India Trekking Tours » Sikkim Gochela Trek Tour

Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days

Day 01 : Arrive Bagdogra (By flight)/ New Jalpaiguri (By Train)
Arrive NJP or Bagdogra. Drive to Yoksom in West Sikkim (134 kms in 06 hrs) along the scenic Teesta and Rangit River Valleys. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Trek Yoksom / Tshoka. 3050 M. 16 Kms in 07 to 08 Hrs.
The very first day of the trek is the toughest. Starting through cultivation, we soon reach thick forest, and start a steady climb passing Pines, Magnolia, and Rhododendrons. The route has many ups and downs, with some rock staircases. No landmarks are visible, and it is easy to loose orientation. A steady walk with plenty of halts enables the enjoyment of the fantastic range of flora. After crossing the green Praig Chuu River, we climb rapidly to 3000 M to reach Bakhim [the shelter of bamboos) 12 kms from Yoksom. ETA 1400 hrs.
The last steep climb of 01 hr remains before we reach our destination Tshoka [clearing in the forest]. Tshoka is a small village - the last one on this route. Overnight in tents or lodge.

Day 03 : Trek Tshoka / Phedang, 3760 M /Tshoka . 10 kms in 03-04 hrs.
For acclimatization, today we stay another night at Tshoka. After breakfast we trek uphill to Phedang at 3760 M, and return in time for lunch. Overnight at Tshoka

Day 04 : Trek Tshoka / Phedang / Dzongri, 4320 M. 11 kms, in 05 hrs.
Take the previous day's path climbing upto Phedang, and continue the steep climb through rhododendrons. There are some views of the snow peaks to reach Dzongri at 4300 M. It is a lovely undulating plateau, used as a yak pasture, lying at the foot of Kabur peak and extending nearly to the Kabru and Pandim glaciers on either side. The first view as you step on to the meadows is indeed breathtaking, as you suddenly come face to face with the great peaks.

Day 05 : Dzongri, 4320 M.
Acclimatization day. Short sunrise trek, and DzongriLa trek, 4415 M in 04 hrs. Rise early, to walk upto the top of Dabla Khang, a mountaintop from where the Sikkimese worship Mount Khangchendzonga. After the short walk, the sunrise view of Khangchendzonga, Kabru, and Siniolchu, is spectacular. After breakfast, spend the day, walking the meadows, or trek upto Dzongri La, 4415 M, in 04 hrs, for excellent views of Kabru Dome. Overnight in trekkers hut or tents.

Day 06 : Trek to Dzongri-Onglathang, 4000 M. 11 kms in 06 hrs.
Trek to Thangsing, covering the 08 Kms in 04 hrs. A fairly easy trek, with good views. Initially traversing marshy ground with bush rhododendrons, for about 02 kms, the track descends very steeply into the Praig chuu valley. We pass through meadows of grazing yaks, wild flowers, and rhododendrons, with spectacular views of Mount Pandim. The river comes cascading down from the Snow Mountains. We climb out of the valley, and continue past the trekker's hut at Thansing to the yak hut at Onglathang, another 03 kms, of easy trekking in 02 hrs. Overnight in camp.

Day 07 : Trek Onglathang 4060 M / Gochela, 4995 M / Thangsing 3800 M. 14 Kms in 08 hrs.
Today we have a long days trek. We climb, past the crystal clear Samithi Lake, along a gully on a trail of moraine and boulders, with spectacular views opening up. Following a short decent to the white sands of Zemathang we make the steep climb reaching the highest point of the trek. From Gochela we see the Talung Glacier, Kanchandzonga East Face, Jhopunu, Simvo, Sinolchu, and many other peaks. Descending down we retrace our steps to spend the night at Thangsing in camp.

Day 08 : Trek to Thangsing 3800 M / Tshoka, 3250 M. 10 Kms in 04 hrs.
A sharp descent via Phedang, to Tshoka Village in 04 hrs. Overnight in tents or lodge.

Day 09 : Trek Tshoka / Yoksom, 1780 M. 16 Kms in 06 hrs.
We continue the climb-down to the road head at Yoksom, covering 16 Kms in 05-06 hrs. TREK ENDS. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 : Yoksom / NJP / Bagdogra 134 kms in 06 hrs.
Drive back to Bagdogra to board flight or to NJP to board train for final departure