Goechala Trek

• Altitude : 2,200m/ 7200 ft.
• Altitude Gain : 450m/ 1,400ft
• Trek Distance : 8 km (6 hr approx.)
• Terrain: Trek through dense forests, frequent ascents, and descents. The trail passes through three iron bridges. Steep ascent till the first bridge, gradual descent to the second, and gradual ascent to the third. 
• Abundant water sources, no shops on the trail
• Packed lunch will be provided en-route.
• Be careful on the trail as it is full of mules and yak. Make way for the animals first.
• Stay: In tents at Sachen campsite

This is the first day of your Goechala Trek! Waking up early in the morning, we will trek towards our first campsite, Sachen. Sachen is located at an altitude of 7200 ft and the trek is about 8 km long. We will trek through an ascending path following the gorges of the Rathong River and dense forests and thickets of Rhododendrons and Magnolias. You will spot many Himalayan wildflowers and orchids on your way as well, before finally settling down at Sachen.

At the beginning of the trek, you will spot some mud houses, which slowly ebb away as we walk away from civilization and into the embrace of nature. The mobile network coverage becomes erratic and there are also no shops on the way. We will provide a packed lunch that you can relish on the way to Sachen.  Soon we will come across the serene flowing river, Rathong, the natural beauty is simply awe-striking on this trail.

Crossing the lush environs, we will trek through the dense forest covers and a surprise encounter with three ancient bridges. The path to Sachen meanders through dense forests, valleys, pristine rivers, orchid blooms, and the captivating sight of Tshushay Khola waterfalls. As we walk through the forests, we will occasionally catch glimpses of sunlight here and there.

From the first suspension bridge, it is a moderate walk to the second bridge and a steep ascent to the third bridge and to Sachen. The Sachen campsite is located in a small clearing within the forest with the Prek River flowing further down the valley. You can hear the faint gushing of the river from the campsite if you listen closely enough.

There is a sharp altitude gain throughout the trek. As soon as you cross the last bridge over the Mentogang River, you reach an altitude of 7000 ft. from the last bridge, it will take another 20 minutes of trekking to reach the campsite. It can be quite exhausting after a day of trekking and hence it is recommended to sleep early to begin the next day of trekking.

• Altitude: Bakhim at 2,650m/ 8650 ft and Tshokha at 3,000m/ 9750ft
• Trek Distance: 7 km (5 hr approx.)
• Altitude Gain: 800m/ 2,550ft
• Terrain: Steep ascent till Bakhim. Trek from Bakhim to Tshoka through Rhododendron vegetation, the last 1 km to Sachen is a pleasant walk.
• Water refill at Bakhim
• Lunch at campsite
• Stay: In tents

Today you trek from Sachen to your next campsite, Tshoka via Bakhim. En route, you will cross the Prek Chu River and trek uphill to reach Bakhim. A further trek upwards, we will arrive at Tshoka, a refugee Tibetan settlement, where we will stay overnight at camps.

Tshoka is situated at an altitude of about 9000 ft approximately and here you can treat your eyes to the sight of the magnificent Mt. Pandim and Mt. Kanchenjunga. The trek to Tshoka follows a steep elevation, so even if the distance is not as long, about 7 km, the duration of the trek can increase due to the steep incline. 

The trek to Tshoka involves crossing a bridge across the Prek Chu River, followed by another dense forest of Rhododendron and Oak, which is in full bloom during spring and summer and during autumn and winter, the forests capture the lovely hues of fall. Bakhim is the mid-point of today’s trek, and after that, we will resume our trek to Tshoka.  Tshoka is home to a monastery, which also holds some beautiful mountain views of Kanchenjunga and Pandim.

The trail elevates fast and the temperature also becomes cooler gradually. After a short break at Bakhim, we will begin towards Tshoka again. Bakhim has many stalls and shops, where you can energize yourself. This is the spot where trekkers take long halts to enjoy the scenic extravaganza of the Yuksom Valley. The final leg to Tshoka comprises steep ascents and descents that will take you at an altitude of 9000 ft.

There are some flat plains in Tshoka, where camps can be set. A wonderful camping location, surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Bathe in the serenity and rest for the trek the next day.

• Altitude: Phedang at 3,700m/ 12,100 ft, Deoralli Top at 4,000m/ 13,100ftand Dzongri at 3,950m/ 12,900 ft.
• Trek Distance: 9km (7 hr approx.)
• Altitude Gain:- 950m/ 3,150ft
• Terrain: Mostly, ascent. A rocky trail for the first hour followed by a wooden trail for the next two hours and the last leg is again rocky and follows a zig-zag trail till the campsite.
• Packed lunch will be provided
• Carry enough water as there is no water source, en route.

Today we will make our way through lush forests of Rhododendrons, through an uphill trek to reach Dzongri. The trek will take you to Dzongri top, where we will set camp for the night.

This is one of the most scenic days of your trek and by the time we reach Phedang, it will be almost lunchtime. After lunch, we will proceed towards Dzongri, one of the most scenic viewpoints that offers a spectacular view of the sunrise at Mt. Kanchenjunga. 

The trek today will take 9 to 10 hrs and a few minutes into the trek, it begins to get rocky with a steep ascent. Be cautious while stepping over the rocks and pebbles. Dzongri is a mesmerizing campsite with snowy mountains in the backdrop and nature all around.

Trek to Dzongri is quite demanding and one of the most challenging days of your trek. What makes the trek a little strenuous is the sharp altitude gain, so maintain a steady pace so that you can help your body acclimatize better. 

The initial part of the trek is filled with wooden logs and flanked on either side by Rhododendron bloom and a couple of hours of walking will bring you to Phe Dang, where you will see prayer flags lining the surroundings. You can take a break here before resuming the trek.

After another 4 to 5 hours of trek from Phedang, you will reach Dzongri, your campsite for the day. The Climb to Dzongri is quite steep and proper measures need to be taken to avoid altitude sickness, nausea, headache, etc as the altitude gain is pretty quick. But soon these problems will settle once we reach and settle in Dzongri. If the problem persists, you should consult with your tour coordinator. The winds here are quite strong so dress accordingly and it can get pretty chilly at night as well. Take your much-needed rest at night.

• Rest Day at Dzongri, used for acclimatization. 
• Trek to Dzongari top for sunrise view at 4,150m/ 13,675 ft, approx 1 hour.
• It is recommended not to sleep during the day. Go for small walks and explore the area.
• Peaks Spotted: Kumbakarna, Kabru North & South, Frey Peak, Kabru Dome, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Jupono, and Simro

Today is a rest day at Dzongri top. Here we will relax and chill and take small acclimatization walks throughout the day.  The trek the day before was quite arduous and there was a sharp altitude gain, so your body needs some time to acclimatize as well.

The view from Dzongri is like anything you have ever seen. Picturesque landscapes and the snow-clad mountains greet your eyes, enough to help you rejuvenate after the tiring day before. You will spot a lot of Tibetan prayer flags that beautifully flutter in the breeze.

You will spot prominent Himalayan peaks like  North and South Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Koktang and Narsing, Jupono, Simno, Frey Peak, and many more. Take small walks, capture some amazing stills, and spend your day relaxing here at the campsite. 

• Altitude: Kokcharang at 3,650m/ 12,100ft, Thansing at 3900m/12900ft.
• Trek Distance: 10 km ( 7 hrs approx.)
• Terrains: Gradually walk through meadows and descend to reach Kokcharang. Walk from Kokcharang to the bridge near Prekchu and then an ascent of 2 km until Thangshing.
• Refill water at Kokcharang
• Hot lunch at campsite
• Stay: In tents

From Dzongri we will start our trek towards Kokcharang through both ascending and descending routes, following the trail up to the Prek Chu River to our final stop for the day, Thangshing.

The trek starts early in the morning from Dzongri to Dzongri top, which takes about an hour and we will reach the top by sunrise. Here, you will get the most spectacular view of the sunrise at Mt., Kanchenjunga, and Singalila. Watch the snow-covered mountain changing colors as the sun rays illuminate it slowly. This is what makes the climb even more thrilling. On a clear day, Mt. Kanchenjunga appears to be turned into gold as the sun rays strike the snow-covered peaks. From Dzongri Top, we will begin our hike towards Thangshing. Thangshing is situated at an altitude lower than Dzongri so the hike is not going to be as strenuous with gentle ascents and descents. It will take approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete the trek of 8 km. 

The trail starts with lush meadows and Rhododendron thickets, making the trail more captivating. As you walk through the forests, you can hear the chirping of birds and the sounds of nature. After you cross the forest, there is a gradual descent to Kokcharang. Kokcharang is located at an altitude of 12000 ft. From here, walk straight down to the Prek Chu River gushing along the trail. You can rest for some time here and refill your water bottles for the rest of the trip.

There is a trekkers’ hut in Kokcharang as well and many use it for halting during their trek but the place is quite congested, which makes it difficult to set up a tent here. We will rest for some time by the bank of the Prekchu River, a fine spot to bask in the serenity of nature. The gushing of the flowing river accompanied by the chirping of the birds makes it all the more magical.

From Kokcharang its a straight 2 km trek to Thangshing. Trail through Rhododendron blooms enjoying the picturesque vistas. The trek to Thangshing is a gradual ascent and not steep at all so the trekkers can enjoy the walk amidst the forested land and a small trail of rocky terrain. After you cross the rocky part, another meadow will come into view, and we have arrived at our campsite in Thangshing, located at an altitude of 12,900 ft.

The Thangshing campsite is located at the foot of Mt. Pandim, so you will get some close-up views of the majestic mountain range. After reaching the campsite, we will enjoy a hot lunch and then relax for the rest of the day. The temperature at Thangshing is quite cold as such you need to layer appropriately. A light meal is recommended as heavy food can cause uneasiness during ascents to high altitudes. A lot of liquid consumption is advised. At night, we will retire in our camps..

• Altitude: 4,150m/ 13,600 ft.
• Trek Distance: 4 km (3 hr approx.)
• Altittude Gain: 200m/700ft
• Breakfast at Thangshing campsite
• Easiest trek day on an easy trail
• Hot lunch at campsite
• Trek 2km more to Samiti Lake

Today, we will trek from Thangshing to Lamuney, the easiest day of our trek and we will trek up to an altitude of 13, 650 ft. The trek is quite gentle and we will reach Lamuney in about 2 hours. Today, you will mostly trek through flat trails as we reach our next campsite.

After breakfast at 9 in the morning, we will begin our journey at around 10:00 AM and proceed towards Lamuney. The leisure walk will give your body some rest and also help you acclimatize to higher altitudes. The beautiful trail through meadows and pastures on both sides will take you to Lamuney campsite.

The trail is quite simple and mostly flat, however, the last leg of the trek is a little steep and rocky and trekkers often find some difficulty climbing here. On reaching Lamuney, we will enjoy a hot lunch in the serene atmosphere, enjoying the mountain views.

The beautiful still water lake, Samiti, lies only at a distance of 2 km from the campsite. The trail to Samiti Lake can be easily covered in an hour but the road is not quite as smooth and covered with stones. Camping beside the lake is prohibited but you can take a walk to the lake and enjoy its fascinating beauty. You can capture some stills and videos of the crystal clear lake flowing gently and hitting the rocks on its banks and return to your campsite before nightfall.

At the campsite, your trek leader and guide will give you a briefing about the biggest day of your trek, the following day, the trek to Goechala Summit. You will be educated on the nature of the trial, what you can expect, and some helpful advice. The night view at Lamuney campsite is equally enchanting as the sky breaks into a galaxy of stars. It is advised to call in early, as you need to start the next day early in the morning.

• Altitude: 4,600n/ 15,100 ft
• Trek Distance: 18 km ( 10 hr approx.)
• The longest and toughest day of the trek. 
• Trek from Lamuney to Goechala viewpoint: 6 km, steep ascent for 4 hrs.
• Descend back to Lamuney for a hot lunch.
• Descend further to Thangshing or Kokcharang 
• Peaks spotted: Kabru North & South, Kabru Dome, Kanchenjunga, Gocha Jupano, Sinvo, Pandim, Tenzingkhang.

This is the toughest day of your trek and also the longest as we make our way to the Goechala Pass and back to Lamuney. First, we will make an uphill climb through moraines, following a descending route to Samiti Lake and then we will start ascending again and for trekking for about an hour, we will reach the Goechala Pass viewpoint 1.

We will begin the trek as early as 1 in the morning to avoid any harsh weather conditions that might affect the course of your trek in the latter part of the day. The trek today is about 18 km long and it will take about 13 to 14 hrs to make it to the summit and back, so we need an ample amount of time on our hands.  Also, leaving early, you can enjoy some spectacular sunrise views in the Himalayas, which is one of the most appealing parts of the Goechala trek.  Keep your bags packed well in advance at night, so that you can return from the trek, have your lunch, and leave for lower campsites.

As we will reach the viewpoint by sunrise, most of our trek will be done during the night, so the trekkers should make sure that they are carrying their head torch. We will start on the trail towards Samiti Lake, which will take about an hour. From here, there is a very steep ascent towards Goechala View Point. The viewpoint is located at an altitude of 15,100 ft, so you will have a strenuous uphill climb. Follow your trek leaders advice.

The distance of Goechala viewpoint from Lamuney is about 5 km and it takes about 3 hours to make the climb through the steep ascent, however, the time depends on the speed and agility of the trekker. The climb to the ridge from Samiti Lake is a narrow trail so be cautious on the trail. By the time, you reach the viewpoint, the sun will begin to rise. Behold the magnificent view of the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga and some other distant paks in their snow-covered glory, before we start our descent back towards Lamuney and Thangshing. You can spot some major peaks like North & South Kabru, Kabru Dome, Pandim, Gocha Jupano, Sinvo, and Tenzing Khang. The beautiful sunrise view paired with the accomplishment of finally having summited the peak will leave you speechless and surely makes for one of the most rewarding experiences.

After admiring the beautiful sunrise and spending some time at the Goechala viewpoint, we will begin our descent towards Lamuney and further below if the weather permits. Back at Lamuney, we will enjoy a hot lunch, and depending on the weather we will trek down to either Thangshing or Kokcharang. You will call it a day after reaching Thangshing or Kokcharang campsite and sleep in your tents.

• Altitude: Thansing 3,900m/ 12,900ft Kokcharang 3,650m/ 12,100ft to Tsokha 3,000m/9,750ft
• Trek Distance: 16 km (7 hr approx.)
• Altitude Loss: 900m/ 3,150ft | 650m/ 2,350ft
• Kokcharang to Phedang: 12 km, gradual ascent, and descent through Rhododendron forest
• Phedang to Tshoka: descent for 5 km
• Packed lunch will be given

Today we will retrace our path back from Thangshing to Tshoka. The trek distance is approximately 16 km and takes about 7 hours to complete. The trek back to Tshoka can be steep in certain places and if you are doing it in the winter months, then some sections will be frozen in ice as well.  In spring you will find the path lined by Rhododendron blooms. Arriving in Tshoka, we will settle down in our overnight camps.

We will begin our descending journey early in the morning by 7 AM so that we can reach Tshoka in the evening before nightfall. Packed lunch will be provided to you. On our descent, the first destination we will reach is Phedang. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach Phedang. The trail on the way back is pretty direct without many diversions. 

We will make our way from one mountain to another through dense Rhododendron forests to descend further. The vibrant forest and the scenic beauty on the trail are quite enough to revitalize you. From here, there are no steep stretches and quite a pleasant walk and you will catch beautiful sightings of Mt. Pandim as you descend. 

At Phedang, we will take a short break, and have our lunch. The cool breeze and the melody of nature will soothe your senses as you gain the energy to trek down to your campsite. After taking adequate rest, we will begin descending to Tshoka through the same trail that we came and from here the distance to Tshoka is about 5 km. At Tshoka we will call it a night early so that you get enough rest as the next day is also a long walk back.

• Altitude: 5,670 FT
• Trek Distance: 15 km (8 hr approx.)
• Altitude Loss: 1,250m/ 3,950ft
• Complete descending route
• Packed lunch will be given

Today we will be descending, crossing the Prek Chu River and arriving at Yuksom. Arriving at Yuksom, we will check-in at a guest house and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Since the trek to Yuksom is mostly descending, it can put a little strain on your knees, so be mindful and maintain a steady pace.

The trek from Tshoka to Yuksom is about 15 km and ideally, it is covered in 7 to 8 hours. We will start the day early providing you a packed lunch to savor on the way.  We will follow the same trail while descending as we took while trekking from Yuksom to Tshoka.

This trail is quite scenic as well with the backdrop of the snow-clad Himalayas. There aren’t any steep turns on the trail, which makes it less tiresome and more enjoyable. We will pass through Bakhim and Sachen before crossing three iron bridges and finally trek to Yuksom.

From Sachen, the road becomes a little zig-zag and follows some ascends and descends as we gradually lose altitude. The final leg of the trek follows climbing a hillock, which can be a little strenuous considering the tiring journey but then it is just a few meters. After crossing the hillock, you reach the neighborhood of Yuksom again. Telecom networks will return as you reach Yuksom and you can get in touch with your friends and family. After reaching Yuksom, you can settle down in the guest houses, take a shower, have a wholesome dinner, and have a good night’s sleep.

For enthusiastic travelers, the option of exploring the town is still open. You can roam around, explore the local culture and learn about the heritage and history as well as their religious beliefs. The people in Yuksom are warm and friendly and interacting with them is always a pleasure. You can visit the monasteries or visit the local handicraft market to shop for souvenirs., a remembrance of the wonderful trek that you have just completed.

• Distance: 150 km (8 hr approx.)
• Reach NJP by 5:00 Pm

This is the last day of our expedition as you drive back from Yuksom to NJP. We will start the day early as a long drive awaits us for the day. After having a delicious breakfast at Yuksom, you will start your journey towards New Jalpaiguri. The distance from Yuksom to NJP is 150 km and will take 8 to 9 hours depending on traffic congestion and you will reach NJP by late evening.

Driving along the same scenic route that we came in, with the beautiful Teesta River flowing side by side, we will reach NJP in the late hours of the day. You can arrange for a night’s stay in NJP and then arrange your journey further. You can roam around in the local Hong Kong and Bidhan markets if time permits. You can shop local handicrafts and relish the local cuisine in the eateries. In your scheduled time, move onward on your further journey.