The Kanchenjunga north route gains height slowly over many days, which helps your body adapt. You spend the first week below about 3,000 m, rest at Ghunsa at about 3,595 m, then climb through Khambachen (about 4,050 m) and Lhonak (about 4,780 m) to Pangpema at about 5,140 m. The high section is short but demanding. This is general information, not medical advice.
How the route gains height
The first days run through forested valleys with nights between about 1,200 m and 2,700 m, so the early part of the trek is a gentle warm up. The big change comes after Ghunsa, a village at about 3,595 m, where the valley opens and the air thins.
From there the trail climbs to Khambachen at about 4,050 m, then Lhonak at about 4,780 m, and finally Pangpema at about 5,140 m. The south side reaches the Oktang viewpoint at about 4,700 m. Compared with many treks, this gradual build gives your body time, but the last stages are still a large jump in height for the time you spend there.
Where you sleep highest
On the north route the highest night is usually at Lhonak, at about 4,780 m, or at Pangpema at about 5,140 m if your plan includes a night there. Many groups sleep at Lhonak, walk to Pangpema for the view, and return to sleep lower the same day.
That pattern follows the old rule of climbing high and sleeping low, which suits most bodies. Ask us how your chosen itinerary handles this. A plan that adds a night at the top may give more time at the view but asks more of your body, so it needs a fit, well acclimatised group and a good weather margin.
Why rest days and spare days matter
A rest day at Ghunsa, at about 3,595 m, is not wasted time. It gives your body a chance to adjust before the steeper section, and a short walk higher during the day, then returning to sleep, helps. Rest days are one of the best protections you have.
Spare days matter as well. If you feel unwell or the weather turns, a spare day lets you wait without pushing on. If you want extra margin, we can add a spare day to your plan. Walk slowly, drink regularly, eat even when your appetite is low, and avoid alcohol on high nights.
Symptoms to take seriously
Mild altitude symptoms include headache, poor appetite, trouble sleeping and feeling tired. These can pass with rest and fluids, but do not climb higher while they last.
Worse signs need action: a headache that will not ease, repeated vomiting, unsteady walking, confusion, a wet cough or breathlessness at rest. Tell your guide at once, because these can become serious quickly. The most reliable treatment is to go down. This is general information, not medical advice, so talk to your doctor before you travel, especially if you have a heart, lung or blood condition.
Descent and evacuation options
If someone gets worse, the first step is to descend, even a few hundred metres, and not to wait until morning. Your guide will decide whether the person can walk down with help or needs more support.
The area is remote. Roads are far away, mobile signal is patchy and rescue may depend on weather. Helicopter evacuation is possible in some conditions but is not guaranteed and should be covered by your insurance. Tell your insurer the route and the highest altitude, carry the policy details with you, and agree a turn back plan with your guide before the high section.
Common questions
How high is Pangpema?
Pangpema, the north base camp of Kanchenjunga, is at about 5,140 m. Lhonak, the usual stop before it, is at about 4,780 m. Heights vary slightly by source, so treat these as approximate.
Do I need a rest day on the Kanchenjunga trek?
A rest day at a village such as Ghunsa, at about 3,595 m, is strongly recommended because it helps your body adjust before the higher camps. Our plans include rest time, and we can add a spare day.
What should I do if I get altitude sickness?
Stop climbing, tell your guide and rest. If symptoms are moderate or getting worse, go down. This is general information, not medical advice. Descent is the main treatment, and you should not walk alone while unwell.
