About Mount Kanchenjunga

Mount Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain in Nepal at 8,000 meters and the third highest mountain in the world at 8,586 meters. It is located in the eastern regions of Nepal at the border side of India, as well as in the Koshi Province and Taplejung District of Nepal. Many tourists have climbed Mount Kanchenjunga at different times. The first ascent was made on May 25, 1955, by British climbers Joe Brown and George Bandle and their team as part of their expedition. This mountain is considered a holy mountain. Climbing this mountain is prohibited on the Indian side, but it is allowed on the Nepalese side. 

Mount Kanchenjunga is also considered the main and sacred place of the local Lepcha, Limbu, Sherpa, and Bhote communities. The local people also believe that this mountain is the abode of their gods. There is also a history that the King of Sikkim, Chogyal, once considered Kanchenjunga as his guardian deity.

Overview and History

The name Kanchenjunga is derived from the Tibetan word. It is believed to come from Kang-Chen-Jong-Nga. This huge mountain is considered to be a treasure. Salt, gold, and precious stones are also found in Kanchenjunga. It has religious and cultural significance.

The Kanchenjunga is also a mountain with a cultural background. It also encompasses commercial activities. Kanchenjunga is also considered the main point of the Brahmaputra River. This mountain falls within the Great Himalayan Range (GHR).

Similarly, this mountain is also considered the main center of the Southeast Asia monsoon. It is located in the gorge of the Koshi River, which is also considered the largest tributary of the Ganges River. Talking about its geographical background, there are 16 peaks associated with this mountain, and those peaks are more than 7000 meters (23000 feet) high.

It is located in the Kosi River valley, which is also considered the largest tributary of the Ganges River. In terms of its geographical background, there are 16 peaks associated with it, all of which are 7,000 meters (23,000 ft) high or more.

Mount Kanchenjunga is located 20 km (12 mi) south and 120 km (7 mi) east-southeast of Mount Everest. Mount Kanchenjunga is a beautiful mountain. Many people have interpreted this mountain in many ways.

There are five main peaks connected with the Kanchenjunga mountain. The main peak, 8,586 m, is located at coordinates 2742’10.8 N, 8808′ 53.52 E and touches Sikkim, India, and Taplejung, Nepal.

The origin of Kanchenjunga is believed to have been due to the collision of tectonic plates. If we look at the history of the mountains in this region, it is believed that they were formed 50 million years ago by the collision of the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate.

We have created a table called Location & Geography to make it easier for you to understand.

Attribute	Details
Countries	Nepal and India (Sikkim)
District in Nepal	Taplejung
State in india	Sikkim
Elevation	8,586 meters [28,169 feet]
Coordinates	27°42′09″N, 88°08′48″E
Mountaqin Range	Great Himalayan Range
Major Glaciers	Yalung Glacier, South Kanchenjunga Glacier
Nearest Major Cities	Darjeeling (India), Taplejung (Nepal), Gangtok (Sikkim, India)

Yalung Kang (West): 8505 m, located in Taplejung, Nepal.

The peak of the middle: Sikkim’s highest point is at 8482 meters and lies in the Taplejung region of Nepal.

The South Peak (8494 m) is located on the border of Nepal and India.

The main peaks of Kanchenjunga

Peak Name	Elevation (Meters)	Location
Main Peak	8,586	Sikkim, India | Taplejung, Nepal
Yalung Kang (West)	8,505	Taplejung, Nepal
Central Peak	8,482	Sikkim, India | Taplejung, Nepal
South Peak	8,494	Sikkim, India | Taplejung, Nepal

Kanchenjunga is also considered the king of mountains. This mountain is also called the Five Treasures of Snow. It has five special peaks.

It is seen as the storehouse of treasures of gold, silver, precious stones, food grains, and holy scriptures.

Local lifestyle and biodiversity.

The Kanchenjunga mountain region is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups and languages, especially those living in the Himalayan region. Among them are the Limbu, Sherpa, Bhote, and Rai communities. These residents earn their living mainly through agriculture, cattle rearing, and collecting herbs. Medicinal herbs such as Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Nardostachys jatamansi and Dactylorhiza hatagirea are found in this region.

10 Interesting facts about Kanchenjunga

Our company, Nepal Hiking Adventure (NHA), is presenting some interesting content related to Kanchenjunga here.

• The word Kanchenjunga means five treasures of snow.
• The local residents of Kanchenjunga consider it to be the abode of the gods. According to their beliefs, only those who have a pure soul and are religious can reach the summit, and this is a popular belief.
• History was made when Joe Brown and George Band first climbed Kanchenjunga on March 25, 1955.
• The mortality rate on Mount Kanchenjunga is more dangerous than on Mount Everest, where the mortality rate is 20 percent.
• It is believed that snow leopards, red pandas, and more than 600 species of birds are found in the area around Mount Kanchenjunga.
• The Yalung Glacier in Kanchenjunga is currently melting the fastest due to climate change.
• It is said that climbing Kanchenjunga is more difficult than climbing Mount Everest, which is also considered technically difficult.
• Mount Kanchenjunga is considered to be a sacred mountain in Nepal, India, and Tibet. These three regions often refer to it as a sacred mountain.
• UNESCO has listed Mount Kanchenjunga as a World Heritage Site (Kanchengunga Conservation Area) on behalf of Nepal.
• The most beautiful view of Kanchenjunga is seen from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling at sunrise.

The Kanchenjunga Trekking and Tour Tips.

We are telling you how to get to the Kanchenjunga region, which routes are there, and how many days you need to travel on which route.

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a trek from Nepal. This trek is also considered very difficult. You should be able to undertake a 20-25 day arduous trek to reach this place.

Similarly, if you are planning to travel from India, you should start your journey from Yuksom in Sikkim. The beautiful views of Kanchenjunga can be seen from the Goecha La Pass.

When it comes to the best time to visit and climb the Kanchenjunga region, autumn (October-November) is the best time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas. Similarly, the spring season (April-May) is also the best time to visit and climb the Kanchenjunga area, during which the flowers bloom, the sky is beautiful, and the weather is also cool. Both these seasons are considered to be the best seasons for Kanchenjunga.

Kanchenjunga Mandatory Permits and Expenses

Now Nepal Hiking Adventure Company is providing information on what permits you need to obtain to climb Mount Kanchenjunga.

Foreign and domestic tourists are required to obtain separate permits to visit areas designated as protected and dangerous by the government. If you are going to climb Mount Kanchenjunga, you will need to obtain a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit from Nepal. You also need to obtain a restricted area permit.

Similarly, if you are going to trek Mount Kanchenjunga from India, you will need to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) from the Government of India, which is issued to foreign tourists.

Kanchenjunga safety measures

We are explaining what safety measures should be taken when traveling to Kanchenjunga or before setting out on a trek.

Before going to the heights of the Himalayas, be clear about whether you can go to that place or not. Make sure you are prepared. Similarly, when traveling to such challenging mountains, go only with a local guide or trekking group. Keep up-to-date with the weather in the area you are traveling.

Kanchenjunga vs. Everest vs. K2

Metric	Kanchenjunga	Everest	K2
Height	8586 m	8,848 m	8611 m
Location	Nepal/India	Nepal/China	Pakistan/China
Fatality Rate	20 %	4 %	25 %
Cultural Status	Sacred	Commercialized	Savage Mountain

The Glaciers within Kanchenjunga

These are the two glaciers that flow from Kanchenjunga.

Yalung Glacier: This glacier is mainly located in the Taplejung district of Nepal and flows through the southwestern face of Kanchenjunga. It is the most important glacier of the Kanchenjunga Himal. It is the main glacier of Kanchenjunga. Currently, this glacier is facing increasing risks due to the expansion of glacier lakes and floods due to climate change.

Zemu Glacier: This glacier flows through the eastern face of Kanchenjunga. It is located in the Sikkim region of India. This glacier is considered the largest in India. It is the main source of all the rivers flowing through Sikkim.

Kangchenjunga Quick Overview

Attribute	Details
Meaning of Name	“Five Treasures of Snow” (Gold, Silver, Gems, Grain, Holy Scriptures)
Elevation	8,586 meters (28,169 feet)
Rank	3rd highest mountain in the world
Location	Nepal-India border (Taplejung, Nepal & Sikkim, India)
Coordinates	27°42′09″N, 88°08′48″E
Mountain Range	Great Himalayan Range
First Ascent	May 25, 1955, by Joe Brown & The George Band
Climbing Difficulty	Highly technical, Steep, and Dangerous
Fatality Rate	Around 20%
Key Glaciers	Yalung Glacier, Kangchenjunga Glacier
Cultural Significance	Sacred to local communities, climbers traditionally stop short of the summit.
Protected Areas	Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (Nepal) & Khangchendzonga National Park (India)
Best Viewing Spots	Tigher Hill (Darjeeling), Pelling (Sikkim), Kanchenjunga Base Camp (Nepal)

Major Climbing Expeditions

Year	Climbing Team	Country	Key Facts
1955	Joe Brown & George Band	GB UK	First Successful Ascent.
1977	Indian Army Team	In India	First Indian Ascent
1983	Peter Boardman & Joe Tasker	GB UK	Exploratory New Route
1998	Carlos Carsens	ES Spain	Solo Ascent
2014	Elizabeth Hawley	US/USA	Youngest Female Climber.

Local Culture and Festivals of the Kanchenjunga Region

In the Kanchenjunga region, the main festivals like Losar, Sakadava, Dashain, Tihar, etc., are celebrated. In this region, the Chhaybrung dance, which is performed by the Limbus, is especially popular. Similarly, there are Dampu instruments, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#1 In which country is Kanchenjunga located?

Ans: It is located on the Nepal-India border.

#2 Is Kanchenjunga taller than K2?

Ans: No, K2 (8,611 m) is higher than Kanchenjunga. Mount Kanchanjunga is third third-highest mountain in the world. 

#3 How long does it take to complete the Kanchenjunga trek?

Ans: It takes 15-20 days to complete the trek. Start from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. 

#4 Why is Kanchenjunga called the ‘Five Treasures of Snow’?

Ans: The name Kanchenjunga comes from the Tibetan words ‘Kang-chen-dzo-nga’, which means ‘Five Treasures of the Great Snow.’