Goecha La Trek
Guicha La trek offers you an incredible experience that is both challenging and ultimately rewarding. Prior to your trekking journey, you get a fantastic introduction to the wonders of Darjeeling. After complete acclimatization, you make an easy trek to Dzongri. The trek becomes moderate as it skirts through lush meadows, luxuriant rhododendron forest, orchid fields and pristine villages towards Guicha La. The journey gets you to into the heart of the mountains and in the midst of the intriguing local culture. En route, you meet numerous trails and vantage points to witness the spellbinding beauty of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga range, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Rathong, Kabru range, Goecha peak and other mountain giants. The trek reaches a perfect climax after you experience a kaleidoscope of colour, religion and cuisine in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Delhi
- Day 2 Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra
- Day 3 Sightseeing in Darjeeling
- Day 4 Drive from Darjeeling top Yuksum [1780m]
- Day 5 Trek from Yuksum to Tsoka [3710m]
- Day 6 Tsoka to Dzongri [4030 m]
- Day 7 Dzongri
- Day 8 Dzongri to Thangsing [3800 m]
- Day 9 Thangsing to Smiti Lake [4200 m]
- Day 10 Smiti Lake to Guicha La [4940 m] and return to Thangsing [3930m]
- Day 11 Thangsing to Tsoka [3710 m]
- Day 12 Tsoka to Yuksam [1780 m]
- Day 13 Drive from Yuksam to Gangtok
- Day 14 Sightseeing in Gangtok &
- Day 15 Drive from Gangtok to Bagdogra and fly from Bagdogra to Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive Delhi
Our staff will escort you from Delhi airport to your hotel in Delhi with warm reception and utmost hospitality. After the thorough briefings on your travel plan, you can thereon enjoy your leisure time according to your wish..
- Day 2
Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra
After breakfast, you board a flight to Bagdogra. Our staff will be present at Bagdogra airport to take you to your hotel in Darjeeling. It takes three hours to drive along 82 km road to your hotel. In the evening you get a leisure time. After dinner, you overnight at the hotel..
- Day 3
Sightseeing in Darjeeling
Darjeeling sightseeing tour starts immediately after breakfast. Nestled at an altitude of 2134 m in the Northern West Bengal India, Darjeeling prides on its world's best tea gardens lying spread across an area of 11.44 sq. kms. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is another most sought after travel destination. It makes an interesting sight to observe this railway still using steam engine. On driving 15 km away from Darjeeling town, Tiger Hill awaits you with a breathtaking view of Himalayan range, especially that of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga range. You can even catch a magnificent view of Darjeeling from the Observatory Hill. This hill is regarded very sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. At a distance of 5 km from the town, Batasia Loop displays its awe-inspiring engineering work. History unveils as you visit the War memorial constructed in the fondest memory of the martyrs. Yiga Cholling Monastery, Samten Cholling Monastery, Drukpa Kargyud Monastery and Bhutia Busty Monastery enlighten you on the religious belief of local people. Japanese Peace Pagoda is yet another magnificent sight that boasts mesmerizing vistas and unique cultural history. You even get to visit Dhirdham Temple, a structural replica of Pashupatinath temple of Nepal and feel the religious harmony in the town. A leisurely walk around the Mall is an ideal way of exploring the lifestyle of localities. Visit to Natural History Museum, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Himalayan Zoological Park, Snow Leopard Breeding Centre and Lloyds Botanical Garden can be equally fascinating for ardent adventurers and nature lovers. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway situated at North Point is the most dotted site. Your guide will also take you to popular handicraft centers and Ava Art Gallery to give a glimpse of authentic Darjeeling arts and craft before heading back to your hotel..
- Day 4
Drive from Darjeeling to Yuksam [1780 m]
Shortly after breakfast, you will be transported to Yukum. After driving for 7-8 hours, you arrive at Yuksum, the capital of Sikkim lying at an elevation of 1780 m. Treks and expeditions to Mt. Kangchenjunga are generally started from this panoramic hilly town of Western Sikkim. Good meals and accommodation are provided at your hotel..
- Day 5
Trek from Yuksum to Tsoka [3710 m]
Delicious breakfast will be served at the hotel. Thereafter, the trek advances towards the dense forest. The trail further meanders past three bridges. 6-7 hours of ascents reward you with magnificent sight of Mt. Pandim. Further ahead, you enter a pristine Tibetan settlement. Then, on reaching an altitude of 3710m you find yourself in the territory of Tsoka. In the evening you can visit a small monastry in the village. Eventually, you overnight at a superb camp site..
- Day 6
Tsoka to Dzongri [4030 m]
Early in the morning after breakfast, you continue trekking away from Tsoka towards Dzongri. En route, you transverse past luxuriant Rhododendron forest. As soon as you reach Phedang, you can stop for a brief rest. After several ascents, you arrive at Devrali where you reach the highest altitude of the trek. Further on, the trail being the rock-strewn gets little rough. On descending towards an elevation of 4030 m, you approach Dzongri after trekking for 6-7 hours. You can spot several herdsmen grazing their yaks in the village. After meals, you take a shelter for the night by setting your camp tent at a proper location..
- Day 7
Dzongri
On this day you get an entire day for complete acclimatization. In the morning you can excurse to Dzongri La to catch a glimpse of breathtaking Mt. Rathong, Kabru range and Goecha peak. After breakfast, you get leisure time to indulge in the activities of your choice. Like previous night, you overnight at your camp tent..
- Day 8
Dzongri to Thangsing [3930 m]
After breakfast, you follow the trail to the east that leads towards Thangsing. Despite rock-strewn path, you progress forward basking in the splendors of nature and Himalayan vistas. A bridge comes on the way that overlooks boulder-strewn riverbed. 5-6 hours of trek rewards you with mesmerizing view of Kanchenjunga and Prek valley. As the trail nears an altitude of 3930m, meadows of Thangsing come into picture. Meals will be served at your camp site. Overnighting at your camp tent, you take a well-earned sleep..
- Day 9
Thangsing to Smiti Lake [4200 m]
You make an early start to ascend the valley to reach Smiti Lake that normally takes 2 hours. The trail walks past grazing meadows, moraine and pristine huts. Smiti Lake is the base for mountaineers who wish to climb Mt Pandim. This lake is also regarded very sacred by local people and is a source of Prek River. In the noon, you get a chance to explore the surrounding places at our own pace. Our staff will set camp tent for your overnight stay..
- Day 10
Smiti Lake to Guicha La [4940 m] and return to Thangsing [3930m]
You commence your trekking very early in the morning to avoid the misty clouds. Normally, it takes 3-4 hours to trek up to Guicha La. Transversing past moraines and sandy areas along the Onglakhing glacier, you head away from Smiti Lake. Up ahead in the distance at the head of the valley, the undulating glaciated pass becomes visible. Further ahead, the trail reaches Guicha La at an elevation of 4940 m. Colorful prayer flags and outstanding views of Kanchenjunga makes Guicha La very picturesque. After lunch, you retreat to Thangsing. It takes 3-4 hours to reach Thangsing. As the day turns into night, you seek shelter at your camp tent after dinner..
- Day 11
Thangsing to Tsoka [3710 m]
You have to make an early start towards Tsoka. The trail following the Prek River crosses a bridge, descends through boulder-strewn route to Dzongri and then narrows while heading towards Pethang. Eventually, you will enter Tsoka after covering 17 km. It takes about 6-7 hours of trek to reach up to your camp site in Tsoka where you overnight at your camp tent..
- Day 12
Tsoka to Yuksam [1780 m]
You have to trek for 5-6 hours to reach up to Yukum which is 18 km away from Tsoka. You get to have leisure time in Yukum to indulge in activities of your choice. Eventually, after dinner you will spend the night at your hotel..
- Day 13
Drive from Yuksam to Gangtok
Shortly after breakfast you will be driven to Gangtok. On the way you get to visit Rumtek monastery and gain insightful understanding of Kagyupa Sect of Buddhism. There is a hermitage few distances away from this monastery which is used for meditation by monks. Finally, 6-7 hours of drive ends in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. You will be escorted to your hotel where you spend the night after dinner..
- Day 14
Sightseeing in Gangtok
Gangtok Sightseeing tour begins soon after breakfast. Gangtok is nestled on a ridge above the Ranipul River and boasts unparalled views of Kangchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks. You get to visit Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Chortens, Enchey monastery, Orchid Garden and many other popular sites. In the evening you can stroll around the local market and later head back to your hotel for dinner and good night sleep. .
- Day 15
Drive from Gangtok to Bagdogra and fly from Bagdogra to Delhi
After breakfast you will be driven to Bagdogra airport from where you will board a flight to Delhi. Thereafter, you will be chauffeured to your hotel which provides day use room. After freshening up and having meal, you head straight for Delhi airport to catch a flight back to your hometown..
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Happy Explorers
We hope to go for another trekking trip in future with your company, and hopefully once again with Lambabu and his crews.
Community Service
We work with the motto "Tourism for Development". Explore Himalaya Community Service Project was conceived to empower underprivileged segments of Nepal.
