| Trek Grade: | C (Challenging) | | Trek Duration: | 19 Days | | Hotel: | 4 Nights | | Season: | Mar. to May and Sept. to Nov. |  Mt. Kanchenjunga viewed from Gangtok Sikkim is located in the Eastern Himalaya. It sits between Nepal and Bhutan, and Eastern Tibet lies to the North. Sikkim, once a mountainous kingdom is well known for providing stunning views of Kanchenjunga (8,598m), the world’s third highest mountain, which straddles the border with Nepal. It is also a land rich in flora and fauna and has a diverse ethnic mix with rich cultural traditions. The people are predominantly Buddhist and there are many active monasteries where traditional and ancient rituals are practiced in an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Our trek starts from Yuksom (1,770m), where the trail climbs through dense semi-tropical forests, before changing to rhododendron, pine, azalea, and giant oak. The trekking is not difficult and follows delightful trails. Spectacular views of Kachenjunga, Pandim and other peaks of the Singalila ridge, separating Sikkim from Nepal are visible for the entire trek.
On our return, we trek back to Yuksom and visit Gangtok, Sikkim’s hilltop capital. We stay for two delightful and relaxing nights among the tea gardens in Kalimpong before the flight back to Delhi.
Itinerary | Day 01 | Gangtok
Arrive in Bagdogra and drive to Gangtok (4-5 hr). Stop for formalities at the Sikkim border (altitude 1256ft). Continue along the beautiful Teesta River to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim at an elevation of 5,500ft. Check in to the Hotel. Whish is renowned in the area for its excellent location, Its friendly Tibetan staff, and its views of Kanchenzonga (28,169ft) the third highest mountain in the world and the area's most sacred peak. The hotel serves delicious Tibetan and Chinese food. | | Day 02 | Gangtok
If you wish you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise view of Kanchenzonga from the hotel. Today we'll visit the local market and tour the local sights, Places of interest include Enchey monastery. This name means "place of solitude". About 90 monks are in residence here. It is important to our hosts that we are respectful when visiting monasteries. Check that your attire is acceptable and be sure to leave a small donation. Most important be sure to walk clockwise around holy objects like Mani walls (prayers carved in stone).
In the P.M. We drive to Rumtek monastery, which was built to seat the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche when he fled from Tibet. Stay at Martam village resort, a peaceful hillside retreat far away from the hustle and bustle of Gangtok. | | Day 03 | Martam - Yuksom
Travel by jeep to yuksom (6000ft). The seven hours drive is very picturesque traveling up and down the green, undulating hills of Sikkim. Yuksom is just a small, sleepy town now but as the former capital of Sikkim it is the place where the first King was crowned. It is also the trailhead for our trek. An overnight stay in the Tashigang Hotel, Yuksom. | | Day 04 | Yuksom - Prek Chu Camp
The trek staff will be busy loading up the porter and dealing with red tape. You may want to take a short hike to the interesting monasteries nearby. Our trek begins with a long but gentle climb along the Ratang Chu (river).
It takes five to six hours to reach our camp at Perk Chu (7600ft). The trek goes through forest all day with an occasional stream crossing on well-maintained bridges. Camp at Perk Chu (7600ft) Today's ascent is approx 300ft. Wel come to the wonderful world of trekking. | | Day 05 | Prek Chu Camp - Tshokha
Today's three-hour trek climbs steeply through a forest of pine, magnolia and rhododendron, into the alpine country for the classic view of Mt. Pandim. The scene Tibetan settlement with a monastery and holy lake. Today's ascent is approximately 2500ft. | | Day 06 | Tsokha - Dzongri
Our five-hour, 3900foot climb begins in deep forests and ends in high alpine yak grazing country. The land is dotted with Chortens. (A chorten is a large dome and pyramid-like structure containing religious relics). Upon reaching Dzongri ) "a mountain fortress"), we discover two rough, primitive stone cheds for yak herds. The sheds stand in splendid isolation Rathong Glacier. Camp at Dzongri 13,200ft. | | Day 07 | Lay over at Dzongri
From Dzongri, The sight of the Himalayas at quarters is stupendous. Towering above us are the snowy peaks Jupono (19500ft). It is important that we rest today and drinks plenty of water in order to acclimatize properly. Camp at Dzongri 13,200ft. | | Day 08 | Dzongri - Thangshing
From Dzongri we descend a few hundred feet until we reach our camp at Thangshing. Camp at Thangshing. | | Day 09 | Thangshing - Samiti Lake
We'll be careful to make sure everyone is acclimatizing well. It's important to drink plenty of water when hiking this high. Overnight at Samiti Lake at 14,200ft | | Day 10 | Samiti - Gochala - Thangshing
Our day hike takes about nine hours and we must get a very early start in order to ensure clear views. We can climb the 2800 dramatic feet to Gocha La (16,200ft). Here we enjoy the most spectacular view of "Kanchenzonga". We are so close that it feels like we can reach out and touch the mountain. | | Day 11 | Thangsing - Chokchrung
We start our trek down to Chokchrung and camp overnight Chokchrung (10,000ft). | | Day 12 | Chokchrung - Tsokha
We take a new trail through deep green virgin forest of rhododendron, White fur and blue spruce. Today's walk takes us five hours and takes us into a different drainage. There is 1000ft. Of ascent today and we enjoy the sounds of the forest as we return to the low country. Hiking below moss covered branches we are surrounded by birds and butterflies. Camp at Tsokha (10,000ft.) | | Day 13 | Tsokha- Yuksom
Now we are retacing our steps as we return down hill to Yuksom. It is a steep 4000-foot descent and takes about seven hours. Evening a farewell gathering with the porters and all the trekking satff. Overnight at tashing hotel (6000ft), Yuksom. | | Day 14 | Yuksom - Darjeeling
Enjoy captivating scene of paddy fields and orange groves as we drive five hours via back roads to Darjeeling. Check in the hotel. Darjeeling was originally established by British as a hill station in the mid 1800-s. People come up here to escape the heat of the planes. Pleasantly surrounded by tea plantations on all sides we can enjoy magnificent views of snowy peaks including Kanchanzonga. Overnight at hotel, Darjeeling. | | Day 15 | Darjeeling
Early morning trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Tiger hill is the highest spot in the area at 8,500 ft and is famous for it's dawn views of the Eastern Himalayas including on the clearest days Mt. Everest, On return visit the famous Ghoom Monastery which enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (The coming Buddha).
A small donation is customary. The monks are friendly and will probably invite us to join them for a cup of salty yak butter tea (Think of it as a light soup or both as you drink it). We may take a short ride 4.5 miles back to Darjeeling from Ghoom on the famous toy train. Completed in 1882 the railway connected Darjeeling with the rest of British India. Our ride although short will give us a chance to admire the Batasia Loop one of four complete loops and five switch backs maneuvered on this feat of engineering. After lunch visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, Tibetan Refugee self help center, which is a popular place to shop for arts and crafts. Overnight at hotel, Darjeeling. | | Day 16 | Darjeeling -Delhi
After breakfast proceed to Bagdogra to catch the flight back to Delhi at 2:30 p.m. We arrive in Delhi at 4.30 p.m. and reenter the modern world. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Delhi | | Day 17 | Catch international flight out for respective destination. | |
