GOECHALA TREK

 

Day 01: Yuksum trek to BAKHIM (2,743metres or 9000ft) or TSOKA ( 3000 mts)

 

The trail now runs through rice wood hills abounding in flora and fauna going, as it does, through moss-laden forests of oak, spruce, chestnut, fir, pines, giant magnolias and rhododendron- botanist' paradise. Not to be outdone, the naturalist's cab views hundreds of varieties of exotic of birds, butterflies and orchids. Among the animals are the Himalayan brown beers, black beers, barking deer. Samber, marble cats, Blue sheep, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, Himalayan wild goats, red pandas and musk deer at various altitudes. It takes six hours before the Bakhim forest Bungalow is reached for the night.

 

Overnight in Camp

 

Day 02: BAKHIM / TSOKA - DZONGRI (4,030 meters or 13,221 ft.)

 

Eight kilometers and six hours away, each steps to Dzongri leads to the world of the gamed Kanchenjunga massive. The steady and demanding climb passes through gullies laid by grazing yaks and mountain sheep through Tshoka, a Tibetan resettlement centre, and the last village passed on the way. Now, one begins to get the initial views of the Sikkim snows. It is time for lunch and one has reached a picturesque spot, Phithang after which the trail leads up right amidst an exclusive and bewitching forest of rhododendron to Deorali Dara' - the meeting place of Men and Mountains- of God and Nature. Finally we reach our camp.

 

Overnight in Tents

 

Day 03: DZONGRI- THANGSING (3,800metres or 12,467 ft.) - LHAMUNI ( 4100 mts)

 

Thirtheen kilometers approx from Dzongri, the trek leads through meadows and valleys down the burrow leads into the most beautiful valley of all situated at the base of Jopunu peak. Surrounded on all sides by massive mountains here, the beautiful stream pierces the forest and presents an enchanting scene. To reach the camping grounds dwarfed in the giant valley, one crosses a wooden bridge over the stream under the watchful eye of majestic Pandim.

 

Overnight in Tents

 

Day 05: LHAMUNI - SAMITI LAKE (4,800metres or 15,748 ft.) -CHEEMATHANG-GOECHA-LA (5000metres) -THANGSING

 

This day we wake up very early in the morning and after having some tea we start walking uphill towards Goecha-La. The trek upto Lake Samiti is flat and surrounded as it is by the mighty mountains inspires the trekker onward. Walking towards the legendary Kanchenjunga, right through the giant Onglathang Valley the mystic awe of the surrounding mountains fills the trekker with wonder going past splendid glacial lakes and numerous glaciers as he walks amidst the legendary mountains of Sikkim… Still higher and more steps, the Goecha - La pass about 7 km away but taking a good four / five hours to cover. This is the northernmost and highest point of the trek. The climb starts through and over lichen covered moraine, the approach to the pass is precipitous and over rugged, trail-less terrain but rewards the climber with splendid views and the closest too, of the legendary God of Sikkim interlaced with glacier, rivers flowing sown in sacred lap. After having our packed breakfast we walk back to our camp at Samiti.

 

Overnight in camp.

 

Day 05: Thangsing to Tshoka.

 

It is a full day walk towards Tshoka village. Our route is mostly straight but few ups and downs all along the way. We stop for our hot lunch at the tower of Phithang and after lunch it is all down hill walk back to our beautiful camp at Tshoka.

 

Overnight in camp.

 

Day 06 : Tshoka- YUKSOM.

 

A leisurely walk of about four hours brings one back to Yuksum. The meeting place of the three Saints were one can pause and get a full taste of the charms of Sikkimese rural life.

 

Overnight in hotel or camp

 

 

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