DAY 01: ARRIVAL KOLKATA
Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 02: KOLKATA
After breakfast begin a city tour of Kolkata before this evening transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Darjeeling (by the Darjeeling Mail/3413, departing Kolkata at 19:15 hrs).
Arrive New Jalpaiguri at 07:50 hrs where you are collected and transferred to Darjeeling, a drive of around 3½ hrs. A highlight of the tour the drive takes us through many small villages amidst amazing Himalayan scenery including several tea plantations. There is every possibility of seeing the Toy Train as we follow the route north from New Jalpaiguri. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03: DARJEELING
A whole day walking in and around Darjeeling exploring its vistas and discovering its many places of interest. This is the must for acclimatisation to the altitude is key to the success of the forthcoming trek. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 04: DARJEELING - YUKSOM
Transfer by coach/car/jeep to Yuksom, a drive of around 8 hrs. After passing through villages small and large tea plantations and by the famous Pemayangtse monastery we reach Yuksom. This is where the first King of Sikkim was crowned in the year 1641. We either camp in tents or in a trekker’s hut (altitude approx. 1900m).
DAY 05: YUKSOM - BAKHIM
The 1st day of the trek - Yuksom to Bakhim; 7 hrs including one-hour lunch stop.
We walk uphill following the Rathong River gorge, through dense mixed jungle with magnolias rhododendrons, ferns and many different varieties of orchids, brightly coloured birds and occasional monkeys. The first day’s trek ends at Bakhim Forest Bungalow (altitude approx. 2700m).
DAY 06: BAKHIM - DZONGRI
Trek Bakhim to Dzongri;7 hrs including one-hour lunch stop.
We walk uphill passing through the last villages of Tshoka, a village for Tibetan refugees, built specially for them in the year 1965. We pass through Tshoka and walk further uphill to Phithang, the lunch stop.
After lunch we climb further to Deorali from where the Kangchenjunga Massif looms in front of us.A short walk brings us to Dzongri Rest House outside which we camp, or alternatively continue another 15 minutes to another delightful campsite. Altitude approx. 4030m).
DAY 07: DZONGRI – CHOWRITHANG - DZONGRI
Start out from Chowrithang for the 6 or 7 hour walk up to Dzongri. Chowrithang is the base camp of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling. This is a lovely walk up to the Rathong River valley and across the Dzongi Pass at its head. After lunch we will return to Dzongri for the night.
DAY 08: DZONGRI TO THANGSING
Today’s walk, Dzongri to Thangsing, takes about 5 or 6 hrs including one and a half-hour lunch stop. Today we ascend gradually over open hillside with views of Kangchenjunga and Mt. Pandim before descending through rhododendron forest to Prek Chu River for lunch. We cross the river and walk gradually for 1 1/2 hrs, through pine woods to reach a grassy campsite beneath the peak of Pandim. A new hut has been built here which could be used if preferred. (Altitude approx. 3930m).
DAY 09: THANGSING TO SAMITI LAKE
A very gentle 2-hour stroll up Prek Chu Valley amidst spectacular scenery. Majestic Pandim towers above us on our right and huge rock walls flank the other side of the river. We pass ruined shrines, many walls inscribed with Tibetan prayers and yak herders’ huts, used only in summer. Crossing a small rise the beautiful sacred turquoise Samiti Lake appears below us and we make camp on its shore by a new cook hut. A spectacular and serene spot for us to rest. Overnight at camp.
DAY 10: SAMITI LAKE – GOECHELA - SAMITI LAKE
An early start today, setting off at first light climbing the hill behind the lake before we descend to the candy bed of a newly drained lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Jamathang Plateau. We cross under the shadow of Pandim and ascend to a height of about 500 m. Here we rest above a frozen lake which is dotted with snow and ice pinnacles. We reach this spot after 5 hrs of walking.
The Goechela Pass is further 1 1/2 hours away across the lake up a steep slope and then on a well-trodden path to our objective, which is festooned with brightly-coloured prayer flags. There are stupendous views of the east flank of the Kangchenjunga and mountains and valleys into the distance. Those who do not wish to attempt the pass can turn back at 4500m and return to Thangsing for lunch – 2 1/2 return - 4940m. Overnight at camp.
DAY 11: SAMITI LAKE - DZONGRI
A small trail as before. Overnight in Dzongri in tents/huts.
DAY 12: DZONGRI - BAKHIM
Overnight in trekkers’ hut / tent.
DAY 13: BAKHIM - YUKSOM
Afternoon we visit to Dubdey Monastery. Overnight in tents/huts.
DAY 14: YUKSOM - KECHIPHERI
Holy lake and visit to monastery. Overnight in huts or tents.
DAY 15: KECHIPHERI HOLY LAKE - TASHIDING
8 hrs including a one-hour lunch stop. Overnight in tents/huts.
DAY 16: TASHIDING – GANGTOK
Morning visit to Tashiding Monastery. This monastery is believed to be the most sacred monastery in Sikkim. The great Guru Padmasambhava, founder of Lamaism, is said to have stayed there for a time during his meditation. Every year in March / April a festival is held at the monastery, when a jar of holy water called ‘bhumchhu’, supposed to have been left by Guru Padmasambhava, is opened and measured. The water is distributed to pilgrims to drink. After breakfast you proceed to road leading to Legship, a walk of some 4 hrs. From Legship to Gangtok is 5 hrs. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 17: GANGTOK
In the morning visit Rumtek Monastery (24 kms from Gangtok) the seat of His Holiness Gyalwa Karmappa, the head of the Kargyugpa sect of Lamaism. In the afternoon we have a city sightseeing tour visiting all places of interest. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 18: GANGTOK - KALIMPONG
4 hours drive to Kalimpong. This afternoon after lunch we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kalimpong. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 19: DEPARTURE
After breakfast proceed to Bagdogra Airport to connect to your international flight for onward journey.
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