DZONGRI / GO-CHE- LA TREKKING ITINERARY IN WEST SIKKIM
The mystic element of Mt.Kanchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim, has been always an irresistible lure for the trekkers. A trip to North West Sikkim including a trek from Dzongri to Go-che-la, the base of Mt.Kanchendzonga, is a must for those who love an adventure in the Himalayas. In 1890, Claude White became the first European to cross Go-che-la (pass). He trekked from Dzongri over to Talung glacier, southeast of the Mt.Kanchendzonga. He spent years exploring the high altitude regions around the glaciers of Zemu and Lhonak as a part of Sikkim Tibet boundary commission in 1902.
Day 01:
Arrival transfer to Darjeeling, alt. 2300 mtrs (85 kms, 4 hrs drive). First part of your journey passes through the plains then begins gradual climbing to the hill station, following the route of the toy train en route to Darjeeling founded in 1833, as a British sanctuary from Calcutta’s intense summer heat, the city sits some 2300 mtrs above sea level, on a ridge facing the Himalayan peaks. Quote of Mark Twain on Darjeeling “The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined”. O/N Hotel.
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 trekker’s hut.
Day 05:
Trek from Tshoka – Dzongri (4020 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 trekker’s 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 trekker’s hut.
Day 07:
Dzongri – Thansing (3930 meters) in 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 trekker’s hut.
Day 08:
Thansing – Samity Lake (4200 meters) in 3 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:
Samity Lake/Goche- La (4940 meters). Thansing, 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:
Goche-la to Samity Lake. O/N tent or trekker’s hut.
Day 11:
Samity to Thansing. O/N tent or trekker’s hut.
Day 12:
Thansing to Dzongri. O/N tent or trekker’s hut.
Day 13
: Dzongri to Tshoka. O/N tent or trekker’s hut.
Day 14:
Tshoka to Yuksom. O/N Hotel.
Day 15:
Yuksom to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim. O/N Hotel.
Day 16:
Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport for outbound flight.
Best season : During the Spring (March to May) and during the Autumn (Sept to October)
| No. of pax |
Double per person |
Single room supplement |
| 1 |
USD3,000 |
USD450 |
| 2 - 4 |
2,100 |
450 pp |
TOUR COST INCLUDES:
1) All land transfers by a private car
2) Accommodation on twin sharing basis
3) All meals.
4) Water bottles
5) Local Guide
6) Entrance fees to the museums and parks
7) Sikkim permit and Govt. Taxes
Excludes:
1) any expenses of personal nature
2) alcohol, table drinks, laundry and communication charges
3) Special Toy Train Ride USD10 per pax.
4) Sikkimese cuisine USD10 per pax, per meal.
5) insurance and evacuation charges in case of emergency
