13-Day Goecha La Trek in Sikkim and Darjeeling with Tiger Hill

• Arrival at Bagdogra Airport.
• Meet our representative and drive towards Pelling (approx. 130 km and 05-06 hours drive).
• On arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay will be at Pelling.

• After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Yuksom (1780 m), the oldest capital of Sikkim.
• Yuksom is the base for the trek.
• En route, visit Darap Village, Rimbi Waterfalls, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Water Falls, Pemayangtse Monastery, and the Chenrezig Sky Walk.
• On arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay will be at Yuksom.

• After breakfast, trek to Bakhim.
• Walk gently uphill following the Rathong River's gorge through dense mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, ferns, orchids, brightly coloured birds, and occasional monkeys.
• This is a long trekking day, and you should expect to be tired on arrival at Bakhim.
• Approx. altitude 3050 m and distance 16 km / 6 hours.

• After breakfast, trek to Phedang.
• This is a small Tibetan hamlet from where the first glimpse of the mountains can be seen.
• Approx. altitude 3050 m and distance 16 km / 6 hours.

• After breakfast, trek to Dzongri.
• Trek above the 4,000-metre mark.
• Set up camp by lunchtime and spend the afternoon acclimatising.
• Take a short climb to the meadow campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo, and Pandim.
• Dzongri offers close views of the Khangchendzonga massif and other Himalayan peaks.

• After breakfast, trek to Thangsing.
• Ascend gradually over an open hillside to a ridge at approx. 13,500 ft / 4,115 m.
• See chortens and prayer flags with views of Khangchendzonga and Pandim.
• Descend through rhododendron forest to the Prek Chu River at 12,300 ft / 3,749 m for lunch (3 hours).
• Cross the river and ascend for 1.5 hours through pinewoods to a grassy campsite beneath Pandim peak.
• A new hut is available for cooking and possibly sleeping.

• After breakfast, trek to Lamuney.
• This is a short walk to allow rest before the summit attempt.
• Continue walking parallel to the Prek Chu River.
• View sacred Samiti Lake on the opposite side, emerald green with prayer flags.

• Start early to avoid weather changes.
• Climb the hill behind the lake, traverse the moraine, and descend to the sandy bed of the empty lake.
• Cross the Zemathang Plateau under Pandim's shadow.
• Ascend the moraine to approx. 15,700 ft and rest above the glaciated lake.
• Goecha La Pass is one hour further.
• Reach the viewpoint with prayer flags and panoramic views of the Khangchendzonga east face and valleys.
• Return to the campsite at Samiti Lake.

Overnight camping.

Note: Trekking is permitted only up to the 1st View Point as per Forest Department restriction.

• Spare day for the trek to the viewpoint.
• After breakfast, trek back to Kockchurang via Thangsing.

Overnight stay at Bakhim / Tshoka.

• After breakfast, trek to Tshoka.
• An optional early ridge hike offers sunrise views of Khangchendzonga and Goecha La.
• Descend via an alternate route, avoiding the Dzongri climb.
• Reach Prek Chu, contour through the jungle to Phedang.
• Continue the steep descent to Tshoka.
• This is a long trekking day.

• After breakfast, trek downhill to Yuksom.
• After lunch, transfer to Darjeeling by car (approx. 105 km).
• On arrival, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay will be at Darjeeling.

• Early morning drive to Tiger Hill (2590 m) for a sunrise view.
• Visit Yiga Choling Monastery of Ghoom.
• After breakfast, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
• Visit the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre and a Tea Garden.
• Evening free for a market visit.

• After breakfast, check out from the hotel.
• Transfer to Bagdogra (IXB) Airport (approx. 80 km and 03 hours drive).
• Tour ends.