Trek to Kanchenjunga

Sikkim, bounded by Tibet to the north, Bhutan to the east, Nepal to the west and the plains of India to the south, was a Buddhist monarchy until recently. Travel to Sikkim became restricted soon after it was inducted into India in the early seventies, and only now Sikkim is slowly opening up for tourism. Ranging from 3000 feet to 28,000 feet elevation and located in the monsoon belt, Sikkim has orchids growing in a rainforest climate and majestic snow-capped mountains. The original inhabitants were the Lepchas or Rong-pa, the ravine folk from Assam, who now live in harmony with the Khampas from Tibet and Nepalis from neighboring Nepal. Sikkim, a prosperous and a wonderfully diverse state, has much to offer in terms of both beauty and spirituality. The great climber-writer Fosco Maraini, who strived mightily to enter the country in the 1950s, felt repaid for his efforts when he first saw Gangtok. “It is at the end of a motor-road,” he wrote, “but all the same you feel out of the world. The whole thing is a fairy tale.”

On this expedition, we combine interacting and meeting local people and exploring monasteries with a moderately strenuous trek towards the base camp of the third highest mountain in the world - the mighty Kanchenjunga. Five Treasures of the Snow, as the mountain is known locally, is a mere thirteen meters shorter than K2, the second tallest mountain in the world. Our eight-day trek will include an optional hike to Go Cha La, a viewpoint at an altitude of 17,350 feet (see photo on right).

Outline Itinerary

Day 1, October 20: DEPART USA

Day 2, October 21: ARRIVE DELHI
You will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel.

Day 3, October 22:  TO KALIMPONG
Early morning flight brings us to Bagdogra airport in Siliguri. Cloud-cover permitting, we will have grand views of the Himalayan giants Everest, Lohtse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.  Drive to Kalimpong. Welcome dinner.

Day 4, October 23: DRIVE TO YUKSOM/TRAILHEAD
In the morning we will drive to the trail head at the small mountain village of Yuksom.  Here we will meet our trekking staff and enjoy our first night in camp.

Day 5, October 24: TREK TO BAKIM
Our first day of hiking takes us through forest of pine, magnolia, rhododendrons. Slow but steady climbing all day long with one final push in the last hour to our lodge at Bakim.

Day 6, October 25: TREK TO DZONGRI
A steep climb up the ridge behind the lodge leads to more amazing views of Kanchenjunga, Kabru and Pandim at we reach the Dzongri ridge, and our camp site out in the open fields. Bring out the down! Though spectacular views can be had from here, it is also one of the colder camps on this trek.

Day 7, OCTOBER 26:  EXPLORING DZONGRO
We have the day to rest and explore Dzongri.  The peaks of Pandim, Narsingh and Joponu now appear to be distinctly closer. 

Day 8, OCTOBER 27: TREK TO THANGSING
Today’s walk starts across the scenic ridge before descending down to the glacial Prek Chu.  Crossing the river on a new bridge we gradually climb to our camp at Thangsing.

Day 9, OCTOBER 28: TREK TO BASE OF SMITHY LAKE
An easy walk as we gradually gain altitude to our high camp at 16,000 feet on the shores of the lovely and sacred Samity Lake.

Day 10, OCTOBER 29: GOECHA-LA HIKE
Today we hike to reach the high point of this trek.  A predawn start is rewarded as we reach the pass just as the sun is lighting up Khangchendzonga and its satellite peaks. We continue hiking in excess of 17,000 ft. to reach Goecha La and the spectacular panorama that unfolds at the pass.

Day 11, OCTOBER 30:  START RETURN TREK
After relaxed morning we hike back along the Pandim river to a lodge along the west bank of the river.

Day 12, OCTOBER 31: REACH TSO KHA VILLAGE
Descending to a warmer climate, we camp at Tso Kha, a small Tibetan hamlet.

Day 13, NOVEMBER 1: END TREK - DRIVE TO PEMAYANGTSE
Passing myriad of streams and waterfalls, we continue our descent through forests where orchids bloom in abundance, and finally reach Yuksom, the end of our trail. Well-deserved hot showers and beds for everyone.

Day 14, NOVEMBER 2: DRIVE TO DARJEELING
Today we will drive to Darjeeling. Visit the Tenzing Norgay Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering.

Day 15, NOVEMBER 3: TO DELHI AND OUTBOUND
After breakfast we will drive to the airport in Bagdogra and fly to Delhi. After a sumptuous farewell dinner we are transferred to the airport in time for our flight back to the USA.

Day 16, NOVEMBER 4: ARRIVE USA

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.

"I will never forget the sunrise at Dzongri, 13,000 ft, all of a sudden the cold air didn't matter. The views on this trek are nothing short of spectacular."
- Pam Bloom, NH

View from Goecha La
Photo: Brad Reinke

Camp below Mt Pandim

Horses or yaks carry all the camping gear

Yak

Enjoying the view