Sikkim Goecha-La Trek and Tour

Upon our arrival at the nearest airports Bagdora where our assistant will meet you with transport to Darjeeling - about 3-4 hours. The journey through tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalayas and provides a broad introduction to Nepalese culture in addition to its old colonial feel. Overnight comfortable stay in your hotel in Darjeeling (2130m).

Early morning (@3:00 AM), drive to the Tiger hill. Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters Tiger hill has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise. The majestic peak Kanchenjunga (8596 mtrs) rears up flanked by Mt.Kabru and Mt Pandim to the far left are Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. Other peaks visible from here are Mt. Jano, Mt. Nar sing, Mt. Frey peak, Mt. Sinolchu etc.

The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or the Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 feet (4.6 m)-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha. The external structure of the building was established in 1850 by the Mongolian astrologer and monk Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, who was head of the monastery until 1905.

.After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, a high altitude wildlife Zoo with the most successful captive breeding center for Snow leopard and Red Panda.

India is a rehabilitation centre for the Tibetan refugees in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region. It was established on 2 October 1959, after they followed Dalai Lama and escaped from Tibet.The production of Tibetan handicraft is the centre's main activity.

After sightseeing, visit local market and leisure time for shopping. Back to Ging Tea Estate. Overnight at Resort.

After breakfast, drive to Pelling. Pelling is a small town in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, at the foothills of Mount Khangchendzonga, presiding over by the Monastery and also provides panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga.

Before check in the hotel visit The Pemayangtse Monastery “the perfect sublime lotus ”built on the 2085 mtrs hill high commanding of the finest view of the Kanchenjunga range. Monastery was built in 1645 by Ven. Lhatsun Chempo. Monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect and is the most important religious Institute of Sikkim. On the top of the Monastery one can see a structure depicting the heavenly sphere,”Sangdopherlri”, minutely carved wonderful intricate artistic work.Overnight at the hotel.

it is an archeological site that tells Sikkim’s story of glory. Until 1814 A.D, it was the second capital of Sikkim, established by the Chogyal II. Later on, after the Nepalese invasion in the 18th century, the palace and the monastery complex was destructed and turned into ruins.

After breakfast, drive to Yuksom. Yuksom is a nice and beautiful hamlet and it is also the starting point of the Kanchenjunga Trek which is at the altitude of 2010 mtrs. If we have time, we can visit the Birthplace of Sikkim famously known as Norbu Ghang Throne. Otherwise we can visit the next morning .This is the Throne where the first King of Sikkim was crowned as a King. You can witness the Throne and the First Parliament of Sikkim and the Chorten. After the visit, walk back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, en route from Pelling to Yuksom, visit India's first Skywalk. Around 2.5 kilometers from Pelling and located at a height of 7,200 feet above sea level, the skywalk is surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas and overlooks the marvellous137 feet tall statue of Chenrezig and the stairs that lead up to it, with golden prayer wheels on both sides. Visitors can also get a panoramic view of the Teesta and Rangit rivers.

f Pelling town, the lake is sacred for both Buddhists and Hindus, and is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. The local name for the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means "Oh Lady, Sit Here". The popularly known name of the lake, considering its location is Khecheopalri Lake, ensconced in the midst of the Khechoedpaldri hill, which is also considered a sacred hill.

The Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Pemayangtse, near Gyalshing city in Gyalshing district in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, located 6 km from Gyalshing city, the district headquarters, 110 km west of Gangtok. Planned, designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1647, it is one of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, also the most famous in Sikkim. Originally started as a small Lhakhang, it was subsequently enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal and Khenchen Rolpai Dorjee in the year 1705 and consecrated by the third Lhatsun Chenpo Dzogchen Jigme Pawo in the year 1710 C.E. The monastery follows the Nyingma Order of Tibetan Buddhism and controls all other monasteries of that Order in Sikkim. The monks of this monastery are normally chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim.

We walk gently uphill, following the Rathong River's gorge, through dense mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, ferns and several varieties of orchids, brightly colored birds, and the occasional monkey. After an hour or so we crossed the Paha Khola bridge, (1,733m. /5,685ft.). There is a swimming spot by a waterfall (for those who dare!) After two hours, we can stop for lunch by a bridge over a stream. Passing by sweet smelling viburnum we cross the Prek Chu River and then ascend steeply for two or three hours to arrive at the lodge at Bakhim. We will either stay in the Tourist Hostel, or sleep in our tents. This hostel is often occupied by Himalayan Mountain Institute students on rock-climbing courses. This is a long trekking day and you should expect to be pretty tired by the time you arrive at Bakkhim.

A steep climb for an hour after breakfast brings you to Phedang - a small Tibetan hamlet from where the first glimpse of the mountains can be seen. Approx. Alt. 3050m & Distance 16kms/6 hours. Overnight at trekkers hut/tent

Another short day's walking today as we are now treading above the 4,000-meter mark. We will be setting up camp by lunchtime and suggest that you spend a relaxed afternoon acclimatizing. A brief climb beyond brings you to a meadow where we can pitch our tents in a campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim. As usual on trek the choice of campsite depends on many variables, one of the most important is the close supply of water. You will get spectacular views of Khangchendzonga, Siniolchu, Kabru, Pandim, Jopuno, Koktang, Talung and Narsing. The trail from here levels up to Dzongri. Dzongri also offers you the most fascinating close up view of the Khangchendzonga massif and other Himalayan peaks.

visible from the campsite (13,500 ft/4,115m). From here, chortens and prayer flags overlooking fabulous views of Khangchendzonga and Pandim make ideal photo compositions. You then descend, at first traversing down towards Pandim on the far side of the valley, and then dropping steeply down on a good path through rhododendron forest to the Prek Chu River at 12,300 ft/3,749 m. for lunch (3 hours). There is a new trekking lodge here that the crew may use for cooking. We cross the river and ascend gradually for one-and-a-half-hour, through pinewoods to reach a grassy campsite, beneath the shapely unclimbed peak of Pandim. A new hut has been built here, which may be available for cooking and even sleeping. Overnight camping.

You begin by continuing your walk parallel to the Prek Chu River. Sacred Samiti on the opposite side is a beautiful emerald green lake nestled in the midst of brightly colored wind-torn prayer flags. Overnight camping

Set off in the early morning climbing the hill behind the Lake before traversing the moraine and descending to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Zemathang Plateau. You cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend moraine to a height of about 15,700 feet where you rest above a glaciated lake mottled with snow and icy pinnacles. The Goecha-La Pass is another hour away. We traverse the lake and proceed across a slope and then on a well-trodden path to our objective which is festooned with brightly colored prayer flags. The views of the east flank of Khangchendzonga and the mountains and valleys in the distance are stunning. We then return to our campsite at Samiti Lake. Overnight camping. Please note that you are allowed to trek till 1st View Point. The Forest Department will not permit you to travel beyond this 1st point.

From here there are fantastic views of Khangchendzonga and one can look back up to the Goecha La. Leaving Thangsing, you take a different route, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri Plateau. Descending to the Prek Chu, you contour around the jungle to emerge at Phedang. Continue to Tshoka along another steep descent. This will save us a day on the return march, but does involve quite a long day. Overnight camping.

Our final day, and freewheeling downhill almost all of the time. We descend through rainforest rich with bird-life and flowers, across spectacular bridges spanning cascading rivers whose sources are high in the mountains we have so recently left behind. Tired and elated, we arrive in Yuksom and our charming traditional hilltop hotel. This will be our last evening with the trekking crew so we will be celebrating our achievements, and a final thank you to the local staff. Overnight Hotel.

After Breakfast, drive to Martam village .The village Martam is famous for its paddy fields where they grow the best rice in Sikkim. Even kings were fond of the rice grown in Martam and had paddy fields in martam too. Overnight at the hotel.

On the way from Yuksom to Martam, visit Tashiding Monastery Monastery built by Ven. Nadak Sempo Chenpo and is considered one of the sacred Monasteries of Sikkim. And then visit Bon monastery. Bon was the earlier religion of Tibet. It is more than 18000 years old religion. In Sikkim there are 475 monasteries and this monastery is the only one Bon monastery in Sikkim.

After visiting Tashiding Monastery, en route stop by Ravangla and visit the Buddha Park where you can witness the 115 feet tall Sakymuni Buddha 's statue with the background of Mt Narsing standing tall and cool.

After breakfast, take a stroll or a hike and explore Martam village which is a very peaceful place. And then, Drive to Gangtok which is the fourth and present capital of Sikkim. And enjoy the sightseeing tour there. Later, you can explore Gangtok Town. Overnight at the hotel.

On the way to Gangtok from Martam, we will visit the very famous Rumtek Monastery which belongs to the Karma Kagyupa sect. Monastery was built in 1717 and it was renovated in 1960 by the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa.Rumtek Monastery, also called the Dharma Chakra Centre.

On arrival in Gangtok, visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) is a Tibet museum in Gangtok, Sikkim, India, named after the 11th Chogyal of Sikkim, Sir Tashi Namgyal.[2] The institute employs researchers and one of its new research programs is a project which seeks to document the social history of Sikkim's approximated 60 monasteries and record this on a computer.

to the old Handloom and Handicrafts Centre of Sikkim which was set up in 1957. The museum is located at a distance of half kilometre from the main market of Gangtok. It is also known as the Government Institute of Cottage Industries (GICI). The museum was founded during the reign of the Chogyals of Sikkim. The museum started with the intention to preserve and promote the art and craft skills of the local artisans.

Then visit Do-drul Chorten, it is a stupa in Gangtok in the Indian state of Sikkim. The stupa was built by Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa is a complete set of Dorjee Phurba, Kangyur (Holy Books) and other religious objects. Around the stupa are 108 Mani Lhakor or prayer wheels. The stupa is surrounded by Chorten Lakahang and Guru Lakhang, where two statues of Guru Rinpoche are present. Also visit Flower Show in Gangtok.

Also visit the famous Enchey Monastery, which was established in 1909 above Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim in the Northeastern Indian state. It belongs to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism. The monastery built around the then small hamlet of Gangtok became a religious centre.

After breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Kalimpong, considered as the oldest town in the hills of Darjeeling, was once the headquarter of Bhutanese Governor, the word Kalim means “ Minister” and pong is “stronghold”. It is also called Kalibong or the “Black spur” by the locals and to the local Lepcha it is known as Ka (we) –LEM (play) – PONG ( ridge), ” The ridge where we play”. Kalimpong was a silk route to Tibet and also a famous center of eastern and central Tibetan wool trade. Before checking into the hotel, cover few must visit places. After sightseeing, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

On arrival in Kalimpong, visit Lepcha musuem. For art and culture enthusiasts, a visit to Lepcha Museum is a must. Historically, Lepcha community is indigenous to this region and presently, they reside mainly in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan. The museum is an effort to preserve and illustrate their culture and tradition. Located close to the main town, the museum displays various articles of worship, original Lepcha musical instruments, handicraft items and manuscripts. Every piece reflects and illustrates the life, culture and tradition of the community. For those who have interest in studying heritage and old collections, Lepcha Museum is one of the essential places to visit in Kalimpong.

After visiting Lepcha museum, visit Pine View Nursery. Kalimpong is a famous production centre for gladioli and orchids that are exported to many parts of the World. There are many nurseries around Kalimpong. Notable among them is the Pineview Cactus Nursery.

On arrival in Kalimpong, visit Thongsa Gompa, which is the oldest monastery of Kalimpong, it was later rebuilt in 1964. It is locally known as Bhutanese Gompa as it belongs to the Nyingmapa sect, it was built after the Bhutanese captured Kalimpong hills from the Chogyals of Sikkim and established a fort at Pedong.

Then after visit Zang Dhok Palri Monatery, perched at the top of Durpin Hills, this is a beautiful monastery consecrated in its entirety by His Holiness Dalai Lama himself. Renowned as Durpin Monastery, it stands tall as a true specimen of Buddhist architectural style. There’s a row of prayer wheels on the outside of the wall of the monastery. The stairway leads upstairs, where you can see stunning views of rolling tea gardens as well as stunning views of Teesta river.

After breakfast, Check out from hotel & transfer to Bagdogra airport (approx. 80 km & 03-04 hours drive).