Duration : 11 Nights - 12 Days
Destinations : Yuksom - Tsokha - Dzongri -Thangsing - Lamoni - Goecha La - Yuksom - Bagdogra
Region: Sikkim Himalaya
Best Season: March – June & Aug - November
Max. Altitude: 5002 mts/16406 ft
Duration: 11 days
Grade: Moderate to Challenging
In the this trek we walk from Yuksom to Dzongri and onwards to Goecha La, In Dzongri Goecha La trek you will witness superb views of Kanchenjunga. From Yuksam, the trail follows the Rathong Valley to Bakkhim and from here a steep ascent to the village of Tshoka. Above Tshoka the trail reaches Phedang. A further walk brings you to Dzongri (4020 M). From here the trail drops steeply down the river to Thangsing (3930 M). The final stop is at Samiti Lake from which an assault is made to Goecha La (4940 M) for the best views of Kanchenjunga.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Delhi international airport, our representative meet you at the arrival lounge of airport, and will assist you for your smooth transfer to prebooked hotel. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi – Bagdogra – Gangtok (124 kms/3-4 hrs)
Morning after breakfast transfer to domestic airport time to catch an internal flight for Bagdogra airport. Upon arrival at Bagdogra airport our representative will meet you and drive towards Gangtok. On arrival transfer into hotel. Evening free to do your own activity. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03: Gangtok – Yuksom (123 kms/6-7 hrs)
Morning our team will meet you at the hotel and brief you about the your trek, after breakfast we will drive to Yuksom. The base of our trek. Dinner and overnight stay in guesthouse.
Day 04: Yuksam (1785 mts/5854 ft) – Tsokha (3000 mts/9840 ft) (14 kms/5-6 hrs)
The trail from Yuksam starts at the local market and follows main road towards the north. The trail climbs gently out of the valley and hugs the right bank of the Ratong Chu River, which can be heard thundering through the gorge below. The trail crosses over four bridges to climb steeply towards north-west to the small settlement of Bakkhim. Continue for another 3 kms through forest of magnolia and rhododendron to reach Tsokha. On arrival set campsite for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05: Tsokha – Dzongri (4030 mts/13218 ft) (10 kms/5-6 hrs)
On this day the trail passes through the village of Tsokha and continues to climb north through the forest of rhododendron to the alp of Phedang (3650 m) taking around 3 hrs to complete the ascent. Continue further towards Dzongri. On arrival set campsite for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 06: Rest day & Acclimatise at Dzongri
The day is for rest and acclimatization. On this day one can savor views of the mountain peaks by climbing up to Dzongri Top. From here you get a panoramic view of Kabru (7353 m), Ratong (6678 m), Kanchenjunga (8534 m), Koktang (6147 m), Pandim (6691 m) and Narsingh (5825 m). Towards the west, the Singalila Ridge, which separates Sikkim from Nepal, can be seen. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 07: Dzongri – Thangsing (3800 mts/ 12464 ft) (10 kms/4-5 hrs)
The trail from Dzongri continues along the right bank of the river towards east. After cresting the hill the path drops into the valley and then crosses the bridge over the Prek Chu River. It's an hour climb from the bridge to Thangsing (3800 m) located on the slopes of Mt Pandim. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 08: Thangsing - Lamoni (4100 mts)
Today is an easy walk, just four hours, after an hour with the Kanchenjunga massif revealed, across open hillsides with juniper and heather scenting the air. The views get ever more spectacular as we approach the old moraines and glacial rubble, and we arrive and make camp by the old herders hut at Lamoni for lunch. After lunch relax and take in the views, or take a walk up valley to the beautiful Samiti Lake.
Day 09: Lamoni - Goecha la and Thangsing 3800 mts
In the morning after breakfast trek towards Goecha La. We follow the gently rising at first and then steeply up glacial rubble. After two hours we see the same shadowy peaks as from Dzongri top, but much closer; after three a viewpoint a lot of trekkers - but not us - seem happy with, from where we see the first light catching the peaks. Steeply down across the bed of what was once a lake, then up along a ridge, and there is the pass with the full mass of Kanchenjunga behind. And here we have time to take it in snacks, hot drinks, and of course, cameras. Sinochuli, Kabru dome, this viewpoint is one of the best in the Himalaya. When we do leave, another lovely surprise, as we passed in the dark through some of the loveliest high pastures in the Himalaya and now we see them with their sublime backdrop. By noon we are at Samiti Lake, and an hour later, still high on all the beauty, a huge meal before heading down to Thangsing. Overnight stay.
Day 10: Thangsing – Tshoka (14 kms/6-7 hrs)
A different route contouring around hill sides and walking on air after our high points. By Late afternoon we are back at Tshoka, unbelievable that we have packed so much into just one week
Day 11: Tshoka – Yuksom (14 kms/5-6 hrs)
Retrace steps towards Yuksam on the final day of the trek. The going is easier as the path is mainly downhill. Overnight stay at guest house.
Day 12: Yuksom – Bagdogra – Delhi - Departure
After breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport and from here catch a flight for Delhi. On arrival met at the airport and transfer to international airport to catch flight for onward destination.
End of the services
