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Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling -
Manay Bhanjang
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Tonglu –
Garibas -
Sandakphu
– Phalut -
Rimbik – Pelling
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Pemayangtse – Yuksam
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Tsoska – Dzongri
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Thangshing
– Samity Lake -
Thangshing
– Lam Pokhari
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Martam –
Gangtok
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Delhi (TREKKERS
TREK) ( 23 Days)
 From Darjeeling hills where tea
plantations stretch as far as the eye can see, to Sikkim, an
ancient Himalayan kingdom of Tibetan culture, this trek offers
breath-taking views of the Himalayan range from Cho Oyo to
Kanchenjunga. At first through luxuriant rhododendrons, pines,
spruces and giants magnolias forests, then through green
meadows and yak pastures, the trek leads us towards east
Sikkim, close to the Nepali border.Along the Onglakhing glacier
moraines and Samity sacred lake, we climb up to Gocha La pass,
highlight of this magnificent itinerary, where we will savour
the breath-taking scenery of the Talung glacier and the
impressive east face of the third highest summit in the world,
Kanchenjunga (8586m). We are surrounded by Rathong (6679m),
Kabru (7338m), Talung (7349m) to the south, and Kirat Chuli
(7365m) and Pyramid Peak (7123m) to the north. The way ack via a
recently opened path, goes through lush green jungles overgrown
with lianas and orchids.
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Day 01
Arrive
Delhi, where you will be met and transfered to your
hotel.
 (Hotel B&B)
Day 02 Delhi – Bagdogra (by
plane) – Darjeeling (2130m) by car.
A 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.
Day 03 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.
Day 04 Darjeeling – Manay Bhanjang (
2134m. 1h 30) by car – Tonglu (3070m)
The trail overlooks the Bengali plain south, and we have
tantalising glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead, as we zigzag
through rhododendrons.
Day 05 Tonglu –
Garibas (2620m) in 4h.
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 06 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 07 Sandakphu
– Phalut (3600m) in 6h.
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 08
Phalut –
Raman (2560m) in 5h.
A pleasant descent through the
woods takes us to Gorkhey (2500m) then we climb up towards
Raman.
Day 09 Raman –
Rimbik (2280m) in 4h.
We pass through numerous
villages and cross the Sri Khola over a remarkable suspension
bridge.
Day 10 Rimbik – Pelling by car (9h)..
Day 11 Pelling – Pemayangtse – Yuksam by car (2h).
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 12 Yuksam - Tsoska (3030m) in 6h.
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 13 Tsoska – Dzongri (4020m) in 5h.
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 14 Dzongri – Thangshing (3930m) in 4h.
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 15 Thangshing
– Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h.
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 16 Samity Lake
– Gocha La (4940m) – Thansing in 7h.
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 17 Thangshing
– Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h.
After a steep descent, we climb
through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes.
Day 18 Labdang –
Tashiding (1740m) in 5h.
An
easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as
we descend.
Day 19Tashiding
– Martam by car (4h).
We visit the Tashiding
monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the
top of a hill set between two rivers.
Day 20 Martam –
Gangtok by car (1h).
En route we visit Rumtek
monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are
welcome to attend prayers. Afternoon at leisure in Gangtok.
Day 21 Gangtok –
Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi (by plane).
(Hotel B&B)
Day 22 At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your
international flight. (Hotel B&B)
Day 23
Transfer
to airport and fly back home. |
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