visited compared to the more popular trekking areas in Nepal, offering a sense of solitude and peace.
• The trail passes through traditional villages inhabited by the Limbu, Sherpa, Rai, and Tibetan communities, allowing trekkers to experience their unique cultures, traditions, and hospitality.
• The trek takes you through diverse landscapes, from lush subtropical forests and rhododendron groves to alpine meadows and glacial moraine, providing a rich tapestry of Nepal's natural beauty.
• The journey takes place in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard, red panda, and various bird species.
• The trek can be extended to visit both the North Base Camp (Pangpema) and the South Base Camp (Oktang), offering different perspectives of the Kanchenjunga massif.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Difficulty

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is Moderate/ challenging trek level in eastern Nepal, where you have to walk 4 to 8 hrs a day with gradually high altitude and high passes. Most of the travelers go there for experience the mountain lifestyle, culture and nature. And trek in the lap of rural hilly region of mountains. Who have short hiking training before travel in Nepal and want to do long trek, we highly recommend this Kanchenjunga trek because beginners hiking point is 1820m Taplejung and reach 5200m on Kanchenjunga North Base Camp is highest altitude during the whole trek. Some parts of the Kanchenjunga Trek are challenging tougher with narrow slope, rocky trail and cold windy above the 3500m high. Anyway Kanchenjunga Trek can be comfortable completed by every level of trekkers, so Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is growing popular competing with Manaslu Circuit Trek and Makalu Base camp Trek.

Packing List for Kanchenjunga Trek

Weather is always changeable in the hilly region and mountain area. In the higher altitude (mountain area) the temperature may drop quickly freezing point from the normal weather. Some time unexpected rainfall and snowfall after the noon and make trail difficult to walk. So, you must know packing list for trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp. 

• Walking shoes and sport shoes 1/1 pair
• Normal and warm gloves 1/1 pair
• Sun glasses and sun block cream 1/1 pieces 
• Down Sleeping Bag and down warm jacket 1/1 pieces
• Normal Socks 2/3 pair
• Fleece Jacket and Trouser 1/1 pieces
• Head lamp 1 piece
• Gore-Tex Jacket and Trouser 1/1 pieces
• Water bottle 2 pieces
• Trekking day back pack bag 1 pieces
• Trekking stick (pole) 1 pair
• T-shirt 4/5 pieces
• Sleeper (sandal) one pair 
• Important documents to carry at all times like Trekking Permits, Passport, and Enough local Currency

Conclusion

Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is a remote and beautiful trekking destination in Nepal.  The total cost for that trek can range from $1,500 to $2,000 or more per person. But that price will change in different seasons and with groups. So it is better to check with trekking agencies, guides, and recent trekking reports for the most up-to-date cost estimates. Also, consider that trekking in remote areas like Kanchenjunga may require careful planning and booking through reputable trekking agencies to ensure your safety and compliance with local regulations.