Level 15/20: This is a long trek, not for the average trekker, in an isolated region of the country with wild and untouched landscapes, where the inhabitants have seen very little change in their ancestral way of life. You will walk through pristine corners of this incredibly populated planet. This trek is a real physical challenge, with likely adverse weather conditions at altitude and the crossing of numerous high mountain passes. The stages are relatively long, leaving little time for rest in the evening. A very good level of physical fitness is therefore essential.
Kanchejunga, “the mountain of five treasures,” the third highest peak in the world, is located in the far east of Nepal and forms the border with neighboring Sikkim. The nearby Jannu (Kumbhakarna), at 7,710 meters, was first climbed on April 28, 1962, by a French expedition led by Lionel Terray. This long trek begins at the small Suketar airstrip, whose runway was completely renovated in 2011, and crosses traditional villages and terraced fields, magnificent forests, and reaches the southern base camp of the giant mountain. Crossing two passes, we then ascend the valley leading to Kanchenjunga’s northern base camp before descending to more typical altitudes in the Tamur Valley to return to Suketar. From there, we fly to Bhadrapur and then directly to Kathmandu. Wildlife enthusiasts will be in their element. This trek passes through numerous typical and picturesque villages and lush forests, as the monsoon is significantly stronger in eastern Nepal than elsewhere, and it always arrives from the east. This region is home to many ethnic groups: the Indo-Aryans are represented in the lower areas, as are the Newars, who have always been traders. The Limbu and Rai are the most numerous ethnic groups in this region. Higher up the mountain range you find the Sherpa ethnic group and people of Tibetan origin.