Trek to Goecha La

Day - I, BAGDOGRA/NEW JALPAIGURI - KALIMPONG

Arrive in Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri. Drive to Kalimpong. Check into hotel. Familiarization/ sightseeing in the evening.

Day - II, KALIMPONG - YUKSOM

After an early breakfast, drive from Kalimpong to Yuksom. The drive is along narrow switchback roads, a journey, which with lunch and photo stops takes about 6-8 Hrs., depending on the condition of the roads. After passing through many small villages and lush countryside, you arrive at Yuksom. Yuksom is a scenic spot set amidst the backdrop of the Himalayas. It is a historical place, for in 1641 Buddhism was first introduced here. Night stay in hotel.

Day - III, YUKSOM - BAKHIM

We begin the trek after breakfast - a 12 km walk to Bakhim situated among beautiful alpine plants and Sikkim's famous orchids. Several Himalayan fauna are found and Bakhim itself has many rare varieties of birds and butterflies. The trail undulates continuously as you constantly cross small side valleys, following the Rathang river gorge through dense mixed jungles. Packed lunch en-route. Camping overnight.

Day - IV, BAKHIM - DZONGRI

After breakfast, we head to Dzongri. This is a short day's walk to give you enough time to acclimatize. The magnificent panorama of the Kanchenjunga massif can be seen - 'gilded at dawn, inflamed at sunset'. Reach Dzongri by noon. Camp overnight.

Day - V, DZONGRI - THANGSING

Trek to Thangsing with packed lunch. It is a gradual ascent over open hillside with views of Kanchendzonga and Pandim and then a descent through rhododendron forests. Cross the river and walk uphill through pinewoods to reach Thangsing beneath the unclimbed peak of Pandim.

Day - VI, THANGSING - SAMATI LAKE

Today is a very gentle, leisurely hike up the Prek Chu valley amidst spectacular scenery. The Majestic Pandim towers above you on your right and huge rock walls flank the other side of the river. We pass ruined shrines, mani walls inscribed with Tibetan prayers and a yak-herder's hut, used only in the summer. Cresting a small rise the beautiful sacred turquoise Samati Lake appears below us. We camp for the night by the lake.

Day - VII, SAMATI LAKE -GOECHALA - THANGSING

An alpine start today, We set off before first light- 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 Samati Lake is called the Chemithang Plateau. Cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend moraine to a height of about 4710m.

Rest and lunch above a frozen lake, which is dotted with snow and ice pinnacles. Walk along a well-trodden path to the Goecha La, which is an hour away from the lake. Stupendous views of the east flank of Kanchenjunga and the distant mountains and valleys. Walk back to Thangsing to camp.

Day - VIII, THANGSING - TSOKA

We get up early to undertake the short hike to the ridge behind the camp for a fantastic view of the Kanchenjunga and the Goecha La. Leaving Thangsing, we take a different route back, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri plateau. Descending to the Prek Chu river, contour round through the jungle with some ups and downs to emerge at Phedung again. From here it is a steep walk down to Tsoka where we camp for the night.

Day - IX, TSOKA - YUKSOM - PEMAYANGTSE

After breakfast trek to Yuksom. It is a steep descent back to the Prek Chu River following the route you took up on the first day. The vehicle meets us at Yuksom from where we drive to Pemayangtse. Check into a hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day - X, PEMAYANGTSE - GANGTOK

After breakfast, we drive to Gangtok after a visit to Pemayangtse monastery. Check into a hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day - XI, GANGTOK - BAGDOGRA/NEW JALPAIGURI

Fly back from Bagdogra or board a train backs to Delhi/Kolkata.

What is included in the cost?

Meals : All meals (vegetarian only) during the trek.

Accommodation : All accommodation during the trek (camping)

Guide: Qualified & professional trek leader, guide and support staff.

Equipment: Trek equipments (Sleeping Bag, Mattress, Dinning Tent, Crampon, Utensils, Tent)

Fees: This includes trekking permits

First aid: A first aid medical kit, stretcher and oxygen cylinder

What is excluded from the cost?

Personal expenses

Food during the transit.

Insurance

Mules or porters to carry personal luggage.

Anything which is not specifically mentioned as being included in the cost