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Annapurna Expeditions
Eastern Nepal
Trekking goals in eastern Nepal include Makalu base camp, an eastern approach to Everest, and the area near Kanchenjunga. There is an endless variety in this part of the country. Most ethnic groups are represented and many villages, such as Dhankuta, Khandbari and Bhojpur, are large, prosperous and clean. The area has hot, rice-growing districts and also encompasses the cooler tea-growing region of Ilam. The heavily populated Middle Hills are gouged by the mighty Arun River which has cut through at an elevation of less than 400 meters.



Kanchenjunga, at 8586 meters, is the world's third-highest mountain. The peak is on the border of Nepal and Sikkim (India) and has several distinct summits. It is visible from Darjeeling; so many expeditions explored this region and tried to climb the mountain during the British rule in India. A British team led by Charles Evans made the first ascent of Kanchenjunga in 1953. They trekked from the south of Nepal and climbed the south face of the peak.

One of the most spectacular peaks in the region is Jannu (Khumbakarna), at 7710 meters. The Nepalese renamed this peak Khumbakarna in 1984 when a committee Nepalese the names of many peaks. Jannu was also called "Mystery Peak" and "Peak of Terror" by early expeditions. A French team made the first ascent of Jannu in 1962.

Nepal opened the Kanchenjunga area to trekkers in 1988, though people have trekked in the area in connection with mountaineering expeditions since the turn of the century. Kanchenjunga is a long way from Kathmandu, and the nearest roads and airports are a long way from the mountain. You can trek either to the north or south Kanchenjunga base camp, but it takes luck, determination and a lot of time to visit both sides of the peak. The northern side is particularly remote; it takes almost two weeks of walking to get to the base camp at Pang Pema.