Trek stop · 3,475 m
Ghunsa
The main village of the upper Kanchenjunga valleys, a Tibetan-heritage settlement and the hub of the North Base Camp trek.
Kanchenjunga Regionपाङपेमा
Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp)
The North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga, a grassy shelf at about 5,140 m facing the mountain's north-west face.
- Altitude
- 5,140 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Viewpoint
- District
- Taplejung, Koshi
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Why go
Pangpema is the North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), a grassy shelf on the lateral moraine of the Kanchenjunga glacier at about 5,140 m in the Kanchenjunga region. From here the north-west face of the mountain fills the view to the south-east, with hanging glaciers and icefalls above the glacier, and peaks along the Tibet border close by.
It is the high point of the Kanchenjunga Circuit and of the North Base Camp trek. Most trekkers walk here and back in a day from Lhonak, about 7-8 hours return. A basic seasonal lodge has operated in some years for those who want to see sunset and sunrise from the camp, but it should not be relied on.
Reaching Pangpema takes most trekkers about ten days from the road head, with acclimatisation nights at Ghunsa and Kambachen and a final night at Lhonak, the plain about 350-400 m below. The route up from Lhonak follows the crest and flank of the moraine, with the glacier on one side and scree slopes on the other, and in clear weather the face of Kanchenjunga stays in view for much of the walk. Prayer flags and a few stone walls mark the camp itself, which is quiet outside the spring climbing season.
History and culture
The north side of Kanchenjunga was explored by Douglas Freshfield's party in 1899 during their circuit of the massif, and expeditions to the north face have used Pangpema as base camp since then. It is a place of high pasture and moraine rather than a village, and herders from Ghunsa graze yaks in the valleys below in summer.
Things to do in Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp)
Day walk from Lhonak
Follow the moraine trail from Lhonak, about 3-4 hours up, and return the same way.
Climb above the camp
On a clear day, a short climb onto the slopes above the camp widens the view of the face and glaciers; go only if you feel well at altitude.
Weather and the best time to visit Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp)
Weather in Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp)
Forecast for 5,140 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November bring the clearest skies and are the main trekking months; September can still be wet lower down.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold, many upper lodges close and snow can block the high passes.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is the second season, with rhododendron flowers in the forests and more afternoon cloud.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet, with leeches, landslides on the access roads and cloud over the peaks.
Where to stay
TeahousesCamping
Most trekkers return to Lhonak; a very basic seasonal lodge and camping space have been available in some seasons.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Reached only on foot, about a week's walk from the Tamor valley road head via Ghunsa, Kambachen and Lhonak.
Nearest hub: Taplejung (Phungling)
- trekLhonak to Pangpema, about 3-4 hours up along the moraine and 2-3 hours back.
Permits and fees
Restricted-area permit
This part of the Kanchenjunga region is a restricted area. You need a restricted area permit, issued only through a registered trekking agency for trekkers with a licensed guide, and a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entry permit.
- Kanchenjunga restricted area permit (Taplejung): Arranged by a registered agency through the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area entry permit: Checked on the trail; check the current fee.
- Guide rule: Restricted-area trekkers must go with a licensed guide; group-size rules have been reported to change, so check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration, Nepal: trekking route and permit fee.
On the trail
On the Kanchenjunga Circuit (North and South Base Camps), Kanchenjunga North Base Camp trek.
- Previous stop:
- Lhonak
- Next stop:
- Lhonak (return)
- A typical day:
- A day walk from Lhonak of about 7-8 hours return, gaining about 350-400 m along the moraine.
Practical tips
- Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to rest every 3 to 4 days; know the signs of acute mountain sickness and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Start early; cloud often builds around midday and hides the face.
- Carry warm layers, water and food for the whole day; there are no facilities on the way.
- Weather can change fast at this altitude; turn back if your guide advises.
Questions about Pangpema (Kanchenjunga North Base Camp)
How high is Kanchenjunga North Base Camp?
Pangpema is at about 5,140 m, usually quoted as 5,143 m.
Can you sleep at Pangpema?
Most trekkers visit as a day walk from Lhonak. A basic lodge or camping has been possible in some seasons, so check before you go.
How many days does it take to reach Pangpema?
About 9-11 days from Phungling with acclimatisation days at Ghunsa and Kambachen.
More in Kanchenjunga Region
All of Kanchenjunga RegionTrek stop · 4,100 m
Kambachen
A seasonal herding settlement at about 4,100 m facing the north side of Jannu, the second acclimatisation stop on the way to Pangpema.
Trek stop · 4,785 m
Lhonak
A high, sandy plain at about 4,785 m beside the Kanchenjunga glacier, the last overnight stop before Pangpema.
Town or village · 1,820 m
Taplejung (Phungling)
The hill town headquarters of Taplejung district, where Kanchenjunga treks start and finish.
Trek stop · 3,865 m
Tseram
A small lodge stop at about 3,870 m in the Simbuwa Khola valley, base for Ramche and the Oktang viewpoint on the southern side of Kanchenjunga.
Trek stop · 2,080 m
Yamphudin
A farming village of several communities at the southern gateway to Kanchenjunga, and the restricted-area checkpoint for the Oktang route.
Nearby
National park or conservation area
Kanchenjunga Region
A remote trekking region below the world's third-highest mountain, with Limbu and Sherpa villages, two base camps and a restricted-area permit.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Wikipedia, Pangpema, OpenStreetMap, Kanchenjunga Circuit itinerary (UK trek operator)