Meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer to hotel.
The Khangchendzonga National Park Trek: West.
Sikkim situated in the eastern Himalayas lies between India and Tibet and is bound by Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal. Sikkim comprises some of the most dramatic geological and topographical features. This is a land of high mountains, monasteries, orchids, butterflies, dense forests and clear streams that makes it perfect trekking country. Bird life is prolific and wild alpine flowers grow in profusion. This tiny state of India has some of the finest mountain scenery in the world as can be seen on the trek into the Kanchenjunga group, the third highest mountain in the world.
This is undoubtedly the most popular trek in Sikkim. The trek goes through moss-laden forests, abounding in a variety of flora and fauna, through scenarios of grazing yaks, mountain sheep and Tibetan resettlement villages. The trail leads through some of the most spectacular forested areas of Sikkim particularly beautiful during the spring when the rhododendrons, giant magnolias and a profusion of other wildflowers are in full bloom. At Dzongri one comes face to face with a magnificent view of Mount Kanchenjunga, which, to the Sikkimese, is an all-powerful God. The mountains are at their tantalizing best-a sharp shower and the clouds lift for a few minutes to reveal the steep south face of Mount Pandim. Sometimes at dawn the sky is clear and the entire chain of peaks is visible.
Seasons: October-Mid December and March to Mid May
Meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer to hotel.
Morning fly to Bagdogra on arrival transfer by road to Gangtok. Day free to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Yuksom – the base for your trek.
On the way visit the Tashiding Monastery. On arrival transfer to hotel. Day free to relax. Overnight at Tashigang Hotel (AP)
The trail from Yuksom starts at the bazaar and follows the only main road northwards. It climbs gently out of valley and hugs the right bank of the Ratong Chu River. The trail crosses four bridges about 50 minutes apart from each other. From the fourth bridge the trail climbs steeply to the north-west for an hour to the forest rest house at Bakhim. Continue on the trail, passing Bakhim behind Bakhim bungalow and climb in a north-westerly direction through forests of Magnolia and Rhododendron for about an hour to Tsokha. Overnight at fully-serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut.
The path cuts through the village of Tsokha and continues its climb steeply northwards through forests of Rhododendron to the alp of Phidang, taking around 3 hours to complete the ascent. This is the steepest part of the trek as there is little respite in the form of descents. The trail evens off a bit from Phidang before it climbs east again for Mon Lepcha, a pass which is higher than the Dzongri trekkers' hut. The trail descends dur North-West from Mon Lepcha before climbing North again and the Dzongri trekker's hut soon comes into view. Phidanfg to Dzongri is approx 4 hours walk. Overnight at fully-serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut.
Today we climb the hill above the Bungalow referred as Dzongri Top or Black Peak. In the afternoon one can take a short climb up to Dablakhang-the ridge with four chortens. Overnight at fully-serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut.
The trail starts from Dzongri bungalow and takes the right trail, which passes the building and then climbs east up along the right bank of the river. After cresting the hill the path drops into the valley and then crosses a bridge over the Prek Chu River. Thangsing, an hour's climb due North from the bridge, is located below the slopes of Mount Pandim. Overnight at fully serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut.
The trail from Thangsing climbs gently north, up the valley, and follows a stream and alpine meadows. About an hour above comes Onglathang, which has a superb view of the south face of Mount Khangchendzonga. The trail then skirts a series of glacial moraines before crossing meadows again and arrives at the emerald green lake at Samithy. We will overnight at a site, which is a km down from the Samithy lake at LAMUNE. Overnight at fully serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut
The climb to Goechala begins with gentle gradient eastwards for about half an hour and then the real climbing starts. The trail follows the glacial moraine north-east and then drops to a dry lake at Zemathang. A rough scramble over rocks and boulders with a rise of about 400 mtrs will bring the trekkers to the top of the pass. The pass is formed by a depression between Pandim and Kabru spurs, overlooks Tallung valley and commands a very impressive view of Mount Khangchendzonga. Trek back to Kokchorung via Thangsing and Dzongri. Overnight at fully serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut.
6hours down hill trek. Overnight at fully serviced camp or halt at the trekker's hut
5 hours easy down hill trek. Overnight at Tashigang Hotel
A city which was discovered by British in 1829. Day free to relax or an optional tour of Darjeeling can be organized covering the Mountaineering Institute, The Zoological Park and The Botanical Garden. Overnight at Hotel.
Morning drive to Bagdogra to take flight to Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel (where we will hold couple of day rooms for the group to wash and change). Late evening transfer to the International Airport for flight back home.