Opting the Kanchenjunga trek means signing up for the most exciting and adventurous roller coaster ride that you can imagine. Kanchenjunga trek allows you to experience nature and wildlife in its truest form, unfiltered and raw. Tourists who are a fan of this region believe that trekking here is the real thrill. Kanchenjunga Trek is an off-the-beat travel destination in Nepal, especially from the perspective of trekking. Only a minority of people prefer going for trekking in the Kanchenjunga region. Now, the most interesting thing is that the trekkers who’ve tried both Kanchenjunga trekking and trekking on other routes often prefer Kanchenjunga over them. It is for the simple reason that the immense popularity of these popular trekking routes have caused them to lose their natural charm. Trekking is an activity that is done in the wild surrounded by nature.

About the Trek

Many trekkers believe that the popular trekking routes have been commercialized up to such an extent that trekking doesn’t feel the same there. Kanchenjunga trekking route, on the other hand, is pure and not as much commercialized. There are so many places where lodges and other facilities are not available, and so the trekkers need to set up camps. This is something that many trekkers absolutely love about this trip. When it comes to trekking in Nepal, mountains are the main attractions, and Kanchenjunga trek is no different. One of the main attractions of Kanchenjunga trek is Kanchenjunga mountain. You can spot Kanchenjunga summit from different parts of the route. You will be able to enjoy better views of Kanchenjunga Mountain from the Base Camps. 

Kanchenjunga Mountain is definitely a good reason to trek here. Apart from the mountain, there are so many other things that the Kanchenjunga trek offers. These attractions include not just natural but also cultural spectacles, and many more. You need to go for a journey in the Kanchenjunga region, most probably the Kanchenjunga trek, to explore all those valued treasures. There is no way that you won’t like it. 

1. Mount Kanchenjunga

Mount Kanchenjunga is one of the most prominent mountains in Nepal. With a height of 8586 m, it is the third highest mountain in the world. The mountain is actually situated on the border of Nepal and India. Kanchenjunga is not just a single mountain, but rather, it’s a massif with five different peaks on it. Now, before Everest was discovered, Kanchenjunga was regarded as the tallest mountain in the world. Things changed in 1856 when it was officially announced that the peak was actually the third highest one in the globe. Mount Kanchenjunga was first climbed in 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band, who were the members of a British Expedition team.

About the Mt. Kanchenjunga

There is an interesting legend that surrounds Mount Kanchenjunga, and it is associated with the name. Kanchenjunga in Tibetan means ‘five treasures of the high snow’. The locals believe that five treasures are hidden within the mountain,  and these would be revealed during the time of an apocalypse. The five treasures include salt and grain, medicines, armor and ammunition, sacred scriptures, and gold, turquoise and precious stones. Another local tribe believes that it is actually the home of Yuma Sammang, a prominent Hindu goddess. Also, for quite some time the area around the mountain has been considered as the abode of a demon called Dzo-nga.

Mount Kanchenjunga is the main attraction of the Kanchenjunga trek. Also, many climbers come to Nepal every year to try and reach the top of this giant. It is regarded as a highly technical mountain, quite dangerous to climb. Since 1990, the death rate of the peak has been 20%, despite the fact that there has been a significant improvement on the quality of equipment used to climb the peak. The last death that occurred on the mountain was in the year 2014.

2. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is one of the richest protected areas of Nepal. What makes it rich are the numerous natural attractions, for instance, the mountains, the lakes and rivers, the glaciers and icefalls, and most importantly, the flora and fauna. The area is situated in the eastern part of Nepal, and one of the most interesting ways of exploring it is going on a trek in it. Kanchenjunga Trek is the journey that allows you to properly explore the area. Moreover, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is named after Mt. Kanchenjunga, which is a prominent attraction here. From here, you can also enjoy the views of other famous peaks like Everest, Barun Tse and Makalu.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is connected to Kanchenjunga National Park in India and Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. The Kanchenjunga in Kanchenjunga National Park is also spelled ‘Khangchendzonga’. Among the numerous animal species that call the park home include Snow Leopard, Asian Black Bear, and Red Panda, and in the same way, the bird species include Golden-Breasted Fulvetta, Snow Cock, Blood Pheasant and Red-Billed Chough. One of the best things about trekking in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is that you get to spot these animals and birds and plants and many other creatures during the journey.

 3. Pathibhara Temple

Pathivara Temple is also known as Pathivara Devi Temple and it is located on the hills of Taplejung district. It is one of the highly regarded Hindu temples in Nepal. Because of its location at an altitude of 3794 m, it is quite difficult to reach here. Trekkers have to walk  for hours to reach this place. It is believed that visiting the temple and worshipping the deity here ensures that all your wishes are fulfilled. It is a popular pilgrimage site, and so, during many religious occasions, it is full of devotees. Pathivara Temple has also been visited numerous times by the members of the Royal family back in the days when they were in power.

4. Passes near Kanchenjunga Region

Every trekking journey has a mellowed down attraction, and an adventurous one. While exploring the former ones isn’t much difficult, the latter one is quite challenging. One of such challenging attractions happens to be passed. Now, no matter which part of Nepal you’re trekking in, you’re bound to come across passes. Passes are these high altitude areas that separate two regions or valleys. Crossing a pass is like climbing and descending a peak. You go up at the beginning, reach the pass to the top, and then descend down. The passes in Nepal are generally located on high altitudes. 

Most of them cross the height of 4500 m. What is so challenging about crossing passes is that generally they are full of snow, and the weather around them is unstable, mainly due to the height. It is recommended that most passes be crossed during the right season. Many people have gotten badly hurt or have even perished in terms of crossing a pass during extreme weather. The passes in the Kanchenjunga region make Kanchenjunga trek one of the most adventurous ones out there. If you’re looking to go on an adventurous trekking journey, well, Kanchenjunga trek can prove to be the ideal option for you. 

 5. Yalung Glacier

Yalung Glacier is yet another major glacier among the four others that originates from the massif of Kanchenjunga. There are altogether 120 glaciers that originate from this massif, however, these four are the main ones. Apart from Kanchenjunga and Yalung, the other two are Talung and Zemo. Yalung Glacier radiates from the southwest side of the massif. It also originates above the height of 5000 m. One of the best places to enjoy the view of Yalung glacier is Kanchenjunga South Base Camp. Trekkers generally tend to take a side trip from Ramche to Yalung Base Camp for a better view of Yalung glacier. It is an amazing natural phenomenon to witness.

6. Kanchenjunga Glacier

Kanchenjunga Glacier is one of the four main glaciers that radiate off the Kanchenjunga massif. It originates above the height of 5000 m. It drains from the northwest side of the massif, and continues flowing to meet the Arun and Koshi rivers in the south. You get to spot Kanchenjunga Glacier from various points during the trek, but one can enjoy the most amazing view of the glacier from Kanchenjunga North Base Camp. The view of the glacier is nothing less compared to that of a mountain.