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Goecha La Trek
offered by supplier M18129 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 14
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 8
people
Destination(s):
India
Specialty Categories:
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
Season: October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 300 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1500 US Dollar (USD)
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This trek takes one up close to the huge mountain, through forests of rhododendrons, orchids, pine and magnolia, and up to the higher valleys and the rolling meadows used for grazing by the gentle yak-herding Lepchas.
This is a high altitude trip (max. height 4940 m). Please contact us to discuss the implications of this and your own personal fitness. On arrival to India you will be met at the airport. Depending on your personal itinerary you will be transferred to the domestic airport or hotel.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi to Darjeeling (2134 m): 6 hrs
Take the two hour flight from Delhi to Bagdogra airport. We then drive three hours through famous tea estates to Darjeeling, the 'Tea capital of India'. The drive is all uphill and on arrival, we may get our first view of the mighty Khangchendzonga, weather permitting. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: In Darjeeling: Rest day
Sightseeing in Darjeeling. Visit the tea gardens and stroll through the Tibetan markets. Also visit the Darjeeling Zoo and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which are both well worth a look. Overnight hotel.
Day 3: Drive Darjeeling to Pelling (2440 m): 4 hrs
An interesting drive as we ascend further into the mountains. We visit Pemayangste, the second oldest monastery in Sikkim. Wonderful views of the Khangchendzonga Range. Overnight hotel.
Day 4: Drive Pelling to Yoksum (1760 m): 5/6 hrs
Drive to Yoksum, the ancient capital of Sikkim. Complete police and tourist formalities ( a special tourist visa is required for Sikkim) and visit the old Yuksom monastery. It is the starting point for our trek with great views of the rolling hills of southern Sikkim and the Rathong Valley. Overnight hotel.
Day 5: Trek Yoksum to Tshoka (3050 m): 6/7 hrs
The first half of the day is a level walk through mixed forests of magnolia, rhododendron and fern. We usually see many different bird species and the occasional monkey. After lunch, the trail crosses the Rathong Chu River and then climbs steeply for an hour and a half until the rest house at Bakhim. We continue past Bakhim through the forest to Tshoka, a small Tibetan refugee settlement and monastery. Overnight camp.
Day 6: Tshoka to Dzongri (4020 m): 5/6 hrs
In the morning we start with a steep trail through some beautiful rhododendron forests to a small clearing at Phedang which is our usual lunch spot. Another steep ascent from here brings us to the top of the ridge at Deorali Dara, which is just above the tree line.
Day 7: In Dzongri: Rest Day
A day of rest and acclimatisation at Dzongri as we have now ascended above 4000 m. One can take a walk up to the ridge past fluttering prayer flags for some rewarding views of the Khangchendzonga massif and its secondary peaks, or even walk up to the Dzongri pass. Overnight camp.
Day 8: Dzongri to Thangsing (3920 m): 3/4 hrs
We descend on a well defined trail through rhododendron forest to reach the Prek Chu River. We cross the river after some lunch and walk a further two hours to a grassy campsite at Thangsing, at the base of Pandim peak. Overnight camp
Day 9: Thangsing to Samiti Lake (4200 m): 2/3 hrs
Easy and gradual walking takes us past Onglathang to a small moraine ridge and down to a lovely campsite at Samiti Pokhari (lake). The walk today is fairly short to give us plenty of rest before tomorrow's big day. The sacred Samiti is a beautiful emerald green lake with Buddhist prayer flags dotted all around. Overnight camp.
Day 10: Samiti Lake to Goecha La (4940 m) to Thangsing: 7/8 hrs
Begin early in the morning for the steep climb to the Goecha La Pass. This is to get the best of the weather, as it is usually clear until just after lunch. We climb the hill behind the lake up to the area called the Zemathang Plateau. From here it is a further two hours to the pass. The views of eastern Khanchendzonga and the surrounding mountains and valleys in the distance are breathtaking. After having spent time on the pass we come back to the campsite in time for lunch. After lunch we pack up to descend further down to Thangsing. Overnight camp.
Day 11: Thangsing to Tshoka (3050 m): 6/7 hrs
We start by walking downhill to reach the Prek Chu River. The trail goes through some really dense forests of rhododendron, stopping for lunch at Phedang and then descending to Tshoka. Overnight camp or sleep in village lodge.
Day 12: Tshoka to Yuksom (1760 m): 5/6 hrs
Our last day trekking. We descend further along the Prek Chu river, contouring gradually downwards around hills to reach Yuksom. Trek ends, well done everybody! Overnight hotel.
Day 13: Yuksom to Darjeeling: 5/6 hrs
We start the drive in the morning to reach Darjeeling just after lunch. Relax in the afternoon, or go to the Darjeeling markets for some last minute retail therapy. Overnight hotel.
Day 14: Darjeeling to Delhi: 6hrs
Drive three hours from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport, visit a tea garden en route and then take the two hour flight to Delhi. Trips ends.
Note: Please contact us for sightseeing in Delhi, or a trip to the Taj Mahal at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip with a rafting expedition or wildlife safari
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes: All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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