Kanchenjunga Region

Kanchenjunga Region lies in eastern Nepal close to the Nepal-India border. Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world looms majestically over this isolated region. Popular trekking trails in the region include the trails to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp, Kanchenjunga South Base Camp trek, and a loop of both the base camps known as Kanchenjunga Circuit. Sparsely populated with few teahouses along the trail, one needs to trek with camping equipment and a licensed guide in this region.

Revered by the Buddhist Sherpas and Lepchas living in the foothills of Kanchenjunga, the five summits of the Kanchenjunga Massif are regarded as the "five treasures of the snow".  In the lower hills, you will find villages of the Rai, Limbu, and Gurung communities. They rely on terrace farming, weaving, and sheep rearing for sustenance. Limbu women from this region are known for their expertise in weaving "Dhaka," Nepal's traditional textile. Military service in the British and Indian armies is also favored by young men from these villages.

While trekking through the region one gets to experience diverse landscapes – from lush rhododendron and pine forests in the lower hills to the treeless alpine tundra in the higher reaches. The region also has a rich wildlife population. Snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, and blue sheep inhabit the dense jungles and mountainous slopes. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project was established in 1998 to protect the endangered species found in this region.