Kanchenjunga trek starts with a flight to the east of the country, then travel by road to the starting point at Taplejung, from where we start walking. In the lower parts of the trek, we meet with Limbu people, and as we climb higher, the people begin to reflect the Tibetan culture in their settlements and practices. Many are indeed Sherpa (having crossed from Tibet centuries ago). By the time we reach Ghunsa, a Sherpa village, we are feeling the effects of the altitude, but are rewarded with stunning views of Mount Jannu. Other mountains we will encounter on this trek are Kanchenjunga with its four subsidiary summits all over 8,000m, Yalung Kang, also over 8,000m, and around 20 peaks over 7,000m including Kambachen, Janu. Jongsong, Kabru, Tent Peak, and the Twins. Not enough mountains? Because then we have those peaks over 6,000m, which include five peaks in a glacial system, some are flowing into Sikkim and the Kanchenjunga and Yalung glacier waters flowing into Nepal’s Tamor River.
The Sele Le Pass connects both Kanchenjunga North Base Camp and its South Base Camp sister. We will go over this pass (4,290m) from where we can see the southern Kanchenjunga Valley before descending.
