This exciting trek will lead you to the foot of Mt Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain. Travel from the Indo-Gangetic plains to Yuksom at the foothills of the Himalayas in Sikkim.  Yuksom, meaning the meeting place of three Lamas was where the first Chogyal of the kingdom of Sikkim was consecrated in 1641 AD by the learned Lamas. A nearby Chorten bears testimony and still has the stone seats and a footprint of the head lama set in stone. Yuksom is now the starting point for mountaineering expeditions and treks to the Kanchenjunga massif.

This beautiful trek to Gocha - La (4940m) - opposite the eastern face of Mt. Kanchenjunga, begins through dense sub-tropical forests, it then passes vast pasturelands with grazing yaks to reach high alpine meadows. At the Goecha la (pass) an unforgettable view of the Kanchenjunga awaits you. A sheer wall of ice and rock that rises straight up to 8,586m. The best time to take the trek is between March - May and Sep – Nov.

Make this your holiday:
Exclusive Tour: your own private multilingual guide throughout the trip 
Price Guarantee: costing 25-30% less than similar tours of the same flexibility and quality
Tailor Made: customised itinerary to create your dream holiday
Duration: shorten or lengthen the tour to suit your wishes
Dates: depart and return whenever you choose
Hotels: change hotel grade to suit your budget
Group Discounts: call 0845 310 2929.

Day 01:     Arrival Delhi
Meet and greet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 02:      Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri – Kalimpong (1800m)  
Fly in to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri. Drive to Kalimpong. Evening sightseeing

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Kalimpong is a beautiful little resort that still maintains its charm and beauty. The town offers a breathtaking view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayan range that lies not far beyond it. The beauty of Kalimpong lies in its green surroundings, bustling bazaars and various nurseries abloom with exotic flowers and rare varieties of plants. The best time to visit Kalimpong is during summer.

Day 03:      Kalimpong – Yuksom (1880m) 6-8 hr
The drive is along narrow switchback roads, a journey, which with lunch and photo stops takes about 6-8 hours, depending on the condition of the roads. Yuksom, is a scenic spot set amidst the backdrop of the Himalayas. It is a historical place, for in 1641 Buddhism was first introduced here.

Day 04:      Yuksom -  A day for  acclimatization
Yuksom is a small village that is soon turning into a town and a base for trekking expeditions to Gocha La. It is best to acclimatise here before taking the trek. We suggest following the basic rule for acclimatising of climbing high and sleeping low.

Day 05:     Yuksom - Bakhim (3005m) – 7 hr
Bakhim is situated among beautiful alpine plants and Sikkim's famous orchids. It has many rare varieties of birds and butterflies. The beauty of the trek lies in the journey, the alpine forest, laden with exotic flowers and rhododendrons in bloom, the fire of the jungle can be beautiful.

Day 06:      Bakhim – Dzongri (4030m) 4 hr
This is a short walk to give you enough time to acclimatize. The magnificent panorama of the Kanchenjunga massif lies before you at Dzongri, looking gilded at dawn and inflamed at sunset. The Dwarf rhododendrons add a romantic touch to this place.

‘Day 07:      Dzongri - Thangsing (4030m) 5 hr
Gradual ascent with views of Kanchendzonga & Pandim and then down through rhododendron forests. We cross the river and walk uphill through pinewoods to reach Thangsing beneath the unclimbed peak of Pandim.

Day 08:     Thangsing - Samati Lake (4280m) 3-4 hr
Today’s trek is a gentle stroll with the towering Pandim peak on the  right and huge rock walls flanking the other side of the river. Pass ruined shrines, walls inscribed with Tibetan prayers and a yak-herder's hut to reach the sacred, turquoise coloured, Samati Lake.

Day 09:     Samati Lake - Goechala - Thangsing (4940m) 8–9 hr
Start before first light. Climb a hill behind the lake before traversing a moraine and then descending to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The area above the lake is called Chemithang Plateau. Cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend the moraine to a height of about 4710 M. Lunch above a frozen lake dotted with ice pinnacles. Walk an hour to Goecha La. Enjoy the fabulous view and walk back to camp.

Day 10:     Thangsing - Tsoka   15 km / 7 hr
We take a different route back, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri plateau.

Day 11:     Tsoka - Yuksom – Pemayangtse (2085 M) 3 hr hike and 2-3 hr drive
It is a steep descent back to Yuksom,  from here we drive to Pemayangtse..

Day 12:     Pemayangtse – Gangtok (1780m) – 4-5 hr
Morning drive to Gangtok after a visit to Pemayangtse monastery.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is one of the most beautiful hill resorts, which, till one sees it, would believe exists only in picture-story books. The mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses, lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk and spice and jewellery to gladden an maiden's heart, from across the seven seas are gadget and goods to delight the collector of "imported goods', while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the 'Mother of Pearl' citadel of the magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.

Day 13:     Gangtok sightseeing
An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has crossed the border. While across the hills and valleys comes the sounding of the long trumpets by robed lamas. Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.

Day 14:     Gangtok – Bagdogra - Delhi
Transfer to airport for flight to Bagdogra. From here you may fly or board a train backs to Delhi / Kolkata for you onward journey.

NOTE: We make no extra charge for minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary. No surcharges will be imposed within 30 days of departure. Wherever possible any downward revision in the price of trips if shown in our ‘Special Offers’ will be refunded to you.

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