12 Days Dzongri Gocha La Trek
India, Sikkim
Days 12
Grade Challenging
Max Altitude 4974m
Date 5-16 Apr 23, 25 Oct – 5 Nov 23
The Dzongri – Goecha la Trek is the most popular trek in Sikkim. An absolute classic, this trek gives us spectacular views of Kanchenjunga up close, apart from many other smaller peaks which surround it. The whole trail is filled with rhododendrons and it’s like the forest has extended a red carpet welcome for you during the springs. Post Monsoon, the mountain views are outstanding – Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Rathong, Kabru, etc are some of the peaks seen from several vantage points all along. Tea houses exist till Dzongri, beyond which tents are mandatory. We’ll be camping throughout on this trek. The sight from Goecha La is glorious and well worth all the walking it takes to reach here. The high altitude lakes, crystal waters of the rivers, the fluttering prayer flags at the high points make this whole trek special and culturally distinct from any other route in the Himalaya.
Day 02: Darjeeling Sightseeing
Day 03: Drive Darjeeling to Yuksom (1780m) (4 to 5 hrs)
Day 04: Trek to Tsokha (3005m) (7 to 8 hrs)
Day 05: Trek to Dzongri (4030m) (6 to 7 hrs)
Day 06: Rest Day at Dzongri
Day 07: Trek to Thangsing (3850m) (4 to 5 hrs)
Day 08: Trek to Lamuney (4300m) (2 to 3 hrs)
Day 09: Trek to Goecha La (4984m) and back to Thangsing(3850m) (8 to 9 hrs)
Day 10: Trek to Tsokha (6 to 7 hrs)
Day 11: Trek to Yuksom (6 to 7 hrs)
Day 12: Drive to Kalimpong. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery enroute
Day 13: Drive to Bagdogra Airport (4hrs).Depart
DZONGRI – GOECHA LA TREK
Day 01: Arrive Bagdogra and drive 3 to 4 hrs to Darjeeling
Arrive Bagdogra Airport and drive for about 3 to 4 hours to tea estates and small hamlets to reach Darjeeling (2134m). Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station which is most famous for its unique tea which has got geographical recognition and the colonial toy-trains, apart from the Kanchenjunga itself.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 02: Darjeeling Sightseeing
There are many interesting places to see around Darjeeling starting from the HMI Museum and Zoo, which has been very well maintained. There’s the monastery in Ghoom and a vibrant market where one can loaf and for the whole day.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 03: Drive Darjeeling to Yuksom (1780m) (4 to 5 hrs)
Drive to Yuksom, the erstwhile capital of Sikkim and the start point of our Trek. Yuksom is a historical town in the West Sikkim district and the name means “meeting place of the 3 learned monks”, who came from Tibet to select Phuntsog Namgyal as the first king of Sikkim. The oldest Monastery of Sikkim – the Dubdi monastery is an hour’s walk from Yuksom. Drive: 6 Hrs
Overnight Hotel.
Day 04: Trek to Tsokha (3005m) (7 to 8 hrs)
Today we embark on our trek. Our first destination is Tsokha which lies 18 kms ahead and would easily take about 7-8 hrs. We follow the Rathong river gorge This section is tough as the gradient steepens in a short while. Magnificent forest trail with trees of oak, pine, rhododendrons and magnolia. We pass a small trekker’s hut at Bakhim. 2 kms from there is the small settlement of Tsokha with terraced farms. Tsokha is the last village on the trail and a vantage point for viewing the sunrise over Mt. Pandim. We cross about 4 bridges across different rivers on the way, all of which flow into the Rathong river. A long and tiring day, but having great beauty.
Overnight Camp.
Day 05: Trek to Dzongri (4030m) (6 to 7 hrs)
Another long day with altitude gain of almost 1000m. Almost midway through the trail lies Phedang which would be a good stopover for lunch. From Phedang the trail keep climbing till the highpoint at Deurali with a shrine and fluttering prayer flags. Great place to view all the snow-clad giants that abound – Kanchenjunga, Sinolchu, Kabru, Pandim, Jopuno, Kokthang, Narsing and Talung. From here it is a gradual descent to Dzongri with a few trekker’s hut and camping grounds. All around looming high into the sky are snow-capped giants. Most of the trail is filled with tall, dense rhododendrons on either side of a wood-paved path. At Phedang, the ground clears to views of some high peaks.
Overnight Camp.
Day 06: Rest Day at Dzongri
We take a break after 2 long days of walking to rest and acclimatize in Dzongri. The early risers can trek upto Dzongri top to view the glorious sunrise on the Kanchenjunga Massif. The trek takes about an hour and it’s best to start very early to catch the first glimpses of light on the snow giants. The act can be repeated in the evening for another set of enchanting views as the sun descends. The day can be spent doing short hikes around the camp.
Overnight Camp.
Day 07: Trek to Thangsing (3850m) (4 to 5 hrs)
We ascend a little from Dzongri till a high point and then descend all the way to the Prek Chu River and then ascend again to the big meadow at Thangsing with Mt. Pandim rising up right in front.
Overnight Camp.
Day 08: Trek to Lamuney (4298m) (2 to 3 hrs)
A short walk all mostly on the meadows along the Prek Chu on a gradual gradient. The steepness increases and the terrain becomes rocky as we reach Lamuney. The emerald green Samiti Lake is a little ahead with coloured prayer flags fluttering around.
Overnight Camp.
Day 09: Trek to Goecha La(4984m) and back to Thangsing(3850m) (8 to 9 hrs)
The Big Day we have been waiting for! We make a very early start (about 3am) and walk around the samiti Lake with Pandim always on our right up the moraine and descending to a sandy bed of a dried lake called the Zemathang Plateau. We cross this and ascend for about 2 hours to reach Goecha La. The view from here is absolutely stunning as we look directly into the eastern wall of Kanchenjunga and the smaller peaks of Rathong and Kabru. We enjoy the sunrise and the views before descending to Thangsing and further down to Lamuney. A long day of about 8-9 hours.
Overnight Camp.
Day 10: Trek Thangsing to Tsokha (6 to 7 hrs)
We backtrack and take a slightly altered route missing Dzongri and going through Phedang. The whole trail is filled with Rhododendron blossoms. From Phedang we retrace or way back to Tsokha, our first campsite.
Overnight Camp.
Day 11: Trek Tsokha to Yuksom (6 to 7 hrs)
We descend to the bridge across the Prek Chu and follow the up and down trail all the while losing altitude till we reach Yuksom.
Overnight Camp.
Day 12: Drive Yuksom to Kalimpong. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery enroute
Drive to Kalimpong passing Pelling on the way where we can visit the Pemayangtse Monastery.
Overnight Camp.
Day 13: Drive Kalimpong to Bagdogra (4hrs) and take a flight to Delhi
After an early breakfast we drive for 4 hrs to reach the airport at Bagdogra. Fly out. Trip Ends!
Overnight Camp.
LAND Price per person in SGD: $ 1980
Tour Code: IND-ZGL-12
Price is subjected to changes without prior notice
Airfare:
SIN-Kolkata-SIN: From S$ 650 including taxes
Kolkata–Bagdogra-Kolkata: about S$ 150 including taxes
Supplement
1. Single Room in Darjeeling during the trip can be booked at an additional cost of $ 280.
2. Single Tent for all camping nights can be arranged at an additional cost of $ 250.
3. Personal Porter to carry your day-pack during the trek can be arranged at $ 350.
LAND Price includes
- All travel from Bagdogra airport and back to Bagdogra airport by road (by non AC car)
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Darjeeling
- All arrangements for staying while on the trip, accommodation on twin share basis in lodges/tea-houses
- All meals from Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 12
- Sanctuary fee / royalty / permits where applicable
- All trekking arrangements – experienced guiding team, camp staff, cook, etc
- Includes local Service tax & Clean India Cess
- Briefing prior departure
- 15% discount for gears at X-Boundaries
Price excludes
- All airfare & taxes
- Personal gears such as sleeping bag
- Expenses of a personal nature like laundry, phone calls, alcohol, beverages, cigarettes, camera fee
- Travel Insurance
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
- Tips
- Visa and Visa application fees
Cancellation Terms
If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, you must notify the office immediately in writing. The below terms would be applicable.
Flexible Bookings:
To factor in the extra-ordinary circumstances that we live in right now, we have amended our cancellation policy to allow customers to easily make changes to their plans if required and have the assurance that their money is protected.
Cancellation:
Please note that the following charges will apply on cancellation:
• Cancel more than 45 days prior to departure, we will refund the entire amount received by us less service fees of SGD 80.
• Cancel between 31-44 days prior to departure, 25% of the trip cost as cancellation fees applied.
• Cancel 21-30 days prior to departure, we will charge a 50% cancellation fee and hold the remaining 50% as credit towards a future trip in India taken within 1 year from the date of cancellation.
• Less than 21 days – the entire amount would be forfeited.
• If the cancellation is due to you having COVID-19/ “flu-like symptoms”, supported by a medical certificate OR due to any travel restrictions imposed by the national or local government we will hold the entire amount paid by you as a credit for a future trip in India. Sometimes last-minute cancellations could attract cancellation fees for third-party arrangements like air, train, or bus tickets; hotels; permit fees, processing fee, etc. Such cancellation charges if any would be borne by the customers.
The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credit will be given for services not used. We recommend that you obtain cancellation travel insurance upon booking. If you can replace your spot by getting someone else to take that seat cancellation charges would be waived completely.
Please note that these cancellation terms may be amended from time to time.
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