You will be met at the airport and transfer to the hotel, where our pre-trek briefing and other information will be given. All the arrangements are made today for the distribution of your kitbag, down jacket, sleeping bag etc. The remainder of the afternoon is free. Your guide will be happy to assist you in any way he can and will meet you every day while you are in Kathmandu to help you with any queries. The evening will be highlighted by a traditional Royal Nepali cuisine as a perfect end of the first day. (D)

Today you will have time to explore the Kathmandu-valley, which has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. After the guided tour, the afternoon is free to pack, purchase last minutes items for your trek or simply relax. (B)

We fly to Biratnagar. The 45-minute flight provides excellent views as we head eastwards across Nepal. In clear weather, the panorama stretches from Ganesh Himal (7406m.) in the west to our first view of Kanchenjunga in the east. We spend the afternoon here and overnight in a hotel ready for our flight to Taplejung in the early morning. (B,L,D)

From Biratnagar we take a short connecting flight to Taplejung located close to the village of Suketaar. Here we will meet our trekking crews upon arrival and have lunch, with views of Kanchenjunga (8586m.) before descending to Mitlung and then to the Ghunsa Khola. From Thawa, we continue upstream, crossing a couple of landslides to reach the village of Chirwa (1530m.) in the early afternoon. Our campsite is in a large open field. Overnight Tea House. (B,L,D)

We descend down following the terraced fields into the Uttis (Nepalese elder) forest with cardamom plantation for about 45 minutes. We will cross the suspension bridge over a small river. From there again we climb about another 45 minutes and reach the top where there is a resting place. From there the trail is easy with terraced fields and Palas trees before climbing again. We cross another suspension bridge and reach a village called Yamkhia where we have lunch. After lunch, we will follow terraced fields along an undulating trail. From here we walk about 2 hrs to the village of Chiruwa. Overnight Tea House. (B,L,D)

Starting with a gradual climb we reach Sisawa after an hour or so. After crossing a small suspension bridge we continue on the east bank, passing the village of Thapethok. The walking remains easy through rice paddies until we reach a sheltered glade of Chilauney trees for lunch at Tapnawa Khola. In the afternoon it is a steady climb heading into the forest until we meet the junction of the Tamur and Walungchung rivers. From here there are views of the high peaks, a taste of things to come. Overnight Tea House Sakathum. (B,L,D)

Today we climb up the sides of a steep V-shaped valley. The trail zig-zags up through terraced slopes and passes the Tamang settlement of Ghaiyabari. From here we continue to climb steeply to pass a large mushroom-shaped rock. We take lunch a few minutes further on, near a small stream. In the afternoon, we continue to climb. The rest of the afternoon’s walk is gradual climbing and contouring past a beautiful 150-meter high waterfall before arriving at Amjilasa and our evening’s Tea House.. (B,L,D)

An easier day starting with a short climb through terraced fields before descending into a forest of bamboo, rhododendron, prickly and silky oak. The trail is now only a few hundred meters above the river and we leave behind the terracing that has dominated the trek so far. Lunch is taken early in the shade of overhanging cliffs. As it is only a short day we have ample time to wander up the trail admiring the scenery. As we are near Kyapra, some of the lesser peaks come into view at the head of the Ghunsa Khola. Overnight Tea House. (B,L,D)

For the time being, we have finished trekking across the grain of the land. From here on, up to the base of Kanchenjunga, our trails climb following the Ghunsa Khola through a forest of Birch and Rhododendron. The first settlement we reach is at Phole, populated in the main by Tibetan refugees. The village has an interesting monastery and is well known for its home-based carpet industry. We schedule lunch at the village to allow plenty of time for looking around. From here to the Tea House at Ghunsa is about one and a half hours. (B,L,D)

Ghunsa is the main village of the valley and we allow a full day to explore or relax as part of our acclimatization to the higher elevation. There is a chance to sample ‘Tongba’, the local brew of millet. (B,L,D)

We leave Ghunsa on a level trail through cultivated fields before entering a forest of Birch, Junipers and Rhododendron. The valley floor is now wider as we enter glacial terrain. Steep cliffs line the way with occasional views of Khabur peak (6332m.). After crossing the river at Rambuk Kharka, we take lunch before crossing the tricky scree slopes that lead the way to Khambachen. Nearing camp we get our first good views of Jannu and the Shaphu peaks. We stay overnight at Khambachen, a small temporary settlement, inhabited by yak herders mainly from Ghunsa. (B,L,D)

The early morning affords good photographic opportunities. We are now above the tree line and the slopes of the bare mountains are home to blue sheep that can sometimes be seen on this days walk, though they are not easy to spot. The trail is less well defined and at times it can be tricky, particularly when crossing the many tributary streams. We lunch at Ramtang in full view of Kanchenjunga. The scenery is certainly the most spectacular so far. In the afternoon we reach the snout of the Kanchenjunga glacier. Our Tea House is a short distance further on in the large yak grazing pastures of Lhonak. We will spend a further day acclimatizing here. (B,L,D)

We are now at quite a high altitude. It is necessary to take our time and proceed slowly. However, this section of the trail is surrounded by dramatic scenery. To the right of the trail the huge creaking glacier, lined by stunning ice peaks; at the head of the valley more peaks forming the India/Nepal border. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak is initially tucked away and out of sight and it is not until we arrive at Pangpema that we get views of the towering north face. We will have lunch here, and stay overnight. The whole afternoon is free for relaxation or exploring the area. (B,L,D)

Today’s plan is to rise early for an exploration of the area before taking a late lunch and then heading down back down to Lhonak. For those feeling energetic, they will have the chance to climb Cocks Comb (though to reach the summit involves a good three-hour climb and is only recommended to those feeling very fit). As the views of Kanchenjunga are as impressive from our campsite or from only a few hundred meters above our camp, everyone has the opportunity to enjoy some excellent photographic opportunities. In the afternoon our walk takes us back down the valley to Lhonak and on to Khambachen where our crew will be waiting for our arrival. (B,L,D)

We retrace our steps down the valley where we have the opportunity to get excellent photographs of Jannu. We will overnight in Ghunsa in preparation for the following morning’s uphill walk. (B,L,D)

After checking our trekking permits at the police post, we will head through a series of boulder fields before gaining a steep ridge that leads us out of the Ghunsa valley. The climb takes us through thick Birch and Rhododendron forests, the best on the trek. The trail here is not well defined. At the Tagmalasi pass (4935m.), the trail evens out and gives great views both up and down the Ghunsa valley. Soon we climb above the tree line and continue on a series of ups and downs high above the valley. We take a packed lunch today as there is little water on this trail. There are excellent views towards Makalu and Everest from our Tea House. (B,L,D)

Today’s walk is particularly exciting with superb mountain views initially of Everest and Makalu, as we climb and then Jannu and Kanchenjunga come into view. It takes about two hours to cross the Mirgin La pass at 4610 meters which takes us into the Simbua river valley. We are well above habitation and the tree-lines. The trail is clearly defined through this barren terrain. After lunch, we cross another pass above Tseram and gain great views looking northwards to Kabru Peak (7353m.) and Rathong (6678m.). The descent into the valley is steep, via a small lake to our Tea House at Tseram. (B,L,D)

The track gradually climbs up the valley via Ramche, a yak herder’s settlement, before bearing left and ascending onto the lateral moraines to give excellent views of Kabru and Kanchenjunga. Ramze is a high altitude Tea House, but it is well worth the visit. Here we will see the glacier Okthang (4750m.) with incredible views of the southern aspect of Kanchenjunga. (B,L,D)

We descend following the Simbua Khola. The landscape begins to change again from high altitude vegetation back into forests of Rhododendron, Fir and Cedar. The valley becomes narrower as we descend. At Hellok we cross the river and take lunch beside the wooden bridge. In the afternoon we climb steadily through the forest of Oak, Rhododendron and bamboo to the Lase pass (3480m.), high above the valley. Our Tea House is ten minutes further on with views of Jannu to the north. (B,L,D)

The day starts with a steep descent through a forest where many water buffalo graze. Here we take lunch before climbing to a small saddle (2660m.) adorned with prayer flags. We descend from here. Past the first permanent habitation seen for a number of days to the village of Yampudin. We check in to our Tea House near the river in the early afternoon and have the opportunity for a swim in the cool water. (B,L,D)

From the village, we walk downstream following the Kabeli Khola passing occasional Rai and Limbu’s settlements before climbing out of the valley to begin a series of small ascents and descends through terraced hillsides. Our trail continues via the small village of Dekadin to the much larger settlements of Mamankhe. Overnight Tea House. (B,L,D)

We start with a gradual but then steep descent to the Khesewa Khola which we cross on a suspension bridge. The route then winds uphill through terraced hillsides and various small settlements to reach the ridge at Ponpe Danda, where there are good views of Jannu Himal. We descend again to Anpan village and continue high above the river in a series of short ascents and descents through a beautiful forest before reaching the Nandeva Khola, from whence we descend to our Tea House at Sinchena pass. (B,L,D)

From our campsite, we descend to Khesewa, the peaks of the Kanchenjunga massif behind us in the distance. We take lunch close to the bridge, crossing the Phawa Khola. In the afternoon, we descend to Simbu (1707m.) and then continue uphill through a forest of Oak to the shepherd’s huts below the pass which provides views of Makalu to the west. (B,L,D)

We descend to Tambawa village (1990m.); from here we have a further descent on a ridge route to the airfield at Sukhetaar above Taplejung village. A final night with our crew is spent here in celebration of one of Nepal’s best treks. (B,L,D)

In the morning we await the arrival of our shuttle aircraft to take us to Biratnagar. Our flight to Kathmandu is usually in the late afternoon taking approximately 45 minutes. On take-off, we should gain views of some of the places and rivers and mountains which have been our companions for the last three weeks. From Kathmandu airport, we transfer to our hotel. (B)

Today, sadly, you head home.

Note: The above route and walking hours must be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to weather, trail conditions or other reason.