Sikkim – In the shadow of Kanchenjunga

Arrival

Arrive in Delhi. Rest of the day free to recover from jet lag. There are optional sightseeing programs to explore the old quarter of the city.

Flight Delhi - Bagdogra, drive to Gangtok (1650 m), the capital of Sikkim

A flight across North India to Bagdogra to be met by our Sikkim friends. We drive to Gangtok and leave behind the plains of W Bengal to climb up the wooded Teesta valley into Sikkim (110 km). Our hotel, with its ornate monastic frontage, is a reminder that we are now in a historic Buddhist kingdom very close to Tibet. Overnight stay in a hotel.

View from the hotel windows of Kanchenjunga

Wake up to a dramatic early morning view from the hotel windows of Kanchenjunga and the skyline of the eastern Himalayas. Gangtok will be cooler than Delhi and there is plenty of interest in the town, with its markets, monasteries, gardens & Cottage Institute. Overnight stay in a hotel.

To Yuksom (1770 m)

An early departure by Jeeps for the trekking area in West Sikkim en-route to Rumtek Monastery, 5-6 exciting hours along winding, wooded valleys and over hills clad with cardamom plantations. We swoop down to cross the wild Rangit River before climbing steeply up to Yuksom. Overnight stay in a tent.
Journey: 120 km, 5-6 hours]

To Sajan (2250 m)

We begin our trek with a gradual climb to Sajan, we’ll go at an easy pace into the forests for our overnight in a camp.
Walking time: 3-4 hours, 8 km ↑850 m ↓400 m]

To Tsokha (2950 m)

We continue to Tsokha passing through Rhododendron forests and other beautiful meadows and flowers.
Walking time 3-4 hours, 5 km, ↑850 m ↓100 m

To Pethang (3750 m)

A steady morning ascent in the direction of Dzongri La (4400m) where we join the track founded by the Everest pioneer Tenzing Norgay.
Walking time 3-4 hours, 3 km, ↑800 m elevation gain

To Dzongri (3950 m)

A rest day at Dzongri usually begins with the chance to see the sunrise from the nearby prayer flagged hilltop where the King of Sikkim used to come to pay his respects to the Holy Mountains. In clear weather the views here are magnificent. Ahead the elusive peaks of Kabru, Tichenkhang and Pandim, temporarily hide Kanchenjunga (8598m).
Walking time 3 hours, 3 km, ↑300 m ↓100 m

via Thangshing (3950 m) to Lamuney (4200 m)

The trail from Dzongri climbs steadily to another ridge 4250m passing herds of yak between scrub juniper and dendrons, which are mixed and burnt as incense by the local Buddhist. The trail then drops down through seas of rhododendrons untill we reach the bridge over the Prek Chu River. It’s an hour climb from the bridge to Thangshing located on the slopes of Mt Pandim (6600m). The trail from Thangshing climbs gently north and follows a stream and alpine meadows. About an hour above Thangshing we reach Onglathang from where there is the superb view of the South face of Kanchenjunga.
Walking time 6 hours, 10 km, ↑950 m ↓700 m

To Goecha La (4950 m) and back to Thangshing (3950 m)

In the early hours of the morning we aim towards Goeche La (The Locked Gate) at almost 4740m, we will ensure to be there well before sunrise. In the clear cold morning air, we will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan landscape. The trail then follows the glacial moraine North-East and then drops to a dry lake at Zemathang. The pass is formed due to the depression between Pandim and the Kabru. The sight of the mighty South face of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, will remain with us for years to come and it will surely be humbling to remember that this summit was first climbed by British climbers Joe Brown and George Band way back in 1955. With a huge sense of achievement and satisfaction we return to camp Thangshing.
Walking time 8-9 hours, 18 km, ↑1100 m ↓1350 m

To Tsokha (2950 m)

After crossing the river we avoid the climb back up to Dzongri by a long but easy contour around the valley side through rhododendron and fir forest to the village of Tsokha (white lake), an enchanting high Tibetan settlement perched on a mountain spur. Tsokha remains barely altered despite the trekker incursion and retains an aura of tranquility.
Walking time 7 hours, 12 km, ↑300 m ↓1300 m

To Yuksom (1770 m)

Our freewheeling final day, downhill almost all of the time. We descend through rainforest rich with birdlife and flowers, across spectacular bridges spanning cascading rivers whose sources are high in the mountains we have so recently left behind. Tired and elated we arrive in Yuksom. In the evening we can celebrate our achievements.
Walking time 5-6 hours, 13 km, ↑500 m ↓1700 m

To Darjeeling

Drive to Darjeeling (2200 m). Visit to the “Himalayan Mountaineering Institute” and if time allows we can have a ride on the narrow-gauge railway known as the “Toy train”.
Journey time: approx. 6 hours

In Darjeeling

A memorable hotel and almost 2 days to relax and get down to the serious business of markets, shopping, or seeing the town. Today Darjeeling is overpopulated, under resourced and creaking around the edges but amid the hustle and bustle it still exudes a vitality and excitement and there remain many fascinating reminders of the lavish lifestyles and days of the British Raj. After our isolation in the mountains it will provide a stimulating contrast - quite overwhelming. A visit here particularly at the end of our Sikkim trek will always be a memorable experience.

Depart Delhi

Drive to Bagdogra, return flight to Delhi. Transfer to the airport around midnight