Goechala Trek

Cyclone Fani had devastated our trek plan. Many flights got cancelled. Trains were also cancelled and rerouted. 4 of us lost their luggages but as Mountain was calling us so facing all these difficulties still we all were able to make it to Yuksom on time. We met our Trek leader Pavan and he briefed us about the Goechala Trek.

The next day early morning we started our journey to Sachen (altitude – 7200 feet). The trail was through dense Forest. As it was a dense Forest so many small mosquito-like insects were biting. We slept in the tent at night and the next day morning we all were ready for our next base camp Tsokha (altitude 9700 feet) via Bakhim. At Bakhim we all were lucky to get a mobile network which relieved the tension of our family members. The trail was full of rhododendrons. The next day morning we all were ready to move to our next base camp Dzongari (altitude 12980 feet) via phedang. It was Rocky and somewhere wooden trail. The view was beautiful during the trail.

Day 5 was a rest day at Dzongari to acclimatize but we had to wake up early in the morning as we had to go to Dzongari top to witness the beautiful sunrise. It was just a wow feeling when we reached Dzongari top. Peaks spotted were Frey Peak, Kumbakarana, Rathong, Kabru South, Kabru North, Kabru Dome, Kangchenddzonga, Jupono, Pandim & Simro. As it was rest day I learned a new game Mafia and we played Mafia and uno for the rest of the day.

The next day morning we all were ready to move on to the next base camp Thansing (altitude 12900 feet) through Kokcharang. The trail consisted of 10 km but was mostly flat and descending. Throughout the trail from Kokcharang we were able to hear the stream sound of Prekchu River. Then next day morning we all were ready to move to our final base camp Lamuney (altitude 13650 feet) from where we had to do our Summit. The weather was too windy and chilled.

Day 8 – The Summit day.

So finally the D day arrived. As we had to reach viewpoint 1 of Goechala before sunrise so we started our journey at 2:00 am with 4 to 5 layers of clothes and head torches on. We all were like on a military mission and were able to do surgical strike. After 150 minutes of walk at night we all reached view point 1 of Goechala. Sunrise was just above to happen. The sunrays were falling on the peak of the mountain(Kabru South, Kabru North, Kabru Dome, Kangchendzonga, Gocha Jupano, Pandim, Sinvo, Tenzingkhang). The mountain top was appearing like gold as visible from the photos. No words can explain the feeling after reaching at the top of the mountain and completing summit. It can only be felt once you reach there. No one from us wanted to descend but after staying for 90 mins we all started descending as altitude was high and we had to reach back on time. While descending we passed through samiti lake. It was the perfect place to see one’s reflection as visible from the photos. It was a quiet and nice place to relax. We descended till Kokcharang. Now the summit was over and we all wanted to descend quickly to have bath and talk to our family.

Next day we started from Kokcharang to Tsokha. I was lucky as I just reached Tsokha and rain started heavily. At night we cut the cake for our achievement of completing the summit. This was our last day at camp. Next day morning we moved towards Yuksom. While descending I didn’t

get tired as we were listening to music and enjoying & we reached Yuksom at around 2 pm. So finally after 10 days, we all bathed for 1 hour and we got certificate of completion of the Goechala summit. It was just an awesome experience and I suggest all of you go for the Goechela trek to witness its mesmerizing beauty and golden view of the mountains.