Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Taplejung
Your journey begins with a 23-hour bus drive from Kathmandu to Taplejung. You'll travel through Nepal's changing landscapes, moving from the valley toward the foothills. Bring snacks and settle in for the long haul. The road winds through different elevations and terrain, so expect curves and varied scenery. By the time you arrive, you'll be ready to start trekking.
Landmarks Kathmandu Taplejung 
- Day 2
Taplejung to Mitlung
The trek officially starts from Taplejung, heading down to Mitlung over 5 hours. You'll be at lower elevations here, walking through the initial sections of the route. It's a good warm-up day after your bus ride. The terrain is manageable, and you get a feel for the landscape before things get steeper.
Included Activities
- Trek from Taplejung to Mitlung
Landmarks Taplejung Mitlung - Day 3
Mitlung to Chiruwa
From Mitlung, you'll trek upward to Chiruwa. This 5-hour stretch takes you higher into the hills as you continue deeper into the route. The elevation gain becomes noticeable now. By the end of the day, you'll feel like you're moving into the mountains proper.
Included Activities
- Trek from Mitlung to Chiruwa
Landmarks Mitlung Chiruwa - Day 4
Chiruwa to Helllok
Next, you're heading from Chiruwa to Helllok over 5 hours. The climb continues as you move toward higher sections. Your legs start feeling the sustained elevation gain by now. The views improve as you ascend, and the air gets noticeably cooler and fresher.
Included Activities
- Trek from Chiruwa to Helllok
Landmarks Chiruwa Helllok - Day 5
Helllok to Gyabla
You'll trek from Helllok to Gyabla, a 6-hour day of steady ascending. The altitude keeps climbing as you progress deeper into the upper regions. The terrain becomes more challenging, and the landscape shifts to something wilder and more exposed. Take your time with the pace.
Included Activities
- Trek from Helllok to Gyabla
Landmarks Helllok Gyabla - Day 6
Gyabla to Ghunsa
Pushing from Gyabla to Ghunsa takes 6 hours of trekking. You'll reach a significant altitude at Ghunsa, which serves as an important hub for trekkers on this route. After several days of steady climbing, you'll have earned some rest, and that's exactly what comes next.
Included Activities
- Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa
Landmarks Gyabla Ghunsa - Day 7
Rest Day in Ghunsa
You get a full rest day in Ghunsa to let your body adjust to the higher elevation. This is when acclimatization happens, which matters for how you'll handle the next sections. Spend time resting, hydrating, and eating well. Take a short walk around the village if you feel up to it, but mostly just recover.
Included Activities
- Rest day in Ghunsa
Landmarks Ghunsa - Day 8
Ghunsa to Khargpachen
After your rest day, you'll trek from Ghunsa to Khargpachen over 5 hours. The climbing continues at altitude. You're moving deeper into the high mountains now, and the scenery becomes more dramatic. Your acclimatized body should handle this better than you might have expected.
Included Activities
- Trek from Ghunsa to Khargpachen
Landmarks Ghunsa Khargpachen - Day 9
Khargpachen to Lhonak
From Khargpachen, you trek to Lhonak in 5 hours. This is the last place where you'll find hotel accommodation before base camp. After today, you're in the truly remote sections. The landscape here feels serious and impressive.
Included Activities
- Trek from Khargpachen to Lhonak
Landmarks Khargpachen Lhonak - Day 10
Lhonak to Kanchanjunga Base Camp and Khangpanchen
This is a long day of approximately 8 hours. You'll trek from Lhonak to Kanchanjunga Base Camp at the highest point, then return to Lhonak for lunch before continuing to Khangpanchen. Early start is essential. The base camp experience itself is worth the effort, but you won't be staying there overnight.
Included Activities
- Trek from Lhonak to Kanchanjunga Base Camp
- Trek from Kanchanjunga Base Camp back to Lhonak for lunch
- Trek from Lhonak to Khangpanchen
Landmarks Lhonak Kanchanjunga Base Camp Khangpanchen - Day 11
Khangpanchen to Ghunsa
You'll head downward from Khangpanchen back to Ghunsa, a 3-hour trek. After the high altitude sections, the descent feels easier on your legs. You'll retrace some familiar terrain as you make your way back to the trekking hub.
Included Activities
- Trek from Khangpanchen to Ghunsa
Landmarks Khangpanchen Ghunsa - Day 12
Ghunsa to Sele La Camp
From Ghunsa, you trek to Sele La Camp over 6 hours, moving toward the pass ahead. You're transitioning into the descent portion of your journey now. The camp marks an important waypoint before you cross into the next valley.
Included Activities
- Trek from Ghunsa to Sele La Camp
Landmarks Ghunsa Sele La Camp - Day 13
Sele La Camp to Cheram via Sele Pass and Sinion
This 7-hour day takes you from Sele La Camp to Cheram, crossing the Sele Pass and passing through Sinion. This is a significant section of the route, and the terrain is demanding at altitude. You'll feel the effects of the elevation and the day's length.
Included Activities
- Trek from Sele La Camp to Cheram via Sele Pass and Sinion
Landmarks Sele La Camp Sele Pass Sinion Cheram - Day 14
Cheram to Okhardhunga
An 8-hour trek from Cheram to Okhardhunga carries you across difficult terrain while remaining at high altitude. This is one of the longer days on the trek, and you'll be working hard. The landscape remains rugged and impressive throughout.
Included Activities
- Trek from Cheram to Okhardhunga
Landmarks Cheram Okhardhunga - Day 15
Okhardhunga to Yalung Base Camp and Ramchaur
You'll trek from Okhardhunga to Yalung Base Camp at the highest elevation, then return to Ramchaur over 6 hours. Like the base camp day earlier, this is an out-and-back section. You're starting your descent from the peaks now after reaching another major high point.
Included Activities
- Trek from Okhardhunga to Yalung Base Camp
- Trek from Yalung Base Camp back to Ramchaur
Landmarks Okhardhunga Yalung Base Camp Ramchaur - Day 16
Ramchaur to Tortong
From Ramchaur, you trek to Tortong in 6 hours. The descent becomes more obvious now as you move to lower elevations. Your legs get a different kind of workout going downhill, but the air gets noticeably warmer and richer as you descend.
Included Activities
- Trek from Ramchaur to Tortong
Landmarks Ramchaur Tortong - Day 17
Tortong to Mamankhe
You're trekking from Tortong to Mamankhe, another 6-hour day downward. The vegetation changes as you continue losing elevation. The pace feels manageable now as you're definitely on the return journey, though your knees might have opinions about the constant descent.
Included Activities
- Trek from Tortong to Mamankhe
Landmarks Tortong Mamankhe - Day 18
Mamankhe to Kande Bhanjyang
This 7-hour trek from Mamankhe to Kande Bhanjyang brings you closer to the end of the trekking section. You're moving back to lower elevations where trees are thicker and the landscape feels less harsh. The terrain becomes easier to walk.
Included Activities
- Trek from Mamankhe to Kande Bhanjyang
Landmarks Mamankhe Kande Bhanjyang - Day 19
Kande Bhanjyang to Taplejung
You'll catch a bus or jeep from Kande Bhanjyang back to Taplejung, a 5-hour drive. After weeks of trekking, the seat feels both wonderful and strange. The road takes you through the foothills, and you transition from backcountry to the main town.
Landmarks Kande Bhanjyang Taplejung - Day 20
Taplejung to Kakadbhitta
Next comes a 15-hour bus drive from Taplejung to Kakadbhitta in Jhapa. You're traveling through the lowlands now toward the eastern border region. The landscape flattens out compared to the mountains. Bring entertainment and patience for this long road day.
Landmarks Taplejung Kakadbhitta - Day 21
Kakadbhitta to Kathmandu
Finally, you'll drive from Kakadbhitta back to Kathmandu over approximately 18 hours by bus. This completes your entire journey, bringing you full circle to the capital. After everything you've experienced, arriving back in the city marks the official end of your trek.
Landmarks Kakadbhitta Kathmandu
