Dzongri Goechala Trek

Trip Fact

Trip Duration 15 days
Destination West Sikkim
Trip Grade Moderate to Challenging
Season March – June & Aug – November
Altitude 3900 Mts/12870 Feet

Goecha La trek is famous for its spectacular view of the southeast face of mighty Kanchenjunga , the world’s third highest mountain amidst a majestic panorama of the other lesser Himalayan giants within its range of mountains.It is also a base for those aspiring to scale the mountain through that redige. The trek commences from the quaint village of Yuksom, where the first Chogyal (holy king) of Sikkim was coroneted. The trail runs through moss-laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia and rhododendron which harbor many exotic species of birds and butterflies. Emerging out of the forests we reach the meadows of Dzongri from where one can enjoy spectacular views of the Khangchendzonga range.
It takes approximately seven and a half days to reach Goecha la and return to Yuksom. Key halting points are Sachen, Bakkhim, Tshoka, Phedang, Dzongri, Kokchurong,Thansing and Lamuney. The initial days of the trek proceeds through dense forest cover, enters bugyals, and ends in rocky terrain. The trek is highlighted by the presence of rhododendrons of various colours during the month of may.

Outline Day to Day Itinerary:

  • Day 01:Arrival Delhi
  • Day 02:Arriva Kathgodam & Drive To Loharkhet
  • Day 03:Loharkhet – Kharkiya ( 5 HRS BY JEEP ) & TREK TO KHATI (5 kms, 2 hrs)
  • Day 04:Khati – Dwali (2575 M/8498 FT)
  • Day 05:Dwali – Phurkta (14300 FT) TO PINDARI CAMP SITE 3660 MTS (12,000 feet).
  • Day 06:PINDARI GLACIER CAMP – DWALI
  • Day 07:Bagubassa – Roopkund (4450 mts/14600 ft) – Bedni Bugyal (7-8 hrs)
  • Day 08:Bedni Bugyal – Wan (10 km/ 3-4 hrs) – Rudraprayag
  • Day 09:Rudraprayag – Haridwar – Delhi
  • Day 10:Delhi – Departure

Detail Itinerary

  • Day 01:Arrive- Delhi :On arrival at Delhi meet with our representative and then transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. overnight at hotel.
  • Day 02: Delhi – Bagdogra (by plane) – Darjeeling (2130 meters) by carIn the morning after breakfast check out from the hotel, and transfer to the domestic airport to catch the flight for Bagdogra, Upon arrival at Bagdogra, will be met by our representative and drive towards Darjeeling charming 4-hour journey, through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Upon arrival at Darjeeling check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 03:DarjeelingToday, wake early in the morning to see the sunrise at Tiger Hill . Afterwards back to hotel to have your breakfast. Later we will visit the famous Ghoom monastery that enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming Buddha) and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and tea plantations. In the evening back to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 04:Darjeeling – Yuksom (125 KMS, 7 Hours)In the morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and drive towards Yuksum, .Yuksum is the oldest capital of Sikkim where the first king was consecrated at 1642 A.D. It also has the oldest existing Monastery built during 1700 A.D. In the late afternon arrive at Yukusm. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 05:Yuksam (1785 mts/5854 ft) – Sachen (7,200 feet , 4 – 4.5 hours )The trail from Yuksam starts at the local market and follows main road towards the north .After crossing the forest check post the trail passes through the fringes of the forest for about half hour and then it is another half hour to the first bridge over the Pha Khola further it climbs through the moss-laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia and rhododendron and hugs the right bank of the Ratong Chu River. After crossing another small cement bridge over the Mentogang Khola it will be another twenty minutes walk to the log hut of Sachen.Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 06:Sachen (7,200 feet) – Tshoka (9,650 feet). 3 ½ – 4 hoursThis is a short trek in comparison to other day, but the altitude gain is considerable. It takes a steep descent to the final bridge over Prek Chu and immediately after the bridge you take the steep uphill trek through Magnolia and Rhododendron forests to Tsoka via Bakhim.Bakhim has a Forest Rest House and some trekkers like staying at Bakhim – simply for its view of the Yuksom valley. Tshoka is another one hour away from here. Enjoy the first view of mount Pandim from here . Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 07:Tsoska – Dzongri (4030 mts/13218 ft)(10 kms/5-6 hrs)In the morning after breakfast we will start our trek towards Dzongri with packed lunch, A steep trail zigzags up through temperate forest and large clusters of rhododendrons, to the vast clearing of Phedang. During April and May, the spectacle is gorgeous, as the land becomes a mass of flowers (400 species have been listed so far).

    In the later afternoon arrive at Dzongri. Climb another 30 mins upto Dzongri top to get a panoramic sunset view of Kabru (7353 m), Ratong (6678 m), Kanchenjunga (8534 m), Koktang (6147 m), Pandim (6691 m) and Narsingh (5825 m). Towards the west, the Singalila Ridge, which separates Sikkim from Nepal, can be seen. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 08:Dzongri – Thangshing (3930 meters, 9 km / 4-5 hours)Today we will descending through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial Prek chu (river). We establish our campsite on the grassy pastures of Thangshing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakhing glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views of Pandim. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 09:Thangshing – Lamuney (4200 meters , 6 km / 3 hours)In the morning after breakfast we will start our trek towards Lamuney . The trail from Thangsing climbs gently north and follows a stream and alpine meadows. About an hour above Thangsing we reach Onglathang from where the superb view of the south face of Kanchenjunga can be seen. The trail then skirts through a series of glacial moraines to reach the beautiful campsite at Lamuney . Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 10:Lamuney -Samiti Lake – Gocha La (5002 mtrs) – Thansing ( 7 Hours)Left the camp site as early as 2.30-3 am to view the magnificent sunrise view over of the south faces of Kanchenjunga, as fog and clouds descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The trail begins with a straight uphill to the top of the ridge and then gentle gradient eastwards for about half an hour and then later the steep ascent starts to the glacial moraine of dry lake at Zemathang.

    A tough scramble over rocks and boulders with a rise of 400 meters will bring us on the top of the pass. The pass is formed above the depression between Pandim and the Kabru spurs. It over looks the Talung Valley and commands a very impressive view of the south faces of Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.Later trek towards Thansing, our campsite. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 11:Thangsing – Tsoka ( 5 – 6 Hours)(14 kms/6-7 hrs)Morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Tsoka (3710 m) in about 5 – 6 hrs. The trek winds its way down up to Kukruchung on the banl of Prek chu and further through Rhododendron forest to Phedong. In the afternoon arrive at Tshoka . Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
  • Day 12:Tsoka – Yuksom ( 2 – 3 Hours)Morning after breakfast on the return foot start trekking to reach Yuksum in the late afternoon.. Rest of the day free to visit the oldest monastery and the surrounding area. Overnight stay in hotel.
  • Day 13:Yuksom – Gangtok ((123 kms/6-7 hrs))In the morning after breakfast our car will pick us for Gangtok, Upon arrival at Ganftok, check in at the hotel and you are free for local sightseeing. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 14:Gangtok – Bagdogra – DelhiEarly morning, transfer to Bagdogra airport in time to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi, check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 15:Delhi – DepartureIn the morning after breakfast check out from the hotel, and transfer to the IGI airport to catch the flight for onward Destination.

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Cost Excludes