Darjeeling - Manay Bhanjang - Tonglu - Garibas - Sandakphu - Phalut - Raman - Rimbik - Pelling - Pemayangtse - Yuksam - Tsokha - Dzongri - Thangshing - Lamuni - Goecha La - Thangshing - Lam Pokhari - Labdang - Tashiding - Martam
Day 01: Delhi – Bagdogra (by plane) –
Darjeeling (2130m) by car.
Arrive Bagdogra Airport and drive to Darjeeling, charming 4-hour journey,
through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built
on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination
for Westerners and Bengalis alike. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 02: Darjeeling Visit
We could take an early trip to Tiger Hill to see the sunrise. Afterwards we
visit the famous Ghoom monastery that enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha
(the coming Buddha). Later on we can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute and tea plantations. Overnight in Darjeeling.
Day 03 : Darjeeling – Manay Bhanjang (
2134m) by car – Tonglu (3070m)
Early morning drive from Darjeeling to Manay Bhanjang. The trail overlooks the
Bengali plain south, and we have tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead, as
we zigzag through rhododendrons.
Day 04: Tonglu – Garibas (2620m) in
4hours.
We take a mossy paved path, that snakesthrough a succession of forests and
hamlets, giving way, from time to time, to spectacular mountain sceneries.
Day 05: Garibas – Sandakphu (3640m)
in 4h 30 min.
We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhari. Afterwards we start
a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge that leads us to Sandakphu. A
remarkable 360 ° view from the top.
Day 06: Sandakphu – Phalut (3600m) in
6 hours
We walk to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise over the
Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyo. Throughout the day,
there are ever-changing views: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes
ringed with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the background.
Day 07: Phalut – Raman (2560m) in 5
hours.
A pleasant descent through the woods takes us to Gorkhey (2500m) then we climb
up towards Raman.
Day 08: Raman – Rimbik (2280m) in 4
hours.
We pass through numerous villages and cross the Sri Khola over a remarkable
suspension bridge.
Day 09 : Rimbik – Pelling by car (9 hours)
Day 10 : Pelling – Pemayangtse –
Yuksam by car (2 hours).
2.5 km from Pelling, we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery. Perched at 2800m,
it is one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim.
Day 11: Yuksam – Tsoska (3030m) in 6
hours.
The trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical forests.
Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan village of Tsoska. The
landscape has now changed into pine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get
excellent views of the entire Himalayan range and Kanchenjunga.
Day 12 : Tsoska – Dzongri (4020m) in 5
hours.
A steep trail zigzags up through temperate forest and large clusters of
rhododendrons, to the vast clearing of Phedang. During April and May, the
spectacle is gorgeous, as the land becomes a mass of flowers (400 species have
been listed so far). After 300m, we follow the ridge to Dzongri, a pasture area
for Yuksam yaks from April to October.
Day 13 : Dzongri – Thangshing (3930m)
in 4 hours.
We descend through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial Prek river. We
establish our campsite on the grassy pastures of Thangshing. The southern ridge
of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakhing glacier are visible directly ahead and there
are close-up views of Pandim.
Day 14: Thangshing – Lamuni (Samity
Lake) (4200m) in 3 hours.
A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and
rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakhing
glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samity lake, reputed to be the
sacred source of the Prek river. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects
Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other snow-capped peaks.
Day 15: Lamuni (Samity Lake) – Gocha
La (4940m) – Thansing in 7hours.
We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend on the
pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs steeply through
moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see
Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.
Day 16: Thangshing – Lam Pokhari
(4230m) in 5 hours.
After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes.
Day 17: Lampokhari - Kasturi (3,715m.) then overnight in camp.
Day 18: Katuri - Labdang (1,830m.) then overnight in Camp.
Day 19: Labdang – Tashiding (1740m) in 5 hours.
An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we descend.
Day 20: Tashiding
– Martam by car (4 hours).
We visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched
on the top of a hill set between two rivers.
Day 21: Martam/Rumtek – Gangtok by
car (1hour).
En route we visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art.
Visitors are welcome to attend prayers. Afternoon at leisure in Gangtok.
Day 22: Gangtok – Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi (by plane). (Hotel B&B).
Day 23: At leisure in Delhi and transfer to international flight. TOUR END.
We frequently arrange customized trip to fit your time schedule, and special requirements. We can design your trip in any region of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet & other part of India and the trips can range from 1 to several weeks. The minimum group size for a customized trip is 2 people. Just write to us at info@trekkingsikkim.com
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