Kang-chen-zod-nga", meaning "Five Great Treasuries of the Snow", actually it has seven major summits. To the locals Kanchenjunga which stands at a height of 8585meters the third highest mountain in the world, is the abode of gods who bestow prosperity and goodwill on them and their lands, while to the climbers of this mountain the phrase "Five Great Treasuries of the Snow" takes on a slightly more ominous tone. The avalanches that Kanchenjunga throws down are said to be the largest anywhere!

Since the locals worship the mountain, there is a tradition among mountaineers not to stand on the actual summit. All "successful" assaults have stopped just short of the summit honouring an old promise made by the leader of the first successful attempt in 1955 to the maharaja of Sikkim.

Kanchenjunga lies on the eastern border of Nepal providing a great chance to experience remoteness, spectacular mountain scenery, diverse flora and fauna and rich local culture, quite different to those found further west.