Kanchenjunga emerges as rising adventure tourism hub

KATHMANDU: Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, is increasingly becoming a hub of attraction for both domestic and international tourists.

The region is especially popular among adventure travelers, trekkers, and mountaineers, with the number of foreign visitors steadily rising.

Recently, a team of ten climbers, including five foreign nationals, successfully summited Kanchenjunga via the Seven Summit Treks route. The group comprised citizens from the United Kingdom, Iran, Kosovo, along with Nepalese Sherpas.

According to Mingma David Sherpa, director of Elite Expedition Kathmandu, an additional 63 climbers and guides are currently in the region preparing for their Kanchenjunga ascent.

Foreign tourist interest is growing not only for the summit but also for the southern base camp. According to Suryaman Rai, Tourism Assistant at the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council’s Yampudhin office, since last Chaitra, 44 foreign tourists—including 16 Americans, 15 Indians, 5 Russians, 4 Israelis, 2 British, and 2 Dutch—have visited the southern base camp. The northern base camp has also seen notable tourist activity.

Tashi Tenzing Sherpa, Tourism Assistant at the Ghunsa checkpoint, reports that approximately 360 foreign tourists have visited the northern base camp to date.

While Kanchenjunga is becoming a favored destination for foreign tourists, it is also gaining popularity among domestic visitors, though detailed data on local tourists remains unrecorded by authorities.

Standing at 8,586 meters above sea level, Kanchenjunga offers two main base camps for climbers and trekkers: the northern and southern base camps.

Northern Base Camp (Oktang)

To reach the northern base camp, visitors travel approximately four hours by vehicle from Taplejung’s district headquarters, Phungling Bazaar, to Japantar. From Japantar, it takes a three-day trek to reach Ghunsa village, followed by another three-day trek to Oktang, located at an elevation of 5,200 meters—the final northern base camp of Kanchenjunga. The route offers essential facilities such as hotels, homestays, and rest stops, making accommodations convenient for tourists.

Southern Base Camp (Pangpema)

The southern route takes about seven hours by vehicle from Phungling Bazaar to Yampudhin village. After a three-day trek, visitors reach Pangpema at 4,800 meters, the final southern base camp. This route also provides local accommodations, homestays, and guides arranged by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council.

Climbers typically spend several days at the base camp acclimatizing before gradually ascending through camps 1, 2, and 3 to the summit. The presence of experienced guides, high-altitude porters, medical personnel, and logistical support is essential for a successful ascent.

Kanchenjunga is considered one of the most technically challenging 8,000-meter peaks in Nepal due to its unpredictable weather, thin oxygen levels, and frequent avalanche risks.

Climbers require extended preparation and a high level of expertise. Unfortunately, a French climber recently lost his life during an ascent attempt, underscoring the mountain’s dangers.

Located in eastern Nepal, Kanchenjunga is not only a source of national pride but also a region with immense international tourism potential. Its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage add to the area’s appeal.

With improved infrastructure and communication, Kanchenjunga could develop into a premier destination for adventure tourism and trekking.

The establishment of new homestays, trail signage, first-aid centers, and emergency rescue services along trekking routes would further boost tourist arrivals.