A trek to the base camps of Kanchanjunga is a remarkable and memorable journey with fantastic high mountain vistas. Translated into English, Kanchenjunga means "clear crystal". This 16-day trek centers around the Arun River, where the culture of the local people is as diverse and colorful as the nature. Sherpa and Gurung communities are predominant in the northern part of the region, whilst Rai, Limbu, Magar, Tamang, Brahman, and Chhetri dominate the south. Extremely rich in natural beauty, the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area provides habitat to numerous wild animals, birds, exotic plants orchids, rhododendrons lilies, and primula. The region also serves as a habitat to the elusive snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, and red panda. Bird life discovered in this region includes Impheyan, pheasant, red-billed blue magpies, and shy drongo. The trek is fairly strenuous, meaning participants must be fit, but the rewards are well worth the effort. If you are looking for something out of the way and off the beaten trails which is rich in flora and fauna with tremendous views, this may well be the trek for you.