Trekking in Sikkim

Himalayan Land of Nature Grandeur Spiritual Beauty. Welcome to Sikkim The land that unfolds your imagination. Traversing you through excitement, thrill, adventure & a myriad of ecstasy & join flora and fauna, landscape, white topped mountains and friendly people. Small but beautiful, Sikkim is cradled by the towering peaks of the mighty Himalayas including Mt. Kanchenjanga 8586m. (Protector Deity for the Sikkim) the third highest mountain in the world. Sikkim with an area of 7300 sq.km. shares her borders with Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the East, Nepal in the West and the state of West Bengal in the South. Its unique and drastic variation in altitude ranging from 244m. to over at 8586m. offers her visitors a very rare once in a life time opportunity within a matter of hours to experience the changing lifestyle, flora and fauna from the sub- tropical heat of the Indian plains to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes, which reach the areas of perpetual snow.Memories of your Sikkim holiday are enriched by the lingering impression of gorgeously decorated Buddhist Monasteries and Hindu temples featuring Lama Dances with fierce masks, unique music and chants, invocations made to the Hindu deities. (Illumination festivals of love and affection)Sikkim is one of the best kept secrets in the Himalayas and trekking in Sikkim can be a wonderful experience and antidote of city stress and daily life. Sikkim trekking experience can be memorable and cherished for a lifetime. While trekking one can relish the pure air and silence of wilderness, feel the awakening of the senses burdened by urban living, as one walks through the vales and dales and quaint villages. Mountains take up strange and wonderful shapes and the beauty of Sikkim Himalayas unfolds itself before you. All through each and every nook and corner of Sikkim - from the sultry tropical forests in the south to howling wilderness in the north is a trekker’s paradise. Treks to Kanchenjunga are the most fascinating and challenging.

Darjeeling to Kanchenjunga Trekking

Day 01) Arrive Delhi,

where you will be met and transfered to your hotel.
(Hotel &B)

Day 02) Delhi – Bagdogra (by plane) – Darjeeling (2130m) by car.

Arrive Bagdogra Airport and drive to Darjeeling, charming 4-hour journey, through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for Westerners and Bengalis alike. Overnight in Darjeeling.

Day 03) Darjeeling visit.

We could take an early trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Afterwards we visit the famous Ghoom monastery that enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming Buddha). Later on we can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and tea plantations. Overnight in Darjeeling.

Day 04) Darjeeling – Manay Bhanjang ( 2134m. 1h 30) by car – Tonglu (3070m)

Early morning drive from Darjeeling to Manay Bhanjang. The trail overlooks the Bengali plain south, and we have tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead, as we zigzag through rhododendrons.

Day 05) Tonglu – Garibas (2620m) in 4h.

We take a mossy paved path, that snakesthrough a succession of forests and hamlets, giving way, from time to time, to spectacular mountain sceneries.

Day 06) Garibas – Sandakphu (3640m) in 4h 30 min.

We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhari. Afterwards we start a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge that leads us to Sandakphu. A remarkable 360 ° view from the top.

Day 07) Sandakphu – Phalut (3600m) in 6h.

We walk to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise over the Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyo. Throughout the day, there are ever-changing views: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the background.

Day 08) Phalut – Raman (2560m) in 5h

. A pleasant descent through the woods takes us to Gorkhey (2500m) then we climb up towards Raman.

Day 09) Raman – Rimbik (2280m) in 4h.

We pass through numerous villages and cross the Sri Khola over a remarkable suspension bridge.

Day 10) Rimbik – Pelling by car (9h).

.

Day 11) Pelling – Pemayangtse – Yuksam by car (2h).

2.5 km from Pelling, we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery. Perched at 2800m, it is one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim.

Day 12) Yuksam - Tsoska (3030m) in 6h.

The trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan village of Tsoska. The landscape has now changed into pine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get excellent views of the entire Himalayan range and Kanchenjunga.

Day 13) Tsoska – Dzongri (4020m) in 5h.

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). After 300m, we follow the ridge to Dzongri, a pasture area for Yuksam yaks from April to October.

Day 14) Dzongri – Thangshing (3930m) in 4h.

We descend through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial Prek 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.

Day 15) Thangshing – Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h.

A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakhing glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samity lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek river. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other snow-capped peaks.

Day 16) Samity Lake – Gocha La (4940m) – Thansing in 7h.

We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.

Day 17) Thangshing – Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h.

After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes.

Day 18) Labdang – Tashiding (1740m) in 5h.

An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we descend.

Day 19) Tashiding – Martam by car (4h).

We visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers.

Day 20) Martam – Gangtok by car (1h).

En route we visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers. Afternoon at leisure in Gangtok.

Day 21) Gangtok – Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi (by plane). (Hotel B&B)

Day 22) At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international flight. (Hotel B&B)

Day 23) Transfer to airport and fly back home