Sikkim Goechala Trek
Places
Covered : Kolkata/Delhi - Pelling - Yuksom - Bakhim - Dzongri - Thangsing
- Lake Samiti – Chemathang-Goechala - Lake Samiti – Kokchu Camp
– Tsokha - Yuksom - Gangtok - Kalimpong - BagdograDuration : 17 Nights / 18 Days
Day 01: Arrival at Kolkata/Delhi
Arrival at Kolkata (land of Joy)/ New Delhi. Received upon arrival and transferred to hotel. Day free at your, leisure. Evening, free. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 02: Full day sightseeing
Sightseeing the boulevards of the erstwhile British capital which still carries the reminiscence of the days of Raj in India. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 03: Kolkata/Delhi- Pelling
Morning drive to the airport for flight to Bagdogra. Received upon arrival and transferred to Pelling. Overnight in hotel.
Day 04: Yuksom
Early morning hike to Sanga Choling Monastery situated at the top of a ridge, after breakfast visit Pemayangste Monastery and Rubdantse ruins. Afternoon drive to Yuksom. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05: Yuksom
Visit the Oldest Monastery of Sikkim, the Dubdi Monastery and the Coronation Stone. Afternoon enjoy the beauty of this small village while acclimatizing for the trek. Overnight in hotel.
Day 06: Yuksom-Bakhim (2743meters or 9000ft.)
The trail now runs through rice wood hills abounding in flora and fauna going, as it does, through moss-laden forests of oak, spruce, chestnut, fir, pines, giant magnolias and rhododendron- botanist' paradise. Not to be outdone, the naturalist's cab views hundreds of varieties of exotic of birds, butterflies and orchids. Among the animals are the Himalayan brown beer, black beers, barking deer. Samber, marble cats, Blue sheep, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, Himalayan wild goats, red pandas and musk deer at various altitudes. It takes six hours before the Bakhim forest Bungalow. Overnight at camp.
Day
07: Bakhim-Dzongri (4030meters or 13,221ft.)
Eight kilometers and six hours away, each steps to Dzongri leads to the
world of the gamed Khanchenjunga massive. The steady and demanding climb
passes through gullies laid by grazing yaks and mountain sheep through
Tsokha, a Tibetan resettlement centre, and the last village passed on
the way. Now, one begins to get the initial views of the Sikkim snows.
It is time for lunch and one has reached a picturesque spot, Phithang
after which the trail leads up right amidst an exclusive and bewitching
forest of rhododendron to Deorali Dara' - the meeting place of Men and
Mountain- of God and Nature. Finally we reach our camp. Overnight at Camp
Day 08: Dzongri-Thangsing (3800 meters or 12,467ft)
Seven kilometers from Dzongri, the four hours' trek leads through meadows and valleys down the burrow leads into the most beautiful valley of all situated at the base of Joponu peak. Surrounded on all sides by massive mountains here, the beautiful stream pierces the forest and presents an enchanting scene. To reach the camping grounds dwarfed in the giant valley, one crosses a wooden bridge over the stream under the watchful eye of majestic Mt.Pandim. Overnight at Tent/Hut.
Day 09: Thangsing- Lake Samiti (4800meter or 15,748ft.)
Situated at the base of mighty Mt.Pandim, Samiti Lake is a holy lake for the local people and even for far wandering pilgrims from the plains. It takes us only three to four hours gradual uphill walk to reach this beautiful camp. The trek upto Lake Samiti is flat and surrounded as it is by the mighty mountains inspires the trekker onward. This day after pitching our tents we take a walk on the ridges of the lake and as we go higher the splendid, and breathtaking sight. Overnight at Tent.
Day
10: Lake Samiti – Chemathang-Goechala - Lake Samiti (5000m or
16500ft.)
This day we wake up early in the morning and after having some tea we
start walking uphill towards Goecha-La. Chemathang is eight kilometers
from Lake Samiti and takes 6 hours to trek. Walking towards the legendary
Khanchenjunga, right through the giant Onglathang Valley the mystic awe
of the surrounding mountains fills the trekker with wonder going past
splendid glacial lakes and numerous glaciers as he walks amidst the legendary
mountains of Sikkim… Still higher and more steps, the Goecha - La
pass about 5 km away but taking a good three hours to cover. This is the
northernmost and highest point of the trek. The climb starts through and
over lichen covered moraine, the approach to the pass is precipitous and
over rugged, trail-less terrain but rewards the climber with splendid
views and the closest too, of the legendary God of Sikkim interlaced with
glaciers, swift rivers flowing down from sacred lap. After having our
packed breakfast we will walk back to our camp. Overnight in Tent/Hut.
Day 11: Lake Samiti – Kokchu Camp
In the return journey have a nice time looking for rare high altitude
birds and Blue sheep roaming in the wilderness of high cliffs and snows,
among the thick and low bushes. We will reach our camp situated near river.
Overnight in Camp.
Day 12: Kokchu Camp – Tsokha
Today it is a full day walk towards Tsokha village. Our route is mostly straight but few ups and downs all along the way. We stop for our hot lunch at the tower of Phithang after lunch we will take a down hill trail back to the beautiful village of Tsokha. Overnight in Camp.
Day 13: Tsokha- Yuksom
Morning free to explore Tsokha. A leisurely Afternoon walk of about four hours brings one back to Yuksom. The meeting place of the three Saints were one can pause and get a full taste of the charms of Sikkimise rural life. Overnight in Hotel/Camp.
Day 14: Yuksom
Today you are free at your own leisure to rest your tired feet. Overnight in hotel.
Day 15: Yuksom -Gangtok (1780m or 5874ft.)
Drive to Gangtok (125 km) 6hrs, enroute visit Tashiding Monastery and Ravangla Village Afternoon free to explore the capital of Sikkim, or collect souvenir. Overnight at Hotel.
Day
16: Gangtok
After breakfast set out to discover the cultural heritage of the small
hill resort, flung by the Buddhist religion, you will taken to Rumtek
Monastery (seat of Karmapa Lama who heads the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism),
one can see the beautiful Thankas, your next destination is Namgyal Institute
of Tibetology,Tsuklakhang (The Royal Chapel),Ganesh Tok. Overnight at
Hotel.
ay 17: Gangtok-Kalimpong
Drive to Kalimpong, which was once a territory of Bhutan and later became
a part of India. The place once an important silk market had a trading
route with Tibet. One the way you will find the orchids has blossomed
all over the place. This small town is famous for its flower nurseries.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18: Bagdogra (IXB)
Drive to Bagdogra or NJP Railway Station for your onward journey.
