Transport to eastern Nepal / Low Himalayan Trail

hi, I'm looking for info on possible transport to Ilam and then Phidim from KTM, as well as details about this trek. I found the PDF but no feedback from those who’ve tried it... have a great day, Aichatou

- By plane: to Bhadrapur then taxi, or shared 4x4 from Birtamod. There are also flights (more expensive, fewer, and less reliable) to Taplejung Sukhetar. - By bus: direct buses from Ktm to Ilam, or take a bus to Kakarbitta and change at Birtamod for a 4x4 to Ilam. In Birtamod, there are also buses to Phidim and Taplejung

okay, thanks for the direct bus to Ilam—this confirms what I’d seen but wasn’t sure about. Have a great day, aichatou

Ilam is pleasant, but if you continue on to Phidim and Taplejung (not great), you’ll probably have to get on the main road and wait for a bus already full coming from Birtamod.

hi there, We're heading out to do the Kanchenjunga trek this coming November. We're thinking of taking the bus from Kathmandu to Ilam (I know, at least 20 hours on the road...) From Ilam to Sekhatum, is there a bus or do we need to share a car (or a 4x4)? Do you know the cost? Thanks for your tips

Hi there, I think you should know that the Kangchenjunga trek requires a special "restricted area" permit, so you’ll have to go through a registered agency or guide to get it. After that, the transport to the starting point will be arranged by the agency—so it won’t be your problem anymore.

Personally, I did this trek illegally without a guide a long time ago, avoiding check posts, but I wouldn’t recommend it these days. I took an overnight bus from KTM to Biratnagar (heading toward Kakarbhitta), then walked from Biratnagar to Dhankuta, Hile, and Taplejung. Nowadays, there are buses to all these towns. In my opinion, Taplejung is the closest town to the Kangchenjunga base camp... Happy trekking! But it’s tough to avoid using an agency.

Let me know how it goes?/

Yes, we have a local agency for the guide and porter. The road (the track) goes as far as Sukhetum. I did this trek about ten years ago, starting from Taplejung. I think you need to take a jeep from Taplejung to Sukhetum—that was my question. Thanks!

I think from Taplejung to Sukhetum, you need to take a jeep... that was my question.

Jeep or bus right now, I have no idea, but isn’t it up to your guide to handle that? The Nepal section hasn’t been very active since the forum reopened! On another forum, I shared my adventure toward Kangchenjunga—it was back in 1981... https://forumvoyage.forumactif.com/t2206p100-les-moments-d-emotion-en-voyage Shangri-La by Aliocha, pages 5, 6, 7.

Hello, We’re planning to do the Kanchenjunga trek next November. We’re thinking of taking the bus from Kathmandu to Ilam (I know, at least 20 hours on the road...). From Ilam to Sekhatum, is there a bus, or do we need to share a car (or a 4x4)? Do you know the cost? Thanks for your feedback!

My wife (a Nepali trek guide) and I are guiding two French trekkers in the Kanchenjunga region this November, so we’ll likely cross paths. As mentioned earlier, the area is "Restricted," meaning you can’t enter without a guide and a permit obtained through an agency from the Department of Immigration. Due to this administrative requirement, agencies or independent guides handle transportation from start to finish. If you don’t have a guide and depending on your dates, let me know, and I’ll send you the itinerary and price. In any case, to reach Sekathum, you’ll need to get to Taplejung. The most practical way to Taplejung is via Jhapa—so reach Birtamod first, then take a jeep to Taplejung. We’re leaving Kathmandu on November 15th. Keep me posted if this interests you! 😊 If you want to trek without a guide, you’ll have no choice but to opt for treks in non-"restricted" areas.

Hi, We’ll be leaving from KTM on 10/31 by bus to Taplejung. I saw there are buses that go all the way there—is that right? Then, a jeep to Sekhatum. We’re hiring a guide and a porter through a local agency; they’re letting us handle the transport ourselves. Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, To give you better information, you can take the bus from Kathmandu/Itahari/Ilam and then a bus/jeep from Itahari/Ilam to Taplejung. There’s also a flight from Kathmandu to Taplejung during peak tourist season, but it doesn’t operate daily due to a lack of passengers. To shorten the journey, there’s a regular flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, and from there, you can take a jeep or bus from Itahari to Taplejung. The trek in the Kanchenjunga region can only be organized through an agency since the area is on Nepal’s restricted list. Contacting an independent guide won’t be very helpful in this region if any issues arise during your stay, so make sure your guide is able to obtain a special permit for the area (meaning they must be registered with an agency by chance). Welcome to Nepal and have a great trip! Adventure!!!

Thanks Aventure. It’s a Nepali agency, no worries. Do you know the bus fare, then the jeep fare to Sukhetar?

Honestly, I’d recommend letting them handle the transport—you’ll save yourself the hassle, at least for calling/reserving. The bus price depends on whether it’s a local bus, Sofa, or jeep (though the price difference shouldn’t be huge) and your starting point (Kathmandu, Itahari, Birtamod, Illam, etc.). For Sekathum, there are no private jeeps; you’ll need to book or show up at the counter and wait for the jeep/bolero to fill up. The price differs between foreigners and Nepalis—normally, it should be around 1500 NPR per person for non-Nepalis.

But practically speaking, I’d suggest letting the agency/guide handle the jeep reservation (I’m not talking about paying the driver but having the agency book your seats at a time that works for you), since you’ll be required to have your guide and restricted permit with you to reach Sekathum—the first checkpoint is on the road before Sekathum. That said, since you’re using a local agency, it’s surprising they didn’t give you the rates and left you to figure it out yourself.

Thanks so much for this valuable info.

In any case, to reach Sekathum, you need to get to Taplejung

A sporty off-the-beaten-path alternative: accessing the Kangchenjunga region from the Arun Valley via the Lumbha Sambha La pass (restricted access area). With a bit of luck, you can enjoy the Phutuk festival of the Walung in Olangchung Gola.

First, you can acclimatize to the altitude near the Makalu base camp. During this autumn season, the west-to-east direction lets you follow the monsoon’s retreat.

But this is the High Himalayan Trail, not the Low Trail anymore.

Fabrice

Hey Fabrice, Good to see an old forum veteran again! Back in 2013, we exchanged thoughts on Iran’s mountains—how’ve you been? Still traveling? Gilles

Haven’t traveled since 2019 for various reasons (medical, COVID, caring for my parents...), the latest being multiple fractures (including a spiral fracture of the tibia) in my leg from a simple fall on a scree slope. Had a good surgery at the Valais Hospital in Martigny. Rehab is going well—I’ve got my city walking speed back up to 6 km/h, but I doubt I can keep that up for hours like I used to in the mountains on gentle inclines. For now, at least.

So, not in shape right now to trek for 30 days on the Haute Route as I’d originally planned for autumn 2020: Makalu Base Camp, the Phemathang–Honggon link + Lumbha Sambha La (a must with a knowledgeable guide and bivouacs), North Kangchenjunga Base Camp, and South Kangchenjunga Base Camp.

Since then, a few more setbacks (including cataracts), and the years keep passing...

For autumn 2026, maybe?

Fabrice

No travel since 2019 for various reasons (medical, COVID, caring for parents...), the most recent being multiple fractures (including a spiral fracture of the tibia) in my leg after a simple fall on a scree slope. Well operated on by the Valais Hospital in Martigny. Rehab is going well; I’ve regained a walking speed of 6 km/h in town, but I doubt I can keep that up for hours like I used to in the mountains on gentle slopes. For now.

So, not currently in shape to trek for 30 days on the High Route as I’d originally planned for autumn 2020: Makalu Base Camp, Phemathang–Honggon link + Lumbha Sambha La (essential guide and bivouac), North Kangchenjunga Base Camp, South Kangchenjunga Base Camp.

Since then, various setbacks (including cataracts) and the years keep passing...

For autumn 2026?

Fabrice

Good evening, Fabrice, Well, wishing you better health ahead seems the most sensible thing to do. It’s too bad your High Route project must have meant a lot to you. If everything goes smoothly for us in spring 2026 (March–April), we’ll spend a month backpacking in the Terai, then head toward Jannu Kang in April. Depending on the weather and physical condition, we’ll attempt Tengkoma. I hope you can get back to the mountains soon, Gilles