Singelila Ridge to Goechala Trek

Day 01: Bagdogra to Gangtok.

Fly from Kolkatta or Delhi to Bagdogra Airport. People coming from Kathmandu will fly to Bhadrapur airport in eastern Nepal. You are met by our representative at the airport and transferred to Gangtok (124 km, 4 hrs). The road passes through the towns of Siliguri, Rambi, Teesta, Melli and entering into Sikkim at Rangpo Bridge. Check in hotel and take rest for the day.

Day 02: Gangtok Sightseeing.

Explore the highlights of the capital of this Lost Himalayan Kingdom. In the morning, visit the famous monastery of Rumtek situated 24 km from Gangtok, 1 hr drive. On the way back, visit the Research Institute of Tibetology. After lunch in the hotel, visit the Cottage Industry, Flower Show and the Enchey Monastery.

Day 03: Drive to Uttarey.

An early departure from Gangtok by jeep to the trail-head in West Sikkim. Six exciting hours through winding roads across valleys and over hills clad with a variety of vegetation. We swoop down to cross the wild Rangeet River before climbing steeply up to Pemayangtse (2,100 m/6,888ft), perched dramatically on an airy ridge with a panorama of Himalayan peaks ahead. After crossing some spectacular bridges to the road-head at Uttarey (2,000 m.). Overnight in a local lodge.

Day 04: Trek to Chiwa Bhanjyang:( 06 hrs)

The first day of the trek takes us to Chiwa Bhanjyang (3,100 m, 10168 ft). An easy trail rises gently through rainforest until a final steep ascent for the last couple of hours bring us to the Nepalese border and our first camp.

Day 05: Chiwa Bhanjyang (Acclimatization).

As we gained significant amount of altitude the first day of trekking, its important to halt today at Chiwa Bhanjyang in order to get properly acclimatized. You can just relax, hang around or take a hike to the nearby Singalila Peak at 3500m (11,480ft) that will give us some excellent views.

Day 06: Chiwa Bhanjyang to Dhor (3800m/12,464ft, 7 hrs)

A gentle uphill traverse through forest and then over a more exposed hillside brings us to prayer flags adorning our first pass and views of distant mountains - a taste of what is to come. As we gradually gain height we will appreciate the previous day’s acclimatization. The occasional yak herder’s hut is the only sign of habitation as we look down far below to the rice fields and cardamom plantations. Our camp is in a remote and sheltered hollow below the ridge.

Day 07:  Dhor to Pare Megu (3800m/12,464ft, 7 hrs)

We get up early morning, before dawn and walk five-minute onto the ridge for the  spectacular sunrise view on both Everest and Khangchendzonga. We have a number of ascents and descents today, maintaining a steady height, spiraling from one side of the ridge to the other until a rough steep ascent takes us across a pass. Beyond, the trail wends its way steadily through rhododendrons and past several Hindu shrines where a second easier pass drops down to our camp close to a shepherd’s summer settlement. Look out for the Blue Sheep on the high craggy mountainside.

Day 08: Pare Megu to Lam Pokhari (4300m/14,104ft, 5 hrs)

We walk through woods until we begin a steady rise up a broad valley where we catch our first closer view of the entire Kabru range dominated by Mount Pandim (6,691m, 21, 947ft). A further 2 hours of ascent will bring us to our camp with Everest and a host of other Khumbu giants dominating the distant skyline. An afternoon of rest and acclimatization for the following day’s foot slogging.

Day 09: Lam Pokhari to Gomathang (3900m/ 12792ft, 6 hrs)

Now we are in high mountain country and have left the tree line far below. The last two days, we walked through the land of Nepal and today, we pass the sacred lake of Lam Pokhari, which marks our entry back into Sikkim. We can expect a little snow underfoot as we climb to our first pass, the Danphey Bheer La -the Pass of the Pheasant at 4,530 m (14, 854ft). From here, we get a bird eye view of whole Sikkim, stretching out well into Tibet and Bhutan. Continue ascent another hour, we arrive Kag Bhir La-the pass of the crows where we may be lucky to enjoy the views of Himalayan Panoraman; peaks including Khangchenjunga. Reluctantly, we then must head downhill making a steep descent to our riverside camp at Gomanthang.

Day 10: Gomathang to Tikip Chu( 3850m/12,628ft, 8 hrs)

We leave our lovely meadow camp to climb through forests of sweet smelling silver fir and rhododendrons. Soon we are in high mountain terrain again. Look out for the brightly colored Danphey birds (Impeyan Pheasant)-the national bird of Nepal, which nest in the high crags around the Kamsey La, 4,200 m/13, 776ft. As we drop down into the meadows of Kokling, we are already looking up at our next pass of 4,300 m/14,104ft. that we reach with a steady ascent up a steep crag to a skyline dominated by the dizzying pinnacles and icy cliffs of Kanchenjunga. Once again we end the day’s hike with a steep descent to our campsite by the Tikip Chu, which has its source high on the Rathong Mountains (6,679 m/21, 907ft.)

Day 11: Tikip Chu to Dzongri(4030m/13,218m, 3 hrs)

Today, we trek to Dzongri where we join the traditional route of Goechala Trekking. A steady climb through ancient fir forest, juniper and rhododendrons gradually opens out to the summer pastures of Dzongri. Another high camp, but we should be well acclimatized by now probably in contrast to some of the trekkers we meet who could be on day 3 of their Dzongri Trek at 4,000 m/13,120ft- the headache zone!

Day 12: Dzongri to Lamuney (4,200m/13,776ft, 06 hrs)

Down the hill to Kokchulang where we are likely to meet other trekkers making us look back in retrospect towards really appreciating the peace and solitude of our last few days. We move easily up the valley passing the busy trekkers campsite of Thangsing to our own riverside camp a short distance below the Samiti Lake.

Day 13:Lamuney to Zemanthang ( 4650m/15,252 ft, 04 hrs)

Its an steep uphill to the crest of the ridge behind the lake that emerges dramatically into a harsher world of higher Himalayan scenery. In the foreground glaciers and snowfields suddenly look accessible and behind, the gigantic snow peaks loom close, especially on nearby Mt. Pandim, soaring over our heads. We move on more easily through this spectacular alpine terrain into our final high camp nestled in a sheltered green hollow, a little below the Goecha La.

Day 14: Zemanthang to Goechala to Thangsing ( 3,800m/12. 464ft, 9-10 hrs)

We begin today before dawn aiming for Goecha La , which lies at almost 4, 940 m (16,203ft.). Around us is an awe-inspiring Himalayan landscape of tumbling glaciers, pinnacled ridges and soaring peaks dominated by the mighty bulk of Khangchenjunga. Reluctantly we return to our camp and after breakfast, we head down to Thangsing where the air feels wonderfully rich.

Day 15: Thangshing to Tshoka (3000m/9,840ft, 5 hrs)

We follow the traditional route back to the main valley. Tshoka is an enchanting little Tibetan settlement perched on a mountain spur. It will be our first encounter on this trek with permanent village life, and the novelty of having a roof over our heads will add a new dimension to the journey.

Day 16: Tshokat to Yuksam

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 Yuksam. On arrival check in at hotel.

Day 17: Depart Yuksam.

After breakfast, we drive to Bagdogra airport for flight to our next destination. You may want to extend your trip to Darjeeling and Kalimpong as well.