Goechala Trek, Sikkim - 2021 @Rs 13999

You are happily invited to take part in a 10-day Goechala trek to watch the mighty Kanchenjunga closer to your eyes alongside the best Himalayan peaks in the region. The Goechala trek begins with your arrival at Bagdogra Airport or NJP railway station. Yuksom is where you will stay on the first night and from there, the exciting trek to Goechala commences. Teesta River and the uphill drive to cross a bridge in Legship will be an irreplaceable act of happiness. Yuksom to Sachen covering Rathong River, Paha Khola Bridge and lush green forests will be the most happening route of the trek until you reach Tshoka that is undoubtedly beautiful with the presence of Prek Chu River, Viburnum Plantations and many more scenic visuals.

Tshokha to Phedang will take you to experience the cuddling features of thick rhododendron forests whereas Dzongri will be offering you the best views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, and Pandim which are the towering peaks in the Himalayas. Thangshing would be waiting for you with multiple prayer flags, chortens, and the abnormally beautiful views of the Pandim Peak along with the gushing sounds of Prek Chu River. Climbing uphill through the moraines, to reach the Samiti Lake and the Zemathang Plateau which are the gateways to Goechala. Capture all the possible moments overwhelmingly beautified by the sights of Kanchenjunga and other major peaks touching the white clouds above and complete your trek on the 11th day after returning to Yuksom and from there to Bagdogra.

The two major things you should do before the start of the trek are making an entry at the police station with submitting a photo identity proof copies and paying the permit fees at the forest check post. Also, the camera charges would be additional but you can get this done with the help of your trek leader by paying the amount.

Goecha La is a tiny place located in Sikkim, and Goecha La trek is a dream and desire for hundreds of adventure lovers throughout the country. Entangled amidst vibrant and colorful flora and fauna, it is also the way to the astounding Kanchenjunga National Park to dive into the natural beauty. It is not about Kanchenjunga alone but the combination of other big summits around it makes Goechala Trek an absolute adventure to many and it is a great pleasure to watch these summits from the landscapes filled with exotic flowers and immensely attractive meadows and forests.

To watch the mountains clearly, you should visit Goechala from October to November since the sky will be completely clear during this time and the sunset, as well as sunrise views, would be perfect. But the cold climate that welcoming winter season would be a bit tough but still it is considered to be a suitable time to enjoy the snow-clad peaks without restraints. The altitude Goechala is posing before the trekkers are 4940 meters and that is the best reason for gathering trekkers from all over the world to the small state of Sikkim.

Goechala Trek distance: 90 Km

Goechala Trek height: 16,200ft

Goechala Tempertaure Range:

April – June: 15 to 22 Degrees (Days); -1 to 7 Degrees (Nights)

September – Nov: 10 to 15 Degrees (Days); -5 to 5 Degrees (Nights)

Goechala Trek Difficulty Level: Difficult

Starting and Ending Point: The trek starts and ends at Yuksom

Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest railway station, which is 150 km away from Yuksom

Airport: Bagdogra Airport which is 155 km from Yuksom

Base Camp: Yuksom (6-7 hrs drive from Bagdogra Airport/NJP)

ATM: Jorethong which is one the way Yuksom thas the last ATM point before your trek begins.

Day 1 - Drive from Bagdogra Airport/NJP to Yuksom (5,670ft) (7 Hours)

Himalayan Views, Teesta River

Begin with the enthrallment of this wonderful trek by catching the remarkable views of the Himalayas while driving from Bagdogra Airport/NJP to Yuksom. The drive will take you along the gushing Teesta River and continuing uphill, you will be crossing a bridge in Legship to reach Yuksom. Arriving in the town, check-in into a hotel and retire for the day.

Day 2 - Trek from Yuksom to Sachen (7,150ft)

5 Hours Trek, Rathong River, Paha Khola Bridge, Lush Forest, Orchids, Monkeys

Today will be first day of this remarkable trek! Waking up in the morning, start ascending uphill and follow the gorges of the Rathong River. Trekking through the lush thickets of magnolia, rhododendron and ferns, proceed towards the Paha Khola Bridge. On the way, relish a packed lunch and keep yourself energised for the rest of the trek; be prepared to spot exotic orchids, colourful flowers and monkeys along the hike! Arriving in Sachen, settle down into the campsite and call it a day.

Day 3 - Trek from Sachen to Tshokha (9,700ft) (via Bhakim/8,600ft)

4-6 Hour Trek, Prek Chu River, Viburnum Plantations

The trek for the day will take you through the aromatic viburnum plantations, after which you will be crossing the Prek Chu River and hike uphill for around 2-3 hours to reach Bakhim. Hereafter, trekking upwards, you will finally reach Tshoka, the Tibetan refugee settlement; overnight stay will be in a camp.

Day 4 - Trek from Tshoka (9,650 ft) – Dzongri (12,980 ft) via Phedang (12,050 ft) (5-6 hrs)

4 Hours Trek, Rhododendron Forests

While on today’s trek, you will be making your way uphill and through scenic forests of rhododendrons; you can expect well-laid trails on the way. Moving from here, a short trek will finally take you to Dzongri, where you will spend an overnight stay in camps.

Day 5 - Trek from Dzongri (12,980 ft) – Dzongri Top (13,675 ft) (1 hr) and back to Dzongri and then to Thansing (12,930 ft) via Kokchurang (12,100 ft) (5-6 hrs)

3 Hours Trek, Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo & Pandim Peaks

Post breakfast in the Phedang campsite, get prepared for another scenic uphill trek, and with this trek, you will be crossing 4,000m in the Himalayas! With this remarkable feat, enjoy your packed lunch and relax around the scenic vistas to get acclimatised to the higher altitudes. A further climb after relaxation will finally take you to the Thansing overnight campsite area, from where you can have mesmerising views of the Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim peaks.

Day 6 - Trek from Thansing (12,930 ft) – Lamuney (13,700 ft) (2 hrs)

Leisure Day, Short Excursion

Waking up in the morning, you can either spend the day relaxing in the camp or just take up a short exploration quest around the camp. The day is much required as you must get acclimatised to the higher altitudes before gaining further height; overnight stay in camps.

Day 7 - Trek from Lamuney (13,700 ft) – Goechala (16,207 ft) and back to Kokchurang (12,100 ft) (10-12 hrs)

Samiti Lake, Zemathang Plateau, Goecha La Pass

Start the day early in order to avoid the harsh climatic conditions that might hinder your course in the latter part of the day. Climbing uphill through the moraines, you will then be descending to the Samiti Lake and then cross the Zemathang Plateau. From here, you will once again start ascending over a moraine and after trekking for around 1 hour, will reach the Goecha La Pass.

Arriving at this magnificent pass, behold the magical views of the Kanchenjunga and other distant peaks before you start moving back towards kokchurang for an overnight stay camp.

Day 8 - Trek from Kokchurang (12,100 ft) – Tshoka (9,650 ft) via Phedang (12,050 ft) (6-7 hrs)

7-8 Hours Trek, Kanchenjunga Peak, Dzongri Plateau

Waking up early in the morning, enjoy the enchanting views of the Kanchenjunga Peak from a nearby ridge and start trekking back towards Tshoka. Today, you will be taking a route through the Dzongri Plateau in order to avoid the long climb. The trail passes through Prek Chu and the deciduous forests of Phedang. Arriving in Tshoka, settle down in the overnight stay camps.

Day 9 - Trek from Tshoka (9,650 ft) – Yuksom (5,800 ft) via Bakhim (8,600 ft) and Sachen (7,200 ft) (6 hrs)

5-6 Hours Trek, Prek Chu River, Trekking Ends Here

Today, descending through the Prek Chu River, you will be arriving in Yuksom, the last leg of this astounding tour. Arriving in the vicinity, check-in into a local hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10 - Departure from Yuksom

Tour Ends Here

After having breakfast in the hotel, prepare your bags and check-out from the hotel. With this, the amazing Goecha La trek will come to an end.

Stay

Tented accommodation during the trek

Meal

All meals during the trek

Activity

Trekking

Sightseeing

Camping

All meals during the trek (Day 2 to Day 10)

Tented accommodations during the trek

English speaking guides

Cook, kitchen assistant, porter, yak and horses to carry central equipment

Dining tent, sleeping bag, kitchen tent, toilet tent

All trekking permits and park entrance fees

Commodities like hot bag, gas lamps, utensils, chair-table and mattress

Transportation from NJP (start) to NJP (end) can be availed at an extra cost

Warm and comfortable clothes

Good quality trekking shoes, slippers and extra pair of socks

Sunscreen lotion or any other skin moisturisers

Water bottles, trendy backpack and energy bars/snacks

A pair of sunglasses and camera

Caps or hats

Personal toiletries and basic medication (if any)

Flash light (with spare batteries)

Insect repellent and emergency medical kit