Kangchenjunga track notes

[Taghairm]

Here are detailed track notes for the Kangchenjunga Trek, from November 2012.

We found it hard to get reliable information on whether the north and south sides of Mt Kangchenjunga could be visited as a lodge trek. The answer is definitely yes, in this season at least.

The area is also relatively undeveloped so trekking tends to be seasonal. The usual trekking destinations are the climbing base camps and viewpoints on the south and north sides of this massive mountain. We found that the traverse between these two sides was also highly enjoyable, making for a very satisfying and wild experience.

Don’t expect the formed tracks of the Everest and Annapurna regions, although tracks are being rapidly improved up the north side. If you are grateful for a stone hut, wooden bed, evening dalbhat and daily wilderness, you will greatly enjoy this remote trek. Even today, only about 500 mostly camping group trekkers a year visit this place compared to over 70,000 in the Khumbu, so it is possible to walk blissfully all day and see no other trekkers.

http://fedup.com.au/images/stories/n...njungaTrek.pdf

cheers

Taghairm

[thesilvertops]

Great set of notes. I now need to put this trek on my list. Thank you.

[Sujoy]

Brilliant! Thks a ton!

[Ging]

NAC resumes flight in Taplejung.
2013-12-26:Nepalnews.com
http://www.nepalnews.com/index.php/n...ht-in-Taplejun

After 25 years, the state owned national flag carrier--Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has resumed direct flights from Kathmandu to eastern hilly district Taplejung from Thursday.
According to the NAC official, the NAC will provide flight service every Thursday from Kathmandu to Suketar of Taplejung. It will also fly from Biratnagar to Suketar on every Sunday.
The NAC clarified that the flights have been resumed following requests from tourism entrepreneurs and local people.
The fare allocated for Kathmandu to Taplejung flight is Rs. 6,200. The Biratnagar to Taplejung flight is priced at Rs. 3,370.
The NAC also informed that the flight will be increased after buying the new airplanes. The corporation has been preparing to bring six airplanes from China for domestic flights.


Taplejung airport resumes operation after 25 years
2013-12-26:The Himalayan Times
http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNew...&NewsID=400927

[Taghairm]

If you are looking for a more remote trek, Kangchenjunga might be it. Particularly as Suketar flights appear to have resumed!

We found it very hard to get reliable information in 2012 on whether the north and south sides of Mt Kangchenjunga could be visited as a lodge trek. So we did it, loved it, and the answer is definitely yes, in season. The track notes proved popular and so have been extensively updated after a second visit last month.

http://fedup.com.au/images/stories/n...njungaTrek.pdf

Our reason for providing track notes is to increase the flow of money direct to locals, who tell us that “teahouse trekking is best”, a force for positive local development better than the tented expeditions which carry all their supplies from Kathmandu.

Since these notes were first published in January 2013, trekking numbers on the north side have increased by 200-300% and on the south side by 50%, which has already resulted in more rooms and improved lodges and a higher standard of living for locals.

The usual trekking destinations are the climbing base camps and viewpoints on the south and north sides of this massive mountain, third highest in the world at 8586m. We found that the traverse between these was also highly enjoyable, making for a very satisfying and wild experience.

http://fedup.com.au/images/stories/n...njungaTrek.pdf

cheers

Taghairm

[mellinger]

Taghairm,

Thank you so much for these fantastic notes once again.

I used your Manaslu notes a few years ago for a great trip. So I was wondering if you could help me a bit.

I only get vacation during December/January. I'm hoping to do some form of this trek.

Do you think any lodges would still be open? I'm looking at December 20th til about January 6th. Probably would try to at least hit one base camp and if enough time both base camps.

I was encouraged when I saw you did the trip again and this time into December, but probably not that late in December. If some lodges would be closed, which would be most likely closed?

Thanks so much for your tips. Again, you provide some amazing info that is hard to come by for a lot of this treks.

Mike