Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Overview

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is more than what you can imagine. It's an ultimate contrast from any other alpine treks in the Indian Himalayan belt. The Kanchenjunga, also known as Kangchenjunga, and its sister peaks contour a giant cross that spans the boundaries of Nepal, Tibet and the Indian state of Sikkim. By merit of the massif's entire isolation from any other group of mountains, precise definition of its boundaries is quite unnecessary. Until 1849 Kangchenjunga was thought to be the world's highest mountain, but today its accepted height of 8,586 m ranks it third, after Everest and K2.

Further, the sister peaks, Kangchenjunga West, also known as Yalung Kang at 8,505 meters, Kangchenjunga Central at 8,482 meters, Kangchenjunga South at 8,494 meters and Kangbachen at 7,903 meters, are worth a capture. Some of the world's 7 thousanders, the Kambachen at 7,903 meters, Jannu at 7,710 meters, Jongsong at 7,483 meters, Kabru at 7,353 meters, Tent Peak at 7,365 meters and the Twins at 7,350 meters, can be seen on a bright sunny day. Nonetheless, the 6 thousanders surrounding the Kanchenjunga family, gives due respect even on a cloudy morning.

The clump of peaks forms five major glacial systems. Cutting through the mountains in Sikkim and like a giant Python, the Teesta find its source from the Zemu, Talung, and Rathong glaciers. Further, the Kanchenjunga and Yalung glacier feeds the Tamur River in Nepal.

Over the years much of the Greater Himalaya in Sikkim has remained hidden and along with it, the sprawling and rich biosphere, spectacular scenery and culture. Since 1988 the Sikkim Himalaya has witnessed limited number of commercialized trekking activities as only exploration of the immediate environs of the mountain was allowed. These restrictions helped to preserve its ecosphere over decades that still pull in worldwide nature lovers. Slowly the explorers unfolded the remote valleys and the hidden treasures - lakes, tribal villages and forest embedded with variety of flora and fauna.