Sikkim is rich in biodiversity with flora and fauna with 36 varieties of Rhododendron, more than 500 species of birds. Goecha-La Trek, because of its altitude of 4940m, attracts trekkers worldwide for its magnificent view of grand Kanchenjunga among an imperial vista of the other Himalayan Mountains. The star attraction apart from Kanchenjunga is the endangered red panda. Yuksom Dzongri Goecha-La trek is one of the famous trekking routes in Sikkim. While trekking from Yuksom to Dzongri to the Goecha-La pass, you can see the majestic magnificence of Mount Kangchenjunga, Mount Kabru and Kabru Dome and a spectacular view of the other smaller Himalayan giants within its mountain range.
You can also see rarely seen Barking Deer, the Red Panda, Marbled Cat, Musk Deer and the Himalayan Black Bear. You will climb up to Goecha-La pass beside the Samiti holy lake and Onglakhing glacier moraines. It is the highlight of this complete trek from where you can enjoy the overwhelming landscape of the Talung glacier. Packed with amazing vistas and the best of nature, the popular Goecha-La Trek is on the bucket list of most adventurers. One reason this trek is so popular is because it offers stunning views of the Kanchenjunga, as well as 12-14 other renowned Himalayan peaks. This Trek offers adventurers ample opportunities to spot exotic wildlife, explore flourishing valleys, walk through majestic orchards, view the tear-shaped Goecha Lake and enjoy camping in Dzongri.
What is included in the tour
- Stay – Camping from Day 2 to Day 9 on Twin sharing basis.
- Stay in Guesthouse / Hotel – Day 1 & Day 10 on Twin sharing basis.
- Dinner from Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 10 (Veg)
- Trekking equipment like Tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and other required equipment
- All permits and charges are included for Indians.Photo ID for forest permission. Do carry your ID during the trek.
- Experienced Guides, Trek Leader, Camp Staff, Kitchen staff. etc
What is NOT included in the tour
- GST- 5% extra
- Transportation to and from Base location (Yuksom).Transport will be arranged from Bagdogra to Yuksom / Yuksom to Bagdogra. The cost will be shared by Participants.
- Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond your control.
- Permits fee required for Foreign nationals is not included.
- Snacks / Beverages
- Items of personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, camera fees etc
- Anything other than above mention inclusions
- Backpack Offloading: If you decide not to carry your own backpack, there will be the additional charge of Rs 2700/- for the entire trek and weight limit of the backpack will be 10KG per person.
- Spectacular views of Mt Kanchenjunga, the third hight mountain.
- The beautiful sunrise from the Dzongri top.
- The forest trail full of rhododendrons.
- The high altitude lake
Day 1 – Arrive at Yuksum (1720m)
Day 2 – Yuksum to Sachen via Kanchenjunga National Park (2195 m) (4/5 hrs)
Day 3 – Sachen to Tshoka via Bakhim (3005 m) (3/4 hrs)
Day 4 – Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang (4030 m) (6/7 hrs)
Day 5 – Acclimatization + Rest Day + Explore Dzongri Top
Day 6 – Dzongri to Thangsing (3850 m) (6/7 hrs)
Day 7 – Thangsing to Lamuney (4300 m) (2/3 hrs)
Day 8 – Lamuney to GoechaLa (viewpoint 1) to Kockchurang (3686m) (9/10 hrs)
Day 9 – Kockchurang to Tshoka (3005 m) (9/10 hrs)
Day 10 – Tshoka to Yuksom (2195 m) (9/10 hrs)
Day 11– Drive to Bagdogra (8/9 hrs)
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive at Yuksum
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport the previous day. 8 hour drive to Yuksom. The drive will take you along the gushing Teesta River and continuing uphill, you will be crossing a bridge in Legship to reach Yuksom. Yuksom is a historical town in the West Sikkim district and the name means “meeting place of the 3 learned monks”, who came from Tibetto select Phuntsog Namgyal as the first king of Sikkim. The oldest Monastery of Sikkim – the Dubdi monastery is an hour’s walk from Yuksom. Enjoy a scrumptious meal, and spend the day at leisure, retire to your beds early, tomorrow will be an early morning. Overnight Guesthouse.
Day 2 - Yuksum to Sachen (4/5 hrs)
Post breakfast we begin the first day of trek from Yuksum and goes to Sachen. Trail is through Rhododendron forests of Kanchenjunga National Park. Magnificent forest trail with trees of oak, pine, rhododendrons and magnolia. Taking one through lush environs, and dense forests, travelers will have a surprise encounter with the ancient bridges of Pha Khola, Tshushay Khola waterfalls, and the Mentogang Khola River before reaching their destination of Sachen.
Day 3 - Sachen to Tshoka (3/4 hrs)
On the third day, the trek continues from Sachen to the next destination of Tshoka. We pass a small trekker’s hut at Bakhim. 2 kms from there is the small settlement of Tsokha with terraced farms. Tsokha is the last village on the trail and a vantage point for viewing the sunrise over Mt. Pandim.
Day 4 - Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang (6/7 hrs)
Surrounded by the Rhododendron trees, this is the most beautiful as well as the most crucial part of the trek. Almost midway through the trail lies Phedang which would be a good stopover for lunch. From Phedang the trail keep climbing till the highpoint at Deurali with a shrine and fluttering prayer flags. Great place to view all the snow-clad giants. From here it is a gradual descent to Dzongri with a few trekker’s hut and camping grounds. All around looming high into the sky are snow-capped giants. Most of the trail is filled with tall, dense rhododendrons on either side of a wood-paved path. Varying landscape takes you through the Red Rhododendron trees at their full bloom, steeps hikes on the side of mountains. Dzongri offers you a spectacular view of lush green meadows before.
Day 5 - Acclimatization + Rest Day + Explore Dzongri Top
We take a break after 2 long days of walking to rest and acclimatize in Dzongri. The early risers can trek upto Dzongri top to view the glorious sunrise on the Kanchenjunga Massif. The act can be repeated in the evening for another set of enchanting views as the sun descends. The day can be spent doing short hikes around the camp.
Day 6 – Dzongri to Thangsing (6/7 hrs)
From Dzongri, we start trek towards Kokchurang that should take a minimum of 5 hours and a maximum of 6 hours. This part of the trek strikes a perfect balance between ascending from Dzongri, and descending on to the grasslands of Kokchurang. Follow the trail uptill the Prek Chu River and then ascend again to the big meadow at Thangsing.
Day 7 – Thangsing to Lamuney (2/3 hrs)
A short day all mostly on the meadows on a gradual gradient. The steepness increases and the terrain becomes rocky as we reach Lamuney. The Samiti Lake is a little ahead with coloured prayer flags fluttering around.
Day 8 – Lamuney to Goecha-La (view point 1) to Kockchurang/Thangsing (9/10 hrs)
The day we have been waiting for! We make a very early start (about 3am) and walk with Pandim always on our right up the morain. The view from our last point is absolutely stunning as we look directly into the eastern wall of Kanchenjunga and the smaller peaks of Rathong and Kabru. We enjoy the views before descending to Thangsing.
Day 9 – Kockchurang /Thangsing to Tshoka (9/10 hrs)
Today we start walking back towards the first campsite at Tshoka, taking a different route through Phedang, skipping Dzongri. From Phedang we retrace our way back to Tsokha. The trail moves through one of the most magnificent forests of rhododendrons and oaks. The gradient is gradual up and down making it easy to cover the long distance. The whole trail is filled with Rhododendron blossoms. The gradient is gradual up and down making it easy to cover the long distance.
Day 10 – Tshoka to Yuksom (9/10 hrs)
Post breakfast, descending through the Prek Chu River, we will be arriving in Yuksom, the last leg of this astounding tour. We retrace our footsteps back to where we started, marking the completion of one of most beautiful and a challenging trek of the Himalayas.
Day 11– Drive to Bagdogra (8/9 hrs)
We leave early morning and we drive for 8 hrs to reach the airport at Bagdogra. Fly out. Trip Ends!
Thus your trek in the Himalayas in Sikkim comes to an end with lots of new memories and experiences to take back. You can also find reviews of our participants on our Facebook Page.
For any further queries WhatsApp at +91 903 503 0952.
Note
- Please carry original photo ID, 4 photocopies of the photo ID and 3 passport size photo for the forest permission.
- Summit point will be GoechLa viewpoint 1 as going beyond viewpoint 1 is not allowed.
- The ILP (Inner line Permit or Sikkim permit) for foreigners can obtain these outside the Bagdogra airport or at the checkpost before entering Sikkim from Siliguri. This has to be obtained by the trekkers. For more details: Check this link for more details – http://sikkim.nic.in/homedept/ilpfaqs.htm
- Special trek permit for foreigners: Foreigners need to obtain a special permit at Gangtok to trek in Sikkim. We will help you obain this permit. Kindly reach Yuksom a day before the trek batch starts. The charges of obtaining the permit will be Rs.2,000 per person and has to be paid to our representative who will meet you at Yuksom.
- Citizens of China, Myanmar and Bangladesh are not permitted to trek in this area.
