The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is a journey into one of Nepal’s most remote and untouched regions. While you navigate its diverse landscapes: high mountain passes, dense forests, deep valleys, and traditional villages, one thing remains constant - your body needs fuel to keep going. Hence, the right food is not just a source of energy but a crucial factor in maintaining strength, acclimatizing properly, and fully enjoying the trek.
Unlike more commercialized trekking routes like Everest and Annapurna, where a wide variety of meals are available, food options on the Kanchenjunga Circuit are far more limited. As this region is quite remote, the supplies must be carried up on foot or by mule, which is why food is more expensive with restricted menu choices. While tea houses offer simple yet hearty meals, you will face repetitive menus.
Therefore, it is important to know what to expect and how to plan your meals during the Kanchenjunga Trek.
Types Of Food Available During Kanchenjunga Trek
Food on the trails of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is simple, nourishing, and heavily influenced by the remoteness of the region. During this journey, you will heavily rely on teahouse-based meals. These teahouses, run by local families, serve home-cooked food made from ingredients that are either grown in nearby villages or carried up on foot.
Additionally, you will get to enjoy both authentic traditional Nepali dishes as well as Western food items. The food may be simple but the meals are quite filling. As you get higher in altitude level, the food options decrease in a manner. Since the region lacks road access, fresh ingredients are scarce, and packaged foods like instant noodles, biscuits, and chocolates become more common. Hence, like many others, you should also pack your own snacks to supplement your diet.
Guest are having meal in Ghunsa
Breakfast Options
A hearty breakfast is essential to fuel your body for the long, demanding trails ahead. Tea houses along the route of Kanchenjunga serve a mix of traditional Nepali breakfasts and simple Western options, catering to both local and international tastes.
If you want a traditional Nepali breakfast, you can try Tibetan bread. It is a deep-fried, fluffy bread often served with honey or jam and is both delicious and high in carbohydrates. Another common option is chapati with honey or peanut butter. Now, if you want a more wholesome meal, you should try porridge (made from rice, oats, or millet) with nuts, raisins, and sugar. It keeps you warm and provides sustained energy throughout the morning.
However, if you are looking for a Western style, you can get pancakes, toast, and eggs (boiled, fried, or scrambled). Some places also serve muesli or oats with powdered milk, though fresh dairy is rare in higher altitudes. Likewise, you may also get hash browns and boiled potatoes in some villages.
As for the hot beverage to shake off the morning chill, you can drink milk tea, black tea, lemon tea, ginger tea, or the famous butter tea. Here, butter tea is a salty Tibetan drink made with yak butter that helps with warmth and hydration. In addition to it, coffee is available but often comes in the form of instant coffee. Some places even offer hot chocolate.
Lunch And Dinner Options
After long hours of trekking through rugged trails, a hot, filling meal is exactly what your body needs to recover and refuel. Lunch and dinner on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek are typically simple with teahouses serving a mix of traditional Nepali, Tibetan, and basic Western dishes. Since supplies in this remote region are limited, meals are often made from locally sourced ingredients.
The undisputed king of Nepali trekking food is dal bhat, a staple meal of rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, and pickles. It is not only delicious but also all you can eat. Every tea house offers unlimited refills of this dish. The lentils provide protein, the rice gives much-needed carbohydrates, and the vegetables add essential vitamins.
Another popular option is Momo. It is a Nepali-style dumplings that come steamed or fried, with fillings like vegetables, cheese, or minced meat. Similarly, Thukpa, a warm Tibetan noodle soup, is a go-to meal in colder areas or high-altitude regions. This dish is packed with vegetables, meat, and a mildly spiced broth to keep you warm.
Now, if you crave something more familiar, most tea houses also serve basic pasta or spaghetti, usually with tomato sauce, cheese, or simple vegetables. While the flavors aren’t as refined as in a restaurant, they have a unique taste to it. Moving on, fried rice and fried noodles are also common with a satisfying mix of rice or noodles with eggs, vegetables, and sometimes small pieces of meat.
Lastly, you can find boiled, roasted, or fried potatoes on the menu. Some places even serve potato pancakes or hash browns. In certain villages, you might also come across Sherpa stew (Shyakpa). It is a thick, hearty soup made with potatoes, vegetables, and sometimes meat, which is incredibly warming after a chilly day on the trail.
Snacks And Light Bites Along The Trail
When trekking through the remote landscapes of the Kanchenjunga Circuit, you need to have quick and energy-boosting snacks on hand. Since meal times in teahouses are fixed, snacks help keep energy levels steady between long hiking stretches. While you will get some snack options along the trail, you should always stock up in Kathmandu or Taplejung before starting the trek, as prices rise significantly with altitude due to transportation costs.
Dry fruits, nuts, and energy bars are among the best trekking snacks. You should carry almonds, cashews, raisins, and walnuts to provide a natural energy boost. Likewise, you must have protein bars or granola bars to help sustain you during tough climbs. These lightweight, nutritious snacks are easy to carry and don’t take up much space in your backpack.
If you prefer something sweet, then you can carry biscuits, cookies, and chocolates. A simple pack of chocolate or digestive biscuits can be a lifesaver when you need a quick sugar rush during an exhausting ascent.
Here, some tea houses offer local snacks like popcorn and boiled potatoes. It can be quite warm, comforting, and perfect for cold trekking evenings. Popcorn (light yet filling) and boiled potatoes (often served with salt and local spices) are a great way to replenish lost energy after a long hike.
While you might be tempted to rely on purchasing snacks along the way, you should bring your own from Kathmandu to save money and ensure you have your favorites on hand.
Staying Hydrated: What To Drink And What To Avoid?
Staying properly hydrated on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is just as important as eating the right food, especially when trekking at high altitudes. The cold, dry air of this region can quickly lead to dehydration, and with the physical exertion of trekking, you must stay hydrated throughout the day.
When it comes to water on the trek, you will find both bottled, boiled, and free water. Bottled water comes at a high price. Additionally, tea houses take a small charge on boiled water. Therefore, the best option would be to carry purification tablets or use water filters to purify the water from streams or teahouses. You should carry a reusable water bottle with you and refill it when you get the chance.
For the drinks, the tea houses along the trail offer a variety of hot and cold beverages apart from the water itself. The most common drinks available are different varieties of tea, which can be comforting during breaks. One of the most popular drinks is milk tea. It is a sweet and creamy blend of black tea with milk.
You will also find black tea and ginger tea (a blend of ginger, lemon, and honey). They are generally perfect to boost your immune system and aid in digestion. Likewise, to soothe your throat and refresh yourself, you can also drink lemon tea.
Apart from these usual tea options, you will find several local options too. Butter tea (or po cha), a salty, creamy beverage made from yak butter, tea leaves, and sometimes milk, is a traditional drink of the Tibetan and Sherpa people. It is designed to keep you warm and hydrated in high-altitude conditions. Another local drink, Chhang, is a mild, fermented millet beer often enjoyed at teahouses in the evenings.
Altogether, you might get tempted to relax with a drink at the end of the day, however, it’s important to avoid alcohol at higher altitudes. This is because alcohol slows down the body’s acclimatization process, which can increase the risk of altitude sickness. Instead, you must stick with warm teas or other non-alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated and healthy.
Vegan And Vegetarian Food Options Along The Trail
Even if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek offers a variety of meal options. As a matter of fact, vegetarian meals are the easiest to find, with dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and pickles) being the most common choice.
Likewise, you will also find vegetable momos and warm and comforting, noodle soups (like thukpa) made with vegetables. These meals are simple but provide the right mix of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables to sustain your energy throughout the trek.
Furthermore, if you are traveling with dietary restrictions, you must communicate your needs clearly to tea houses, especially in more remote areas where food options can be limited. You can also communicate with your guide and they will let the tea house staff know in advance if you have any dietary preferences or restrictions. Besides, even simple phrases like “vegetarian” or “no dairy” will help to pass your message to the tea houses.
Similarly, if you follow a vegan diet, the biggest challenge would be the limited availability of dairy-free alternatives. While many tea houses offer vegetarian meals, dairy products like butter, ghee, cheese, and milk are often staples in the local cuisine. Hence, it can be difficult to find truly vegan options.
Guests are having a Meal in Khambachen
Meat Consumption: Should You Eat Meat During The Trek?
While meat is a part of the traditional diet in many regions of Nepal, its availability and safety on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek can raise some concerns. In the more remote areas, fresh meat is often limited, and it’s typically brought in from lower altitudes via porters or vehicles, hence, it may not always be fresh.
As a result, meat-based dishes like chicken, goat, or yak might be on the menu in some tea houses, but storage and hygiene can be problematic as they do not have reliable refrigeration or proper meat preservation methods.
Therefore, if possible, you can opt for a more reliable source of protein rather than meat. For instance, the lentils often served in the iconic dal bhat are an excellent protein-rich option and so are the beans and chickpeas in soups or stews. Additionally, eggs are a versatile and readily available source of protein and you can enjoy it in omelets or boiled form for breakfast or lunch.
Budgeting For Food During The Kanchenjunga Trek
When planning your budget for the food in Kanchenjunga, you should calculate the rising food costs as you ascend into the mountains. At lower elevations, the prices for meals in tea houses are relatively reasonable.
A typical meal, like dal bhat or noodle soup, can cost between NRs 200 to 500 at the starting point in Taplejung. However, as you trek higher, the prices steadily increase, reaching NRs 700 to 1,500 per meal at more remote tea houses near base camp. This rise in cost is due to increased transportation fees, as food needs to be carried by porters or mules from lower altitudes.
To keep your expenses under control, one of the best cost-saving tips is to focus on local food that is both affordable and filling. You should enjoy staple meals like dal bhat, momos, or simple noodle soups will help reduce your food expenses. Additionally, you must bring your own snacks from Kathmandu or lower altitudes as it can save you from paying high prices for higher up the trail.
Bringing Your Own Food: What To Pack?
During the trek, you must carry a supply of lightweight, high-energy snacks to maintain stamina and stay fueled during long trekking days. Some of the best options include trail mix, packed with a mix of nuts, dried fruits, energy bars, granola bars, dark chocolate, and biscuits. They will help you keep your energy levels up without adding too much weight to your pack.
While bringing your own food, you can also pack some supplements to support your overall nutrition. You can carry vitamin C (to help boost immunity), electrolytes (to replenish lost salts and minerals), and multivitamins. If you are worried about protein intake, you can also add protein powders or amino acid supplements.
Hygiene And Safety Tips During The Kanchenjunga Trek
Eat at Hygienic Tea houses: Choose teahouses that appear clean and well-maintained. You can also ask about how food is prepared and handled to ensure safety.
Avoid Raw Salads and Uncooked Foods: While fresh vegetables may seem appealing, raw salads and uncooked foods can carry bacteria so stick to cooked meals to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Ensure Proper Water Purification: Always carry a water purification system, such as purification tablets or a water filter to treat any water from streams or other sources.
Wash Hands Regularly: Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating, after using the toilet, and after handling trekking gear. You should carry hand sanitizer for situations where water is not available.
Choose Cooked Meat with Caution: If you choose to eat meat, ensure it is thoroughly cooked. You can try lean meats like chicken or goat.
Be Cautious with Dairy: Dairy products may be a staple in the region, but they can spoil quickly without proper refrigeration. If you are unsure about the freshness, avoid cheese and milk.
Inspect Snacks and Packaged Food: If you bring your own snacks or packaged foods, make sure they are properly sealed and stored in airtight containers.
Conclusion
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek offers a unique culinary experience, with a variety of delicious meals that fuel you for the adventure ahead. You will get to enjoy from hearty dal bhat to flavorful noodle soups and energizing snacks. As you trek higher into the mountains, remember that food prices will increase, and the availability of fresh ingredients can become limited.
Altogether, to maintain your energy levels, focus on balanced meals with protein, carbs, and healthy fats to keep you going. Additionally, do not forget to stay hydrated, so carry your own water purification system to stay safe. If you are looking for peace of mind, Nepal Trekking Experts will assist you in arranging your meals, so you can focus on your trek without the stress of food logistics.
FAQs
What types of food are available on the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?
Meals typically include Dal Bhat, momos, noodle soups, pasta, and fried rice. Vegetarian options are common, but meat dishes like chicken and goat are also available in some tea houses.
Can I find vegetarian or vegan food on the Kanchenjunga Trek?
Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian options like dal bhat, vegetable momos, and noodle soups. Vegan options can be more limited, but it's possible to communicate dietary restrictions with tea house owners in advance.
Is it safe to eat meat on the Kanchenjunga Trek?
Meat is available, but caution is advised due to concerns over lack of refrigeration and hygiene. If you choose to eat meat, ensure it is properly cooked and comes from a trusted source.
What are the best snacks to bring on the Kanchenjunga Trek?
Trail mix, energy bars, nuts, dried fruits, and chocolates are great high-energy snacks. You can also bring biscuits and granola bars for quick bites on the go.
Can I buy bottled water during the trek?
Bottled water is available at most teahouses, but it can be expensive, especially at higher altitudes. Therefore, you should carry a water purification system (tablets or filter) to treat natural water sources.
How much will food cost on the trek?
Food prices start from NRs 200 to 500 at lower altitudes, but they increase as you ascend. You can expect to pay NRs 700 to 1,500 per meal at higher altitudes, especially near base camp.
Can I get fresh fruits and vegetables along the trail?
Fresh produce is generally scarce at higher elevations, especially above 2,500 meters.
This is Mr. Rajesh, also known as Raj. I was born and raised in the mountain region of Manaslu and have a deep and abiding connection with the culture and nature of the Himalayan mountains. With more than 25 years in the trekking industry and having traveled most of the trekking trails available in Nepal, I have a deep affinity and connection to the broad spectrum of people and their cultures, as well as a deep appreciation for the various religions, history, flora, and fauna of the mountain regions and their scattered valleys.
