Sikkim Goecha la trekking

Sikkim Goechala trekking  itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Bagdogra airport to Gangtok 
Arrive Delhi connecting fly to Bagdogra airport. Meet the guide at the airport and drive to Gangtok. (126 km / 05 hrs.). Overnight hotel. 

Day 02: Gangtok- 
A leisure day in Gangtok visiting places of tourist interest including Tashi view Point, Ganash Tok, Hanuman Tok and famous Enchey Monastery back to hotel after breakfast other Point visit Tibetology, Institute of Cottage Industry, Dro-Drul Chorten, Rope way and Flower snow world famous Rumtek Monastery. Return Back to hotel. Evening walk at the Mall or shopping/leisure. Stay O/N. 

Day 03: Gangtok – Yuksum. 
Drive to Yuksam(1780 m) from Gangtok. Arrive Yuksom In the evening take a walk to the Yoksom Coronation site, - a simple stone bench, where the three monks appointed the first king of Sikkim. Visit the nearby Ani Gompa {Buddhist nunnery). Overnight at Yoksom. 

Day 04: Yuksam – Tsoska (3030m) in 6 hours.
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 05: TSHOKA- DZONGRI ( Alt. 4020 M ) 
Trek from Tshoka to Dzongri is still a steep climbing time taken approx 5hrs we go through dense forest of rhododendrons there’re over 400 flowering species , a place called Deorali Dara provides a  agnificent view of mountains.Then we reach Phethang for a break .After Phethang still further climbing we reach Dzongri here the Vegetation is thin and we tend to find only small bushes and shrubs for the night stay here is a tourist hut Its usually overcrowded and noisy. In Dzongri early morning we take a walk to Dabla Khang( DzongriTop) the view from this place is magnificent one can view all the peaks .Acclimatization here is must for further ascending trekkers. Overnight in tent. 

Day 06:  Rest day & Acclimatise at Dzongri – The day is for rest and acclimatization. 
On this day one can savor views of the mountain peaks by climbing up to Dzongri Top. From here you get a panoramic view of Kabru (7353 m), Ratong (6678 m), Kanchenjunga (8534 m), Koktang (6147 m), Pandim (6691 m) and Narshing (5825 m). Towards the west,  the Singalilla Ridge, which separates Sikkim from Nepal, can be seen. Dinner and overnight stay in tents. 

Day 07: Dzongri - Thangshing - 3800 m. 
Trek:Dzongri to Thangshing – 5 to 6 hours- Overnight camping 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. 

Day 08: Thangshing - Lamuney (near Samiti Lake) - 4298 m. 
Trek: Thangshing to Lamuney - 3 hours -Overnight camping. 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. 

Day 09: Lamuney - Goecha La return - Choakchrung.  
Trek to Goecha La (4,984 m.) and return to  Choakchrung.  Overnight camping 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 clmbing 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 Choakchrung:

Day 10: Choakchrung  to Tshoka - 3800 m.
Trek: Choakchrung: to Tshoka – 7 to 8 hours- Overnight camping 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.

Day  11: Tshoka to Yuksam –5 to 6 hours Overnight in hotel. 
Today you descend to the Prek Chu following the route you took up on the first day, and then contour gradually downwards to reach the village of Yuksam our starting point. 

Day 12: Yuksum to Darjeeling
Morning transfer from Yuksom  to Darjeeling - on the way visit Tashiding Monastry continue drive (Optional 2hrs white River rafting at Rangit and Teesta River) and again drive to Darjeeling via tea Garden arrive evening check in hotel and free) (135 kms / 06 hrs).Evening free to explore the town. Overnight hotel.

Day 13: Sightseeing of Darjeeling: 
Early morning tour to Tiger Hill (at around 4 am) to view sunrise over mighty Kanchenjunga. The view is splendid on clear weather day. On the way back, take a look at Ghoom Monastery and the Batasia Loop. Afternoon visit to Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Gumbu Rock site and Tibetan Refugee self-help (Closed on Sunday) Center Tea Estate. Overnight hotel.

Day 14:Departure from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport
Moorning after breakfast transfer from  Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport / Bhadra pur Airport  4/ 5rs drive 130km )