DARJEELING
TO KANCHENJUNGA TREK
(COMBINED- THE SINGALILA RIDGE AND GOECHA LA TREK)
From
Darjeeling hills where tea plantations stretc
h
as far as the eye can see, to Sikkim, an ancient Himalayan kingdom
of Tibetan culture, this trek offers breath-taking views of the
Himalayan range from Cho Oyo to Kanchenjunga.
The Singalila range is one of the rare spots on earth where the
view embraces five summits rising above 8000m, amongst them Everest,
Makalu and Lhotse. On these 19th century English Lords trails,
you will trek on easy narrow paths along the Indo-Nepali border,
sometimes at the edge of the jungle, sometimes through rhododendron
forests. The visit of the main Sikkim monasteries (Pemayangtse,
Tashiding, Rumtek) provide a touch of culture and make
of this journey a rare venture.
DAY
1) Arrive Delhi, Where you will be met and transferred
to your hotel.
DAY 2) Visit Delhi A Full day sight seeing tour
of Delhi. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 3) Delhi – Bagdogra (by plane) – Darjeeling
(2130m) by car.
Departure transfer to the domestic airport for the flight Bagdogra
and on arrival transfer to Darjeeling. At first we drive through
flat rice field and tea plantation, before the road ascends to
the foothill of the Himalayan. We drive through more tea plantation,
where the famous Darjeeling teas are grown. The main attraction
is the steam toy train whose track zig zags through the main road
all the way to Darjeeling just crossing over Ghoom at an altitude
of 2440 mts. Darjeeling itself is at 2134 mts with a majestic
background of the third highest peak in the world. Mt Kanchanjunga.O/n
Hotel
DAY
4) Visit Darjeeling.
Early wake up for the jeep rides to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise
over the Kanchenjunga and Everest. On the way back to the hotel
we visit Ghoom Monastery. All this is before breakfast. After
breakfast we visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the
Zoo and the Tibetan refugee Center. Afternoon free to relax and
look around the color full bazaars. O/n Hotel
DAY 5) Darjeeling – Manay Bhanjang (2134m. 1h 30)
by car – Tonglu (3070m)
It is a 26-Km drive to Maneybhanjang at 2134 meters, the starting
place for our trek on the Singalila ridge. After an early breakfast
and interesting drive into the Himalayan foothills, we set off
on the first part of our walk, the relatively short, hike upto
Tonglu. It is an unavoidable fact of trekking in the Himalayas
that we must get up high to find the best views. Overnight at
Trekker's hut/Camp.
DAY 6) Tonglu – Gairibas (2620m) in 4h
We take a mossy paved path, that snakesthrough a succession of
forests and hamlets, giving way, from time to time, to spectacular
mountain sceneries. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp.
DAY 7) Gairibas – Sandakphu (3640m) in 4h30.
We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhri. Afterwards
we start a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge that
leads us to Sandakphu. A remarkable 360 ° view from the top.
Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp.
DAY 8) Sandakphu – Phalut (3600m) in 6h
We walk to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise over
the Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyo.
Throughout the day, there are ever-changing views: yak herds,
silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed with grass, and the snow-capped
Himalayan range in the background. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp.
DAY 9) Phalut – Raman (2560m) in 5h.
Leaving Phalut, we are temporarily saying goodbye to the views
of Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalayas, as we descend for most
of the day through forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias with
isolated patches of farmland to Ramam. Overnight at Trekker's
hut/Camp.
DAY 10) Raman – Rimbik (2280m) in 4h
Downhill again today to the crossing of the Siri Khola passing
through farmland and scattered villages. Then it’s uphill
through largely forested terrain to the village of Rimbick. Overnight
at Trekker's hut/Camp.
DAY 11) Rimbik – Pelling by car (9h).
DAY 12) Pelling – Pemayangtse – Yuksam by
car (2h)
2.5 km from Pelling, we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery.
Perched at 2800m, it is one of the oldest and most impressive
gompas in Sikkim. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 13) Yuksam – Tsoka (3030m) in 6h.
T
he
trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical
forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan
village of Tsoka. The landscape has now changed into pine, rhododendron
and magnolia forests. We get excellent views of the entire Himalayan
range and Kanchenjunga.
DAY 14) Tsoka – Dzongri (4020m) in 5h.
The day begins with a steep start and the trail zigzags up through
the mixed temperate forest and large stands of Rhododendrons to
the large clearing at phedang, where we stop for Picnic lunch.
The view of Pandim, Narshing and Joponu is fantastic. Another
hour and half of steep climb takes you to Deorali and a ridge
walk of up and down for 45 mins. Takes you to Dzongri (13320ft),
set in a natural bowl on the ridge. O/n Camping /hut.
DAY 15) Dzongri – Thangshing (3930m) in 4h.
We descend through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial
Prek river. We establish our campsite on the grassy pastures of
Thangshing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakthing
glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views
of Pandim.
DAY 16) Thangshing – Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h.
A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas
and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on
the Onglakthing glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samity
lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek river. Ringed
by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha
Peak and other snow-capped peaks.
DAY 17) Samity Lake – Gocha La (4940m) – Thangshing
in 7h
We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend
on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs
steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful
prayer flags, we can see Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung
glacier.
DAY 18) Thangshing – Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h
After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass
by tiny lakes.
DAY 19) Labdang – Tashiding (1740m) in 5h.
An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier
as we descend.
DAY 20) Tashiding – Martam by car (4h).
We visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in
Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers.
DAY 21) Martam – Gangtok by car (1h).
En route we visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious
Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers. Afternoon
at leisure in Gangtok.
DAY 22) Gangtok – Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi
(by plane)
DAY 23) Transfer to airport and fly back home.
