For the people of Sikkim, Kanchenjunga is more than just the third highest peak in the world; it is believed to be the abode of the state’s patron diety. This trek takes one right up close to the big mountain, through forests of rhododendrons, orchids, pine and magnolia. to the higher valleys and the rolling meadows used for grazing by the gentle yak-herding Lepchas.
Day 01 : Delhi to Darjeeling (2134m).
Fly Delhi to Bagdogra airport and drive 2-3 hrs through the tea estates to Darjeeling.
Overnight hotel.
Day 02 : In Darjeeling.
Sightseeing in Darjeeling. Visit the tea gardens and the market. Overnight hotel.
Day 03 : Drive Darjeeling to Pelling (2440m) 4hrs.
Visit Pemayangste, the second oldest monastery in Sikkim. Wonderful views of the Kanchenjunga range. Overnight hotel.
Day 04 : Drive Pelling to Yoksum (1760m) 5-6 hrs
Drive to Yoksum, the ancient capital of Sikkim. Complete police and tourism formalities and visit the old Yuksom monastery. Overnight hotel.
Day 05 : Trek Yoksum to Tshoka (3050m). 6-7 hrs
The first half of the day is a level walk through the fairly dense forest. After lunch, it crosses the Rathong Chu and then climbs steeply for an hour and a half till the rest house at Bakhim. Continue ascent through the forest till Tshoka, a small Tibetan refugee settlement.
Day 06 : Trek Tshoka to Dzongri (4020m) 5-6 hrs
The trail is a steep uphill through some beautiful rhododendron forest to a small clearing at Phedang which is usually our lunch spot. Another steep ascent from here brings us to the top of the ridge at Deorali Dara – the treeline ends here. The walk though strenous gets a little gradual as we approach the grazing grounds of Dzongri. Overnight camp.
Day 07 : In Dzongri
A day of rest and acclimatisation at Dzongri. One can take a walk up to the ridge past fluttering prayer flags for some rewarding views of the Kanchenjunga massif and its secondary peaks or even walk upto the Dzongri pass. Overnight camp.
Day 08 : Dzongri to Samiti Lake (4200m) 5-6 hrs
Descend on a well defined trail to Prek river and continue to campsite at Thangsing , at the base of Pandim peak. Easy and gradual walking along mani walls takes us past Onglathang to a small moraine ridge and down to a lovely campsite at Samiti Pokhari. Overnight camp.
Day 09 : Samiti Lake to Goecha La (4940m) to Thangsing 7-8 hrs
Begin early for a steep climb to the Goecha La (pass). After having spent time on the pass come back to the campsite for lunch. After lunch pack up to descend further down to Thangsing. Overnight camp.
Day 10 : Thangsing to Tshoka (3050m) 6-7 hrs
Walk down along the Prek river to bypass Dzongri. The trail goes through some really dense forests of rhododendrons. Have a lunch break again at Phedang and descend to Tshoka. Overnight camp or a village lodge.
Day 11 : Tshoka to Yuksom (1760m) 5-6 hrs
Descend to Yuksom. Overnight hotel.
Day 12 : Yuksom to Darjeeling 5-6 hrs
Drive to Darjeeling. Overnight hotel.
Day 13 : Darjeeling to Delhi
Drive 2-3 hrs from Darjeeling to Bagdogra, visit a tea garden enroute and fly to Delhi.
