Kanchenjunga Trek Cost

Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the most fascinating and iconic trekking expeditions in the Himalayan region. This classical trekking adventure in the Himalayas explores the foothills of the third-highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga, at an altitude of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). Compared to other mainstream trekking routes, this remarkable adventure in the eastern part of the Himalayas is slightly longer and lasts around 19- 23 days, depending on the itinerary plans.

If you are considering this long and exhilarating Himalayan expedition, then you might be wondering about its cost, so what is the Kanchenjunga Trek cost? The general trekking cost of this exciting Himalayan adventure is around US$ 2,700 to US$ 3,500; you can expect the itinerary plans, services, amenities, route, and highlight exploration to significantly influence the cost of your overall trekking package.

Package Cost- Kanchenjunga Trek Cost

The Kanchenjunga Trek is one of the longest Himalayan expeditions that explore the serene and secluded regions of the eastern part of the Himalayas. Due to its longer itinerary plans, the Kanchenjunga Trek cost is slightly higher than other mainstream trekking routes, costing around US$ 2,700 to US$ 3,500 for a full-fledged expedition.

However, if you want to go for low-cost variants, you can also choose from several available options, but these trekkers are the shorter variants that don’t cover the whole Kanchenjunga Trek route. Although the Kanchenjunga Trek cost on such packages are relatively lower, the highlight exploration and itinerary plans are designed for a specific part of the route instead of the complete trekking route.

We here at Nepal Guide Treks & Expedition offer the best value Kanchenjunga Trek cost; you can book this remarkable expedition with us at just US$ 3,555. Our 19 Days Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek package circumnavigates the base of the third-highest peak in the world without missing out on any highlights. With our core business module based around the best value experience, we don’t compromise when it comes to the integrity and quality of our services and assistance.

You can also get discounts for a group expedition and stay updated with our official website to check out any special offers and discounts. For any queries and assistance, you can contact us via our Contact Page.

Cost Breakdown- Included and Excluded

Whether you are planning the trek on your own or hiring services of a trekking agency, there are several expense factors that you have to consider for the Kanchenjunga trek cost. Even while booking a package from an agency, there are several cost heads that are covered and not covered by your package.

Let’s break down some of the major expense heads of the Kanchenjunga Trek cost so you will have a better understanding of the allocation of the budget for this epic Himalayan adventure.

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What is Included?

In this inclusion part of your Kanchenjunga Trek cost it generally covers the most general and essential factors of the overall trekking expedition. Almost all trekking packages cover these basic expenses head of your trek, and you will have to oversee them by yourself if you are planning this trek on your own.

Permits

It is not possible to do this trek without all the necessary permits; thus, the permit expense is one of the most significant expenses head of your Kanchenjunga Trek cost. To do this classical Himalayan expedition, you will require three types of permits:

• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP)
• Restricted Area Entry Permit for Tapethok and Tamphuding VDCs
• Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) Card

The conservation area and restricted area permits are the basic permits to do the Kanchenjunga Trek; on the other hand, the TIMS Card has just been recently made mandatory in the trekking region of the country considering the safety and well-being of the trekkers.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project Entry Permit (KCAP) cost: US$ 25

Restricted Area Entry Permit for Tapethok and Tamphuding VDCs cost: US$ 20

TIMS Card cost: US$ 20

Accomodation

In this long Himalayan expedition, you will need a proper accommodation facility to rest and replenish the lost energy in the long hours of trekking. Camping is also a feasible option during this trek, but carrying extra equipment and gear can be quite burdensome on your own. The warm and well-furnished rooms at the teahouses are the best accommodation options if you don’t want to put yourself through the hassles of camping.

So, the teahouse accommodation along the trekking trail is the most efficient and convenient expense head of the Kacnhejunga Trek cost. The teahouses are run by the natives of the region, so you can get a moderate level of services and amenities. The rooms are well-furnished, cozy, and warm, there are two to three adjacent beds in a single room, and you will receive the basic amenities like a pillow, comfortable mattress, and blanket. As for the bathroom facilities at these accommodating establishments, you will also use them on a shared basis.

If you are planning the trek on your own, you also have to consider the expenses of the accommodation facilities at Kathmandu which is generally covered by a trekking package.

Cost of accommodation at the teahouses in Kanchenjunga trek: US$ 8- US$ 12

Cost of accommodation at hotel in Kathmandu: starts at US$ 20

Food and Beverage

You will require a balanced fuel to keep up with the exhilarating adventures during every day of your trekking expedition. Food and beverage, like accommodation, are the most general expense head of your Kanchenjunga Trek cost. If you are doing the trek with an agency, this expenditure is covered by your package, but when managing the trek on your own, you will have to properly coordinate with the teahouses for meal preparation.

During the Kanchenjunga Trek, you will be able to enjoy a diverse range of delicacies, from tasty local dishes to Tibetan- Indian culture-influenced and popular items from the continental menus. As for the beverages, you can enjoy a wide variety of drinks, from milk, tea, coffee to cold drinks and hard alcoholic beverages along your trekking trail. Similar to accommodation, if you are managing the trek by yourself, you will have to oversee the meal plans during your stay in Kathmandu.

Cost of food at Kathmandu: US$ 10 – US$ 20

Cost of beverages at Kathmandu: Starts at US$ 5

Cost of food in teahouses in Kanchenjunga trek: US$ 10 – US$15

Cost of beverages at teahouses in Kanchenjunga trek: US$ 5 – US$ 10

Transportation

The starting point for the trekking adventure in this classical route is at Taplejung; you can take road transportation or 45 minutes from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and drive to Taplejung. Just a reminder that it takes about 8- 9 hours to drive to Taplejung from Bhadrapur, so you will have to account for the distance factor if you are planning to drive from Kathmandu all the way to Taplejung.

When you are trekking with an agency, they will book a comfortable private vehicle for your road transportation part and also take care of the flight expenses. If you are managing the adventure on your own and looking for a budget-friendly approach, you can use the local bus which is cheaper. Jeep and taxis are other convenient options for road transportation but can be costly depending on the drive distance.

Cost of travel in a local bus in Kanchenjunga trek: starts at US$ 10

Cost of travel in a jeep in Kanchenjunga trek: Starts at US$ 200-300 per Jeep

Guides and Porters

Guides and porters are another major expense head of Kanchenjunga Trek cost; effective from 1st April 2023, the Nepali authorities have restricted any kind of solo trekking adventure in the Himalayas. Due to the large number of trekkers who went missing during their adventures and considering the safety factors, now, it is not possible to do a solo trek in Nepal.

In general, you trekking agencies the arrangements of guides and porters proportionate to the group size of the expedition. Even if you are overseeing the trek on your own, you can request guides and porters through trekking agencies; this way, you will get a government-licensed guide and won’t have to worry about the credibility of your trekking companions. Doing the trek with guides and porters is informative, immersive, fun, and of course, safe, as they are familiar with the region like the back of their hands.

Cost of guide for Kanchenjunga trek: US$ 30- US$ 35

Cost of porters for Kanchejunga rek: US$ 20- US$ 25

General First Aid Kit

As you might not always get lucky with medical staff in your expedition crew, you should be capable enough to conduct first-aid responses and carry the general medication kit during your trek. Things don’t always go according to plan, and you often have to stay prepared for minor health complications or injuries during your trek. In the regular trekking package, your physical conditions are inspected on a daily basis to determine how well your body is acclimatizing to the rising altitude.

Your team’s first respondent is also responsible for making the call whether to admit you to a nearby medical institution or evacuate you back to the well-facilitated hospital in the city, depending on the condition. Although the general trek package covers the expenses of a first-aid kit and a well-trained respondent who is also part of the expedition team, you have to oversee this Kanchenjunga Trek cost on your own if you are managing the adventure by yourself.

Cost of general first aid kit: US$ 25

What is Excluded?

Moving past the general expenditure head of the Kanchenjunga Trek cost that a standard package covers, let’s discuss the expenses that you have to manage on your own. These cost heads are also not covered by the standard trekking package if you are trekking with an agency.

Personal Natured Expenses

In your Kanchenjunga Trek cost, you will have to manage the personal natured expenditures on your own even if you have hired services of a trekking company. These expense heads generally refer to the costs that are not included in your trekking package. Your standard trekking package follows a specific itinerary plan where the cost of food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), accommodation, permits, etc, are already covered.

So, if your expenses go beyond these pre-determined itinerary plans, you have to manage them on your own. Some of the personal nature expenses that you have to pay for out of your pocket include the cost of charging phones, laundry, hot shower, internet, snacks, alcohol, etc. That’s why you are recommended to bring enough cash converted to the local currency for personal expenses along the trekking route.

Tippings

Although the tipping culture isn’t mandatory while doing the trekking adventures in Nepal, it is expected. Like any service industry where it is customary to leave a certain percentage of the total cost as a tip, you are expected to leave a certain amount as a tip to thank your precious member of the expedition crew. Thanks to these wonderful team members, you get the opportunity to explore the magical ambiance of the Himlayas in a safe and informative manner.

So, most trekkers consider tipping as a way to show gratitude to the crew members who made the remarkable Himalayan adventure possible. As there isn’t any specific amount allocated for the tipping, this cost head of your Kanchenjunga Trek cost is not covered by the trekking package. The standard practice for tipping in Kanchenjunga Trek is about US$ 5- US$ 10 for porters and US$ 10- US$ 15 for the trek guides.

Entry Fee at Heritage Sites

Most of the Kanchenjunga Trek packages include a sightseeing and exploration day at the Kathmandu Valley in their itinerary plans. During this exploration day, you will get a chance to visit many cultural sites, including a few of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Kathmandu (7 out of 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nepal are located in Kathmandu).

You have to manage these expenses heads of your Kanchenjunga Trek cost on your own; you will pay around US$ 2- US$ 15 as the entrance fee in most of these sites. Although the entrance fees in most cultural and historic sites are pretty much consistent, you will have to pay for additional activities like photography, museums, customized tours inside the site, etc. That is the reason why most of the trekking agencies don’t include the cost of the excursion day in their package, as the activities preferred by tourists can vary from person to person.

Souvenirs

It is natural for you to want to collect a piece of art or spiritual beads and linens as a memoir of your remarkable adventure in the Himalayas. Nepal is a fascinating country in the Himlayas with diverse ethnic groups and heavily influenced by the Buddhist and Hindu religions. So, you can expect to find a wide range of arts and crafts representing the diverse ethnic groups in the country that you can pick from.

You can expect the cost of the general souvenirs, like bracelets, necklaces, rings, etc, to be somewhere between US$2- US$ 10. But if you are going for a valuable art piece, statue, or jewelry, they can cost upto thousands of dollars. For the authentic piece of souvenirs, you are recommended to visit the cultural sites and popular marketplaces in Kathmandu Valley.