Sikkim
Sikkim has to offer a number of fascinating trekking routes to enterprising trek enthusiasts. Sikkim is a trekker’s paradise. It has been blessed with an unspoiled nature, geographical conditions and variety of flora and fauna that offers a lot for lovers of adventure tourism i.e. trekking, tours, mountaineering and mountain biking etc.
The mountains seem formidable and unapproachable at first. But as you approach nearer, it’s welcoming and the beauty of them unfolds before you. The best time to trek in these parts of the Eastern Himalayas is between mid- February to May and again from October to December. The treks pass by beautiful gompas, simple but colourful hamlets and through so fascinating alpine forests full of a rich variety of flora and fauna. Yuksom is an ideal take-off point for trekking. This point is invariably used as a centre of climbing and trekking expeditions by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. The trek to Bakhim is an unforgettable B experience. Dzongri at an altitude of 3,962 metres, offers the visitor an excellent and unobstructed view of the Khangchendzonga Massif. It also provides a trekker with superb views of sunrise and sunset.
Gochala Trek
Best time of the year for trekking in Sikkim is from March to May and September to November. Sikkim is the best kept secret in our Himalayas and trekking in Sikkim can be a wonderful experience and antidote of city stress of daily life and who long for Shangrila. Sikkim trekking experience can be memorable and cherished for a lifelong. While trekking one can relish the pure air and silence of wilderness and feel the awakening of senses burdened by urban living. As one walks through the vales and dales and quaint villages. Mountains take up strange and wonderful shapes and the beauty of Sikkim Himalayas unfolds itself before you. All through each and every nook and corner of Sikkim - from the sultry tropical forests in the south to howling wilderness in the north is a trekkers paradise. Treks to Kanchenjunga is the most fascinating and challenging.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
01: KATHMANDU / BHADRAPUR / DARJEELING
Morning after breakfast transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Bhadrapur. Met Upon arrival and drive to reach Darjeeling. The route winds its way through Tea Estates. Darjeeling is called the Jewel in the Crown. Upon arrival check into Mayfair hotel for dinner and overnight stay
DAY 02: GANGTOK
sightseeing of Rumtek Monastery, the premier Kagyu Monasterry and seat of HH Gyalwa Karmapa, the Local Handicraft Center, Research Institute of Tibetology, Flower Exhibition and the Enchey Monastery. overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 03: GANGTOK / YUKSUM
Morning after an early breakfast drive to reach Yuksum (1780 M) by covering 123 kms in 7 hrs. Yuksum is the oldest capital of Sikkim where the first King was consecrated in 1642 A.D. It also has the oldest existing Monastery built during 1700 A.D. Arrive Yuksum and check into Trekkers Hut for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 04: YUKSUM / BAKHIM
Morning after breakfast start the first leg of trekking to reach Bakim (3005 M) by covering 13 kms in 4 hrs. The track is a gradual ascends and descend through the dense verdant semi-tropical forest following the Pairag
Chu. Arrive and check into Forest Hut for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 05: BAKHIM / DZONGRI
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Dzongri (4030 M) along a well marked track by covering 12 kms in 4 hrs. Initially the track climbs steeply. But as the track is through fascinating Rhododendron bushes running
riot with colours, one may not feel the limb. Arrive at Dzongri and checkinto Trekkers Hut for dinner and overnight stay
DAY 06: DZONGRI / TANGSING
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Thangsing (3800 M) by covering 8 kms in 3 hrs. One can have fantastic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Kabru etc. from the Dzongri Pass. Continue to reach Thangsing for overnight stay in tents
DAY 07: TANGSING / SIMITI LAKE
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Simiti lake (4200 M) by covering 8 kms in 3 hrs. Simiti is one of the high altitude fresh water lakes found in the bosom of mighty Himalayan range.This is also considered a very sacred lake. Arrive and camp by the side of the lake. Dinner and overnight stay in camp
DAY 08: SIMITI LAKE / GOCHALA / SIMITI LAKE
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Gochala (5000 M) by covering 14 kms in 5 hrs. From the pass one can see the lofty and majestic Mt.Kanchanjunga, Mt.Kabru and Kabru Dome etc. Return to Samiti Lake for inner and overnight stay in tents.
DAY 09: SIMITI LAKE / TANGSING
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Thangsing by covering 8 kms in 3 hrs. A downhill easy trek, with a few sharp & steep ascents. Arrive and pitch tents. balance day free. Dinner and overnight stay in tents
DAY 10: TANGSING / DZONGRI
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Dzongri by covering 8 kms in 3 hrs. Arrive and pitch tents. balance day free. Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay in tents
DAY 11: DZONGRI / TOSKA
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Tsoka (3710 M) by covering 9 kms in 3 hrs. The trek winds its way down upto Phedong, from here the Rhododendron trail starts. Arrive at Tsoka for a cozy dinner and overnight stay in the Trekkers Hut.
DAY 12: TOSKA / YUKSUM
Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach the Yuksum by covering 5 kms in 2 hrs. Rest of the day free to visit the oldest Monastery and the surrounding area. Lunch, Dinner & Overnight stay in Trekkers Hut
DAY 13: YUKSUM / PEMAYANGTSE
Morning after breakfast drive to reach Pemayangtse (2085 M) by covering 30 kms in 1 hr. Pemayangtse is one of the oldest and important Monastery in Sikkim. Visit the Monastery. Proceed to reach Gangtok (1810 M) by
covering 110 kms in 5 hrs. Later on arrival in Gangtok check into hotel Norkhill. Blance day free. Lunch, dinner andb overnight stay in hotel
DAY 15: GANGTOK / BHADRAPUR / KATHMANDU
Transfer to Bhadrapur airport in time to board light for Kathmandu.
Dzongri trek
Dzongri trek in West Sikkim offers you an interesting experience while trekking in Sikkim. This trek starts from Yuksam through Rathong River George which reaches up to an altitude of 4030 mtrs. at Dzongri.
The view of Mt. Khanchendzonga- the third highest in the World is spectacular. One can also see Mt. Pandim. Kabru, Rathong, Kokthang and trekking peaks from a close distance.
You can plan your trek further to Kanchenjunga base camp or to Gochala pass depending upon your time and physical fitness.
Nepal Sherpa Treks : a premier trekking company in Sikkim since 1991, also offers mountaineering expeditions to the alpine peaks in Sikkim on this trek route.
Itinerary
01: Kathmandu / Bharadpur / Darjeeling
Morning after breakfast transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Bhadrapur. Met Upon arrival and drive to reach Darjeeling. The route winds its way through Tea Estates. Darjeeling is called the Jewel in the Crown. Upon arrival check into Mayfair hotel for dinner and overnight stay
Day 02:
Early morning trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise over Mt.Kanchendzonga, the third highest summit in the world. Afterwards we visit the famous Ghoom Monastery which enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the Coming Buddha). Later on we can step in the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological Park, and Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre and visit the nearest tea plantation. In the evening, stroll around The Mall or souvenir shopping. O/N Hotel.
Day 03: Darjeeling – Yuksum (1760 meters).
En route we pass the commercial hub of Sikkim, Jorethang and a quiet river town of Legship trailing alongside the River Rangit. The journey takes almost 5 hours. Yuksom was the first capital of erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim. The first Chogyal ( King) was crowned here and the stone throne is located in the Norbughang Chorten. Today, Yuksom serves as the base from where all treks into the alpine heights of Dzongri and Kunchendzonga begin. The trekking routes beyond Yuksom are reputed to be the best among the high altitude trekking areas of the world. This is a very popular trekking route with “Dzongri”as the destination. O/N Hotel
Day 04: Trek from Yuksom – Tshoka (3030 meters) in 6 hrs.
The trail runs up the Rathang valley, through thick semi-tropical forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan village of Tshoka. The landscape has now changed into alpine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get excellent vistas towards the whole Himalayan range and Mt. Kanchendzonga. O/N Tent or Trekkers’ hut.
Day 05: Trek from Tshoka – Dzongri (4030 meters) in 5 hrs.
A steep trail zigzags up through temperate forests and large stands of rhododendrons, to the vast clearing of Phedang. During April and May (perhaps the best trekking season), the spectacle is gorgeous, as the land becomes a mass of flowers (400 species have been listed so far). After 3000 meters, we follow the ridge line to Dzongri, a pasture area for Yuksom yaks from April to October. O/N Tent or Trekkers’ hut.
Day 06: Acclimatizing:
According to the fitness of the group, we could head northwest to the Dzongri, where the panorama is stunning over Rathong glacier and far out, towards the Nepal’s border summits. We can also organize a shorter ascent towards Dzongri peak (4320 meters) and enjoy a great vista of the Kanchendzonga (8586 meters), the third highest summit in the world. O/N Tent or Trekkers’ hut.
Day 07: Dzongri – Thangsing (3930 meters) in approximately 4 hrs.
We descend through rhododendron forest towards the banks of the glacial Perk Chu River. We establish our campsite on Thansing grassy pastures. The southern ridge of Kanchendzonga and the Onglakhang glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close up views of Mt. Pandim to its grandeur. O/N Tent or Trekkers’ hut.
Day 08: Thansing – Lamuni (4200 meters) in 4 hrs.
A pleasant walk beneath the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons in Zamathang. We take a foothold onto the Onglakhing glacier and climb up to the shores of Samity Lake, reputed to be the sacred soured of the Prek Chu river ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North Gocha Peak and other snow capped peaks.
Day 09: Lamuni - Goche- La (4940 meters) - Thangsing, in 7 hrs.
We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds come to stick to the pass shortly after the sunrise. The track to Goche-La climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colourful prayer flags, we can see the Kanchendzonga and beyond the Talung Glacier.
Day 10: Thangsing – Tshoka.
O/N Tent or Trekkers’ hut
Day 11: Tshoka - Yuksam O/N Inn
Day 12: Yuksam - Pelling. O/N Hotel
Day 13: Gangtol / Bhadrapur / Kathmandu
Transfer to Bhadrapur airport in time to board light for Kathmandu.
For any other trekking contact us more details.....
Nepal Sherpa Treks does custom Itineraries!
NST can quote you best price for custom itineraries including inner-Nepal transport, guides, porters, and lodging as well as Kathmandu Hotel , and Jungle Safari elephant safari, and more!