Best of Sikkim - The Kanchenjunga Trek
This
trek will take you through some of the most beautiful forests of Sikkim.
In spring this trail is especially beautiful with Rhododendrons, Magnolias
and other flowers in full bloom - truly a naturalist's paradise. You'll
come very close to Mt. Kanchenjunga and also get an awe inspiring glimpse
of the Sikkim Mountains, cloaked in granite and thickly hooded with ice.
Day 1 - Delhi - Bagdogra - Gangtok
Arrive ex Intl. Flight and transfer to Domestic Airport for flight
to Bagdogra. On a clear day you just might catch a glimpse of the Mighty
Mt. Everest from the plane. Met on arrival and transfer to Gantok by road
(125 km/ 5 1/2 hr..). Arrive late evening and check into hotel.
Day 2 - At Gangtok
A day spent in sightseeing Gangtok city. See the Dodrul Gompa and stroll
down the little bazaar. After lunch a small drive will take us to the famous
Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. O/nt Hotel
at Gangtok.
Day 3 - Gangtok - Yuksom
After breakfast we'll drive to Yuksom ( 90 kms) through beautiful villages,
waterfalls and rice fields. Yuksom is a tranquil tableland which has recorded
many a historic events. The first king of Sikkim, H.H.Funchook Namgyal
was crowned here by his holiness Gyalwa Latchan Thembo, the man who brought
Buddhism to Sikkim in 1641. Yuksom provides beautiful vistas of mini lakes
against the himalayan backdrop. O/nt Safari Camp.
Day 4 - Yuksom - Bakhim (12 kms/ 9000 ft)
As
you leave behind Yuksom and follow the mule track in the NW direction along
the fast flowing Rathong Choo stream, crossing two wooden bridges, the
area is thickly wooded. Rathong Choo originates at the Doodh Pokhri (Milk
Lake), sacred in the local beliefs. A small temple invites devotees from
as far as Nepal, across the glacier. The lake is a restricted area. This
lake is fed by the Rathong and Kokthang glaciers.
The trek in spring passes through the Rhododendrons flower belt. The
final ascend to Bakhim is a serpentine trail, of countless bends,
after crossing the second wooden bridge falling enroute. Its really a peaceful
and tranquil area.
O/nt in the Camp.
Day
5 - Bakhim - Dzongri - 8 Kms / 10155 ft
Today is a tougher day than yesterday. leaving behind the last village
Tsoka, as we now mainly proceed again in the NW direction, the Rathong
Choo flows down below in the gorge. After some time we can only hear the
sound of the fast flowing water. As we move on we come closer to the famous
Kanchenjunga massive and get an initial view of the Sikkim snows. From
Phittang the trail leads up an exquisite forest of Rhododendron to Deorali
Dara. From here you will get an excellent view of the massive ranges of
Sikkim mountains. Straight ahead is the third highest peak in the world
- The Kanchenjunga.
O/nt Camping at Dzongri
Day 6 - Dzongri - Thangsing ( 7 kms/12467 ft)
A four hour trek leads through meadows and valleys into a beautiful
valley situated at the base of Jopine Peak. Surrounded by massive mountains
on all sides, a stream pierces the forests and presents an enchanting scene.
To reach the camping area you will have to cross a wooden bridge over the
stream. O/nt Camping.
Day 7 - At leisure at Thangsing
We'll spend a day at leisure exploring the beautiful valley and capturing
some priceless pictures of the area. O/nt Camping
Day 8 - Thangsing - Chaurithang 10 km / 14370 ft)
Its a 8 hour trek to the Chaurithang falls at the Rathong glacier.
This is the base camp of the world famous Himalayan Mountaineering Institute,
Darjeeling. Splendid views of the peaks Frey, Kokthang, Kabru, Rathong
and Chandra can be seen from here. Enroute is also the forbidden Kabur
rock which no one is allowed to climb. O/nt Camping
Day 9 - Chaurithang - Zamlingang (10 km )
This trek passes through some of the most beautiful forested areas
of Sikkim, engulfed in the fragrance of Magnolias. O/nt camping at Zamlingang.
Day 10 Zamlingang - Bakhim
The trail to Bakhim runs through a garden of flowers which can be quite
spectacular in spring when giant Magnolias and more than ten type of Rhododendrons
bloom along the trail. You will also find a large variety of exotic birds,
butterflies and orchids.
O/nt camping.
Day 11 Bakhim - Yuksom
A leisurely walk of about 4 hours brings you back to Yuksom from where
we had first started on a different trail. You will get a taste of the
charms of Sikkimese rural life here. Its the end of our trek, but not the
charms of this region. O/nt Camping.
Day
12 Yuksom - Darjeeling
After breakfast drive to Darjeeling, through beautiful tea gardens
and lush greenery. O/nt Hotel.
Day 13 - Darjeeling
You can choose to relax and sleep late or take an early morning visit
to Tiger hill at sunrise. Also of interest are the Ghoom Monastery, The
Tibetan Handicraft Center, The HMI, the quaint bazaars and nearby Tea estates.
O/nt Hotel
Day 14 - Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Delhi.
Morning transfer to Bagdogra for flight to Delhi. Airport transfer
to International Airport for onward flight.