Best Treks in Sikkim

Sikkim has abundant resources for an adventure loving enthusiast, and with 90% of it's land in the mountainous region of Sikkim Himalaya, there is no dearth for adrenaline boosting destinations. There is very less lowland in Sikkim and the few square Kilometer of lowland that Sikkim possesses lie in the South near the border with the State of West Bengal.  

Kanchenjunga the 3rd. Highest in the world and the highest mountain in India lie in Sikkim on the Northern Border with Nepal. The 1784 square Kilometer of beautiful landscape, lush forests from tropical to Alpine, deep river valleys, long stretches of high alpine meadows, Glaciers, snow fed rivers and the forest of 7000m tall snow topped peaks make up the Kanchenjunga National Park. 

This Bio-Diversity hot spot and the UNESCO world heritage site presents the best trekking routes in Sikkim, and these trekking trails more than often passes through some of the Best Trekking Destinations in Sikkim that gives an adrenaline junkie a life time of memories to cherish. In another word, Sikkim possesses in it's arsenal for an adventurist, the best trekking routes anywhere around in India, be it from one day treks to a week long trek, all you have to do is name it. 

Some of the Best Trekking Packages that Sikkim offers are the Goechala Pass Trek, Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Singalila Dzongri Goechala Trek, Green lake Trek etc.

Some words about the Best Trekking Routes and Destinations in Sikkim, India.  

Goechala Pass Trek :  This an eight days and an 80Km long trekking trail, the best week long Trekking Route in Sikkim. Moderate to Strenuous this trek starts from the historic town of Yuksom and also ends in Yuksom. A camping trek in Sikkim that goes right to the foot of the mighty Kanchenjunga on the Sikkim side of the border.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek : The 12Day long trek that encompasses on it's long journey the most uninhabited the best trekking destinations in Sikkim Himalayas. Though the trek route finally culminates at the foot of the Kanchenjunga at Goechala Pass. But in it's journey passes through the best trekking places in Sikkim.       

Singalila Dzongri Goechala Trek : This is also one yet another best trekking route in Sikkim that provides the best destinations along with the best views anywhere else in the Indian Himalayas. A beautiful long trek that shows  you the most uninhabited and the best landscapes that you can ever imagine existed in Sikkim.

Green Lake Trek : Can be called the utmost and the best wilderness trek in India. A trek route that runs along the border close to the Tibetan mainland to the Green Lake Basin at the edge of the Zemu Glacier. The Best Route for Trekking in India with the best trekking destinations in Sikkim. 

Green Lake Trek

 Green Lake Trek located in the remote Northern Part of Sikkim Himalayas adjoining the Tibetan Plateau with it's secluded trekking trail can be called a true wilderness Trek. Closed to the out side world and was opened only in the year 1999, this trek in North Sikkim is still very less explored. The apex of the Green Lake Trek in Sikkim is the Green Lake Basin and the Zemu Glacier which starts from the foot of Kanchenjunga. This is the highest point of this trek at an altitude of 5550m.

Who Can do this Trek ?  

Green Lake trek is a strenuous 12days trek that starts from the small town of Lachen (7000ft) and goes upto 5550m at Zemu Glacier. The twelve days journey passes through River Valleys, Forests and high meadows making it one of the most strenuous treks in the Indian Himalayas. But, after having said that it is fair enough to say a person with ability to walk for long hours and with a day or two of acclimatization can attempt  this most scenic trek in Sikkim.  

Best Time to do this Trek 

Best time suited to do this North Sikkim Trek is during the months of April and May when the temperature is very pleasant and the Flowering plants have sprung up. The Horizon may remain a little hazy for the mountain views but the will be compensated by the colorful rhododendron and wild flower blooms.

October to November is the other season recommended for the Sikkim Green Lake Trek when the surroundings are crisp and fresh and the air clean for the mountain views because of the just concluded monsoon season.

Trekking Formalities  

Trekkers will need a special permit to trek to Green Lake Basin as the Green Lake Area falls in the restricted zone. The Trek Permit for the Green Lake Trek in Sikkim will be issued by the Home Ministry, Government of India and will be issued to a registered company and for a minimum of two persons only. 

Brief Itinerary for Green Lake Trek 

Day 1 :   Short Drive to Zemu Bridge(6Km). Trek to Tallem (3300m). 
Day 2 :   Trek Tallem to Jakthang (3430m/8Km). 
Day 3 :   Trek Jakthang to Yabuk (3850m/12Km). 
Day 4 :   Trek Yabuk to Rest Camp (4500m/9Km). 
Day 5 :   Trek Rest Camp to Green Lake (4930m/8Km). 
Day 6:  Day Hike from Green Lake to Zemu Glacier. 
Day 7:  Trek Back to Yabuk. 
Day 8: Trek Back to Jakthang. 
Day 9:  Trek Back to Lachen. 

Goechala Pass Trekking in Sikkim

Sikkim Goechala Pass Trek

         Trek to the Foot of the 3rd.Highest Mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga

Dzongri View Point

Goechala Trek an Overview 

Goechala Pass Trek is an eight days of hiking in Sikkim to the Foot of the third highest mountain in the world Mount Kanchenjunga. A popular high altitude trek in Sikkim that ascents to the highest altitude of 4990m at Goechala Pass. Goechala Pass Trek in Sikkim is a once in a life time camping trek that takes you to the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga.

Sikkim is a small land locked state in India which once was a kingdom ruled by the Chogyals. It became a part of India in the early 70's. Bordered by Nepal Bhutan Tibet and the Indian State of  West Bengal on all its side. Sikkim is basically a Buddhist State and as a result one can find old monasteries dating back to 1700's. More than 60% of the land mass in Sikkim falls in the Himalayan mountain as a result there are a couple of high altitude treks concentrated in the Sikkim Himalayas. Goechala Pass Trek is one such popular high  trek in Sikkim. 

Yuksom is the trek head for the Goechala Trek and takes about 5hours drive from Gangtok. 

It is a small village on the fringes of the Kanchenjunga National Park with a concentration of few hotels catering mainly to trekkers embarking on the Goechala Pass Trekking in Sikkim. 

The Kanchenjunga National Park office is located at the entrance of the National Park leading to Dzongri. Every Trekker is required to pay the required fees here before proceeding on to Dzongri and beyond. It is mandatory for all participants to register with the local Police station and provide them with a fitness certificate issued by a competent authority.

Goechala Pass Trek Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 : Trek Yuksom to Bakhim. Overnight Tents.

Trek from Yuksom starts on a gentle level ground through lush green forests till Bakhim. It is advisable to proceed slowly on the first day, as one will be trekking from 1760m to 2828m and that is a gain of more than 1000m in a day. 

After an hours trek after lunch the Trek route is a straight uphill till Bakhim. Camp site is on small clearing above the guest house. Some trekkers proceed on to Tchoka a kilometer above. Tchoka is small settlement with a couple of trekkers hut and a small Monastery. 

Day 2 : Trek Bakhim to Dzongri. Overnight Tents.

Trek to Dzongri is 9Km on uneven ground through thick Rhododendron silver fur and magnolia forests of the Kanchenjunga National Park. One has to Trek slowly as the altitude gain is considerable, and If one is not sure than it is advisable to set up camp at Phedang, just below Dzongri. 

Lunch at Phedang and than a steep climb up the hill of one hour leads to Deorali Dara. A hillock where the uphill ends and then one enters the Dzongri Valley. On a clear day the Kanchenjunga Range starts looking mesmerizing from this point onwards. Gentle walk of about 3Km through the valley leads to Dzongri camp site. There is a very basic trekkers hut at Dzongri. 

Day 3: Rest Day at Dzongri. Overnight Tents.

Early morning trek to Dzongri Top for the views of the mountain range. From the view point at very close range is the Kanchenjunga Range. Return back to camp site for breakfast. After a brief rest took a side trek to Dzongrilla Pass.

Day 4: Dzongri to Thansing. Overnight Tents.

The 7Km Trek to Thansing starts on a level ground on alpine hill side. Trek from Dzongri to Thansing is an easy walk with only about three kilometer of gentle uphill after Kookrochoong. The mesmerizing sight of the Kanchenjunga Range in front makes this trek really pleasant. 

Thansing Valley

Day 5: Trek Thansing to Lamunee. Overnight Tents.

This is an easy 4.8Km Trek up the Thansing valley towards Samiti Lake. There are no trekkers hut in Lamunee except for a small shed constructed by the Kanchenjunga National Park for porters to take refugee from the cold mountain air. 

Goechala Pass (4990m)

Day 6: Trek to Goechala Pass and Back to Kookrochoong. Overnight Tents.

Early morning trek to Goechala started at 3am. with a cup of Tea and some biscuits. Today is the longest Trek of the 8Days Goechala Pass Trek. Total distance covered is almost 24Km (round trek). Since camping is prohibited beyond this area one has to reach Goechala Pass and return back to camp.  

Day 7: Trek Kookrochoong to Tchoka. Overnight Tents.

Trekking trail from Kookrochoong to Tchoka passes through dense Silver Fur Magnolia and Rhododendron forests. This is a pleasant walk in the forest until Phedang. Lunch at Phedang and then a slow downhill trek through forests and uneven track brings us to Tchoka. 

Tchoka Camp Site

Day 8: Trek Tchoka to Yuksom. Overnight Lodge.

13Km trek back to Yuksom is on the same track. 

Day 9: Drive back to Bagdogra Airport for Final Departure. End of Goechala Trek in Sikkim.


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Darjeeling Singalila Ridge Trek

Kanchenjunga Range seen from Sandakphu 

Darjeeling Singalila Ridge Trek also known as the Sandakphu Phalut Trek is a moderate to easy trek & is particularly popular with first  time trekkers and the entire trek route runs along the Singalila Ridge on the outer periphery of the Singalila National Park in Darjeeling Hills. Sandakphu at 3636m is the highest point in the Singalila Ridge. 

The High lights of the Sandakphu Phalut Trek in Darjeeling is the unobstructed views of Everest , Makalu, Lhotse, three sisters, the entire Kanchenjunga Range to the Jhomolari in Bhutan from Sandakphu and Phalut. The months of October and November is recommended for the clear mountain views. Trekkers take to the Sandakphu Phalut Trekking trail in numbers to witness the view of the Himalayan Range from these two vantage points. 

Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling is the only place in the world from where one can view the four highest peaks in the world. Hence, It’s an Honor to stand on the highest point in the singalila Ridge and feast at the sight of the four highest mountains in the world. Singalila National Park is also home to 19 Variety of Rhododendrons. Witness the riot of colors blanketing the entire hill sides during spring.

Darjeeling Singalila Ridge Trek also known as the Singalila Trek starts with a short drive of 45 minutes to Manebhanjyang Darjeeling & ends in Rimbik.On arriving at Manebhanjyang foreign trekkers will need to register with the Foreigners Registration office. Registration takes only about 30minutes.It is compulsary to hire trained & registered Guide from the Guides association. All visitors are required to register with the Park authorities and as well get the Trek Permit and pay the Park fees at the Park office. The Singalila National Park office is located at the far end of the town at the entrance of the National Park.

lengendry Land Rover

The 13Km Trek from Maneybhanjyang to Tongloo (3078m) starts with a uphill climb of 3Km till Chitray. Chitray is a small settlement on the Nepal side of the Trek route with a Buddhist  monastery and a school for the monks. A brief halt for a cup of tea after a steep climb seems to rejuvenate the sences. 

The 4Km  easy  trek takes us to Lameydhura the lunch spot for the day. Lameydhura is a collection of a couple of houses and three tea houses. 

Lamedhura to Megma is a gentle 4KmTongloo is on a hill top and the Mountain scenery is worth the climb. The Trekkers hut at Tongloo provides Basic accommodation and Basic Food.

Tongloo Trekkers Hut

Trek from Tongloo to Kalipokhari (15Km / 3001m) starts with a gentle downhill trek of 2Km  to Tumling. Tumling is on the Nepal side & has a number of lodges run by local families. A Kilometer further on is the National Park Check Post & Permits are checked here. There are two paths leading to Gairibas. One on the Indian Side and the other on the Nepal side. The Trek route on the Nepal side is shorter and more interesting. 

Village of  Jaubari 

The route passes through small hill side village of Jaubari  and finally a rough downhill 2Km  trek to Gairibas. A short rest for a cup of tea seems to help in easing the pain of the downhill trek. Foreign trekkers will have to register here too at the defense post.2Km of uphill and a kilometer of level ground leads us to Kayakatta our lunch spot of the day. 

Kayakatta is a collection of four or five houses where every household caters to the needs of the Trekkers. Gentle 4Km trek on a jeepable track takes us to Kalipokhari. This place is named after a lake which is situated at the entrance of this small village. 

Kalipokhari is a slightly bigger place with a number of lodges on the Nepal side of the border. There are no lodges or Trekkers huts on the Indian Side. Only a lone Defense post is on the Indian Side and here too like in all other defense posts foreign trekkers will have to register their passport details.

Kanchenjunga Range from Phalut

It takes about 3Hours for an average trekker moving at their own pace to cover the distance of 6Km to Sandakphu (3636m) from Kalipokhari. First 2Km till Bikhaybhanjyang is on level ground then the remaining 4Km is uphill till Sandakphu. Sandakphu has three Trekkers huts run by the Gorkha Territorial Administration, three private lodges run by local families & three Government Guest houses. There is a fairly big concentration of defence post here in Sandakphu. Of the three private lodges two are on the Nepal side of the Trek route and one is on the Indian Side. 

Climb a small hill for the spectacular view of Sunset & sunrise on  the Himalayan Range. Sandakphu at 3636m is the highest point on the Singalila Ridge. Hence, one can get unobstructed views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu  to Kanchenjunga Range to the Jhomolari in Bhutan. 

The months of October, November & December are the best time to view these Majestic Himalayas. Sandakphu is the only place in the world from where one can view the four Highest Mountains in the world.

The 21Km  long trek to Phalut (3582m) is gentle and passes through meadows. On a clear day this an interesting day for a trek as one gets 180Degree panoramic views of the snow clad Himalayan Range as one lumbers along the trek route till Phalut.After  every bend and turn one can expect  picture perfect  Himalayan vista for your eyes to feast on. 

It is advisable to start the trek after an early breakfast. First because the distance is long and secondly, It can get a bit windy. The trek route from Sandakphu to Phalut is bereft of any tea houses. There is a Park office at Sabargram ,14Km from Sandakphu this works as an office and a Tea house for Trekkers. There is a lone trekkers hut 2Km below  Sabargram at Molley. One can even break the trek here and stay at Molley for the night. 

On a clear autumn evening make it a point to climb the 30minutes uphill to the Phalut top. The colors of the setting sun painted on the Himalayan Range is spectacular. Likewise climb to the Phalut view point during sunrise you will not regret having taken up the trouble to trek up in the cold. Be prepared with a Goretex Jacket as it gets very windy at the top.

The 15Km trek to Gorkhay Village is all the way downhill through Rhododendron, Silver fur and Phalut coupled with the long trek downhill.

Bamboo grove Forest. Gorkhay is a small agricultural village comprising of a collection of few houses on the fringes of the National Park at the border with Sikkim. Gorkhay is a warm place after the windy stay at Phalut.The warm food and a dip in the river nearby  rejuvenates the senses after the cold night at

There is Government Trekkers Hut and three lodges run by local families. The Rooms in the lodges are small but clean with attached washroom and restroom. Eden lodge is particularly friendly and clean. This lodge even has it’s own electricity by means of a small generator.

The Days Trek of about 14Km to Timburey from Gorkhay passes through small villages of Samamdin and Ramam. These are all agricultural villages on the fringes of the Singalila National Park. First 2Km of uphill through pine forest  leads us to Samamdin meaning “Lost Valley”. This place has been aptly named the “Lost Valley” as it lies in the middle of Jungle on a flat land of 2Acres only. There is a Government primary School and a lodge belonging to the forest Department. The National Park authorities have been encouraging sustainable tourism for the livelihood of the local people here. Hence, you will find a couple of homestays and a camping ground for the adventurous.

Next 2Km downhill till the riverbed and a gentle 4Km uphill trek through oak and walnut forest to Ramam. Ramam is basically a big village as compared to other villages on this Sandakphu Phalut Trek route. Lunch and a short rest at Ramam and then a gentle 8Km trek through Ramam village to Tumburey for the night. Timburey also on the fringes of the Singalila National Park is a small village comprising of a couple of house holds. The Park authorities have been encouraging sustainable eco tourism to these house hold. Therefore there are a couple of Homestays that caters to the needs of the Trekkers who happen to trek by.

The short 10Km/3Hours or so of trek to Rimbik with a 3Hours jeep drive back to Darjeeling ends the Sandakphu Phalut Singalila Ridge Trek in Darjeeling. The Drive back to Darjeeling leads us to Manebhanjyang and further on to Darjeeling.

To sum it all up. Sandakphu Phalut Trekking in Darjeeling is an easy to moderate Trek. Views of the Majestic Himalayas are a treat to the eyes, especially from Sandakphu and Phalut. Accommodation in the lodges are basic (considering the circumstances) but clean with common restroom and washroom. Food is simple and only vegetarian food is available on the entire trek route. There is no electricity in all the places of stay. Lodges have solar lightning. Camera batteries should be fully charged from the hotel in Darjeeling. The Trekkers hut in Sandakphu have provision for Charging the Phone and camera batteries for a sum of money.

The Singalila National Park is home to the endangered Red Pandas.The Red Pandas are bred in captivity in the Zoological Park in Darjeeling. These furry and docile animals are then brought & rehabilitated in the Jungles of Singalila National Park. Other animals are also protected in this Park. There are common Leopards, Himalayan sloth Bear, wild dogs and number of Deer living in the Singalila National Park. There is rehabilitation center for Red Pandas at Gairibas. In fact the rehabilitation of the Red Pandas have been quite successful in this National Park.

Best time to Trek in the Sandakphu Phalut Region is from October to December. This is immediately after the three months of monsoons. Hence, the skies are clear all day long and the Mountain views are splendid. Trekking can also be done from March to May. During this period one can see the profusion of colors from the flowering Rhododendrons all over the hill sides. The Singalila National Park is closed to visitors from 15th.June to  15th.September.This is because of the breeding season of the Red Pandas.

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