Trek to Goechala

Report to the base camp of the trek at Yuksom. At an additional cost, a pick-up from the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station can be arranged. Yuksom is a picturesque town located in West Sikkim and was once the capital of Sikkim. Overnight at Yuksom in guesthouse or homestay.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Yuksom.

Tonight you'll sleep in a cosy, clean guesthouse at Yuksom. Do make sure your phones, camera and spare battery packs are charged tonight, because you will be away from civilization for the next few days.

Yuksom marks the entrance to the Kanchenjunga National Park and on this first day of your trek to Goechala you will walk across open fields before entering the beautiful valley of the Rathong river. As you walk on, you will get a chance to appreciate nature at its best with oak, bamboo and coniferous forests as well as luxuriant ferns and delicate orchids that line the trail all along. The trek to Sachen (7250 feet) is approximately 4 hours. On reaching Sachen, you spend the night in a log hut to get a feel of a real homestay.

Overnight stay in a log hut at Sachen.

On reaching Sachen, you spend the night in a log hut to get a feel of a real homestay.

The trek from Sachen to Tshoka involves an altitude gain of 2450 feet which is a considerable amount and hence it is important to pace yourself. The total duration of the trek is 4 hours. After leaving Sachen, you’ll walk until you reach the bridge over the river Perk – a perfect spot for a photo. As you walk on, you will see prayer flags in the distance indicating the start of the Goechala trek trail. The trail involves walking through rhododendron and oak forests. On reaching Bakhim, you will take a break at the forest rest house for tea and snacks while enjoying the view of Yuksom Valley which is awe-inspiring to say the least. From here, after trekking for an hour you will reach your destination for the night. Overnight in trekkers’ huts located on the plateau.

Overnight stay in trekkers’ huts at Tshoka.

Today you'll begin to feel the charm of this landscape. Buddhist prayer flags line the bridges, and the forests surround you. Your campsite is at a height so you can expect some beautiful views.

The fourth day of the Goechala trek involves a 6-7 hour steep climb to 12,980 feet. Today, you will walk through rhododendron forests and the trail changes after half hour of trekking to a well-laid out path with wooden logs, making it easier on your legs. On reaching 12,000 feet, you take a well-deserved break and Phedang is the perfect place for that. After a quick lunch break, you will replenish your water supply and continue on to Dzongri. You’ll ascend to over 13,000 feet today, so you may experience some mild headaches and dizziness. Your instructor and staff are well-prepared for this, but do pace yourself, stay hydrated. After a long and exhausting trek, you can treat yourself to a delicious dinner and some well deserved rest on reaching Dzongri. Go to bed early, to prepare for the early start tomorrow.

Camp overnight amidst the mountains at Dzongri.

Tonight you'll camp on a large meadow, nestled amidst the peaks of the Kanchenjunga range.

Your day starts at 04:00 hrs, to give you enough time to make it to Dzongri summit. It's a short trek of about an hour to reach the top. As you trek, you’ll see the early rays of the sun shining through the mist, turning the slopes of Kanchenjunga gold, orange and pink. A hot cup of tea, 180 degree panoramic views and the company of your fellow trekkers make this morning one to remember. After witnessing this amazing sight, you will head back to the camp site at Dzongri. Here, you have the rest of the day to rest and relax.

Camp overnight amidst the mountains at Dzongri.

Tonight, after a tiring day, you'll come back to your familiar campsite at Dzongri.

Today you trek up to Lamuney. As you walk east, you discover beyond Dzongri lies the peak of Pandim that looms above Prek Valley. Nestled below the peaks are countless hanging glaciers and snowfields that are a testament to how high up you actually are. As you trek through a series of cairns, you are offered a glimpse of what is to follow on the remaining days of your Goechala trek. A steep descent through a rhododendron forest takes you to a boulder-strewn riverbed that leads to a bridge over Prek river. You follow the trail to reach the meadows at Lamuney.

Camp overnight in Lamuney.

You follow the trail to reach the meadows at Lamuney. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Prepare yourselves for a long and challenging day. You start the day before sunrise, heading up along a steep trail towards Goecha La. The view from here is absolutely breathtaking as you get to witness the grandeur of Mt. Pandim and Kanchenjunga. You’ve come a long way to get here, so enjoy your victory. After spending considerable time here, you start descending to Lamuney, and spend the night here.

Camp overnight in Kockchurang

Tonight you'll sleep at Kockchurang. Here you can choose to sleep in tents by the river, or sleep in a trekker's hut.

Today you begin your trek back home starting from Kockchurang to Tshoka. Today’s trek is mostly downhill and though your legs may be tired, the memories of this trip will carry you forward. A 6-7 hour trek later you will reach Tshoka where you will spend the night.

Camp overnight in Tshoka.

You'll be camping at Tsokha, with forests around, and the river flowing nearby.

A 6 hour trek takes you back to the base camp in the beautiful town of Yuksom which concludes all the walking for this trek to Goechala. Overnight in Yuksom.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse at Yuksom.

Today you'll be back in civilization again. Enjoy simple comforts like a hot bath and a soft bed, in your guesthouse in Yuksom.

Check-out of Yuksom in the morning. At an additional cost, a cab can be arranged for travel to the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Your trip ends here.

Your trip ends before nightfall.

Check-out of the guesthouse in Yuksom in the morning. Your trip ends here.