Sikkim: Goecha La Trek

Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Delhi

   Delhi

   After clearing immigration and customs, our representative will meet you at the receiving area and escort you to your hotel.

   Overnight at the Hotel
2. Day 2 Delhi

   Delhi

   In morning depart for sightseeing start with tour of Old Delhi. On the tour you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colourful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past the Red Fort and take a bicycle rickshaw ride. Visit the Jama Masjid, the largest Muslim mosque in India. Post visit Old Delhi with your guide visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh Temple, in Delhi. Later, drive to the outskirts of New Delhi to explore Humayun Tomb the 16th-century Tomb of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor whose resting place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its ground breaking Mughal architecture.

   Overnight at the hotel (B)

   

   Chandni Chowk

   

   Humayun’s Tomb

   

   Old Delhi Cultural Rickshaw ride

3. Day 3 Delhi / Bagdogra flight & drive to Gangtok

   Gangtok

   After breakfast, check-out from the hotel transfer to Delhi Airport to connect with flight to Bagdogra.

   On arrival, drive approx. 5 hour to Gangtok. At an altitude of 1750m, Gangtok became the state capital in the mid19th century and has undergone rapid development since then.The downtown area is dominated by huge government buildings decorated with traditional Buddhist symbols. Gangtok is also a resting ground for people traveling to North Sikkim. Surrounded by Monasteries and Orchids, Gangtok is truly a traveller’s delight.

   Overnight at the Hotel (B, D)
4. Day 4 Gangtok

   Gangtok

   Today after breakfast, explore Gangtok. We will start with Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology (Closed on Sunday & Second Saturday) -Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies the unique organization established in1958. Built in traditional style, the namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and tradition of Tibet. It has one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. Adjacent to the institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spiritualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the Chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.

   We then drive outskirts of the Gangtok to visit the awe -inspiring Rumtek Monastery, the world Dharma chakra Centre and the seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the main monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over. Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten the Golden Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the xvi Gyalwa Karmapa.

   From here we proceed to visit the Enchey Monastery (Closed on Sunday) perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism.

   Conclude the day with the visit of Directorate Of Handloom And Handicrafts (Closed on Sunday & Second Saturday) this Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favourite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack.

   Return to the hotel for the overnight.

   Overnight at the Hotel (B, D)

   

   Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology (NIT)

5. Day 5 Gangtok – Yuksum (approx. 135 km/ 7 hour drive)

   Yuksom

   After breakfast, check-out and drive to Yuksum (1840 m), the first capital of the kingdom of Sikkim and site of the coronation of the first chogyal. Evidence of the enthronement ceremony can still be seen in the form of stone seats and a footprint of the Head Lama on a stone. The stone throne constructed for the great event stands today at Norbugang and has been declared a Heritage Site.

   On arrival, check-in to the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.

   Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
6. Day 6 Yuksum – Bakhim (12 km/7-8 hour trek)

   Bakhim

   This morning we will start our trek to Bakhim, Located at 3005m Bakhim lies among beautiful alpine plants and Sikkims famed orchids. Several Himalayan fauna are found here and Bakhim itself has many rare varieties of birds and butterflies.

   Overnight stay at Mobile Tent (B, Packed Lunch, D)
7. Day 7 Bakhim – Dzongri (11km/6-7 hour trek)

   Dzongri

   We will start our trek to Dzongri, Located at 4030m, Dzongri is a steep climb of 11 kms from Bakhim, but every effort is worth the excellent and imposing view one gets of the Kanchanjunga and other peaks from here. Besides the dwarf rhododendrons add romantic touch to the magical world of Dzongri.

   Overnight stay at Mobile Tent (B, Packed Lunch, D)
8. Day 8 Dzongri – Thangsing (7km / 5 hour trek)

   Thangsing

   We will trek today to Thanging. A descent of 7 km ends in Thangsing situated at the base of the Jopine peak at 3930m. Beautiful natural scenery can be seen all around.

   Overnight stay at Mobile Tent (B, Packed Lunch, D)
9. Day 9 Thangsing – Lamuney (8 km/6 hour trek)

   Lamuney

   We will trek to Lamuney. From Thangsing it is an ascent of 8 Kms to Lamuney, 4450 m and the base of Pandim Peak.

   Overnight stay at Mobile Tent (B, Packed Lunch, D)
10. Day 10 Lamuney – Goechala Pass – Thangsing (6 km/5 hour trek)

    Thangsing

    At 4940m Gochala Pass is still higher than Lamuney. It is just a 6 km climb from Lamuney via Samity Lake then trek down to Thangsing.

    Please note that now trek is allowed only upto the First View Point of Goechala.

    Overnight stay at Mobile Tent (B, Packed Lunch, D)
11. Day 11 Thangsing – Tshoka (15 km/7 hour trek)

    Tshoka

    After breakfast we begin downhill trek to Tshoka.

    Overnight stay at Mobile Tent (B, Packed Lunch, D)
12. Day 12 Tshoka – Yuksum (13 km/6-7 hour trek)

    Yuksom

    Today will be the last day of our trek which will finish at Yuksum.

    Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)
13. Day 13 Yuksum - Darjeeling (approx. 135 km/7 hour drive)

    Darjeeling

    After breakfast, drive to Darjeeling, Standing high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2134m, ‘Dorje Ling’, or place of the Thunderbolt, offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks, with the Kanchendzonga rising higher than all the others. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills”, it remains just as alluring with its tiny waterfalls, little villages and a narrow gauge railway track. Surrounded by World Famous Tea Gardens and snow-capped mountains, Darjeeling remains one of the most exotic destinations. Graeme Westlake in his book ‘An introduction to hill stations on India’ refers to Darjeeling as having “A view Scarcely Unrivalled on Earth”.

    On arrival, check-in to the hotel.

    Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
14. Day 14 Darjeeling

    Darjeeling

    Early morning visit Tiger Hill, located 13 km from Darjeeling and one can see beautiful sunrise and Himalayan Range like Kanchanjunga (Third Highest Mountain in the World). One can see the horizon changing colors just before sunrise and then the entire Himalayan range turn golden. It is truly a majestic sight (Subject to weather condition).

    On the way back from Tiger Hill, stop at Ghoom Monastery the oldest Monastery in the area which was built in 1875 and one can see the image of Mythey Buddha 15ft. height.

    Return to the hotel for breakfast.

    After Breakfast enjoy the Toy train ride to Ghoom (Subject to operation of this train & availability of the seats). 

    Thereafter visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute/Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday). The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was started in Darjeeling when Tenzing Norgay climbed Everest to give training to learn Mountaineering and other adventure sports related to mountaineering and in that Institute one can see equipment etc. used by Mr. Tenzing Norgay and Everest Museum having complete details on Everest attached to institute one can visit Himalayan Zoological Park where one can see Himalayan animals like Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Yak, Himalayan Black Bear and several varieties of birds.

    From here we go to Tibetan Self- Help Centre Or Refugee Centre (closed on Sunday). This institute is run by Tibetan Refugees to preserve their handicrafts and one can see making of Tibetan Carpets, Leather work, Paintings and Wooden work etc.

    Overnight at the hotel (B, D)

    

    Ghoom Monastery

    

    Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling by Nomad Tales / CC BY

    Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

    

    Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

    

    Tiger Hill

    

    DHR 780 on Batasia Loop by AHEMSLTD~commonswiki / CC BY

    Toy Train

15. Day 15 Darjeeling – Bagdogra (approx. 4 hour drive) / Flight to Delhi & Departure

    Delhi

    After breakfast, drive to Bagdogra airport to connect with flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to hotel near the Delhi airport for the rest for few hours before your international flight back home.

    (B)