Sikkim and Kanchenjunga Trek

At first through luxuriant rhododendrons, pines, spruces and giants magnolias forests, then through green meadows and yak pastures, the trek leads us towards west Sikkim, close to the Nepali border. Along the Onglakhing glacier moraines and Samiti sacred lake, we climb up to Goecha La pass, highlight of this magnificent itinerary, where we will savour the breath-taking scenery of the Talung glacier and the impressive east face of the third highest summit in the world, Kanchenjunga (8586m).

We are surrounded by Rathong (6679m), Kabru (7338m), Talung (7349m) to the south, and Kirat Chuli (7365m) and Pyramid Peak (7123m) to the north. The way back via a recently opened path, goes through lush green jungles overgrown with lianas and orchids 20 days Difficulty Maximum altitude: (4940 mts)

• Famous Monastery, Glaciers, Snow clapped Himalayan Peaks and many more.
• High altitude trek with cavernous gorges, spacious views, vibrant colors. Dazzling variation in scenery
• Panoramic view of Mt. Kabru, Ratong, Kanchenjunga, Koktang, Pandim and Narsingh
• Murmuring Waterfalls, lush green meadows.
• Rare glimpses of an ancient culture of local people.
• Nights in Hotel, Guest House and Tents.

You may also be interested in :

• Goecha La Round Trek
• Dzongri Goecha La Trek
• Green Lake Trek
• Singalila Ridge Trek
• Rhodendron Trek

Region : Sikkim Himalaya
Best Season : March – June & Aug - November
Max. Altitude : 5002 mts / 16406 ft
Duration : 19 Night/20 days
Grade : Moderate to Challenging

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (Hotel B & B)

Day 02 : Delhi - Bagdogra (by plane) - Darjeeling (2130m) by car.

A charming 4-hour journey, through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for Westerners and Bengalis alike.

Day 03 : Visit Darjeeling

We could take an early trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Afterwards we visit the famous Ghoom monastery that enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming Buddha). Later on we can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and tea plantations.

Day 04 : Darjeeling - Yuksam (1760m) in 7h.

En route, we visit the Pemayangtse monastery, perched at 2800m, and one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim.

Day 05 : Yuksam - Tsoska (3030m) in 6h.

The trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan village of Tsoska. The landscape has now changed into pine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get excellent views of the entire Himalayan range and Kanchenjunga.

Day 06 : Tsoska - Dzongri (4020m) in 5h.

A steep trail zigzags up through temperate forest and large clusters of rhododendrons, to the vast clearing of Phedang. During April and May, the spectacle is gorgeous, as the land becomes a mass of flowers (400 species have been listed so far). After 300m, we follow the ridge to Dzongri, a pasture area for Yuksam yaks from April to October.

Day 07 : Acclimatisation

Depending on the fitness of the group, we could head northwest to the Dzongri, where the panorama is stunning, over the Rathong glacier and further out towards the summits on the border with Nepal. Or we could also organize a shorter ascent towards the Dzongri Peak (4320m) and enjoy a great view of Kanchenjunga (8586m), the third highest summit in the world.

Day 08 : Dzongri - Thangshing (3930m) in 4h.

We descend through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial Prek river. We establish our campsite on the grassy pastures of Thangshing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakhing glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views of Pandim.

Day 09 : Thangshing - Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h.

A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakhing glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samiti lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek river. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other snow-capped peaks.

Day 10 : Samiti Lake - Gocha La (4940m) - Thangshing in 7h.

We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.

Day 11 : Thangshing - Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h.

After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes.

Day 12 : Lam Pokhari - Kasturi La (4500m) - Kasturi Odar (3500m) in 6h.

A steep ascent leads to the pass, from where wedescend through a luxuriant tropical forest.

Day 13 : Kasturi Odar - Labdang (2000m) in 6h.

Today we will walk in the half-light of the undergrowth, through a dense forest, where lianas tangle and moss and orchids hide tree trunks.

Day 14 : Labdang - Tashiding (1740m) in 5h.

An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we descend.

Day 15 : Tashiding - Martam by car (4h).

En route, we visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers.

Day 16 : Martam - Gangtok by car (1h).

We visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers.

Day 17 : Visit Gangtok

We will enjoy a visit of the amazing Orchid Sanctuary, where we can see a few of the 454 orchid species listed in Sikkim. To complete the day we will visit the Enchey and Do Drul monasteries, and the Tibetology Institute which houses one of the richest collection of thankas and religious works in the world.

Day 18 :

Gangtok - Bagdogra (by car) - Delhi (by plane). (Hotel B & B)

Day 19 : At leisure in Delhi.

Safety day for your international flight. (Hotel B & B)

Day 20 : Departure

Transfer to airport and fly back home.

Trip & Services Ends Here

Cost Includes :

• Accommodation : Hotel in the city with bed & breakfast basis. While on trek we will provide you Dome/Alpine trekking tents on twin sharing basis. Camping mattresses, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, camping stool etc would be provided.
• Transport : Toyota Qualis/Tata Sumo for trek point & back.
• Meals : At hotel only breakfast will serve. While on trek we will provide you all meals on trek, all meal. Meals will be freshly prepared and will be a mix of Indian, Chinese & Continental.
• Yaks/Porters : For carrying camping equipment, rations, vegetables and some amount of personal gear of the clients (one bag not weighing more than 15 kgs).
• Professional local trekking guide and kitchen staff would accompany the group
• Entry and Inner Line Permit (ILP) fee etc
• Trekking Permit Fees

Cost does not includes :

• Air Ticket (Internal)
• Any charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
• Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water, beverages, etc.
• Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Any meals/services not mentioned above
• Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
• Travel insurance

Visa

You Need to have Indian Visa for entry to India on your holiday. To apply for Indian Visa you have to contact your nearest Indian consulate or you can call on 09057570045 or visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ for more information.

Indian Embassy in London

Address : Indian Embassy
India House, Aldwych,
London WC2B 4NA.
Tel: 020 7836 8484
Site URL : http://www.hcilondon.net/

Money

There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.

Banks

Banks are open in the major cities & the nearest towns of the sanctuaries for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sunday.

Best time to visit

High season: October to April - Monsoon.

Travel wear

Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc. Some woolen clothes require, during winter.

Credit cards

Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers honor major credit cards.

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Drugs

Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.

Food

All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian & local.

Water

It is always better to drink bottled drinking water or drinking water from restaurants. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.

Trekking Equipment List:

• Trekking boots - well broken in and waterproofed
• Down jacket or equivalent with hood
• One heavy wool shirt or sweater
• Two cotton shirts
• One pair cotton trousers or shorts
• One pair woolen trousers
• One pair shorts or calf-length skirt for women
• Three pairs of regular underwear
• Long underwear - thermal or wool
• Wind- and rain-gear with hood
• Sun hat with brim
• Woolen hat or balaclava
• Woolen gloves
• Woolen socks to wear with boots
• Cotton socks
• Personal first-aid kit including medication for common ailments
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Sunglasses or snow goggles (an extra pair is recommended)
• Water bottle, preferably wide mouthed, with at least one liter capacity
• Pocket knife
• Note book with pens and pencils
• Plastic bags - small size for books, film etc., larger bags for clothes, sleeping bags
• Well fitting strong shoes with a couple of woolen socks. The shoes should be used before treks to avoid blisters.
• First aid set for minor accidents and sickness.
• A raincoat is necessary to meet uncertainties of weather.
• Chocolates, lozenges, candies, glucose and dry fruits provide extra pep and energy.
• It is advisable not to exhaust energy by walking fast, as otherwise the trek will be not enjoyable.

Private Departures

Did you know that we can also arrange private departures on the vast majority of our small group tours? So if you can’t find a date to suit you or if you want to have your very own adventure just with your friends or family then we can help you.

Private departures will follow the same itineraries as our usual group tours, but on a date to suit you, with no minimum numbers.

Customised Private Groups

For a group of 6 or more people we can organise a customised private group tour where we design the itinerary and activities especially for you, according to your requirements.

To enquire about booking a private departure of this tour or about organising your own private group tour, please fill in the form below and our Private Tours Team will be in touch shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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