Kanchenjunga is the world’s third highest mountain and is situated in the north-eastern corner of Nepal, straddling the border with Sikkim. Kanchenjunga is not a single summit but a mountain massif consisting of five summits with several satellite peaks and glaciers.
Until Nepal opened its borders to foreign visitors in the early 1950’s Kanchenjunga was probably the best recognised and most well known of all the Himalaya peaks as it could be clearly seen from Darjeeling, then part of the British regime. After the border control was relaxed, focus turned to the Annapurna and Everest regions and Kanchenjunga lost a bit of its appeal. Access became difficult from the east, the traditional starting point, as Sikkim then closed its border to foreign travellers. It was not until as late as 1988 that access to the north side of Kanchenjunga was relaxed and explorers, climbers and trekkers were able to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of this Himalayan giant.The area is home to a variety of endangered species; The snow leopard, musk deer, red panda, grey wolf and the Himalayan Black Bear. It is still a pristine environment and an area that every mountain lover should not only visit but take an active role in protecting its natural diversity.
Kanchenjunga is the world’s third highest mountain and is situated in the north-eastern corner of Nepal, straddling the border with Sikkim. Kanchenjunga is not a single summit but a mountain massif consisting of five summits with several satellite peaks and glaciers.
Until Nepal opened its borders to foreign visitors in the early 1950’s Kanchenjunga was probably the best recognised and most well known of all the Himalaya peaks as it could be clearly seen from Darjeeling, then part of the British regime. After the border control was relaxed, focus turned to the Annapurna and Everest regions and Kanchenjunga lost a bit of its appeal. Access became difficult from the east, the traditional starting point, as Sikkim then closed its border to foreign travellers. It was not until as late as 1988 that access to the north side of Kanchenjunga was relaxed and explorers, climbers and trekkers were able to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of this Himalayan giant.The area is home to a variety of endangered species; The snow leopard, musk deer, red panda, grey wolf and the Himalayan Black Bear. It is still a pristine environment and an area that every mountain lover should not only visit but take an active role in protecting its natural diversity.
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