Kanchenjunga with Dormo Ri

The Kanchenjunga circuit (8,586 m) is one of the last great wild treks in Nepal, still largely untouched by mass tourism. This version links the north and south base camps of the massif and adds, as a bonus, the ascent of Dormo Ri (5,980 m), the best accessible viewpoint onto the north face of Kanchenjunga, straight from the camp at Pangpema.

From Bhadrapur the road climbs to Ilam and then reaches Sekathum, where the trail takes over along the valley. After several days of climbing through Ghunsa and Kambachen, the trek reaches the north base camp at Pangpema, then Dormo Ri, before crossing a series of passes above 4,500 m to reach the south base camp at Oktang. The return, more direct than on the classic version, drops down via Yamphudin rather than the long eastern loop of the circuit.

What makes it unique

The only circuit in the catalogue that combines both Kanchenjunga base camps with the ascent of a secondary summit, with no major logistical detour and no additional expedition permit.

Route at a glance

Kathmandu → flight to Bhadrapur → Ilam → Sekathum → Gyabla → Ghunsa → Kambachen → Lhonak → north base camp (Pangpema) → ascent of Dormo Ri (5,980 m) → back to Ghunsa → Selele → Mirgin La and Sinelapche La → Tseram → Ramche → Oktang (south base camp) → Torongden → Yamphudin → return to Kathmandu

Good to know

• Duration: 19 days
• Difficulty: Expedition-level
• High point: Dormo Ri, 5,980 m