| Kanchenjunga adventure - 17 days |
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In Sikkim, the Goecha La trek takes the trekker up-close for a spectacular view of the mighty Kanchenjunga amidst a majestic panorama of the other lesser Himalayan giants within its range of mountains.
This is an extension of the Dzongri trek - and trekking beyond the meadows Dzongri is raw adventure at its best where the visitor is taken into the realm of towering mountain peaks directly above and camp is set amidst the view of rumbling avalanches and high mountain glaciers.
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| Once again, the program described below is designed to offer a leisurely pace for enjoyment, but the total trek period can be reduced for the hardy as well as for those with less time to spare. |
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Day 1: Darjeeling , 2064 m / 6812 ft
Transfers:
From Bagdogra, 91 kms, 4 hours
From Nepal , Bhadrapur Airport , 132 kms, 6 hours
Meet and greet at the airport and drive to Darjeeling . Also known as the “Queen of the Hills” since the days of the British Raj, Darjeeling is a quaint town perched on a beautiful ridge overlooking the majestic Kanchenjunga (Khangchendzonga) range.
Day 2: Excursions
After breakfast, we visit Darjeeling ’s lower bazaar and from here, proceed to the Lloyd Botanical Garden , bequeathed by Mr. Lloyd, proprietor of Lloyd’s Bank in Darjeeling . Home to some of the finest collection of Himalayan trees, plants, orchids and other flowers.
We then visit Natural History museum, showcasing a comprehensive collection of the region’s fauna, and then onwards to the Himalayan mountaineering institute, home of Darjeeling ’s famous mountaineers, expeditions and gear. Adjacent is Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park , where we gain insights on the Siberian Tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and other Himalayan animals.
Our next stop is the Tibetan Refugee Center , established in 1959. Source of some of the best craftsmanship, this center produces carpets, carvings, thangkas and other traditional Tibetan crafts. We get a chance to watch firsthand the artisans at work.
In the late afternoon, we go for a stroll around Chowrastha to soak in the local atmosphere.
Day 3: Gangtok, 1666 m / 5500 ft, 95 kms, 3 to 3.5 hours
An exhilarating early morning sunrise excursion to Tiger hill, 14 kms from where the Himalayan peaks of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Jannu, Kabur, Pandim, Siniolchu, Frey’s’ peak and Mount Everest are visible in all their glory.
On our return, we stop and visit the Yiga Choling Gompa and the pilgrims engrossed in their, early morning prayer rituals and circumambulations of the monastery. This monastery is of the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism and set in the peaceful surroundings of Ghoom.
At the Batasia loop, we stop for a short while to see the toy train in action.
Our program continues after breakfast, with a leisure and scenic drive along side the Teesta River to Sikkim ’s capital, Gangtok. Look out for the quotes written on the hill sides by the people who constructed this highway, which vary from poetic, amusing to dire warnings.
A little before arriving in Gangtok, we take a detour to the famous Rumtek monastery ( Dharma Chakra Center ), seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa. Sikkim ’s largest monastery is located in a sprawling area, built as a replica of the Tsurphu monastery in Tibet , in 1969 -10.
Situated on the flanks of a ridge, Gangtok at 1540 m boasts an atmospheric vibes of past, present and future intermingled. In the evening, feel free to stroll around town to soak in its atmosphere.
Day 4: Excursions
After breakfast we visit the Enchey monastery. Built in 1909 – 10, by Chogyal Thutob Namgyal, it is believed that the saint ‘Druthop Karpo’ flew to the spot from Maenam hill and built a shrine on the exact location where the monastery currently stands today. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.
We then proceed downhill to the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom. Here you can watch traditional handicrafts in the making. Established for promoting & training rural Sikkimese in their traditional arts and craft, you can shop for quality souvenirs. Popular items include carved Chokchis (Sikkimese tables with intricately carved designs), carpets, hand woven cloth, blankets, masks, lampshades and paper products.
Further downhill, we arrive at Deorali bazaar and nearby on a tranquil hillock, the Dodrul Chorten, Gangtok’s most revered Buddhist shrine. Built in 1945 by Trulsi Rinpoche, it commemorates victory of good over evil. Nearby the chorten is the Namgyal institute of Tibetology , housing rare Sanskrit, Tibetan and Lepcha manuscripts, statues and thangkas. Also within the same complex, we then visit the Orchid Sanctuary where over 200 species of orchids are grown.
Day 5: Pelling, 112 kms, 5 hours
After a hearty breakfast, drive to Pelling via Rabongla. This ridge top settlement, commands one of the most panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga . An insignificant settlement till a few years back, with the opening of tourism Pelling with its natural beauty has altered into a boom town full of visitors.
Enroute we stop and visit the only Bonpo monastery, Kundragling monastery of Sikkim at Kewzing.
Day 6: Yuksam, 56 km, 4 hours
Sikkims' oldest monastery, Sangachholing, commands majestic views of the hill, valleys and dales of western Sikkim is located on a hillock 40 kms from Pelling. Built by the patron saint of Sikkim , Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17 th century is worth the visit.
Nearby is the Pemayangtse monastery, ‘the Sublime lotus’, which houses the famed “Zongdogpaldri”, the celestial abode of Padmasambhava, crafted by the late Dungzim Rinpoche.
We also visit the famous Khecheodpalri lake (wishing lake), located amidst a dense forest about 24 kms, 75 mins drive. Considered a sacred wish fulfilling lake, no untoward activities besides prayers are permitted in this area.
As per a local belief, if a leaf falls on the lake it is immediately picked up by the birds that look after the lake. You will notice that true to the saying, though the forest covering is very close to the lake, you will not see any leafs floating on the lake surface.
After partaking of a picnic basket, we head for Yuksam.
Yuksam is the historical site of the enthronement of the first king of Sikkim in 1641 and is also the gateway for all adventure treks to the Dzongri and Goecha La regions.
Day 7: Tshoka, 3050 m, 7 hours
We walk gently uphill, following the Rathong River gorge, through dense mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, ferns and several varieties of orchids, brightly colored birds, and the occasional monkey. After an hour or so we cross the Paha Khola bridge, (1,733m ./5,685ft.). There is a swimming spot by a waterfall (for those who dare!) after two hours, and we can stop for lunch by a bridge over stream.
Passing by sweet smelling viburnum we cross the Prek Chu River and then ascend steeply for two or three hours to arrive at Bakhim. A little higher up is the picturesque Tibetan refugee settlement of Tshoka where we set up camp. This is a long trekking day and you should expect to be pretty tired by the time you arrive at the camp.
Day 8: Phedang, 3760 m, 4 hours
A fairly steep climb above Tshoka takes you into beautiful rhododendron forests, and you continue along a well-defined uphill path to Phedang. Today we will cover a shorter distance in view of the climb to rarefied air.
Day 9: Dzongri, 4320 m, 3 hours
Another short day’s walking today as we are now treading above the 4,000-meter mark. We will be setting up camp by lunchtime and suggest that you spend a relaxed afternoon acclimatizing. A brief climb beyond brings you to a meadow where we can pitch our tents in a campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim.
Day 10: Rest and acclimatize
Today we will explore the area, with the chance to climb the small peaks near to the campsite for tremendous views. This is particularly worthwhile in the early morning and the evening. While you can rest if you wish, there will be a short acclimatization walk around the local area to help prepare us for the next few days.
Day 11: Thangshing, 3800 m, 5 to 6 hours
Today we ascend gradually over open hillside for a mile or so to a low ridge visible from the campsite, 13,500 ft / 4,115 m. From here, chortens and prayer flags overlooking fabulous views of Khangchendzonga and Pandim make ideal photocompositions. You then descend, at first traversing down towards Pandim on the far side of the valley, and then dropping steeply down on a good path through rhododendron forest to the Prek Chu River at 12,300 ft / 3,749 m. for lunch (3 hours).
There is a new trekking lodge here that the crew may use for cooking. We cross the river and ascend gradually for one and -a-half-hour, through pinewoods to reach a grassy campsite, beneath the shapely unclimbed peak of Pandim . A new hut has been built here, which may be available for cooking and even sleeping.
Day 12: Lamuney, (near Samiti Lake ), 4298 m, 3 hours
Today’s walk is fairly short to give you plenty of opportunity to rest before tomorrow’s big day. You begin by continuing your walk parallel to the Prek Chu River . Sacred Samiti on the opposite side is a beautiful emerald green lake nestled in the midst of brightly colored wind-torn prayer flags.
Day 13: Goecha La, 4,984 m
An early start today to beat the inclement weather conditions that is common during the latter part of the day. Set off in the early morning climbing the hill behind the Lake before traversing the moraine and then descending to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Zemathang Plateau. You cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend moraine to a height of about 15,700 feet where you rest above a glaciated lake mottled with snow and icy pinnacles.
The Goecha La Pass is another hour away. We traverse the lake and proceed across a slope, and then on a well-trodden path to our objective, which is festooned with brightly colored prayer flags. The views of the east flank of Khangchendzonga and the mountains and valleys in the distance are stunning. We then return to our campsite at Samiti Lake.
Day 14: Tshoka, 3800 m, 7 to 8 hours
It’s worth getting up early to take a short hike to the ridge behind the camp. From here there are fantastic views of Khangchendzonga and one can look back up to the Goecha La. Leaving Thangshing, you take a different route, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri Plateau.
Descending to the Prek Chu, you contour around jungle to emerge at Phedang. Continue to Tshoka along another steep descent. This will save us a day on the return march, but does involve quite a long day.
Day 15: Yuksam, 5 to 6 hours
Today you descend to the Prek Chu following the route you took up on the first day, and then contour gradually downwards to reach the village of Yuksam our starting point.
Day 16: Kalimpong, 1 250 m / 4125 ft, 100 kms, 4 hours
If lucky, this day falls on a Saturday or Wednesday, and we can view the ‘Haat’, that takes place at the weekly market square. From here we visit Kalimpongs’ oldest monastery, Thongsa built in 1692 by its then erstwhile ruler of Bhutan .
If not a ‘Haat’ day, we will have the option of visiting other sites in the area.
In the afternoon we will visit the famous nurseries of Kalimpong and Sangdophelri monastery where views of the majestic Kanchenjunga can be had.
Day 17: Departure Transfer
Transfer:Kalimpong to Bagdogra: 85 km. / 3 hours
After breakfast, drive to the airport for onward connection:
- Bagdogra for your flight to Delhi / Kolkata, or
- Bhadrapur, Biratnagar for flight to Kathmandu , or
- Drive to Phuntsholing for your Bhutan trip.
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| Tour code / Name |
Tour cost |
Goecha La trek
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2 pax |
US$ 4250.00 per person |
| 3 - 4 pax |
US$ 3910.00 per person |
| 5 - 7 pax |
US$ 3740.00 per person |
| 8 -9 pax |
US$ 3400.00 per person |
| 10 - 15 pax |
US$ 3060.00 per person |
| Single room supplement |
US$ per person |
| Airfare extra |
Kathmandu - Bhadrapur
Delhi - Bagdogra
Kolkata - Bagdogra |
US$ 156.00 per person
US$ per person
US$ per person |
| Note: All tour costs based ontwin share basis. Individual (single) travel is also possible. Please contact us for details and costs. |
| Departures: private tour |
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Cost Includes |
- Sikkim inner line permit
- Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, monuments, parks entrance fees and conservation fees
- Hotels on twin share basis with all breakfasts
- Guided tours in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong as per the itinerary
- Transportation by SUV vehicles
- Airport transfers
- Fully catered camping trek supported by local crew & local guides
- All meals during trek portion of tour
- Required yak, yak herder and porters during trek
- Staff & equipment transportation
- Portable Altitude Chamber, first aid medical kit and other life saving equipments
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Cost Excludes
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- India Visa Fee
- Airfares, domestic & international
- Airport tax
- Insurance coverage against all eventualities
- Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due to any reason
- Meals during hotel stay
- Tips, and expenses of personal nature
- Any other expenses not specified in our includes column
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