Overview

GOECHALA - KANCHENDZONGA TREK

Trek Dates: 18th May / June / September 2020

Goechala Trek is one of the finest Proper High Altitude Trekking destinations of Sikkim - India. During Goechala Trek one will be able to reach the closest point to the third Highest Mountain of the world - Mt. Kanchendzonga 8586m.along with the pristine views of several other Snow Capped Towering Peaks and Valleys. The Highest Point one reaches during this Trek is 4940m to 5000m and the highest point one sleeps at is Around 4200m.
  
    
Day 01: Bagdoghra – Yuksom (160 Kms – 5 – 6 Hrs Drive)
Arrival at Bagdoghra Airport, drive of 5 – 6 Hrs towards Yuksom. Arrival at Yuksom,is a first capital of sikkim and is also a base camp and last civilization area before starting Goechala Trek. It is also a base camp to many Mountain Expedition and peak climbing in sikkim. It is located at an Altitude of 1875m above seas level. O/N Yuksom at hotel.

Day 02: Yuksom – Tshoka (3050m /13 km/ 6-7 hrs)                                           
We begin our trek today through a small village and stop at the Kanchendzonga National Park, check post for checking formalities.  Continue to walk through semi-tropical forests, home to a variety of flora and fauna.  Crossing the last of the two hanging bridges over rivers Paha Khola and Tshuchey, we arrive at Sachen.  Break for lunch and continue to walk to Bahkim.  We cross a long old swinging bridge over Prek-Chu, it’s a steep climb of 70 degree uphill to Bakhim and we continue climbing steeply to the Tibetan Refugee settlement of Tsokha as we trek through pine and giant rhododendron forests. Here we also get our first view of Mt.Pandim (6780m) and Mt. Tenchinkhang which could be seen from all points of our trek.  Tshoka  itself is a small village consisting of about a  dozen houses and monastery, inhabitated by the Tibetan  refugees. O/N camping /huts

Day 03: Tshoka – Phedang  (3750m / 7 kms/ 3 / 4 hrs)
Today after breakfast we continue to walk uphill Trek through the properly maintained trail till one reaches Phedang – A small clearing in the middle of the pristine Rhododendron Forest with excellent views of the Kanchenjunga range of mountains. One can have a spectacular and pristine view of the Panoramic Mountain Views from the Phedang Camp site itself. This Camp site is one of the most important location for proper Acclimatization before reaching 4000 + meters and is good for one night camping. O/N Camping.

Day 04: Phedang – Dzongri (4030 m /5 kms / 2 hrs) 
Today we continue our uphill journey through temperate to Alpine forest till we reaches Dzongri Camp site. A 40 min steep walk, as we reach the ridge’s top, Deorali Dara or Windy hillfrom where one gets the awesome views of the Mountains and its peaks.  A nice leisurely hour walk through the smaller rhododendron trees and juniper bushes before we reach Dzongri. O/N Camping.

Day 05: Dzongri – Acclimatization day. 
Rest day for acclimatization.  Rise early at dawn, a 30-40 mins steep hike amidst thin air to Dabla Gang (Dzongri-la OR view point) to view the sunrise on Kangchenjunga and the neighbouring peaks; Rathong 6683m; Kokthang 6150m; Kabru Dome 6604m and Forked Peak 6116m. Return to camp for breakfast.  Free to explore, Day hike to Laxmi Pokhari or take a walk toward the Black peak for acclimatization from where we can see Frey’s peak and the Rathong valley.  Return to camp site.   O/N camping.

Day 06: Dzongri – Thangsing (3930m / 6 kms / 5-6 hrs) 
The day’s walk starts with a short climb to a ridge followed by a rapid steep descend of 100m to Kockchurung and Prek river.  Continue crossing some boulders and climb gently to the campsite of Thangsing for our lunch with view of Mt. Pandim and Mt. Kanchenjunga. O/N camping.

Day 07: Thangsing – Lamune (4130m / 6 km / 4 hrs) 
A gentle 2-3 hrs walk to camp at Lamune. While the camp is set up, we take a walk to Samiti Lake, 4453m with Kanchenjunga looming ahead of us.  The trail goes past stunted rhododendron bushes, azaleas and past a prayer wall before ascending a moraine path to a ridge from where you can look down at Samiti Pokhari (4200m) a beautiful and sacred lake surrounded by snow capped peaks Mt. Kanchandzonga, Mt. Pandim and Mt. Thenchinkhang. Return to camp for lunch. O/N camping.

Day 08: Lamune to Goechala (4940m /14km/5 hrs) / Thangsing (2 hrs) 
Early morning excursion to Goechala (pass), one walk along the moraine path by the side of Samiti lake to view the east face of Mt. Kanchendzonga bathed in the rays of the early sun.  We cross the ½ km sandy plain known as Zemathang, footprints of Bluesheeps and other animals are common sighting.  After 2 hours, we arrive at the 1st view point of Goechala and walk further 2 hours to 2nd view point to enjoy the close up views of Mt. Kanchendzonga 8534m.  Return to camp for late lunch and later walk to Thangshing campsite.  O/N camping.  

Day 09: Thangsing – Tsokha (3050m / 12km / 5 to7 hrs)  
After breakfast, trek back the same trail till Kockchurung, from where we take another trail via Phedang to Tshoka.  Hot lunch at Phedang and continue to walk to Tshoka.  O/N Hut.

Day 10: Tsokha – Yuksom - 2250m 
After breakfast trek back to Yuksom (4 to 5 hours). O/N Hotel.

Day 11: Yuksom – Bagdoghra Airport (160 Kms / 5 - 6 Hrs) 
Early morning after breakfast leave for Bagdoghra airport back. Drive of 5 - 6 Hrs. Journey Ends by dropping at Bagdoghra Airport. 

Trekking Charges: INR 45000 per person (for Indian national) + air / rail fare.

Trekking Chares Include:

• To & Fro Bagdoghra Airport to Yuksom by Non A/C Innova with 5 / 6 passenger per vehicle.
• All Meals (Meals starts with Dinner in Yuksom & ends with Breakfast in Yuksom)
• Accommodation on twin sharing basis at Lodge / Homestay / Tent.
• For Trekking: Sleeping 2 Men Tent + Kitchen Tent with dining & Toilet Tent (Toilet tent will be common for all)
• Local Trekking Guide + Cook for Trekking period only.
• Supporting staff for Trekking & Yak / Pony for Luggage.
• Sleeping Bag  with hot water bags + Walking pole sticks (Each Person 01 stick)
• Trekking Permits & Permission, Environmental fees.
• Domestic Trekking Insurance for Indian Nationals only.

Trekking Charges not include:

• Air / Rail Fare.
• Any kind of additional night or transportation. 
• Any Kind of additional Meals / drinks ordered.
• Any kind of refund for incomplete trek due to weather or any kind of natural / non-natural calamity. 
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control. 
• Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”. 
• Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.

Payment Terms:

• 25% (Non refundable) of trek amount Advance for confirmation.
• Balance 75% of trek amount 15 days before trek starts.
• No refund on unused services.