Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek

This is a multi-day trek with two days at higher altitude.  However, a good level of fitness is required to make this not just a successful, but also an enjoyable trek. If you have trekked before for many day, so much the better.

The trails are not tricky, but there are the usual ascents and descents you can expect in the Himalayas. Overall, it is a moderate trek for those with some experience.

Not ideal for: Those with severe altitude sensitivity, mobility issues, or unprepared beginners.

There are 11 actual trekking days on this trek. On other days you will be driving by road or/ and flying into the far eastern part of Nepal.

During the trekking days, it is an average of 5-6 hours walking through moderate terrain.  Yes, there are the usual ups and downs found but nothing too strenuous for people with good health and stamina.

Teahouses – as trekking lodges are called in Nepal – are quite basic.  You will sleep here and take dinner and breakfast here.   Every night it is a different teahouse.  Lunch will most likely be taken on the trail.

You will set off after breakfast around 8am to make the most of the day.  With short breaks along the way, you can walk at your own steady pace. 

On reaching the next overnight teahouse you can relax in the social dining room over dinner before retiring for the night.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit:  is required to trek to both the North Base Camp and the South Base Camp, as they both fall within the conservation area.  The fees from the KCAP go towards the conservation and preservation of the area.

Cost per person:  USD30 per trek.

Restricted Area Permit: is required for anyone entering a restricted area.  Usually, that means the location is near the Tibet border.

Cost per person: USD20 per week, for up to the first four weeks.

**These permits must be obtained through a registered Nepali trekking agency, like Magical Nepal, and the RAP must be issued for a minimum of two international trekkers.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the cost of your trek.  If you wish to have soft drinks, beer, or anything extra, you will pay the teahouse directly for that.

Breakfast and dinner on the trek are taken in the teahouses (trekking lodges) where you sleep, and lunch is taken on the trail.

As this area is less popular than some of the more established trekking routes, it is less crowded, which is a good thing for you.  On the other hand, because it sees fewer foreign trekkers, facilities are more basic than in some of the busier areas. Teahouses tend to have fewer facilities than, say, in the Annapurna region.

Foodwise, you will be offered Nepali, Chinese, and some Western items.

Sample menus are as follows:

Breakfast Options

Porridge

Tibetan bread

Eggs

Pancakes

Muesli

Tea

Chapatis

Garlic Omelets

Oatmeal Porridge

Boiled Eggs

Boiled Potato

Swiss Roasti

Tibetan bread

Eggs

Pancakes

Muesli

Tea

Lunch and Dinner Options

Dal Bhat

Rice, lentils & veggies

Momo

Tibetan dumplings

Thukpa

Noodle soup

Chowmein

Fried noodles

Macaroni/Pasta

With egg or vegetables

Soups

Vegetable, garlic

Spring Roll

with Egg, tuna or potato

Fried Rice

With egg, vegetables, or tuna

Noodles

with Vegetable, Egg

Spaghetti

with Tomato Sauce

Fried Rice

With egg or vegetables

Curry

Vegetable, Egg, Potato

Food Safety Tips:

• Buy those snacks!  Buy in Kathmandu do not wait till you are on the trek.  They will not be available.
• Tell the teahouse to keep hot spices to a minimum.
• Even if you are very tired, do not skip meals.

Trekking lodges are known as teahouses in Nepal and they vary from being pretty up-market in the busier areas, to being still very much as they were 20 years ago in the more remote areas.   

In this area they are still quite basic – two single beds to each sleeping room, maybe a chair, most likely not attached bathrooms. Shared bathrooms are normal in remote and/ or higher altitude places.  Hot showers are available but they have to be paid for and may come in a bucket.

Sleeping rooms do not have heating, only the dining room does. 

Important Notes

• There is no heating or sockets in the sleeping rooms, those ‘luxuries’ are only found in the dining room.
• If the teahouse does not have sleeping rooms with attached bathrooms, you will have to use a shared one. 
• The dining room is the center of social activities in teahouses.
• Hot water for the shower will cost around USD2-5 per time.
• Recharging your electronics will cost around USD2-5 per time as well.
• WiFi, where available, is also something you will have to pay for.
• It is a good idea to bring your own sleeping bag.
• If you are traveling in a group we recommend trying to order the same items then it is faster for the kitchen and you get to eat earlier.  

Public transport is included in the cost of your trek.  Usually a bus or jeep.  Should you wish to hire a private jeep, please talk to us about this.  There will be an extra cost for this which can be divided between the trekkers in your group.  Everyone must agree however so the guide can accompany you all! See Private v Group Trek.

Taplejung Airport

Why do you have to travel over two days by road from the airport at Bhadrapur to Taplejung when there is an airport at Suketar, Taplejung?   We could answer in one sentence: it’s the unpredictable weather in the Himalayas. But let us expand on that.  Suketar airport, more of an airstrip, sits at the height of 2,419m / 9,736 ft in the mountains.  There are only two flights a week, and only at certain times of the year.  With weather being unpredictable as we said, should your flight be canceled on a particular day due to bad weather, then you may have to wait a few more days, or even a week for the next one. 

Therefore, for this reason, we have taken the decision to use Bhadrapur airport in the lowland region of the country, and then travel by road through the foothills and into the mountains at Taplejung.  One plus is that you get to see the tea gardens in Ilam! 

If you would like us to pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival in Nepal please let us know on the booking form. There is a small charge for this, but it will be simpler and easier than trying to organize a taxi when you arrive.

Hotels in Kathmandu:

There are many excellent hotels on booking.com or hostelworld.com. Thamel is where most visitors stay as it is an area full of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops all geared for international visitors.  

Our office is also located in Thamel.

What to do in Kathmandu:

Explore!  There are many UNESCO sites and other fascinating historical places in Kathmandu.  We can organize a half or full day tour for you or you can explore yourself.  Ask us about our tours.

Visa on Arrival

Visa on arrival is available for people from most countries, via the Immigration Department of Nepal’s on-line site.  Please complete the form online, print it out and bring it with you.  Bring exact USD cash to make payment on arrival at the airport. 

Visa on arrival is valid for 15 days, 30 days or 3 months and costs: 

90 Days – 125 USD

15 Days – 30 USD

30 Days – 50 USD

For the Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek, hiring a porter is highly recommended—and in many cases, essential. This is a remote and demanding trek with long daily walking hours, steep climbs, and basic infrastructure.

The trail passes through rugged terrain where you may be carrying gear for both teahouse stays and possible camping nights. With elevations reaching up to 4,780 meters (15,682 feet), even experienced trekkers can find the load exhausting over multiple days.

At Magical Nepal, we provide reliable and well-compensated porters who are accustomed to the route and trained in responsible trekking practices. Each porter can carry up to 20 kg (44 lbs) of your load, allowing you to focus on the trail, enjoy the views, and conserve energy, especially important at altitude.

Hiring a porter also supports the local economy and gives you greater flexibility to pack essential gear like warm clothing, snacks, and extra layers without overburdening yourself. If you’re looking for a more enjoyable and manageable trekking experience in one of Nepal’s most remote regions, having a porter by your side is a smart and respectful choice.

The best seasons to trek to Kanchenjunga South Base Camp are spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to early November). These periods offer the most favorable conditions for visibility, trail safety, and overall comfort.

In spring, the rhododendron forests are in full bloom, adding vibrant colors to the landscape, while the weather is generally mild and stable. Clear skies during this season also allow for excellent views of the Kanchenjunga massif and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

In autumn, post-monsoon clarity makes for some of the clearest mountain views of the year, and temperatures are cool but manageable, especially at higher altitudes like Oktang (4,780 meters / 15,682 feet).

Both seasons are ideal for avoiding landslides, snow blockages, and leech-infested trails that can occur during monsoon (June to August) or winter (December to February). At Magical Nepal, we schedule treks during these two prime windows to ensure you experience the beauty and challenge of Kanchenjunga under the safest and most scenic conditions possible.

The trek’s price includes food, accommodation, transport, and the guide. But there are some other items you will need to pay for.

Cash:

• You will need Nepali rupees for anything you buy along the way.   
• For tipping your guide and porter (if you have one) you can use foreign currency or Nepali rupees.

Transport: Aside from flying, transport is by public bus or public jeep. This can be arranged before the trek if you would like to hire a private jeep for any land travel.  Please discuss the cost of this with us.

Food: Three meals a day and tea/ coffee are included.  Anything extra, such as cold drinks, need to be paid directly by you to the teahouse.

In the teahouse:  Also, to be paid directly by you to the teahouse are:  hot water for a shower, electricity to charge your devices, and Wi-Fi.  The cost is normally around USD2- 5 for each, each time. 

Boiled drinking water is available as is beer and cold drinks.  You will pay these directly to the teahouse.  All in Nepali rupees.

Tips: Please calculate the tips for your guide and porter, which can be paid in dollars or other currencies. We suggest the tip for the guide to be around USD200, and your personal porter around USD150. 

The guide’s tip is divided between the number of people on the trek. Your personal porter’s tip is paid by yourself.  

Please note, tips will vary on different treks depending on the length of the trek. For example, if your trek takes 5 days or 20 days it makes a difference to the time you spend with your guide.

We can recommend you bring around USD 15 to 20 per day, in Nepali rupees, plus the tips for the guide and porter.

Booking your Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek with Magical Nepal means choosing local expertise, safety, and personalized care on one of Nepal’s most remote and rewarding routes.

We specialize in off-the-beaten-path adventures, and our deep knowledge of the Kanchenjunga region ensures that your journey is both authentic and well-supported. From handling all logistics—permits, transport, and accommodation—to providing experienced, government-licensed guides and caring porters, we make sure every detail is covered so you can fully enjoy the trail.

Unlike generic tour operators, Magical Nepal is committed to ethical travel and community-based tourism. We hire from local villages along the route, support conservation efforts, and operate with a strong safety-first policy—including acclimatization planning and 24/7 emergency coordination.

Our clients appreciate our transparent pricing, honest advice, and flexibility in crafting custom itineraries that match your pace and preferences. With Magical Nepal, you’re not just booking a trek—you’re joining a team that treats you like family, every step of the way.