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India · Trekking
The journey
Embark on a 12-day Goechala Trek in exotic Sikkim, trekking through the UNESCO World Heritage forests of Khangchendzonga National Park amid vibrant flora and the gurgling sounds of mountain rivers. Witness breathtaking sunrise views from Dzongri and Goecha La, with the majestic presence of Mt. Kanchenjunga dominating the Himalayan skyline. Along the way, walk through dense Rhododendron and Magnolia forests, camp in spectacular high-altitude settings, and enjoy the serenity of Samity Lake.
While standing at Goecha La, you can enjoy a gigantic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, at almost stone-throwing distance.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
After breakfast, leave your hotel and head to the airport to catch your flight to Bagdogra (IXB).
Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to Yuksom. The distance from Bagdogra to Yuksom is 153 km, and the drive takes around 6 hours.
Stay in a comfortable hotel.
Overnight stay in Yuksom.
Enjoy the lovely morning in Yuksom.
After a hearty breakfast, your trek to Goechala begins. It will be an easy first day.
As the trek starts, we pass a small hamlet and enter the UNESCO World Heritage Khangchendzonga National Park.
The trails become steep from here.
On the way, you will see the Rathong Chu River, and the sound of the river will simply amaze you.
The experience of trekking through the dense Rhododendron and Magnolia forest is fantastic, and you will love this forest walk.
After 2 hours of walking, we reach the Pha Khola stream bridge. Relax here for a while and enjoy nature.
Our Sachen campsite is a further 2-hour walk from here. Sachen is a small campsite surrounded by thick forest.
Overnight stay in a tent.
Wake up in the morning listening to the chirping of birds.
After breakfast, we start for Tshokha. It will be an uphill walk almost all the time, but the feeling of walking through the lush green forest is awesome, and the views will not let you get tired.
During the trek, you may sometimes have to give way to yaks so they can go ahead. It is a very funny experience.
After 3 hours of walking, we reach a small tea shop - that is Bakhim.
After Bakhim, it is just a 1.5-hour trek to Tshokha. Tshokha is a small settlement where one can get views of giant mountains like Pandim and Tenzing Khang. There is also a small Buddhist monastery here.
Overnight stay in a tent.
It is going to be an exciting day.
After breakfast, we start slowly. The first hour of the trail will be steep.
Then it will be around a 3-hour trek through dense Rhododendron forest to reach Phedang. With its green meadow, bright sunlight, and mountain views, Phedang is a lovely place to enjoy nature and rest.
After Phedang, the trail climbs up to reach Deorali Top (3980 m). This climb is challenging, but once you reach the top, the magnificent view of the Himalayas will sweep away all your tiredness. The 360-degree view from here is breathtaking. The mighty Kanchenjunga, Kabru South, Kabru North, Pandim, and other giant Himalayan peaks will simply make you speechless.
From here, our Dzongri campsite is just 1 hour away.
Overnight stay in a tent.
We start in the dark to reach Dzongri Top and experience a spectacular sunrise over Kanchenjunga and other peaks. It will take around 45 minutes to reach the top. A sunrise view from Dzongri Top is something you will never forget.
After experiencing this beauty, we return to the campsite and, after breakfast, start for Kokchurong. It will be a lovely walk today, as the views of Kanchenjunga, Pandim, and other Himalayan peaks will stay with us all the time. It will take around 5 hours to reach our campsite.
At an altitude of 3658 m, Kokchurong is a lovely place. With the Prek Chu River flowing right beside the campsite, its gurgling sound is amazing, and you can spend hours simply watching the flowing river.
Overnight stay in a tent.
After breakfast, we start for Lamuney.
We first cross the Prek Chu River and enter the Rhododendron forest. Most of the time, it will be a gradual walk today.
Once we reach Thansing, it will be a flat walk to Lamuney campsite.
You will enjoy every moment of this walk, as the astounding views of Kanchenjunga, Pandim, and Tenzing Khang will keep you enchanted all the time. It is one of the most beautiful campsites here, with a spectacular sunset view over the gigantic Pandim. It is also considered to be the coldest campsite of this trek.
Overnight stay in a tent.
Today we spend a rest day. The idea is to give your body proper rest before we start for Goecha La.
We do a small exploration to nearby Samity Lake and perform a puja (offering) for wish fulfillment. The serene Samity Lake will definitely win your heart.
Overnight stay in a tent.
We start around 3 am today for Goecha La. This journey is something that you will cherish forever.
Trekking through the dark night in freezing weather is truly adventurous.
It will take around 3.5 hours to reach Goecha La (4980 m).
While standing at Goecha La, you can enjoy a gigantic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, at almost stone-throwing distance. Mt. Pandim (6691 m) also looks massive from here.
On your way down to the camp, the views of Kabru and other peaks will make you speechless.
After returning to the campsite, we have lunch and move towards Thansing (3895 m). It will take 1.5 hours to reach there. We spend the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight stay in a tent.
After breakfast, we start for our destination - Tshokha.
On the way, when you look back at the mighty Kanchenjunga, you will be amazed to think about the Goecha La summit.
We take the same trail up to Kokchurong, but from here we follow another trail to reach Phedang.
The trail goes through dense Rhododendron forest.
During spring, this trail looks especially beautiful.
After Phedang, it is all downhill to Tshokha.
Overnight stay in a tent.
The 9-day trek is coming to an end.
We start in the morning for Yuksom - our endpoint.
The trail is downhill most of the time, and you can enjoy the dense forest walk just as you did on your way up.
You will meet new trekking groups on your way down, bringing back memories of the journey you started a week ago.
Upon arrival at the Yuksom roadhead, our trek ends and you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Yuksom.
After breakfast, start for a sightseeing trip around Yuksom.
Visit Khecheopalri Lake, Dubdi Monastery, the Coronation Throne, and more.
After breakfast, start for Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) for your onward journey, or transfer to Gangtok to continue your travels.
Your Goecha La Trek comes to a happy ending.
Where this trip takes you
Dzongri Top sunrise, Goecha La panoramas, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Samity Lake
The route
The fine print
All airport/hotel transfers.
Yuksom sightseeing by car.
Accommodation in a hotel/homestay on a twin-sharing or single-sharing basis in Yuksom with the MAPAI plan (room + breakfast + dinner).
Accommodation and 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek.
Morning and evening tea with snacks every day during the trek.
Professional and highly experienced English/Hindi-speaking local mountain guide.
All expenses for the guide and porters.
All necessary permits needed for the trek.
Still and video camera charges.
Note: Freshly prepared nutritious meals will be provided during the trek. You will mostly have Indian and Nepali cuisines for lunch and dinner.
Any personal expenses such as telephone calls, battery recharging, shopping, extra porters, beverages, laundry, etc.
Your travel insurance.
Any kind of insurance covering medical or emergency evacuation, loss, and theft expenses, etc.
Client's personal gear for the trek.
Additional costs caused by delays beyond management's control, such as landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications for safety concerns, illness, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, road blockades, or any other natural calamities.
Tips for trekking staff and driver. Tipping is not mandatory and is up to your satisfaction.
Anything that is not in the included list.
Comfortable and warm clothes.
A good backpack (50-60 L). If you want to offload your backpack, then carry a daypack (20 L).
Good-quality trekking shoes, slippers, and an extra pair of socks.
Rain jacket/poncho.
First-aid kit and basic medication (if any).
Sunscreen lotion or any other skin moisturizers.
Water bottles, backpack, and energy bars/snacks.
A pair of sunglasses.
Balaclava/cap.
Gloves.
Headlamp (with spare batteries).
Personal toiletries.
Climatic conditions in the high-altitude zone are different from the plains; take adequate time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
Pay attention to your guide to enjoy a safe and sound trekking experience.
Do not consume alcohol or any other intoxicants during the trek.
During the night, if you have to go outside your tent, then inform your tent mate or guide.
Carry basic medications and a first-aid kit during the trek.
It is our responsibility to keep nature clean. Please do not encourage littering in local places or campsites.
While visiting any religious sites, do not hurt local sentiments and maintain quietness.
You can offload your personal baggage for the whole trek at an additional cost.
Tipping is not mandatory. It is up to your satisfaction.
Logistics
Your 12 days finish where they began, in Bagdogra.
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