A three-week restricted-area trek in far eastern Nepal that reaches both Kanchenjunga base camps, Pangpema in the north and Oktang in the south, joined by the Sele La pass crossing.
- Days
- 20 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,143 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Kanchenjunga Regionयाम्फुदिन
Yamphudin
A farming village of several communities at the southern gateway to Kanchenjunga, and the restricted-area checkpoint for the Oktang route.
- Altitude
- 2,080 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Taplejung, Koshi
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Why go
Yamphudin is a terraced farming village above the Kabeli Khola on the southern side of the Kanchenjunga region, at about 2,080 m by most trek itineraries. It is the first permanent village reached when coming down from Tseram and Tortong, and the start of the climb for trekkers heading to the South Base Camp at Oktang.
The village has a restricted-area police checkpoint and a number of homes that also take trekkers. Roads in the Kabeli valley have been pushed closer to the village in recent years, so the walk out to a jeep can be short; check current conditions.
History and culture
Yamphudin is home to Limbu, Sherpa, Rai and Gurung families, a mix that reflects its position between the Limbu hills and the high Tibetan-heritage valleys. Wikipedia records a population of 764 in 130 households in the 1991 census and notes that local houses were converted into guesthouses for trekkers and climbers. It is now part of Sirijangha Rural Municipality.
Things to do in Yamphudin
Village walk
Walk through the terraces and houses and see daily farm life; ask before photographing people.
Start the South Base Camp climb
Head up through forest towards Tortong and Tseram on the Oktang route.
Weather and the best time to visit Yamphudin
Weather in Yamphudin
Forecast for 2,080 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
TeahousesHomestays
Simple lodges and village homes that take trekkers.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Reached by jeep from Phungling towards the Kabeli valley and a walk of a few hours to a day, depending on how far the road is open.
Nearest hub: Taplejung (Phungling)
- jeepPhungling to road heads in the Kabeli valley, several hours on rough roads.
- trekFrom Phumphe Danda, about 5-6 hours; from Tortong, about 6-7 hours over a forested ridge.
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 South Base Camp trek.
- Previous stop:
- Tortong (circuit) or Phumphe Danda (south side, going up)
- Next stop:
- Phumphe Danda (circuit) or Tortong (south side)
- A typical day:
- From Tortong about 6-7 hours with a forested climb and a long, steep descent.
Practical tips
- Leeches are common on the forest trails around Yamphudin in and just after the monsoon.
- Keep your restricted area permit handy for the checkpoint.
- There are no ATMs beyond Phungling; carry enough Nepali rupees for the whole trek.
Treks through Yamphudin
Questions about Yamphudin
Where is Yamphudin?
In Sirijangha Rural Municipality, Taplejung district, above the Kabeli Khola on the southern approach to Kanchenjunga.
How high is Yamphudin?
About 2,080 m according to most trek itineraries, though the lower part of the village is closer to 1,700 m.
Do I need a permit for Yamphudin?
Yes. It is in the Kanchenjunga restricted area, so a restricted area permit and a conservation area permit are needed.
More in Kanchenjunga Region
All of Kanchenjunga RegionViewpoint · 5,140 m
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.
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.
Trek 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.
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: Yamphudin, Wikipedia, Yamphudin, OpenStreetMap, Department of Immigration, Nepal: trekking route and permit fee