Kanchenjunga is the third-highest peak in the world. Its base camps are among the remotest and most spectacular areas in Nepal. They offer two distinct routes to the trek lovers the North Base Camp and the South Base Camp.
Both the base camps share a backdrop of the same mountain. Their trek routes require special permits for being in the restricted region of Nepal. Both of them are challenging to trek to. Yet the treks to these base camps differ in almost all other aspects.
They differ in terms of landscapes. The highest altitude you reach during the trek is different. The cultures that you come across on the trail are varied. The level of trek difficulty is not similar, either.
Therefore, choosing the treks between the North and South Base Camps depends on two factors. One is your priority. The next is your level of experience.
The North Base Camp trek is slightly longer than the South Base Camp trek. It is more demanding, too. Thus, it requires you to walk along high-altitude sections. And the views of the glacier accompany you.
Compared to the North, the trek to South Base Camp is shorter. En route, you can see forested landscapes. And you get to meet people of diverse cultures.
Nonetheless, both treks demand good preparation from the trekkers if they want their journey to succeed. But what is sure is that the overall feel and challenge they experience during the trek are diverse.
Nepal Mountain Adventure has prepared this guide to ease your dilemma in choosing the trek that best addresses your needs. It puts forth the key differences between them in terms of access, duration, scenery, logistics and difficulty.
Read the article to understand which Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is the right option for you.
Highlights
- Both routes lead you to the base of Mt. Kanchenjunga
- Pangpema of the North Base Camp is at 5,143m, Oktang of the South Base Camp is at 4,730m
- The North Base Camp route is known for glaciers and alpine views
- The South Base Camp route is suitable for those seeking lush forests and the Yalung Glacier
- Trek in the northern route is slightly longer than the southern route
- Acclimatization is more on the route to North Base Camp due to the time required to spend above 4,000m
- Sherpa settlements are highlights of the North, while the South has villages that are a mix of Rai and Limbu communities
- The North is more remote and demanding as compared to the South
What’s Similar Between the North and South Base Camps?
Before you decide on which journey is ideal for you, it is good to know that both routes of this trek have some common features. You may take the route of one of the two base camps, or choose to visit both places, making a complete circuit. Trekking from one base camp to another, you can accomplish the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek.
In all three options, here are some similarities you experience:
Shared Permits
You must obtain a permit for the restricted area before starting any of the treks mentioned above. The Kanchenjunga region shares borders with India and China. This makes its location in a geographically sensitive area. Thus, Nepal has put some places in this region under the restricted zone. Trekking to places including Yamaphudin, Olangchugn Gola, Paping and Lelep in the Taplejung district required a Restricted Area Permit.
This means you are also not allowed to trek solo or independently. A registered guide must accompany you. Also, there must be at least two trekkers per group.
The other permit needed is the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit. Kanchenjunga is a protected conservation area and the entry here requires a permit.
Difficulty Level
Both routes require you to trek through remote trails. You need to walk continuously for days without meeting other trek groups or people on the route. The trekkers need to spend multiple days away from settlements. And there is no road or transportation access as well. One should be ready to spend nights are teahouses with basic facilities or even in camps.
The rough trails are a feature of both routes. Steep ascents and difficult descents are unavoidable. You also need to pass through sections with a risk of landslides. River crossings are mandatory. These conditions make the arrangements of logistics arrangements challenging.
Not to forget is the need for the trekkers to possess an excellent fitness level. That is because both treks are strenuous. Therefore, you must be physically fit.
Your mental resilience also needs to be at an optimum level if you want to trek to the Kanchengunja North Camp or its South Camp.
Cultural Diversity
Ethnic diversity is one of the features of both trekking routes. You will come across villages that are home to people of the Sherpa, Limbu and Rai communities. Buddhist monasteries along with chortens and prayer walls are a part of both trails.
If you are also looking for an exploration of the authentic lifestyles of the local communities, both routes offer plenty. The villages have retained that authenticity.
You can see the cultural interactions of people. Also, expect to see people still occupied with activities like farming and yak herding.
Best Time to Trek
Spring and autumn are the best trekking seasons for both routes. You can choose any of the routes or the combined trek in spring if you are looking for rhododendron blooms. The temperatures are also mild. But there might be traces of snow in high passes during spring.
Autumn is perfect for those looking for stable weather. Crisp air makes the experience pleasant. And clear skies enrich your sightseeing of the mountains, among others.
Monsoon and winter are less comfortable for trekking in both routes. Summer rain and landslides, as well as winter snow and cold are not ideal for trekking.
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp vs South Base Camp: Key Differences
Now that you know the similarities of both routes, it becomes easier to understand exactly what you need from your trek. The key differences you find when comparing Kanchenjunga North Base Camp vs South Base Camp can help you understand your motivation.
Here is how they compare:
Entry Points and Routes
Most treks heading to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp begin from Sekathum after driving from Taplejung. The trail goes north, following the Ghunsa Khola Valley.
From Sekathaum, which is at an altitude of 1,650m, the trek typically heads to Amjilosa, Gyalba, Ghusna, Kambachen and Lhonak before arriving at Pangpema. It is the North Base Camp, your ultimate destination. Pangpema sits at 5,143m.
The trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp, on the other hand, starts from Suketar (2,420m). This route follows the Simbuwa Khola Valley.
First, you go west. After that, the trail goes northward. The standard route follows Kade Bhanjyang to Cheram Ramche to Oktang Viewpoint. The viewpoint is near the South Base Camp at an approximate altitude of 4,730m.
The trail to the North base Camp is more rugged and remote. You experience so especially after Ghunsa. There are fewer teahouses along the route. And you need to pass through long stretches that are without settlements.
However, the early sections of the South Base Camp route are better defined. You pass through more populated areas on this trail.
Trek Duration and Route Length
It takes around 10-12 days to reach Pangpema from Sekathum. A typical total itinerary can be somewhere between 18 and 22 days.
Meanwhile, you reach Oktang in about 7 to 9 days from Suketar. And you can complete the entire South Base Camp trek in about 14 to 18 days.
That’s because the route is more direct as you pass via Yamphudin and Tseram. The reduced days are also because the route is slightly easier in the early stages of the trek.
But the trek to the North Base Camp is slightly longer and requires 2-4 more trekking days as compared to the South Base Camp trek. That’s because if you need to trek through Ghunsa and Lohank and this is a longer approach.
In the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek, you cover a total of 190-200km. The round-trip distance for the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is about 150-170km.
Scenery and Landscapes
The North Base Camp area is more alpine as compared to the South. You see glaciers and barren valleys in the upper route of the trail. There is less forest cover. Expect ice, rock and moraine in the upper part of the trek route. This route is famous for the Pangpema Viewpoint. You can see a dramatic panorama of the north face of Mt. Kanchenjunga from here.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for more vegetation along the route, the South Base Camp is the right route for you. The trail offers forest diversity, notably in the lower and middle stretches of the trek. Rhododendron and bamboo forests are the highlights of this trail.
The upper section takes you to the Yalung Glacier, one of the highlights of the trek.
Culture and Villages
Both routes offer an insight into the rich cultural life of locals. Yet these experiences differ in terms of their nature.
For instance, you have to pass through Tibetan Buddhist villages while on the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp route. Ghunsa and Kambachen are some of these villages.
They are mostly Sherpa villages. And the settlements reflect the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. That is evident through monasteries, chortens and prayer flags along the route.
Likewise, traditional stone houses are seen in most villages. Ghunsa is the biggest of all the villages on the route. The settlements get smaller and remote as you go above Ghunsa.
The South Base Camp route, on the other hand, starts in mid-hill. Here, you can see settlements of ethnic groups like Rai and Limbu.
Expect to explroe a mix of Hindu and Buddhist cultures. The local customs and festivals are more diverse in this route. The settlements at lower elevations are larger. Terraced farms and cardamom fields are commonly seen.
Altitude and Acclimatization Needs
You reach up to 5,143m if you opt for the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek. You spend a prolonged time above the altitude of 4,000m. After crossing Lhonak, you need significant time to reach the base camp or the Pangpema viewpoint. But the South Base Camp is at 4,730m. Comparatively, the time you spend above 4,500m is less.
The altitude demands acclimatization to gradually adapt to the increasing elevation. Therefore, you need to spend extra days at Ghunsa and Lhonak for acclimatization to prevent the risk of altitude sickness when on the northern route.
The south route also demands acclimatization. Trekkers usually spend an extra night at Tseram for adaptation. Nonetheless, it has a slightly lower risk of severe illness due to altitude as compared to the northern route.
Accommodation and Infrastructure
You can expect the best facilities at Ghunsa in the entire Kanchenjunga circuit. That is a part of the North Base Camp route. It has multiple teahouses. They have private rooms along with common dining halls, too. Expect limited charging facilities as well.
Likewise, the accommodation is basic yet reliable up to Lohank. There are no proper lodges or teahouses in Pangpema. You need to set up your tent here to stay overnight.
Nonetheless, you are able to stay at the teahouses until the last high camp during the trek to the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. And this place is Lohank.
The last high camp during the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp is Tseram. You hike to Oktang viewpoint from here and return to Tseram for overnight. Otherwise, you can also choose to camp overnight at the viewpoint.
While talking about the entire route, expect only a few permanent teahouses on the southern trail as compared to the northern one. The settlements like Yamphudin and Torongdin have basic lodging facilities. As compared to the north, the infrastructure is less developed in this part of Kanchenjunga.
Trek Difficulty
Both treks are regarded as strenuous, yet the trek to the North Base Camp is considered more difficult.
That is because you are exposed to high altitude for a longer time. You need to spend several nights above 4,000m. You will be staying at Kambachen (4,050m) and Lhonak (4,815m) among other places.
As compared to this, there are fewer continuous nights above this altitude when on the southern route. You spend a night above 4,000m only in Oktang.
Also, the southern route is shorter to complete as compared to the northern route. Sustained ascents and glacier moraines near Pangpema make the trek of the northern trail difficult.
The southern part also requires you to climb through a steep trail in forest areas in the early part of the trek. Yet there are fewer glacier sections. Despite being demanding, you are at high altitudes for shorter periods only on this route.
But the northern route can be a reason for prolonged fatigue due to the remoteness of the trail. And also because of the sustained elevation.
Nonetheless, trekking to both routes is strenuous and requires an excellent fitness level and mental resilience.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
The route taking you to the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp has greater biodiversity. It is because the area is rich in vegetation. You have higher chances of spotting rare species like red pandas and Himalayan black bears along this route. Rhododendron and bamboo forests are seen below Tseram. The lower sections have broadleaf forests.
The northern route, however, has sparse vegetation. You can see juniper shrubs and alpine grasses. Above Ghunsa, the landscape is mostly glacial. Blue sheep can be seen grazing in alpine meadows. There might be occasional sightings of Himalayan tahr. Snow leopards live in this region, but their spotting is rare.
Which Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek Should You Choose?
The Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek is suitable for experienced trekkers. It is best for those who prefer remoteness and fewer trekkers on the trail. If they are comfortable with tougher logistics as well and longer exposure at high altitudes, this is for them.
But the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek is ideal for adventure lovers who want varied landscapes along their trail. If you prefer a slightly shorter itinerary, this route is for you. And it is for you if you want to explore the amphitheater-like Yalung Glacier.
Note: Still unable to decide which one to choose? Why not consider combining both base camps in one expedition? Join our Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. You just need to add a few more days to the itinerary and you are ready to go.
FAQs
Which one offers a better trek experience? Kanchenjunga North Base Camp or South Base Camp?
Both are great in their own ways. They have unique features and cater to the different needs of people. Choose as per your requirements and capabilities.
Is it possible to do both treks in one trip?
A combined trek of the North and South Base camps is called the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek. And it’s possible to do so in one trip.
Is the best time to do these treks different?
No. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for doing the treks.
What is the difference in permits required?
You will need to obtain a Restricted Area Permit and a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit for doing either of the treks.
What is the difficulty level of these treks?
Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Vs South Base Camp are of strenuous grade. They require mental preparedness and proper physical fitness. Yet if you have to compare, the route to North Base Camp is more demanding, both physically and mentally.
