A three-week restricted-area trek in far eastern Nepal that reaches both Kanchenjunga base camps, Pangpema in the north and Oktang in the south, joined by the Sele La pass crossing.
- Days
- 20 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,143 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Kanchenjunga Regionकाम्बाचेन
Kambachen
A seasonal herding settlement at about 4,100 m facing the north side of Jannu, the second acclimatisation stop on the way to Pangpema.
- Altitude
- 4,100 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Taplejung, Koshi
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Why go
Kambachen is a small summer settlement of stone huts and lodges at about 4,100 m in the upper Ghunsa valley, on the route from Ghunsa to Lhonak and Pangpema in the Kanchenjunga region. It lies in a wide, flat-bottomed valley where yaks graze in summer, and the north face of Jannu (Kumbhakarna, 7,710 m) rises steeply to the south.
Most itineraries spend two nights here to acclimatise before going above 4,500 m. The day from Ghunsa crosses a long, active landslide slope where rockfall is a hazard, so trekkers usually start early. Lodges are very basic, and the settlement is largely empty in winter.
History and culture
Kambachen is used mainly by herders from Ghunsa, who bring yaks and other livestock up to the high pastures in summer. Blue sheep are often seen on the slopes nearby, and the area lies within the range of snow leopard, which researchers have studied in the upper Kanchenjunga valleys.
Things to do in Kambachen
Acclimatisation walk
Climb the slopes behind the settlement for a few hundred metres for wider views of Jannu and the glaciers, then return to sleep.
Watch for wildlife
Look for blue sheep on the grassy slopes early and late in the day.
Weather and the best time to visit Kambachen
Weather in Kambachen
Forecast for 4,100 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November bring the clearest skies and are the main trekking months; September can still be wet lower down.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold, many upper lodges close and snow can block the high passes.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is the second season, with rhododendron flowers in the forests and more afternoon cloud.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet, with leeches, landslides on the access roads and cloud over the peaks.
Where to stay
Teahouses
A few basic seasonal lodges.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Reached only on foot, one day above Ghunsa.
Nearest hub: Taplejung (Phungling)
- trekGhunsa to Kambachen, about 5-7 hours and 600-700 m of height gain.
Permits and fees
Restricted-area permit
This part of the Kanchenjunga region is a restricted area. You need a restricted area permit, issued only through a registered trekking agency for trekkers with a licensed guide, and a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entry permit.
- Kanchenjunga restricted area permit (Taplejung): Arranged by a registered agency through the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entry permit: Checked on the trail; check the current fee.
- Guide rule: Restricted-area trekkers must go with a licensed guide; group-size rules have been reported to change, so check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration, Nepal: trekking route and permit fee.
On the trail
On the Kanchenjunga Circuit (North and South Base Camps).
- Previous stop:
- Ghunsa
- Next stop:
- Lhonak
- A typical day:
- From Ghunsa about 5-7 hours through forest and pasture, including a rockfall-prone landslide crossing, with 600-700 m of height gain.
Practical tips
- Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to rest every 3 to 4 days; know the signs of acute mountain sickness and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Cross the landslide below Kambachen early in the day and without stopping.
- Nights are well below freezing in spring and autumn; bring a four-season sleeping bag.
- There are no ATMs beyond Phungling; carry enough Nepali rupees for the whole trek.
Treks through Kambachen
Questions about Kambachen
How high is Kambachen?
About 4,050-4,100 m. Most itineraries spend two nights here to acclimatise.
What mountain is seen from Kambachen?
The north face of Jannu, also called Kumbhakarna, dominates the view to the south.
How long is the walk from Ghunsa to Kambachen?
About 5-7 hours, including a landslide section where rockfall is a risk.
More in Kanchenjunga Region
All of Kanchenjunga RegionViewpoint · 5,140 m
Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp)
The North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga, a grassy shelf at about 5,140 m facing the mountain's north-west face.
Trek stop · 3,475 m
Ghunsa
The main village of the upper Kanchenjunga valleys, a Tibetan-heritage settlement and the hub of the North Base Camp trek.
Trek stop · 4,785 m
Lhonak
A high, sandy plain at about 4,785 m beside the Kanchenjunga glacier, the last overnight stop before Pangpema.
Town or village · 1,820 m
Taplejung (Phungling)
The hill town headquarters of Taplejung district, where Kanchenjunga treks start and finish.
Trek stop · 3,865 m
Tseram
A small lodge stop at about 3,870 m in the Simbuwa Khola valley, base for Ramche and the Oktang viewpoint on the southern side of Kanchenjunga.
Trek stop · 2,080 m
Yamphudin
A farming village of several communities at the southern gateway to Kanchenjunga, and the restricted-area checkpoint for the Oktang route.
Nearby
National park or conservation area
Kanchenjunga Region
A remote trekking region below the world's third-highest mountain, with Limbu and Sherpa villages, two base camps and a restricted-area permit.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Wikipedia, Khangpachen, OpenStreetMap, Kanchenjunga Circuit itinerary (UK trek operator)