Overview

Introduction :
This popular trek in Sikkim, is from Yuksom to Dzongri and onwards to Goecha La, and has superb views of Kanchenjunga. From Yuksam, the trail follows the Rathong Valley to Bakkhim and from here a steep ascent to the village of Tshoka. Above Tshoka the trail reaches Phedang. A further stage brings you to Dzongri (4020 M). From here the trail drops steeply down the river to Thangsing (3930 M).

Dzongri is situated at an altitude of about 4020 M, in west Sikkim. It offers the trekker a most fascinating close-up view of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Pandim. To the west rises the long outline of the Kyangla ridge. Dzongri is trekker's paradise. Goecha La is situated at an altitude of about 4940 M. Goecha La offers a mind catching sight of the mountains like Pandim, Kanchenjunga and the others. The trek to Goecha la really is getting out & getting trekked. There are only few trekking routes around the Kanchenjunga National Park that are open to visitors. The trek is traditional which follows a picturesque route past lush vegetation and wonderful mountain views until it reaches a high pass. The training courses of the Himalayan Mountaineering.

Darjeeling (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council) in northeast India provides the perfect ambiance of a hill resort with its mild climate and laid back charm (Its verdant hills and valleys mare steeped in color, and are interspersed with vast stretches of lush green tea gardens. President over all these is the 8,856m Mt. Kanchenjunga looming over the northern horizon, giving a magical aura to the land that entices thousand to its environs and leaves all the senses intoxicated.
Darjeeling is hemmed in by Sikkim in the north, Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. Darjeeling town, Kalimpong and Kurseong are the major urban centres. Heavy influenced by British India, Darjeeling still carries imprints reminiscent of its colonial past. The toy is on of the most striking examples of Darjeeling 's British Raj influence.

Darjeeling - Visit Places Near By
The hill resort of Darjeeling has several sites near by that make excellent excursion options.

The Tiger Hill is situated at an altitude of 2,590 meters and is 11 km from the main town. The Tiger Hill has earned international fame for the magnificent view of sunrise over the Kanchenjunga and other great Eastern Himalayan peaks. Here the golden glow of the rising sun changes the colour of the snow-capped peaks to crimson, pink, and shining gold.

Across the Teesta River, between the heights of Dedo and Durbindra Hills lies Kalimpong. Situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters, Kalimpong is the home of beautiful flower nurseries, monasteries, and the handicrafts industry.

Then there is the picturesque Kurseong at an altitude of 1,458 meters. Many tourists halt at Kurseong on their way to Siliguri from Darjeeling. Mid-way between Siliguri and Darjeeling lies another hill resort of Mirik. At 1,767 meters Mirik is famous for its lake, boating facilities and plantations of pine, cardamom, and oranges.

For the adventure seekers visit to Phalut at 3,600 meters is a must. The trekkers are aptly rewarded with the wondrous views of the Himalayas from Phalut.
 

Gangtok, the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books. In the mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk and spice and jewellery to gladden an maiden's heart, from across the seven seas are gadget and goods to delight the collector of "imported goods', while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the 'Mother of Pearl' citadel of the magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.

An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has crossed the border. While across the hills and valleys comes the sounding of the long trumpets by robed lamas.
 

Short Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi/Bhadrapur/Phunsoling - Bagdogra -Siliguri- Darjeeling
Day 02: Darjeeling - Yuksom (123 kms/6-7 hrs)
Day 03: Yuksam - Bakkhim (5-6 hrs/ 2744 m)
Day 04: Bakkhim - Tshoka - Phedang (3760 m)
Day 05: Phedang - Dzongri (4320 m)
Day 06: Rest day & Acclimatise at Dzongri
Day 07: Dzongri - Tsokha (10 kms/4-5 hrs)
Day 08: Tsokha - Yuksam (14 kms/5-6 hrs)
Day 09: Yuksam - Bagdogra (123 kms / 6-7 hrs) or to Bhadrapur/Phunsoling 

Itinerary Detail

Day 01: Delhi/Bhadrapur/Phunsoling - Bagdogra -Siliguri- Darjeeling
Upon arrival at Bagdogra airport met our representative and drive towards Darjeeling. On arrival transfer into hotel. Evening free to do your own activity. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Darjeeling - Yuksom (123 kms/6-7 hrs)
Today we will drive to Yuksom. The base of our trek. Dinner and overnight stay in guesthouse/tents.

Day 03: Yuksam - Bakkhim (5-6 hrs/ 2744 m)
Today we will start our day 1 trek to Bakkhim with packed lunch. We follow a well-marked forest trail that winds high above the Rathong River. The trail winds through forests of conifer and oaks, mosses and ferns and past frequent side streams that tumble down the hillside. After four to five hours the trail crosses a substantial bridge just upstream of the confluence of the Rathong River and the Prek River. From the bridge it is a further one hour ascent to the small settlement of Bakkhim (2750 metres), where a single Lepcha family live. The Lepchas, the original inhabitants of Sikkim were forced to move to the remote regions when large numbers of Tibetans migrated to Sikkim in the 17th century. Although there is a Rest House in Bakkhim, on arrival set out camp for overnight stay.

Day 04: Bakkhim - Tshoka - Phedang (3760 m)
In the morning after breakfast we ascend the meadows above Bakkhim before reaching the village of Tshoka. Tibetan refugees who were granted this tract of land by the Sikkim government founded the village about a generation ago. From Tshoka the trail ascends steeply through magnificent rhododendron forest to the grazing meadow at Phedang (3700 metres). A short stage but necessary for acclimatization before continuing to Dzongri. Overnight at camp.

Day 05: Phedang - Dzongri (4320 m)
From Phedang an early start is imperative. The trail ascends steeply for one hour before we gain our first uninterrupted views of the peak of Kanchenjunga (8586 metres) and Pandim (6691 metres). From the vantage point it is a further two to three km across the open meadows to the camp at Dzongri (4020 metres). Here we gain views of the main peaks along the Singalila Ridge- the impressive divide between Nepal and Sikkim. The panorama includes Koktang (6147 metres), Rathong (6679 metres), Kabru Sth. (7317 metres) and Kabru Nth (7338 metres). Overnight at camp.

Day 06: Rest day & Acclimatise at Dzongri
The day is for rest and acclimatization. On this day one can savor views of the mountain peaks by climbing up to Dzongri Top. From here you get a panoramic view of Kabru (7353 m), Ratong (6678 m), Kanchenjunga (8534 m), Koktang (6147 m), Pandim (6691 m) and Narsingh (5825 m). Towards the west, the Singalila Ridge, which separates Sikkim from Nepal, can be seen. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 07: Dzongri - Tsokha (10 kms/4-5 hrs)
Start retracing steps descending towards Tsokha by going through a bypass route directly to Tsokha. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 08: Tsokha - Yuksam (14 kms/5-6 hrs)
Retrace steps towards Yuksam on the final day of the trek. The going is easier as the path is mainly downhill. Dinner and overnight stay in guest house.

Day 09: Yuksam - Bagdogra (123 kms / 6-7 hrs) or to Bhadrapur/Phunsoling 
Early morning drive to Bagdogra and take flight/drive for onward destination.

Date And Cost

AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

Cost Includes

All meals, tents, toilet tents, Mess Tents, Porters, Yaks, Cooks, Guides, Trekking Permits with fees, Environmental Fees, National park fees,

Meals on the trek:

Breakfast: Bread/Butter/Jam/Eggs/Tibetan Bread/Honey/Tea Momo + Egg, Corn, Veg Soup/Baked Beans/Tea/Coffee/Fruits or Porridge with fruits. Drinking Chocolate at bedtime. Tea / Coffee at early morning.

Meals:       Soup/Rice/Dal/Vegetables/Salad/Non-Veg/Dessert (Indian Meals)Soup/Chowmein/Fried Rice /Tea Momo/Momos/Noodle Soup (Tibetan)

Cost Excludes

Emergency evacuation costs, Sleeping bags. And Personal Expenses and refund after the trek commences in totality.

***For Dzongri and Goechala Trek and tour-min 2 persons are required to obtain the permits, however the cost burden will be lighter if the group is of min 4 and above. The present relaxed rule lays down requirement of minimum 2 persons in a group to visit restricted and protected areas. Any alterations of route or decision of the guide enroute will be in the interest of the group and Trek Guides decision will be final and binding.

Equipment List

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in ourhimalayas with Siniolchu Travels and Treks. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters.

The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows: 

• Nausea, vomiting Loss of appetite
• Insomnia/sleeplessness Persistent headache
•  Dizziness, light headedness, confusion
•  Disorientation, drunken gait 
• Weakness, fatigue, lassitude,
•  Heavy legs, Slight swelling of hands and face
•  Breathlessness and Breathing irregularity, Reduced urine output 
 
These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance of any of the above symptoms any further ascent should be reconsidered; otherwise more serious, even life-threatening problems can occur. The only cure for Altitude Sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters, and the proper amount of rest and re hydration are the best methods for prevention of AMS.
If you follow the simple advice of our trained guides from us, you won't have to worry about complications from mountain sickness. We design our tours to ensure clients are ready for high altitude, and arrange alternative itineraries for those at risk.