The trek goes through Darjeeling, its tea plantations and on to the
exciting mountain peak of Goecha-la (5000 m) in Sikkim. Here it traverses
the base of the Kanchenjunga (8585 m). The trek runsl through verdant
tropical and alpine forests with a great variety of orchids, rhododendrons
and primulas. The valleys are warm during the day with average temperatures
of around 35° C while night temperatures drop below 0° C.
Day 1 :
Transfer to Darjeeling (2130 m) by surface, 90 km,- 4 hrs drive Overnight in
hotel.
Day 2 Darjeeling : Full day sight-seeing. Morning
sun-rise view from Tiger Hill, then visit to Ghoom Monastery, Himalayan
Mountaineering Insititute and Tibetan Self-Help Centre. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3 :
Transfer to Pemayangtse (2085 m), 118 km, 6 hrs journey via Teesta Valley
entering Sikkim via Melli. On arrival check into hotel Mt.Pandim.
Day 4 Pemayangtse : Morning visit to Pemayangtse and
Sangacholing Monasteries. Drive to Yuksom (1780 M), 43 km, 2 hrs. Overnight
in camp.
Day 5 :
Yuksom-Tsokha (3048 m), 16 km, 5 hrs trek. Lunch en-route at Praig.
Overnight in trekkers' huts/tents.
Day 6 :
Yuksom-Tsokha (4030 m), 9 km, 3-4 hrs trek with lunch at Phondong. Overnight
in trekkers' huts/tents.
Day 7 :
Dzongri-Thangsing (3930 m), 3 km, 3 hrs downhill trek. Lunch at Praig Chu.
Overnight in trekkers' huts/tents.
Day 8 :
Thangsing-Lake Samiti (4500 m), 3 km, 1-1/2 hrs easy trek. Lunch near placid
lake. Overnight in trekkers' huts/tents.
Day 9 :
Early morning trek upto Goecha La (5000 m), 5 hrs uphill to get splendid
views of mountains. Return to Thangsing for overnight in camp.
Day 10 Thangsing - Dzongri :
return trek. Overnight in trekkers' huts/tents.
Day 11 :
Dzongri - Bakhim (3005 m), 10 km, (3 - 1/2 hrs ) easy trek. Overnight in
forest log-houses/tents.
Day 12 :
From Bakhim trek down hill to Yoksum, 11 km, 3 - 4 hrs trek. Overnight in
trekkers' huts/tents.
Day 13 :
Yoksum - rest day.
Day 14 :
Yoksum - Gangtok (1780 m), 123 km, 6 hrs drive via Tashiding. Overnight in
hotel.
Day 15 Gangtok :
Full day sightseeing visiting Enchey and Rumtek Monasteries, cottage
industry, Institute of Tibetology. Overnight in hotel.
Day 16 :
Departure for Bagdogra, 124 km, 5 hrs drive for onward journey.
