Witness Kanchenjunga like the house next door!
Trek: Goechala trek
Region: Sikkim
Duration: 10 days
Difficulty: Difficult
Base Camp: Yuksom village
Maximum Altitude: 15,300 ft
Trek Distance: 85 Km
Eligibility:
Previous high altitude trekking experience is must.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
The climber should be able to carry personal backpack.
Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions mentioned above.
Best Time to Visit:
October – November can be the best time to be on this trek to get the high chances of best view. While in the month of April-May, trail will be full of Rhododendron flowers and you can find snow in the high altitude regions. Chance of getting Snow is higher in the month of April in Goechala Trek.
Highlights
- Sunrise on the Kanchenjunga Range
One of the most unforgettable experiences on the Goechala Trek is witnessing the breathtaking sunrise over the Kanchenjunga range. Although trekkers cannot reach the actual Goecha Pass, the panoramic views from ViewPoint 1 and Dzongri are absolutely priceless! - Rhododendrons in Full Bloom(April-May)
The Goechala trail winds through enchanting rhododendron forests, which truly come alive during April and May. As spring transitions into summer, vibrant pink and red blossoms blanket the landscape, making your trek through the log-paved trails a refreshing and picturesque journey. - Samiti Lake: A Serene Gem
Samiti Lake is another highlight of the Goechala Trek. The tranquil waters, mirroring the towering Mt. Pandim, offer a stunning spectacle—especially at dawn. This peaceful setting is a true feast for the eyes and soul.
Trek Overview
Goechala Trek: A Challenging and Picturesque Adventure in West Sikkim
The Goechala Trek is one of India’s most renowned and demanding treks, known for its stunning landscapes and challenging trails. Located in the heart of West Sikkim, this trek takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kanchenjunga National Park. Along the way, you’ll conquer two significant summits: Dzongri Peak and Goechala ViewPoint 1.
Spectacular Mountain Views
The highlight of the Goechala Trek is the awe-inspiring views of towering mountains. Not only will you witness the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga, but you’ll also be treated to panoramic views of 14 other towering peaks. Standing at the foot of Mt. Pandim, this trek is often referred to as the Pandim Basecamp Trek. The proximity to these massive mountains makes the Goechala Trek a must-do for those seeking a true high-altitude adventure in Sikkim.
Short Itinerary
Day 1 NJP to Yuksom
Drive from NJP/Siliguri to Yuksom (7 hours approx). Overnight stay at Yuksom.
Day 2 Yuksom to Sachen
Yuksom to Sachen trek.
Trek distance: 7 km-8km | Duration: 5 hours | Trek Gradient: Moderate
Day 3 Sachen to Tshoka
Trek distance: 7-8 km | Duration: 5 hours | Trek Gradient: Moderat
Day 4 Tshoka to Dzongri
Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang. Continuous ascend till Deorali Top. This trail goes through the jungle of Rhododendrons and Pine.
Trek distance: 9-10 kms | Duration: 6-7 hours | Trek Gradient: Moderate-Difficult
Day 5 Dzongri to Thansing
Early morning Dzongri Summit, then come back to Dzongri for breakfast and leave for Thansing via Kokchurang.
Trek distance: 8-10 kms | Duration: 6 hours | Trek Gradient: Moderate-Difficult
Day 6 Acclimatization day
Trek distance: 4kms, 2 hours trek. This is just an acclimatization day at higher altitude. | Trek Gradient: Easy
Day 7 Lamuney to Goechela
Lamuney to Goechela summit via Samiti Lake. And back to Thansing/Kokchurang.
Trek Distance: 12-14 kms | Duration:6 hours | Trek Gradient: Difficult
Day 8 Thansing to Tshoka
Thansing to Tshoka
Trek distance: 15 km | Duration: 7 hours | Trek Gradient: Downhill, Moderate
Day 9 Tshoka to Yuksom
Tshoka to Yuksom
Trek distance: 14 km | Duration: 7 hours | Trek Gradient: Moderate
Day 10 Yuksom to NJP
Drive from Yuksom to NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport.
Inclusions
- Accommodation at homestays in the basecamp and endpoint, with tents provided during the trek.
- All meals included from Day 1 dinner to Day 10 breakfast during the trek.
- Provision of all trekking and camping equipment, including medical assistance and a first aid kit.
- All necessary forest, trekking, and sanctuary permits are arranged.
- Healthy vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options available, based on your preference.
- Pickup and drop-off from/to NJP on a shared basis.
Exclusions
- Any additional food beyond what’s provided.
- Cost of personal rucksack carrying by porters during the trek (available with advance booking).
- Any personal expenses.
- Anything not specifically listed under the ‘inclusions’.
How to Reach Goechala: Starting from Yuksom, Sikkim?
To embark on the Goechala Trek, you’ll first need to reach Yuksom, a small town in Sikkim where the trek both begins and ends. Yuksom is approximately 150 km from Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and Bagdogra in West Bengal, forming a convenient tri-junction for travel.
Key Transit Points: Siliguri, NJP, and Bagdogra
Siliguri is the nearest major city, with NJP serving as its railway station and Bagdogra as its airport. Both the railway station and airport are within 10 km of Siliguri, making it easy to reach by train or flight depending on your location. It’s advisable to arrive early in the morning on the day you plan to head to Yuksom.
Traveling by Train
If you’re traveling by train, you’ll arrive at NJP, which is Siliguri’s station. Most trains to NJP come from Kolkata, but there are also direct trains from Delhi that bypass Kolkata. Due to high demand, train tickets tend to sell out quickly, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
Traveling by Flight
The closest airport to Yuksom is Bagdogra, which is well-connected by flights from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. From Bagdogra, you can easily arrange transport to Yuksom.
Traveling by Bus
If flights are expensive and trains are fully booked, you have the option of flying to Kolkata and taking a bus to Siliguri. Although the bus journey takes around 14 hours, you can opt for sleeper buses for comfort, and the route is relatively smooth.
From Siliguri to Goechala:
Once you’ve reached Siliguri, follow local travel guides or arranged transportation to reach Yuksom, your basecamp for the Goechala Trek.
Payment & Cancellation Policy:
- Book your slot with 30% advance payment and rest of the payment can be done on or before 30 days of the departure date.
- Any trekker tested positive for Covid-19 before joining the trek, his/her trek fee will be carried forward for 1 year to avail any of our treks.
- Due to any reason if we have to cancel our trek plans, you will be notified and you will get the full refund.
- Cancellation done 30 days before the departure date, get 90% refund of the full trek fee or get full fee back by book with us for the next trek or batch.
- Cancellation done between 30 days to 20 days before the departure date, get 70% refund or get 90% full fee back by book with us for the next trek or batch.
- Cancellation done between 10 days to 20 days before the departure date, get 50 % refund or get 60% full fee back by book with us for the next trek or batch.
- Cancellation done less than 10 days before the departure date, no refund will be provided or get 40% full fee back by book with us for the next trek or batch.
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