Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Bagdogra airport and drive to Gangtok
Fly from Delhi or Mumbai to Bagdogra airport. Meet the guide at the airport and drive to Gangtok. (126 km/5 hours). Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 2: In Gangtok and sightseeing
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 overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Gangtok to Yuksum (Alt. 1,780 m)
Drive to Yuksam (1,780 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 near by Ani Gompa (Buddhist nunnery). Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Yuksum to Bakhim (Alt. 2,750 m)
Trek from Yuksum to Bakhim 14 kms time taken approx. 6 hours. Trek begins with a low gradient until you cross Sachen and the third bridge, walk through dense forest of pine and oak after crossing river PrekChu it is straight 70 degree uphill climb this is the toughest stage in the entire trek, It will last for 2 Hours depends on the fitness of the clients Finally we will come to Bakhim this is just a resting point for the first day. This campsite has only one hut of forest department in the hilly dense forest. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 5: Bakhim to Tshoka (Alt. 3,050 m)
Trek then we reach Bakhim the trail from Bakhim passes through magnolia and rhododendron trees the most tiring uphill climb. Tshoka is a small village housing about twelve thatched roof houses mainly Tibetan settlement. If weather remains clear we can see Mount Pandim, Aralunchong, Lama – Lamini,Pandim. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 6: Tshoka to Dzongri (Alt. 4,020 m)
Trek from Tshoka to Dzongri is still a steep climbing time taken approx. 5 hours 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. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 7: Rest day & Acclimatization at Dzongri
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 (7,353 m), Ratong (6,678 m), Kanchenjunga (8,534 m), Koktang (6,147 m), Pandim (6,691 m) and Narshing (5,825 m). Towards the west, the Singalilla Ridge, which separates Sikkim from Nepal can be seen. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 8: Dzongri to Thangshing (Alt. 3,800 m)
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. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 9: Thangshing to Lamuney (near Samiti Lake) (Alt. 4,298 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. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 10: Lamuney to Goecha La and return to Choakchrung (Alt. 4,984 m)
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. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 11: Choakchrung to Tshoka (Alt. 3,800 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. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 12: Tshoka to Yuksam (Alt. 1,780 m)
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. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Yuksum to Pelling (Alt. 2,085 m)
Early morning drive to Pemayangtse visit Khechoperi Lake Drive 24 Kms ( 01.30 hours) to the holy Khechepheri Lake. Continue the journey for another 30 Kms (1 hour 30 min.) to reach Pelling. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 14: In Pelling
Morning Visit the Pemayangtse Monastery. This is a premier monastery of Sikkim built in the 17th century. afternoon A short walk to Sangobhholing Monastery (02 km/45 min.) located on a hillock above the hotel. On a clear day the view of the mountain range is breathtaking. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Pelling to Darjeeling
Morning transfer from Pelling to Darjeeling - on the way visit Tashiding Monastry continue drive (Optional 2 hrs 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. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Sightseeing Tour in 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. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 17: Departure from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport
Morning after breakfast, transfer from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport (4/5 hrs drive 130km). Our service is finished.
Private Trip Cost: 16 Nights/17 Days
1 Pax: USD 3465
2 Pax: USD 2715 Per Person
3-4 Pax: USD 2400 Per Person
Customize Your Trek: This is a general itinerary, which can always individually be “tailormade”. The trek package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@yahoo.de
Note: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Family Treks & Expedition GmbH. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves.
