Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga is a mountain massif in the eastern Himalaya with a highest summit at 8,586 metres, ranking as the world’s third-highest peak. The massif comprises multiple summits along a long ridge straddling the border between Nepal and India’s Sikkim state.

The massif includes five principal peaks and multiple subsidiary summits, several of which exceed 7,000 metres, and is known for its large, remote glacier systems. The mountain’s complexity and technical difficulty have made it less frequently climbed than some other eight-thousanders.

The first recorded ascent of the main summit was made in 1955 by a British expedition led by Charles Evans, with summiters Joe Brown and George Band among the party. Over time climbing approaches and mapped routes have developed on both the Nepalese and Indian sides, but the mountain retains strict cultural significance for local communities.

Kangchenjunga sits on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim in the eastern Himalaya, within rugged high mountain terrain and protected conservation areas on the Nepalese side. Access is typically via trekking approaches from towns in eastern Nepal or Sikkim.

• Elevation: Elevation 8,586 metres, making it the third-highest mountain on Earth.

• For clear mountain views, plan to be at a local viewpoint at first light-early mornings are most likely to deliver unobstructed vistas before clouds build up.
• If you intend to trek in the Kanchenjunga region, check current permit requirements and restrictions and arrange a registered local guide in advance; much of the area is regulated and access rules change.
• Many visitors miss the cultural side of the region: include stops in lower-elevation villages en route to appreciate local hospitality and perspectives of the massif rather than only aiming for summit viewpoints.