Sikkim Goche-la trek or Kanchenjunga trek it is also called is certainly one of the most beautiful treks not just in Sikkim but in the world. Kanchenjunga trek exposes one to the most exotic locales of eastern Himalayan in northeast India. Spread on the lap of Kangchenjunga range (8534 mts – third highest mountain in the world) in Sikkim one can move from move from the sub tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach up to the area of perpetual snow within a few hours. This trek is in fact is one of the rare experience which every trekker or trekking enthusiasts crave for. Fluttering prayer flags on the passes, enchanting Buddhist monastery and enticing landscapes, bounty of nature is what one should expect during the journey. For a nature lover this is a must do trek both from the point of scenic beauty and bio-diversity.
DAY 01 – ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Kolkata airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02 – DELHI
Full day combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi – visiting Qutab Minar one of the tallest brick tower in the world, drive pass India Gate and President House and other government buildings, Red Fort one the architectural brilliance of mighty Mughal empire, Jama Masjid one of the biggest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial).
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03 – DELHI TO BAGDOGRA AND DARJEELING (98 Km)
In time transfer to airport to board the flight for Bagdogra. Arrive Bagdogra and drive to Darjeeling. Arrive Darjeeling and check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 04 – DARJEELING
After breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of Darjeeling visiting Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre - started in 1959 to rehabilitate hundreds and thousands of Tibetan refugees who left Tibet along with HH Dalai Lama after Chinese aggression the center today has over 700 workers producing traditional Tibetan handicrafts like carpets, Khada (scarf), carved wooden items, metal and leather works. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and Everest Museum – associated with the legendary mountaineer like late Tenzing Norgay (one of the two persons to summit Mt. Everest for the first time), HMI has produced some of the finest mountaineers. Everest Museum inside the institute that houses interesting memorabilia and records of those who braved to climb the Mount Everest in different times is the highlights of the visit here. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park - Internationally recognized for its work in the field of conservation of fauna of Eastern Himalayas, this unique high altitude zoological park is the only zoological park in the world to successfully breed Tibetan Wolf in captivity, first South Asian Zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger and highly endangered animals including Red panda in captivity.
Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities. One can take walk around the Mall which commands an spectacular view of the surrounding hills and Kanchenjunga mountain range from different angles.
Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 05 – DARJEELING TO YUKSOM (145 Km)
Morning depart Darjeeling by surface for Yuksom the starting point of Kangchenjunga trek. Yuksom the old capital of Sikkim in local Lepcha language means “The meeting place of the three sages”. Legend has it that in Yuksom three great monks Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, Kartok Sempha Chenpho and Ngadak Rigdzin Chenpo met in 1641 AD to coronate the first Chogyal, or the Maharaja of Sikkim. Terrace fields with barley and millets, the landscape of Yuksom is very charming with mini lakes dotted around with view of Himalaya on the background.
Arrive Yuksom and check in at hotel/ tent with rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel/ tent.
DAY 06 - YUKSOM TO BAKHIM (2744 Mts)
Morning start your trek with an easy walk, the trail runs through temperate forest abounding with moss- laden oak, spruce, chestnut, giant magnolias, different varieties of rhododendrons and wild orchids. This area is sheer naturalists delight with hundreds of varieties of exotic birds and butterflies. Among the animals are the Himalayan black bears, Barking deer, Sambar, Marble cats, Blue sheep, Tibetan antelope, Wild ass, Himalayan Wild Goats, Red Panda and Musk Deer at various altitudes. As you reach the bridge of Rathong Chu (river) uphill climb will start till Bakhim described in local language as “Place of Bamboo”, the camp site for the night.
Overnight in tent/ forest bungalow.
DAY 07 - BAKHIM TO PHITHANG (3353 Mts)
Continue trek in the morning ascending through rhododendron and magnolia forests to reach a small charming Tibetan settlement of Tshoka. You will observe and interesting sight of Yaks grazing, people attaining to the daily household chores. After a brief observation of the village continue trek ascending the steep trail through pine forest with outgrowth of thick rhododendron forest to reach Phithang – campsite for the night. Phithang at an altitude of eleven thousand meters is a small highland meadow commanding a very nice view of Pandim, Jopunu, Narsing mountains on Kangchenzunga range.
Overnight in tent.
DAY 08 - PHITANG TO DZONGRI (4030 Mts)
Morning continue trek climbing uphill through thick rhododendron forest to Deorali Dara (high point which locals believe to be the meeting place of men and the mountains or the God and Nature). Deorali Dara commands an awesome view of the Sikkim mountains. Arrive Dozngri by noon to end the day. Dzongri a picture of solitude in the middle of nowhere is a grazing summer pastures for cattle which moves down to lower land during winters. No settlements except for few yak sheds and two trekker huts and the soothing fragrance of “Sang Doop” (dried Juniper leafs which is locals use as incense) Dzongri is a picture perfect location with panoramic view of Kangchenzunga mountain range. View of the mountains from Dzongri top is amazing especially during the sunrise and sunset.
Overnight in Camp.
DAY 09 - DZONGRI TO THANGSING (3800 Mts)
Morning continue trek walking through the highland meadow to the beautiful valley of Thangsing. Situated at the base of Mt. Tenzing Ghang peak and surrounded by massive mountains, the beautiful stream Perk Chu pierces the forest and presents an enchanting scene. Cross over the stream to end the day. View of Mt. Pandim from the campsite is commendable.
Overnight in Camp.
DAY 10 - THANGSING TO LAMUNE (4800 Mts)
Today’s trek is a gradual ascend walking through one of the most picturesque locale to reach to the camp site for the night Lamune. The walk is through an opening between mighty mountains. As the trek today is short, one can explore the picturesque surroundings in the afternoon or rest for to reserve your energy to coup with the long day tomorrow.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 11 - LAMUNE TO GOECHA - LA (5000 Mts) AND THANGSING
Wake up very early today (as early as 03:00 AM) and continue trek ascending to the high point of the trek Goche La. A walk through Samiti Lake which is situated on the lap of Mt. Pandim is revered as one of the holy lakes in the surroundings thus one can expect tough pilgrims heading towards the lake. Continue through Giant Onglathang Valley amidst mystic surroundings mountains, passing through splendid glacial lakes and numerous glaciers, Traversing the loose boulders, rocks and razor sharp ridges leads you to Chemathang – calmness and serenity of this wilderness in isolation can pierce right through the soul. Three more hours of trek from Chemathang walking through lichen covered moraine will take you to Goeche La the north most and the highlight of the trek. Approach to the pass is precipitous and over rugged, trail-less terrain, however one feels every pain worthwhile by the splendid view rewarded by the pass. Fluttering prayer flags and chilly wind welcomes you to the sacred lap of the mighty Kangchenjung.
After spending some time here start your return trek to Lamune.
Overnight in Camp.
DAY 12 - THANSING TO TSHOKA
A full day’s back trek will take you back to Tshoka.
Overnight in tent.
DAY 13 - TSHOKA TO YUKSOM
Today you will walk the last day of your trek from Tshoka back to Yuksom.
Overnight in Hotel / tent.
DAY 14 – YUKSOM TO GANGTOK (150 Km)
Morning depart Yuksom by surface for Gangtok stopping by en route to visit 17th century visiting Pemayangtse Monastery - 17th century monastery belonging to Nyingmapa or the red hat sect is considered Sikkim’s one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Architecture of the monastery is very interesting and it houses an impressive collection of idols, objects of religious rituals and scriptures most of which are precious because of their antiquity. However, highlight of the visit here is ‘Zangtopelri’ or the imaginary heaven of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava), a seven tired intricately carved wooden sculpture with colourful paintings depicting images.
Arrive Gangtok and check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 15 – GANGTOK
Morning proceed on a sightseeing tour of Gangtok.
Day will start with a short excursion to Rumtek Dharma Chakra – located about 20 km (one way) from Gangtok town, a replica of original Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet, Rumtek is the seat of HH Karmapa head of the Kagyupa sect (one of the four major order of Tibetan Buddhism). Built in traditional Tibetan architecture Rumtek is head quarter of the Karma Kagyu order. Monastery has an elaborate collection spiritual treasures, relics and texts that had been collected for 700 years which HH Karmapa brought along with him in 1959 when he took exile from Tibet after the aggression. Enchey Monastery – Enchey Monastery or the Solitary Temple is built on a site blessed 200 years ago by Lama Druptob Karpo a tantric master famous for his flying power. Legend has it that Karpo Rinpoche has landed on the spot after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim and established a small hermitage here. One of the important seats of the Nyingmapa sect (the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism), monastery has impressive murals painted on the walls depicting mandalas and many other religious objects. Do-Drul Chorten - it is believed that anyone dared wandering around the place where Chorten stand would suffer and die as the place was haunted by evil spirits. A revered monk of Nyingmapa order Trulshig Rinpoche from Tibet built his hermitage here on 1945 and subdued all the demons. The Stupa is surrounded by 108 Mane Lhakor (prayer wheels) and a complete set of Dorjee Phurba mandala, a set of Kangyur (holy books), complete mantras and several other religious objects is keep inside the Chorten. The Chorten is surrounded by Guru Lakhang and Chorten Lakhang with two huge statues of Guru Rinpoche or Guru Padmasambhava. Research Institute of Tibetology – A premier institute for studying and learning Buddhist religion and philosophy, for those who are looking for information on Buddhist religion it is a treasure trove. Institute has a large collection of literature on Buddhism including rare manuscripts in Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit languages. It also houses over 200 Buddhist icons and rare Thankas and other relics of Buddhism. Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom - started with an objective of preserving and promoting traditional arts and crafts of the region it houses many items of traditional crafts and handlooms.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 – Gangtok To Bagdogra and Depart
In time transfer to Bagdogra airport to connect flight for onward destination.
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