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The Goechala Trek has been the holy grail for trekkers to come close to some of the highest Himalayan peaks since the Nepalese Civil War.
From the summit of the Goechala Trek, you can witness not only one but 14 majestic snow-clad peaks! Even a complete newbie can tell just how big of a deal that is!
Besides giving you an unobstructed view of the third highest peak in the world (Mt. Kanchenjunga), your eyes are met with the splendid Singalila ranges. The trail to the pass is no less gorgeous than the pass! Adorned with mystical forests, serene lakes, and exotic flora and fauna, this trek will surprise you and keep you at the edge of your seats for the most part,
Situated at a jarring altitude of 4572 m, this trek requires prior experience and knowledge. The climb to the pass is challenging and too overwhelming for a beginner.
The best time to plan your Goechala Trek is in the fall season. Between September – November, the weather is on our side, pleasant and clear enough to get a panoramic view of the snow-clad peaks! Although if you’re a flower lover or a bird enthusiast, spring is the best time to do this trek.
Yuksom, Sikkim
4 P.M.
Distance: 150 Km
Time Taken: 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 1,780 m (5,840 ft)
The meeting point for our trek to Goechala is in Siliguri.
Once all trekkers have assembled at Siliguri, we will hit the road. A 150 km drive later, we will arrive at Yuksom, a quaint hamlet in Sikkim.
Yuksom is like a pandora’s box full of wonders, so if we reach here early, we can explore this fascinating little town!
Get a good night’s rest at a local guest hotel.
Distance: 7 Km
Time Taken: 5-6 Hours
Altitude: 2,195 m (7,200 ft)
The trek starts on the second day. From Yuksom, we will move towards Sachen.
Although the trail will take us through dense forests, the warm sun will make a special appearance here and there, along with some pristine streams and waterfalls.
The change in landscape will be brief and fleeting, so pay extra attention! You don’t want to miss out on any of the marvelous views!
So even though we will initially trek through the thriving fields of Yuksom, soon, the landscape will shift and open up to the breathtaking Rathong Valley!
On our way, we will also cross three suspension bridges. How exciting! It’s a gradual climb with a few ups and downs.
Our campsite for tonight, Sachen, is a small forest clearing with a cozy wooden shelter and a forest hut!
Very close to Sachen, the Prek river flows! Although it’s barely visible from our campsite, the river bubbling and gushing will keep you company and ensure a sound sleep!
Distance: 5 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hours
Altitude: 2,900 m (9,500 ft)
Our destination for Day 3 is Tshoka.
The trek to Tshoka initiates smoothly and descends sharply later to another gorgeous suspension bridge over the Prek river adorned with colorful Buddhist prayer flags.
After a short break here, get ready for a steep climb!
What keeps us motivated is the enchanting forest! During the full bloom in spring, this forest comes alive with vibrant rhododendrons, and during the autumn months, the majestic oak trees adorn themselves in warm hues of red, orange, and sienna!
We will make a pit stop at Bakhim, another lovely camping spot by the forest!
After a nice break, we will resume our climb to Tshoka. This campsite is home to an ancient monastery, which will surely soothe your soul!
On reaching our destination, we will first set up our tents and then take a short acclimatization walk to the monastery.
If the weather is on your side, you will get a fantastic view of the magnanimous Pandim and other adjacent peaks!
Rest up and recharge your energy; you will need it for the next few days.
Distance: 8 Km
Time Taken: 7-8 hours
Altitude: 3,970 m (13,000 ft)
Besides the summit day, the trek from Tshoka to Dzongri is one of the most challenging as the entire trail is riddled with steep climbs, and there is no water source to refill your bottle or hydration pack until you reach Dzongri campsite. So prepare yourself accordingly.
We will be ascending a whopping 1000m within a single day! So, we should not rush ourselves and pace the trek carefully.
The trek starts into the forest, our path studded with wooden logs and rhododendrons, but a few hours later, we will find ourselves in the beautiful Phedang.
Sacred prayer flags hanging all around the place with a wooden hut and a gorgeous view of snow-blanketed mountains! The temptation to make a pit stop here is real!
And that’s precisely what we are going to do! We will take an extended break to refill our energy and fully appreciate the serene beauty.
Our campsite, Dzongri, is still a long way from Phedang, so buckle up and hang in tight for the steepest climb of the day.
Don’t forget to layer on warm jackets because the drop in temperature is drastic, accompanied by bone-chilling gushes of wind!
On reaching Dzongri, get some much-deserved rest!
Distance: 7 Km
Time Taken: 5-6 Hours
Altitude: 3,704 m (12,150 ft.)
Our 5th day starts very early! At 4 am, we make our way to the Dzongri Top, where a delightful surprise awaits us!
If the weather conditions are right, you will get the ‘golden’ opportunity to view a gorgeous sunrise over the imposing peaks of Kanchenjunga and Singalila!
The silvery peaks will now seem like precious molten gold as the first rays of the sun hit the snow! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so keep your cameras ready!
After a short breakfast, post sunrise, we will head towards Thansing. Compared to Dzongri, the altitude of Thansing is lower, and the trail is also considerably more straightforward.
Initiating with a brief climb, you reach the Dzongri meadows. If the weather stays on our side, this comfortable walk along the soothing sunlit green Dzongri meadows with a contrasting panorama of snow-clad peaks overlooking the entire landscape will be etched in your memory forever.
After a few ups and downs, a very sharp and long descent will test your knees as you enter the forest again, and soon you’ll be greeted with the roaring Prek river we last saw on the 3rd day while crossing the last suspension bridge. With a wooden hut for shelter, this out-of-the-dream place is Kokchurang. Take some rest here and regain your energy. Next, carefully follow your guide to cross the river the right way, and finally, with some gradual climbs along the Prek River, we will soon reach Thansing, our abode for the night!
Alongside the Prek river, situated right at the foot of Mt. Pandim and surrounded by high mountains, this campsite seems like a grand amphitheater.
Distance: 2 Km
Time Taken: 2-3 Hours
Altitude: 4,150 m (13,615 ft)
Day 6 is yet another easy day. Our trail for today is mostly flat stretches of land.
It will only take 3-4 hours to reach our campsite Lamuney.
However, our day does not end here. The crystal clear lake of Samiti is only half an hour from Lamuney.
Why not utilize our time to sneak a peek at this pristine lake? If you are lucky enough, you can even catch a glance of mountain goats and hilly bluebirds!
After spending quality time by the lakeside, we will go back to Lamuney, as camping by the lake is prohibited.
Tuck yourself in and catch some shut-eye. The next day is going to be exhilarating!
Distance: 7 Km
Time Taken: 8-10 Hours
Altitude: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)
The 7th and the most exciting day of the Goechala Trek! The summit day!
Our trek will start before the break of dawn! This ensures we can witness yet another spellbinding sunrise at the Viewpoint! So, be sure to carry your flashlights and head torches!
Once you reach the viewpoint right in time for the sunrise, your tireless efforts will all seem worth it!
As the sun paints the sky with a striking shade of crimson, yellow, and orange, watch closely as the snow on the Kanchenjunga transforms from a milky white to a heavenly gold right in front of your eyes!
This view is sure to stay fresh in your memory forever!
After soaking in the surreal summit view, we will go down to Thansing. The trail is not exceptionally difficult.
Besides, your heart will be so accomplished that this will seem like a piece of cake!
Rest at Thansing for the night.
Distance: 12 Km
Time Taken: 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 2,900 m (9,500 ft)
Today’s trek is yet another surprise.
From Thansing, we’ll descend to Kokchurang the same way, and then we’ll enter the mystical forest of Kokchurang, skipping Dzongri altogether.
The trail is a roller coaster of ups and downs, but the beautiful and charming forest will keep you mesmerizing at every turn.
After a tiring but lovely forest ride, we will reach our familiar site Phedang. From here, it’s now the same trail we climbed up all the way.
It’s a long and steep descent, so we will take it nice and slow to ensure we don’t overwork our bodies. On reaching Tshoka, we can retire for a good night’s sleep!
Distance: 12 Km
Time Taken: 7-8 Hours
Altitude: 1,780 m (5,840 ft)
The continuous descent from Tshoka to reach Yuksom can take a toll on your knees. But you can pull through! Remember, this is our final descent for the trek!
Caution! There are many shortcuts here and there inside the forest, which can be tempting but intimidating. So, better stay on the trail.
We will have to ascend a few times just before reaching Yuksom, after which we will spend the last night of our trek in a guest house or hotel.
Distance: 150 Km
Time Taken: 6-7 Hours
Altitude: 120 m (395 ft)
On the 10th day, it’s time for the Goechala trek to end. We will drive to Siliguri and part ways there.
We all feel a bit glum as the adventure is over. But let’s not frown too much! Only when one adventure ends can the next one begin!
So, this is not goodbye! We hope to meet you again really soon for another enthralling trek!
All participants are expected to be confident that they are physically and mentally fit and able to complete the itinerary of their chosen event as defined in the itinerary.
Any minors between 10 and 17 years of age must accompany their parent or guardian who assumes full responsibility for them to participate in the adventure activity or event. Any unaccompanied, underage minor will not be allowed to participate in the adventure activity.
You can make your booking at our website www.advenchar.com or you can contact us at hello@advenchar.com.
You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking with us. After the booking, our team will send you a confirmation of the booking.
We understand that you may have to change your travel plans due to the Covid-19 situation, so considering this we have introduced a Book Now, Pay Later facility for all the participants. However, you will be required to pay the full amount at least 15 days prior to the departure date.
If you wish to cancel/modify your existing booking, you can do so by logging in to www.advenchar.com, and pay through the dashboard or you can drop us a mail at hello@advenchar.com with all the details of your booking, and we’ll cancel it for you.
You can claim a 100% refund if you choose to cancel your booking before 15 days. The refund will primarily be in the form of a voucher valid for 12 months. You can also opt for a cash refund provided the booking is not part of a promotional offer or a coupon code provided by Advenchar.
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