Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Max Altitude: 4940 Mts
Best Time: March to June & Sep to Nov
Difficulty: Moderate Trek
Amazing though it may seem, this whole glory can be savoured on a single trek through West Sikkim. Hugging the razor edged Singalila Ridge, the Himalayan divide between India and Nepal, this much-talked about trek to Goecha La, gets the best of West Sikkim etched indelibly on adventurous minds. From the trail head at Yuksom, the erstwhile capital of Sikkim in the velvet green of 5,800 feet, to the high point of Goecha La at 4940 m, the trek passes through thickly forested ridges crowded with rich flora to the heights above the tree line, finally culminating at the breathtaking snowy heights of the Kanchenjunga National Park. An unforgettable panorama of jagged snow peaks cutting across in an arc of 270 degrees through the azure sky. The landscape is incidental. It is the trekker who changes. This is indeed one of the most spectacular treks in the entire Indian Himalayas.
ITINERARY:
Day
01 :: Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight
stay.
Day 02 :: Delhi / Bagdogra - Darjeeling (Flight/Car)
Morning after breakfast transfer to domestic airport to board
flight for Bagdogra. Met upon arrival and drive to reach Darjeeling
(2134 M) by covering approx. 110 kms in 4 - 5 hrs. The route
winds its way through tea estates. There is a narrow gauge
railway line running parallel and crisscrossing the road.
Darjeeling is called the jewel in the crown. Upon arrival
check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03 :: Darjeeling
Morning visit Tiger Hill to see the sunrise and also get the
best view of the world's third highest mountain Kanchenjunga
and other peaks. On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery Enshrining
Maitreyee Buddha. After breakfast proceed for a ride in the
famous toy train for half an hour. Visit Botanical Gardens,
Observatory Hill, mountaineering institute to know the history
and the equipment and used in the first conquest of Mt. Everest
by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norge. Visit Zoological
Park to see the Siberian Tigers. Llamas, Himalayan Black Bear
and Panda. Visit tea estates and Tibetan Refugee self-help
centre for woolen carpet and leather products. Overnight stay
in hotel.
Day 04 :: Darjeeling - Yuksom (Jeep/Car)
Morning after an early breakfast drive to Yuksum (1780 M)
by covering approx. 123 kms in 7 hrs. Yuksum is the oldest
capital of Sikkim where the first king was consecrated at
1642 A.D. It also has the oldest existing Monastery built
during 1700 A.D. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 05 :: Yuksom - Bakhim (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start the first leg of trekking to
reach Bhakim (3035 m) by covering approx. 13 kms in 4 hrs.
The track is a Gradual Ascent and descent through the dense
Verdant semi-tropical forest following the Pairag Chu. Overnight
stay in trekkers hut / camp.
Day 06 :: Bakhim - Dzongri (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Dzongri (4030
m) along a well marked track by covering approx. 12 kms in
4 hrs. Initially the track climbs steeply. But as the track
is through fascinating Rhododendron bushes running riot with
color, one may no feel the climb. Arrive at Dzongri. Overnight
stay in trekkers hut / camp.
Day 07 :: Dzongri
Full day at leisure to rest at Dzongri.
Day 08 :: Dzongri - Thangsing (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Thangsing
(3800 m) by covering approx. 8 kms in 3 hrs. One can have
Fantastic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Mt. Pandim, Mt. Kabri
etc. From the Dzongri pass. Continue to reach Thangsing. Overnight
stay in trekkers hut / camp.
Day 09 :: Thangsing - Simiti Lake (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Simiti lake
(4200 m) by covering approx. 8 kms in 3 hrs. Simiti is one
of the high altitude fresh water lakes found in the Bosom
of mighty Himalayan ranges. This is also considered a very
sacred lake. Arrive and camp by the side of the lake.
Day 10 :: Simiti Lake - Gochala - Thangsing (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Gochala (5000
m) by covering approx. 14 kms in 5 hrs. From the pass one
can see the lofty and majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kabru
and Kabru Dome etc. Retrace the route back to Thanhsing. Overnight
stay in trekkers hut / camp.
Day 11 :: Thangsing - Tsoka (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Tsoka (3710
m) in about 5 - 6 hrs. The trek winds its way down upto Phedong,
the start of the Rhododendron trail. Overnight stay in trekkers
hut / tents.
Day 12 :: Tsoka - Yuksom (Trek)
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Yuksum by
covering approx. 5 kms in 2 hrs. Rest of the day free to visit
the oldest monastery and the surrounding area. Overnight stay
in hotel.
Day 13 :: Yuksom - Pemayangtse - Gangtok (Jeep)
Morning after breakfast drive to Pemayangste (2085 m) by covering
approx. 30 kms in 1 hr. Pemayangtse is one of the oldest and
important Monasteries in Sikkim. Visit the Monastery, proceed
to reach Gangtok (1810 m) by covering approx. 110 kms in 5
hrs. Arrive Gangtok and check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 14 :: Gangtok - Kalimpong (Jeep/Car)
Morning after breakfast leave for excursion to Rumtek monastery,
enroute visit the Institute of Tibetology. Proceed to Kalimpong.
Short visit of Kalimpong. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 15 :: Kalimpong - Bagdogra / Delhi (Car/Flight)
Early morning, transfer to Bagdogra airport in time to board
flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi, met upon arrival and transfer
to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 16 :: Delhi / Onward destination
Full day sight-seeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Await transfer
to international airport for flight to onward destination.
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