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Title : Goecha La Trek.
Category : Trek
Duration : 14 Days
Location : Sikkim
Season : Summer (mar - june)
Autumn (sep - nov)
Grade : Moderate
For the people of Sikkim, Kanchenjunga is more than just the
third highest peak in the world; it is believed to be the abode
of the state’s patron diety. This trek takes one right up close
to the big mountain, through forests of rhododendrons, orchids,
pine and magnolia. to the higher valleys and the rolling meadows
used for grazing by the gentle yak-herding Lepchas.
Day 01 : Delhi to Darjeeling (2134m).
Fly Delhi to Bagdogra airport and drive 2-3 hrs through the tea
estates to Darjeeling.
Overnight hotel.
Day 02 : In Darjeeling.
Sightseeing in Darjeeling. Visit the tea gardens and the market.
Overnight hotel.
Day 03 : Drive Darjeeling to Pelling (2440m) 4hrs.
Visit Pemayangste, the second oldest monastery in Sikkim.
Wonderful views of the Kanchenjunga range. Overnight hotel.
Day 04 : Drive Pelling to Yoksum (1760m) 5-6 hrs
Drive to Yoksum, the ancient capital of Sikkim. Complete police
and tourism formalities and visit the old Yuksom monastery.
Overnight hotel.
Day 05 : Trek Yoksum to Tshoka (3050m). 6-7 hrs
The first half of the day is a level walk through the fairly
dense forest. After lunch, it crosses the Rathong Chu and then
climbs steeply for an hour and a half till the rest house at
Bakhim. Continue ascent through the forest till Tshoka, a small
Tibetan refugee settlement.
Day 06 : Trek Tshoka to Dzongri (4020m) 5-6 hrs
The trail is a steep uphill through some beautiful rhododendron
forest to a small clearing at Phedang which is usually our lunch
spot. Another steep ascent from here brings us to the top of the
ridge at Deorali Dara – the treeline ends here. The walk though
strenous gets a little gradual as we approach the grazing
grounds of Dzongri. Overnight camp.
Day 07 : In Dzongri
A day of rest and acclimatisation at Dzongri. One can take a
walk up to the ridge past fluttering prayer flags for some
rewarding views of the Kanchenjunga massif and its secondary
peaks or even walk upto the Dzongri pass. Overnight camp.
Day 08 : Dzongri to Thangsing(3920m) 3-4 hrs
Descend on a well defined trail to Prek river and continue to
campsite at Thangsing , at the base of Pandim peak. Overnight
camp
Day 09 : Thangsing to Samiti Lake (4200m) 2-3 hrs
Easy and gradual walking along mani walls takes us past
Onglathang to a small moraine ridge and down to a lovely
campsite at Samiti Pokhari. Overnight camp.
Day 10 : Samiti Lake to Goecha La (4940m) to Thangsing
7-8 hrs
Begin early for a steep climb to the Goecha La (pass). After
having spent time on the pass come back to the campsite for
lunch. After lunch pack up to descend further down to Thangsing.
Overnight camp.
Day 11 : Thangsing to Tshoka (3050m) 6-7 hrs
Walk down along the Prek river to bypass Dzongri. The trail goes
through some really dense forests of rhododendrons. Have a lunch
break again at Phedang and descend to Tshoka. Overnight camp or
a village lodge.
Day 12 : Tshoka to Yuksom (1760m) 5-6 hrs
Descend to Yuksom. Overnight hotel.
Day 13 : Yuksom to Darjeeling 5-6 hrs
Drive to Darjeeling. Overnight hotel.
Day 14 : Darjeeling to Delhi
Drive 2-3 hrs from Darjeeling to Bagdogra, visit a tea garden
enroute and fly to Delhi.
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