Kanchenjunga Trek : This trek begins from Pemyangtse through moss laden
forests, abounding in a varied flora and fauna ,through scenes of grazing yaks,
mountain sheep and settlements and villages. The trail leads through forested
areas of Sikkim particularly beautiful during the spring when the dendrons,
giant magnolias and a profusion of other flowers are in full bIoom Dzongri,
one comes face to face with a magnificent view of Mt Kanchenjunga. A rugged
terrain from Zemathang leads to Golcha La ( 5000 Mt.) , the point on the trek.
On the return journey from Zemathang one can keep an eye out for rare high altitude
pheasants and sheep.
Travel Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered : Delhi - Bagdogra - Gangtok - Yuksom - Bakkim - Dzongri
- Tsokha - Yuksom - Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Delhi
Grade: Moderate
Best time : March to April and October to November
Day
1 - Delhi - Bagdogra - Gangtok (1767 m ) :
Transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Bagdogra ,enroute view peaks
of Himalayas including Mt. Everest in good weather. Met on arrival , on to Gangtok,
the capital of Sikkim 1125 kms ( 5 hrs). The journey is refreshing and scenic.
We go along the river Teesta and arrive Gangtok late evening. Check into hotel.
Overnight Gangtok.
Day 2 : Gangtok :
After breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of Gangtok city with guide. Visit
the exotic orchid sanctuary. Sikkim, the vast orchidarium as it has been called,
has hundreds of varieties of orchids and rhododendrons. Rhododendrons are in
abundance from 2438 Mt. and above till the snow line sin tarting from 4876 Mt.
where junipers and rhododendrons struggle for existence on the gentler slopes
covered by the beautiful primulas and genitaris. We also visit the Enchy monastery,
the Dodrul gompa with a very large and ornate chorten. We take a stroll in the
quaint bazaar of the Gangtok town. After lunch, take the excursion to the world
famous Rumtek gompa 122 kms, the seat of the Karmapa Lama who heads the Kagyupa
sect of Buddhism. Tankhas and frescoes decorate the walls of this ancient monastery.
The style of the monastery, strictly traditional has been patterned on the lines
of the Lamasseries of Tibet. Overnight Gangtok.
Day
3 - Gangtok :
Full day excursion tour to Phodong monastery (40 kms). It was built by Chogyal
Gyurmed Nangyal in the 1st quarter of 18th century. Uphill from Phodong gompa
is the Labrang gompa. Below the road between Phodong and Labrang gompas are
the ruins of the third capital of Sikkim. Tumlong. Return to Gangtok late afternoon.
Overnight Gangtok.
Day 4 - Gangtok - Yuksom (1780 m ) :
After breakfast drive to Yuksom ( 90 kms / 5 hrs ) It is a beautiful drive passing
through quaint little villages and towns, waterfalls, fields of barley and rice
etc. After the last climb, Yuksom is reached and is the place which has recorded
many a historic event. It was here that HH Funchok Namgyal was crowned by his
holiness, Gyalwa Latchen Thembo, the very man who brought Buddhism to Sikkim
in 1641. A table land of barley and apples, Yuksom provides beautiful vistas
of mini lakes with Himalayan background. Overnight camping.
Day 5 - Yuksom - Bakkim ( 2743 m ) :
The trail now runs through rich wooded hills abounding in flora and fauna going,
as it does, through moss-laden forests of oak , spruce , chestnut, fir, pines,
giant magnolias and rhododendron - a botanists' paradise. Not to be outdone,
the naturalist's can view hundreds of varieties of exotic birds, butterflies
and orchids. Among the animals are ,the Himalayan brown bear, black bear, barking
deer, sambar, marble cats, blue snip, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, Himalayan
wild goats, red pandas and musk deer at various altitudes. It takes 6 hrs before
the Bakhim forest bungalow is reached for the night.
Day
6 : Bakkim - Dzongri ( 4030 m ) :
Eight kilometers and six hrs away, each step to Dzongri leads to the world of
the famed Kanchenjunga massive. The steady and demanding climb passes through
gullies laid by grazing yaks and mountain sheep through Choka , a Tibetan resettlement
centre, and the last village passed on the way. Now, one begins to get the initial
view of the Sikkim snows. It is time for lunch and one has reached a picturesque
spot, Phittang ,after which the trail leads up right amidst an exclusive and
bewitching forest of rhododendrons to Deorali Dara the meeting place of men
and mountains - of God and nature. Here are the awesome views of the massive
ranges of the Sikkim mountains and its peaks. These granite peaks with a thick
hood of ice offer the most fascinating and awe-inspiring views of the mountains.
Straight ahead is the third highest peak in the world - the legendary Kanchenjunga
in all its celestial height and glory, while on either side smaller peaks bow
down in reverence. The spectacle at dawn and dusk tinted in softest hues, is
one never to be missed, a supernatural vision of ethereal beauty. Camp in tents
or yak huts.
Day 7 - Dzongri :
Explore this beautiful locale, spell binding view of Mt Kanchenjunga at sunrise.
Overnight camp.
Day 8 - Dzongri - Tsokha :
We start the descent back and camp at the last village passed earlier, Tsokha,
a quaint village with a small gompa. Overnight camp.
Day 9 - Tsokha - Yuksom :
A leisurely walk of about 5 hrs brings us back to Yuksom. The meeting place
of the three saints where one can pause and get a full taste of the charms of
Sikkimese rural life. Overnight camp.
Day
10 - Yuksom :
This day is for leisure in the lap of mother nature. We take a leisurely walk
upto the Dubdi gompa built in a hill top in 1700. Overnight camp.
Day 11 - Yuksom - Darjeeling :
After breakfast drive to Darjeeling which takes about 6 hrs. We proceed with
packed lunch. Arrive Darjeeling, travelling through beautiful tea gardens. Check
into hotel. Overnight Darjeeling.
Day 12 - Darjeeling :
After breakfast, we proceed to sightseeing tour of the city with guide. Visit
the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute ,the bazaar , etc. After lunch we visit
a beautiful tea garden and the factory and see the process this wonderful brew
of the orient goes through. Overnight Darjeeling.
Day 13 - Darjeeling :
Early morning visit the Tiger Hill at sunrise to see the beautiful sunrise over
Mt. Everest. On the return we visit the Ghoom monastery. Afternoon visit the
Tibetan Handicraft Centre, Overnight Darjeeling
Day 14 - Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Delhi
Transfer to Bagdogra to board flight IC 879 for Delhi at 5 P.M. Arrive Delhi.
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