Goecha-La Trek

About this tour

Day 01: Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling | Drive 
Arrival at Bagdogra Airport. Meet our representative and drive towards Darjeeling (approx. 80 km & 03 hours drive). On arrival, check-in to hotel & rest of the day at
leisure. Overnight stay will be at Darjeeling.

Overnight stay at Hotel.
Meals: Dinner Only.

Day 02: Explore Darjeeling | Drive

Early morning drive to the Tiger hill. Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters Tiger hill has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise. After Tiger Hill visit Yiga
Choling Monastery of Ghoom. After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, a high altitude wildlife Zoo with the most successful captive breeding center for Snow leopard and Red Panda. After this visit, you may proceed to Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center and then Tea Garden. Evening free for market. Take a UNESCO Heritage Toy Train ride as per ticket availability.

Overnight stay at Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 03: Darjeeling – Yuksom | Drive
After breakfast, Check out from hotel & transfer to Yuksom (1780 M) – The oldest capital of Sikkim. Yuksom is the base for Dzongri Trek. On arrival, check-in to hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay will be at Yuksom.

Overnight stay at Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 04: Yuksam – Bakhim (3049 M)  | TREK
We walk gently uphill, following the Rathong River’s gorge, through dense mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, ferns and several varieties of orchids, brightly colored
birds, and the occasional monkey. After an hour or so we cross the Paha Khola bridge, (1,733m. /5,685ft.). There is a swimming spot by a waterfall (for those who dare!) after two hours, and we can stop for lunch by a bridge over stream. Passing by sweet smelling viburnum we cross the Prek Chu River and then ascend steeply for two or three hours to arrive at the lodge at Bakhim. We will either stay in the Tourist Hostel, or sleep in our tents. This hostel is often occupied by Himalayan Mountain Institute students on rock- climbing courses. This is a long trekking day and you should expect to be pretty tired by the time you arrive at Bakhim

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 05: Bakhim – Phedang | Trek                                      
A steep climb for an hour after breakfast brings you to Phedang – a small Tibetan hamlet from where the first glimpse of the mountains can be seen. Approx. Alt. 3050m & Distance 16 kms / 6 hours. 

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 06: Phedang – Dzongri (4050 M) | Trek
Another short day’s walking today as we are now treading above the 4,000-meter mark. We will be setting up camp by lunchtime and suggest that you spend a relaxed afternoon acclimatizing. A brief climb beyond brings you to a meadow where we can pitch our tents in a campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim. As usual on trek the choice of campsite depends on many variables, one of the most important is the close supply of water. You will get spectacular views of Khangchendzonga, Siniolchu, Kabru, Pandim, Jopuno, Koktang, Talung and Narsing. The trail from here levels up to Dzongri. Dzongri also offers you the most fascinating close up view of the Khangchendzonga massif and other Himalayan peaks.

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 07: Dzongri – Thangsing (4030 m) | Trek
Today we ascend gradually over open hillside for a mile or so to a low ridge visible from the campsite (13,500 ft/4,115m). From here, chortens and prayer flags overlooking fabulous views of Khangchendzonga and Pandim make ideal photocompositions. You then descend, at first traversing down towards Pandim on the far side of the valley, and then dropping steeply down on a good path through rhododendron forest to the Prek Chu River at 12,300 ft/3,749 m. for lunch (3 hours). There is a new trekking lodge here that the crew may use for cooking. We cross the river and ascend gradually for one and-a- half-hour, through pinewoods to reach a grassy campsite, beneath the shapely unclimbed peak of Pandim. A new hut has been built here, which may be available for cooking and even sleeping. 

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 08: Thangsing – Lamuney |Trek
Today;s walk is fairly short to give you plenty of opportunity to rest before tomorrow’s big day. You begin by continuing your walk parallel to the Prek Chu River. Sacred Samiti on
the opposite side is a beautiful emerald green lake nestled in the midst of brightly colored wind-torn prayer flags. 

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 09: Lamuney – Gochala –Lamuney| Trek
An early start today to beat the inclement weather conditions that is common during the latter part of the day. Set off in the early morning climbing the hill behind the Lake before traversing the moraine and then descending to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Zemathang Plateau. You cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend moraine to a height of about 15,700 feet where you rest above a glaciated lake mottled with snow and icy pinnacles. The Goecha-La Pass is another hour away. We traverse the lake and proceed across a slope, and then on a well- trodden path to our objective, which is festooned with brightly colored prayer flags. The views of the east flank of Khangchendzonga and the mountains and valleys in the distance are stunning. We then return to our campsite at Samiti Lake. Overnight camping. Please note that You are allowed to trek till 1st View Point; the Forest Department will not permit you to travel beyond this 1st point as of now.

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 10: Lamuney (4085) – Kockchurang| Trek
Spare Day For Trek To View Point Trek Back To Kockchurang Via Thangsing Or As Requested By You.

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 11: Kockchurang  – Tshoka (3050 M)| Trek
It’s worth getting up early to take a short hike to the ridge behind the camp. From here there are fantastic views of Khangchendzonga and one can look back up to the Goecha La. Leaving Thangsing, you take a different route, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri Plateau. Descending to the Prek Chu, you contour around jungle to emerge at Phedang. Continue to Tshoka along another steep descent. This will save us a day on the return march, but does involve quite a long day. 

Overnight stay at Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 12: Tshoka – Yuksom (1780 M) | Trek

Trek back to reach the Yuksom via Bakhim. (End of Trekking). On arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight stay at Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 13: Yuksom to Kalimpong | Drive
After breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to Kalimpong. Enroute visit Tashi Ding Monastery On arrival check-in to hotel. Overnight stay in Kalimpong.

Overnight stay at Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 14: Kalimpong to Bagdogra airport
After breakfast, Check out from hotel & transfer to Bagdogra (IXB) Airport (approx. 80 km 04 hours drive).

Meals: Breakfast Only.