Located at an altitude of 8,586 metres (28,169 feet) above mean sea level, Kachenjunga is the third highest peak in the world. It is the highest peak in India and the second highest peak in Nepal. It is situated on the India-Nepal border, around seven four kilometers northwest of Darjeeling. Literally, Kanchenjunga means `the five treasures of snows` because it contains five peaks. It has been taken from Tibetan words `Kanchen` and `Dzonga`.

Three of the five peaks namely, the main, central and south are located on the border of the North Sikkim district of Sikkim and the Taplejung district of Nepal. The other two peaks are located only in Taplejung district. The highest summit is 28,156 feet, the second highest peak is 27,820 feet thus it is smaller than the first one by three hundred and thirty six feet. The elevations are named according to their respective directions with reference to the great central peak to which are attached.

From the east Kachenjunga is accessible through Sikkim via Lachen and the Zemu Glacier. From the west it is acessible from the North-western Ridge. Every year a festival is celebrated during the early part of autumn which is dedicated to the worship of the snow range of Kanchenjunga.