Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek

Free day in kathmandu or sightseeing yourself. Kathmandu Valley includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath, Buddhist stupa in Boudhanath. We can also visit Swyambhunath, also known as Monkey Temple, built in 2000 years old. Finally, we can visit Patan, city of fine arts. In the afternoon, you will be meeting with your trekking guide and will check all the necessary things. Overnight stay in a hotel.

 Today the trail first ascends to a ridge before dropping steeply through  Shimu  to a suspension bridge across the Phawa Khola, where there is a  good swimming place. We then will climb to the Limbu village of Kunjari  at 1700 meter and continue through wheat fields to a Gurung settlement  on a 2240 meter high pass. From here we have our first views of  Kanchenjunga. The trail enters the Kabeli Valley where we spend the next  two days climbing up and down, in and out of ravines and over ridges.  Today’s endpoint is in the village of Khesewa. 

 Our trek continues through the Kabeli Valley, passing a few spectacular  waterfalls.  After descending steeply through rice terraces into a side  canon, we cross the Khaksewa Khola on a long suspension bridge at 1540m  and then climb back to Mamanke.  This is a prosperous Limbu village with  bhattis (tea shops), and a large school. 

 This day will bring us a lot of jumping from stone to stone, as we first  have to cross the Tenguwa Khola stream.  We climb steeply up to a ridge  marked by a chhorten and prayer flags.  Going down from here to the  Kabeli Khola will be another exercise of rock-hopping over boulders,  treeroots, and intersecting stream channels as we head upstream.  We  then climb gently to Yamphudin, a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus,  Rais, and Gurungs. Overnight in tea house.   

 From the stream the trail makes a steep climb through bamboo forests to  Chitre at 2920 meter. After arriving here the ascent is less strenuous  passing through a forest of pines and rhododendron to a pond at Lamite  Bhanjyang (3410m). From this ridge we follow a steep set of switchbacks  leading downhill through damp orchid-filled forests, crossing streams  and isolated clearings used by herders. We stay above the wild river and  follow it upstream to Torontan, where there are a few campsites close  to the river or a little further ahead near a few caves.  Continuing on,  we reach to Tseram, where we stay the night. 

 A rocky loose path follows the stream and climbs up to some mani walls  (stones carved with Buddhist prayers). Rathong (6678m) and Kabru Dome  (6700m) loom at the head of the valley. Climbing further alongside the  moraine of Yalung Glacier to where the valley opens up as we approach  Yalung at 4260m. Our trek climbs further along the moraine to a lake and  a big meadow at Ramche.  The view is dominated by the spectacular peak  of Rathong. Herds of blue sheep live on the cliffs above our campsite. 

 We follow our way back along the Simbua Khola to a campsite at Lamite  Bhanjyang.  There is a pond nearby at 3410m, which is a nice place to  set up camp, although sometimes there may be a water shortage there.   Overnight here.   

 The first part of the trail goes along the bank of the Simbua Khola.   You have to walk through a dense jungle.  On the way, you can see the  effects of a landslide.  The trails normally ascend up to Lamite  Bhanjyang and then descend to Yamphudin, crossing a small river.   Yamphudin is a mixed community of Sherpas, Limbus, Rais, and Gurungs.   Among the corn and rice fields of the village, there is a school and  some shops with minimal supplies.  Overnight in Yamphudin.