Kanchendzonga - Sikkim Trek

Sikkim - Kanchendzonga Trek

Itinerary:

Day 01 : Arrive Siliguri / Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri � Darjeeling (85 km, 3 hours)

Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to Darjeeling. Overnight at the hotel in Darjeeling.

Day 02 : Darjeeling � Gangtok (98 km, 4.1/2 hours)

Early morning drive to Tiger Hill for sunrise view of Mt. Kanchendzonga and the great Eastern Himalaya. Then visit Yiga-Choling Monastery at Ghoom which enshrines the statue of Maitreya Buddha.

After breakfast, visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the house of Late Tenzing Norgay, the sherpa who first climbed Mt. Everest with Edmund Hillary in 1953. Then visit Natural History Museum, Lloyd Botanical Garden established in 1878 and the Zoo, specializing in high altitude species.

Afternoon drive to Gangtok for overnight stay.

Day 03 : Gangtok

This morning, the tour begins with the visit of Rumtek Monastery. Later visit Do-drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Government Institute of Cottage Industries and Research Institute of Tibetology. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtok.

Day 04 : Gangtok � Tashiding

Drive to Tashiding Monastery (7 hours), through beautiful contryside. Tashiding Monastery belonging to Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism was built in 1717 and lies nestled on the top of a hill that looms up between the Rathong river and the Rangit river. Overnight camp at Tashiding.

Day 05 : Tashiding � Yuksom

Morning visit to Tashiding monastery. The chortens of Tashiding are deemed to be extremely holy. The central one is considered to be the holiest one of all and is said to cleanse its beholder of all sins and is known as Saviour by mere sight. After lunch a drive of one and a half hour brings you to Yuksom, the site of first Chogyal (Monarch) of Sikkim�s enthronement. Overnight camp at Yuksom.

Day 06 : Yuksom � Tshoka

From Yuksom the trek trail runs north and undulates through forests of oak, walnut and cedar. After an hour walk, the climb begins. A four hours walk on a path lined with tall trees, brings you to Bakhim. One hour further and you are at Tshoka, a small village for overnight camp. In a distance of 16 km from Yuksom to Tshoka, the altitude gain is from 5,850 ft. to 9,000 ft.

Day 07 : Tshoka � Dzongri

Today�s trail passes through a wonderland of tangled rhododendron branches and misshapen firs draped in spanish moss and during May, between Tshoka and Dzongri, the hillsides are painted in all colour of the rainbow as different varieties of flowers are in bloom. After lunch, the trail continues climbing steeply to Deorali and then descends slightly to Dzongri. Overnight camp at Dzongri.

Day 08 : Dzongri

Early morning climb Dzongri peak (one hour) for an unforgettable sunrise over the Kanchendzonga range. Then set off for Lakshmi Pokhari, an alpine lake, at the base of black Kabur, a jagged which is a challenge for the rock climber. Overnight camp at Dzongri.

Day 09 : Dzongri � Bikbari

At Dzongri, the bridle path ends and bifurcates into two footpaths � one leading to the Base Camp and other to the Goechela pass. Follow the pass leading to the Kanchendzonga Base and camp at Bikbari.

Day 10 : Bikbari

After an early breakfast take along your packed lunch and proceed to Base Camp where the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling conducts a training centre. Climb to various viewpoints for Magnificent close up views of Ratong Glacier, Frey Peak, Dome Peak, Koktang Kabru and Ratong peaks. Return to Bikbari for overnight camp.

Day 11 : Bikbari � Dzongri � Thangsing

Return to Dzongri. From Dzongri the path goes over the east shoulder of Dzongri peak and crosses rambling terrain descending into a rhododendron forest ending at the edge of a broad rocky river bed. Cross the wooden bridge and after traversing a beautiful fir forest follow the creaked to Thangsing at the bottom of a long glacial valley. Overnight camp at Thangsing.

Day 12 : Thangsing � Samity

Morning free. After lunch, a three hours walk will take you to Samity. The walk is on lateral moraine of a gigantic glacier crossing high grasslands, passing through a valley, the both sides of which are mountains. Camp close to an emerald coloured glacial lake.

Day 13 : Samity - Thangsing

Day 14 : Return to Tshoka via Phedang. The trail is through rhododendron and fir forests weaving in and out through countless stream canyons and tangles of rocks. Overnight camp at Tshoka.

Day 15 : Trek to Yuksom where your transport for Pemayangtse will be waiting for you. Overnight at the hotel in Pemayangtse.

Day 16 : Pemayangtse � Siliguri

Visit the monastery at Pemayangtse meaning �The Sublime Lotus� and signifies purity. Go upstairs to see encased in ceiling high glass a seven lever wooden pagoda structure of exquisite intricacy depicting paradise � Zangthopalri (the celestial palace of the Guru Rinpoche).

After lunch a six hours drive will bring you to Siliguri for overnight stay.

Day 17 : Siliguri Depart