19/05/2026
Ghunsa to Khambachen through the dramatic high Himalayan landscape.
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Ghunsa, which literally means “winter settlement,” is home to around 45 Sherpa households. Traditionally, the villagers would move seasonally, using Khambachen as their summer settlement where they cultivated potatoes and practiced animal husbandry as their primary livelihood.
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Over the years, life in the region has changed significantly. Many younger generations, after receiving modern education in Kathmandu through the hard work and sacrifices of their parents, have chosen to move abroad in search of better opportunities and futures.
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Today, many families from Ghunsa are involved in operating teahouse lodges along the trekking route in places such as Khambachen, Lhonak, Selele Pass, and Pangpema, supporting trekkers exploring this remote Himalayan wilderness.
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Interestingly, the villagers never officially claimed private ownership of the land in Khambachen, which now falls under the protected area of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
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Here are some highlights captured during today’s journey from Ghunsa to Khambachen.
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