Kanchenjunga & Makalu Base Camp Trek GHT - 43 Days

Meet our airport representative from Himalayan Trekkers and get transferred to your accommodation once you arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport. 

Free on your own after checking-in i lovee you at the hotel. 

After breakfast, we will have a trek briefing program. After the session, you will have a guided sightseeing of three out of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu valley namely, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. 

The rest of the day is at leisure. 

On the first day, we head out from Kathmandu and take the first flight to Bhadrapur, then our quickest way to reach the town of Ilam is by private charter bus. We spend the night at a hotel in Ilam which makes for a comfortable first night’s rest.

With an early start to the morning, we drive past aromatic plantations of tea and cardamom. Our first spectacular views of the summits of Kanchenjunga and Jannu are in the far distance. Taplejung is the foremost of our stops where we are introduced to our trekking crew.

After lunch, we begin our trek following the downward trail to the Tamur River which then leads us to Mitlung. Our equipment for the next couple of days includes trekking poles to assist with walking along the slippery path we will traipse.

Since we spend most of the next couple of days along the Tamur River, we can expect to be surrounded by the lush greenery and the fertile land in the valley.  A narrow, wooden bridge aids us in crossing the Thiwa Khola from where we follow the undulating landscape to Chirwa. An enticing feature about Chirwa is the bazaar and atmosphere it provides, as a change from the surrounding landscape. We set up camp in the shade of a siren of boulders by the village.

Continuing along the river we arrive at the check post at Taplechok (1,380m) where our permits are validated and from where we can continue towards the Great Himalaya Trail. From Taplechok we cross a bridge to continue along the floor where a smattering of cardamom plants is visible among the forest.

After lunch at Phembu,  we ascend to Lelep (1,750m), leaving behind the Tamur River. In one last crossing of the river for the day, we are aided by a suspension bridge that gives easy access to the Ghunsa Khola Valley. Of the many Tibetan villages in the area, we camp at Sekathum, the best position to have your first view of the Himalayas.

This can be considered our first foray into the adventurous, as for the first time on this long journey we venture into narrow trails passing through dense underbrush and foliage native to the Himalayan forests. Our winding path takes us past Solima, where we stop for lunch, and onward and upward to Amjilossa (2,510m), a high point above the gorge where we trek through the entire day.

From Amjilossa, we set off through a lush bamboo forest, typical of this region, and climb up to a small ridge. After a short walk along the ridge, we come across Thyanyani (2,400m) famous for its stone shelters. They provide a very picturesque and different setting right in the middle of the well-known Himalayas. Following the undulating nature of the trail, we overcome several crests and troughs before the final ascent to Gyabla (2,730m).

Crossing the 3,000m mark is no ordinary feat but for the seasoned trekkers on this hike, it’s just another day as we head towards Phole. Most of the morning is spent on a leisurely walk along the valley chancing upon lovely changes in the foliage as it shifts from rhododendrons to azaleas.

Phole is well-known for its monastery and carpet weaving industry. Handwoven carpets from Phole are a treasure to behold and would make a great souvenir if not for our continuing trek. The highlight of the day is the quaint village of Ghunsa, most famously known for its cozy wooden houses and colorful prayer flags.

While we will return to Ghunsa for the night, we spend the day climbing up the nearby Lobsang La Pass in an attempt to acclimatize ourselves. Keeping in step with typical acclimatization ritual, we climb a steep elevation of about 4,000m at a quick pace and then descend to Ghunsa. 

From Ghunsa we head further north as we gradually climb through pine forests. Crossing many mani walls and chortens, we get a taste of how culturally rich the region is with strong ties to Buddhism.

We halt at Rampuk Kharka (3,720m) for lunch as we enjoy the blissful scenery around us. As we rise above we can see a significant shift in the landscape as the north face of Jannu comes into view. Care is to be taken while crossing the landslide-prone regions as there is a very real danger of falling rocks. We end the day in Khambachen after a winding descent.

This regularly spaced day for acclimatization comes at a great part of the GHT. Khambachen is an amazing village to take short walks and experience the small village atmosphere prevalent in these parts. We must spend another night in Khambachen before we attempt to rise over 750m at one go to reach Lhonak.

Another great way to spend the day is to hang around the campsite getting to know fellow hikers and sharing experiences of previous conquests. Hopefully, the weather will even be pleasant enough for some hikers to head up Nupchu Khola for the astounding sights of Mount Jannu.

We head through Ramtang (4,370m) today as we march across a typical wonder of the region, a lateral moraine. With sheets of ice that melt and harden over time, the moraine is a beautiful yet dangerous terrain to maneuver and should never be attempted alone. Passing onto the rockier terrain, we arrive at another moraine located North West of the Kanchenjunga Glacier and overcome it to reach Lhonak. The unusual stone huts set up at our campsite make for an interesting halt for the night. If we reach before dusk, we will be blessed with spectacular views of Wedge Peak (6,750m), Mera (6,344m), Nepal Peak (6,910m) and the Twins (7,351m). On the morrow, we walk up to Pangpema for our first lovely view of Kanchenjunga.

Another adventurous day awaits us as we set out across one more moraine, this one derived from the Kanchenjunga glacier. We climb steadily, with intermittent scrambling over loose rocks. In the last leg of trekking for the day, we ascend steeply to reach Pangpema, as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp is called. Sitting in the shade of the Kanchenjunga, we can fully appreciate its majestic nature and also why it is so alluring to many avid climbers. We return to Lhonak with a very restful walk down from Pangpema. We spend another night at Lhonak to recuperate before we head towards the Makalu Base Camp along the GHT.

From Lhonak we retrace our steps back to Ghunsa in a relieving descent.

After two weeks of exhaustive hiking and a plethora of wondrous sights accosting your senses, hikers can take a day to relax and unwind in the village of Ghunsa. The quaint nature of the village allows trekkers to unwind without any fear of missing out on anything. Trekkers are encouraged to walk and repack their belongings and they may also take the time to recharge any batteries at the lodge. Those itching for a walk about the village can visit the nearby school to understand how different the way of life is in these villages.

We return to the main GHT trail from the village of Ghunsa and head in the direction of Phole. Prior to reaching Phole, we encounter a junction where we turn off to reach another valley. After a leisurely walk on mostly flat terrain, amidst pine trees, we set up camp in a pasture, commonly known as a Kharka.

We begin our day in the wee hours of the morning, so remember to suit up appropriately! We spend half of our day hiking up to Nango La Pass (4,820m) and halt briefly to take in the spectacular sight of Lopsang Peak. A little-known peak, it is as much a gem in the Himalayan range as any other. From our vantage point, we are able to even see the south side of Kanchenjunga! During our descent from the pass, we come across a stone shelter that serves as a landmark for us to continue north of the Thasa Khola and into the Yangma Khola Valley. Past this valley lies our campsite for the night.

Today is a day of river confluences as we trek along the Yangma Khola, located just below our camp, and then follow the western bank till we reach the Tamor Khola. Proceeding along the northern bank of the Tamor Khola, we arrive at Olangchung Gola. Olangchung Gola is one of Nepal’s more prosperous mountain villages that trade with Tibet. After a sumptuous lunch at Olangchung Gola, we continue along the Tamor Khola till it meets the Dingsamba Khola. It is here that we rest for the night in a grassy area right by the running stream. This campsite is widely known as the River camp.

In preparation to cross the Lumba Sumba pass the following day, we set out from River Camp and head upwards over the broad valley basin till we reach a wide floodplain. In recent times, when the Dingsamba Khola overflows its banks, the floodplains have been most widely affected. The best part about this day is that not only do you get to see varying flora, you also hike across different terrains including floodplains and black rock bands. We make camp at the end of our trek when we enter the higher valley floor.

At sunrise, we leave for the nearby rocky trail that rises in a steep ascent up to a plateau that grants us a panoramic view of the Lumba Sumba in the far north and also a valley lake in the region. The Lumba Sumba is a typical 1 – 2 pass with a lower and higher pass comprising the whole. The first pass is at an elevation of 5,050 m while the second is a mere 150m above. However, it will take us about an hour to traverse the distance between the two. Both passes offer terrific views of the Kanchenjunga and Jannu to the east, and Makalu to the west. From the pass, we descend on the other side into the Lapsi Khola Valley and continue downwards to set up camp by the river.

The Lhapsi Khola is a meandering valley formation that allows us glimpses of the Makalu as we proceed. With each view appearing better than the last, hikers are usually lost for words at the brilliance of nature. Continuing through the ever-present rhododendron bushes in the region, we head to the Tibetan village of Thudam. After a short and relaxing day of trekking, we put our feet up and rest near the village, just across a bridge.

Since landslide areas are common in the region, we advise strict caution. Today we head through one such area just past Thudam and through a dense forest. The Medokchheje Khola is considered to be one of the most beautiful and rare valleys in the region and our path to it is quite the adventure. Keeping in step with the local guides we maneuver through narrow trails, past waterfalls and across hastily strung log bridges. It is important to note however that these log bridges are incredibly safe and strong. We then cross a couple of lush pastures that are separated by a small pass and halt for the night at the second Kharka.

Today, we attempt to follow the GHT, even though the trail almost vanishes in some places due to thick overgrowth and limited usage. The true nature of how few trekkers visit this trail is visible from these characteristics of the trail. Following a primarily muddy descent to the Arun river (1,850m), we rest for lunch. Subsequently, we cross the nearby bridge and emerge at Chyantang village for the night.

Hikers can choose to either rest on this day or save it for later due to mitigating circumstances. Having primarily descended from a great elevation for the last few days, hikers may not feel the need to rest for an entire day in the village.

We begin climbing again towards the ridgeline and then to a minor pass at 2,710m. From the pass, we follow the trail till we have to choose the right fork at a junction in the road. We then climb a hill and reach a second ridge. This path then leads us true to the Tojo Khola. We traverse the east bank of the Tojo Khola through moss covered, rhododendron forests to reach our campsite, commonly known as Forest Camp.

We ascend for another good 1,000m on this day as we scramble over the rocky trail out of the forest and into the open where we can see the Arun River to the south. The trail eventually plateaus and reveals several chortens installed by the local people. We then continue towards the stunning Molun Pokhari Lake but cannot camp by the bank as it is not advisable. The undisturbed lake serves as a fragile mirror that beautifully reflects its surroundings. A vision that cannot truly be captured in an image. We head further into the nearby valley and set up camp.

Though not gaining as much elevation as the previous day, we still ascend steadily up a small trail that leads us to a ridge. From here we head south-east, still climbing till we reach a significant pass at 4,200m. From here we descend to a small lake followed by a walk down to the stream at the bottom of the dell. We cross the Dhunge Khola and proceed onto a drier campsite where we can stop for the night.

Our next stop is at Cave Camp, a campsite in the setting of a group of caves. We set off from our camp the previous night and continue along the narrow trail through a forest and along the river bank. Heading away from the river, we then arrive at a fork in the trail right beneath cliffs. This picturesque setting is deserving of a few pictures. We then cross another stream, Kolakharka Khola, and proceed on to Saldim Khola.

Another day of uphill climbing is in store for hikers as we rise above the campsite. Keeping left at a smaller junction our path leads us along overgrown trails and between two streams before the gradient eases up. Without many astounding views to keep us occupied, we turn to each other for company and this stretch is a great time for all hikers on the trip to get to know each other well and build bonds. After many uphill and downhill stretches, we arrive at a shallow valley and climb out of it to cross another ridge and arrive at a black water lake. This lake is famously known as the Kalo Pokhari.

The net elevation gain is just 100m on this day of trekking. However, we have a sequence of arduous climbs and steep descents ahead of us. We climb to the next ridge along this trail and from there descend into the large valley setting below where we pass a campsite. We descend steadily down the trail and rest at the Kharka for the night.

Setting off from the campsite, we can see the perilously located Mumbuk Teahouses on the far side of the valley. The trail then takes us through a nearby forest and descends to the northwest. Using an overhanging cave as a landmark, we know we are on the right track. Overcoming small streams and exiting the forest at the bottom of the valley, we follow the Barun Khola to Yangla Kharka.

On this day, hikers can look forward to yaks for the company as we cross the yak pastures and return to the Sherpa dwellings that scatter the hillsides. These herders are known by different names due to the large variety of languages, dialects and even professional guidebook writers. Since we are gradually reaching higher altitudes of oxygen-deprived nature, we slow down to allow hikers to acclimatize. We rest at Langmale Kharka where a new lodge has been constructed and the surroundings cleared for campers.

Our second major expedition of the itinerary happens on this day as we head to the Makalu Base Camp. Having walked among forests and through cramped trails for most of the past week, we have had our eyes on the ground. But today, we walk to the south-east ridge of Mt Makalu and can drink in the spectacular vision that is the Makalu. The astounding south face of the Makalu is in the backdrop as we lunch at the Base Camp and head back to Langmale Kharka for the night.

From here on out, hikers can mostly expect to descend and do so without the urgency of having to reach any base camps before the onslaught of bad weather conditions. We descend back into the Barun valley and follow the large expanse of land in the shadows of Peak 6 and 7. We then climb up to Debotay, cautious about possible falling rocks in the popular landslide region.

We almost retrace our steps from Debotay as we climb to Keke La (4,150m), a pass that opens up to Kalo Pokhari Lake and then climb again up to Shipton La (4,216m). An unusual terrain formation lays a stone staircase before us as we follow the trail through rhododendron bushes. Continuing our descent on the winding trail, we arrive at Khongma just before nightfall and set up camp. We are able to see both Makalu and Kanchenjunga on this long day’s trip.

We descend almost 2,000m in one go as we plunge from Khongma to Tashigon Village through Chipla. Chipla is barely a village with just a few smattering of huts here and there. However, this region is primarily farmland and we are greeted on both sides of our trail by terraced fields as we near Seduwa. This village is an important checkpoint for hikers entering or leaving the Makalu-Barun National Park.

We return to the Arun River from Tashigon and cut through fields and jungle alike to the suspension bridge across the Arun. This suspension bridge is indeed an engineering wonder as we step over the torrential river and safely onto the other bank. By the time we reach the Arun, we would have descended to a very low altitude of 650m. However, a steep ascent to Num is integral to our return to Tumlingtar. Hence we return to almost 1,500m elevation at Num. From Num, we can barely make out the village of Seduwa on the other side of the valley.

Hikers can choose to either rest on this day or save it for later due to mitigating circumstances. Having primarily descended from a great elevation for the last few days, hikers may not feel the need to rest for an entire day in the village.

We are driven to the town of Tumlingtar across rough terrain by jeeps as we bid farewell to this epic Himalayan journey. With many memories and experiences to treasure, we happily recount them as we return to civilization through the busy market of Khandbari and past terraced fields to Tumlingtar.

After breakfast, we fly back to Kathmandu and upon arrival at Kathmandu, you can relax o consult your guide to visit the sightseeing places.

Today is the free day as you can visit some of the heritage sites of Kathmandu or you can stroll at Thamel and can do last minutes shopping for a souvenir for friends, families, and relatives.

Your long and adventurous journey ends with lots of memorable memories. 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight back to your home country or onward destination.