Darjeeling Singalila and Sikkim Goechala Combined Trek - 18 Days

We welcome you at Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri and bring you to Darjeeling. Drive past Assam tea plantations and little villages along the way. Admire the rolling hills as we rise above the clouds through the brilliant green landscape. Lying on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for Westerners and Indians alike. Overnight at a hotel in Darjeeling.

Start your journey with a refreshing drive from Darjeeling to Rimbeek. Rimbeek is a small hamlet packedwith natural serenity and aura. You are bound to imbibe energy by breathing in the fresh mountain air.Once in Rimbeek, your trail will commence. You will trek to Gurdum following the path across the blackforests.

Gurdum is a small village and undoubtedly a pocket of happiness. On your way, you will be gifted with some of the best views of mountains, variegated rhododendrons, and lush green forest.

Today, you will take a steep climb to Sandakphu. No words will ever suffice the beauty of Sandakphu. From this ridge, you will witness 4 out of the 5 highest mountain peaks in the world namely Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.

Day 4 will take you to Phalut. Phalut is the second highest peak of Singalila ridge after Sandakphu. It lies at an elevation of 11,900 ft and is a haven for adventure junkies. The trail helps explore the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Phalut rests amidst the charm of natural scenery and the snow-capped mountain peaks are a faithful friend of the place. With its surreal and extraordinary beauty, Phalut offers tranquility and peace to those who seek solitude and calm.here is Phalut trekker’s hut, where we stay for the night. Because of the remoteness of this area, there are no guest houses or homestays. Anyways, the place has an amazing view!

Stepping out of the hut as the sun rises, you are reminded of what a gorgeous place we are in. The valley below us is filled with clouds, while the mountain peaks shine in the distance. Upon leaving last night’s “campsite,” we temporarily say goodbye to the awesome views of Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalaya. Head down through lush rhododendron and magnolia forests, finding peace with the singing birds. Eventually, we reach Gorkhey and stay at a pleasant, family-owned guest house

After breakfast, begin today’s journey. We hike through a village called Samandin and and after about 5 hours, we reach Ramam. Here, the trail reaches a junction of two streams called Gorkhey Khola – a sight so perfect, it could be on a postcard. Keep going to Timburey, where we stay at Saumbu Homestay, run by a local Tamang family. During dinner, learn about the culture and lifestyle of locals while cooking food with them – a valuable experience!

The last day will help you traverse through Srikhola, another exotic destination. Srikhola nestles amidst wild growths of magnolia, chestnuts, oaks, pines, and birches. A river runs through the place making it cooler and vibrant than usual. Seep in the extraordinary scenery and mesmerizing view of the landscapes. You may also witness wild birds and exquisite animals. In short, the experience is bound to transfer you into an entirely different cosmos. Finally, drive back to Darjeeling. In the evening, rest, refresh, and wander around if you would like. Overnight in hotel.

After the trek, one mustexperience the novelties of Darjeeling. After breakfast, begin a fun day of sightseeing. We visit Observatory Hill, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the famous Everest Museum. Of course, we visit the Toy Train, an UNESCO World Heritage site. Another famous spot is the Padam Naidu Zoological Park, where you’ll see the rare Red Panda, as well as the Himalayan Black Bear and Royal Bengal Tiger. In the afternoon, see the Tibetan Self Help Center and the nearby Happy Valley Tea Garden to taste Darjeeling’s world famous tea. Later, we can visit Dali Gompa/Monastery (also known as the Druk Thupten SangagChoeling Monastery). If the timing is right, sit in the monastery and listen to the monks as they pray. In the evening, wander around the main marketplace. Overnight in hotel.

after your early breakfast The adventure begins! A 7 -hour jeep ride takes us to the quiant village of Yuksoom ,Pass beutifull tea plantations and tiny villages along the way The road goes via Teesta, Malli, Jorethang and Tashiding.

Yuksoom is a the historical town is a gem in West Sikkim. Established in 1642, Yaksum used to be the capital of Sikkim. The long, rich history is being continued by the culturally distinct Bhutias, who make up the majority of Yaksum’s population. For trekkers and adventure lovers, the town is notable because it is the gateway to Kanchenjunga National Park.

Today marks the beginning of our Sikkim Kanchenjunga Goechala Trek. Walk gently uphill along the Rathong river gorge, through a lively jungle of magnolia, rhododendron, fern, and several varieties of orchids. Listen to the chirping birds, occasional monkey, and the sound of the wind in the trails – the ultimate feeling of peace. After ascending a bit more, reach Tshoka, a Tibetan refugee settlement. Overnight in tent camp.

Take a steep climb after leaving Tshoka through vibrant rhododendron forests. The trail is very well-maintained. Take a rest in Phedang, and continue, progressing past the 4,000-meter mark. The lush vegetation gets sparser throughout the day. We set up our camp in Dzongri in the afternoon and, if you have the energy, we continue climbing briefly up to a meadow with crisp views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Simvo, and Pandim. This quick hike helps our bodies prepare for the following days. Overnight in tent camp.

Dzongri is a perfect place to spend an extra day acclimatizing. There are smaller peaks within walking distance of our campsite, so we can climb those to help our bodies acclimatize. We keep going high throughout the following days, so we want to be as prepared as possible for that. If you have interest in making the hikes for the sunrise and/or sunset views, this is the best time to do it! Overnight in tent camp. 

Take breakfast and begin another day of ascending through gorgeous landscapes. Reach a ridge at about 4,115 meters (13,500 feet) for unreal views of Kanchenjunga and Pandim while experiencing the charming chhortens and prayer flags – signs of Tibetan Buddhism. Take some photographs and descend towards Pandim and even further through rhododendron forests to the Prek Chu River at 3,749 meters. Take lunch in the peace and quiet and take a deep breath. Enjoy the splendid scenery of the Sikkim Kanchenjunga Goechala Trek. After lunch, cross a river and slowly ascend for an hour and a half through pine trees to a nice camping spot. Above us lies the majestic, unclimbed Pandim peak. Overnight in tent camp.

It’s an easy hike today, though the high altitude wear on us a little bit. We must not overdo ourselves, as tomorrow will be the most difficult (but rewarding) day of our trek. Walk alongside the Prek Chu River. Soon, we reach the sacred Samiti Lake, an emerald-green body of water nestled amidst the brightly colored, wind-town prayer flags. Overnight in tent camp. 

Today is the big day! To maximize the changes of good weather, we leave early in the morning. Besides, the views are best during this time. Ascend the hill behind the lake and then traverse the glacial moraine. Above Samiti Lake, the area that we are trekking on, is called the Zemathang Plateau. Hike across the plateau under the shadow of Pandim, and climb up to a height of 15,700 feet. Look down at a majestic snowy and icy glaciated lake. From here, it’s an hour to the Goechala Pass. Traverse the well-trodden path to the pass, which is decorated with bright-colored prayer flags. Sit in awe at the view of the world’s highest mountain range, and glacial valleys in the distance. Descend all the way to Kochrung, today’s destination. Overnight in tent camp. 

Get up in the early morning and check out the sunrise view from a ridge behind our campsite. Here are awesome views of Kanchenjunga and behind us is the Goechala Pass. Departing our campsite, we take a fresh route back towards the trailhead. Hike down to the Prek Chu and weave around the jungle to arrive to Phedang. Stop for a lunch of snack before steeply descending to Tshoka. It’s a long day so take it easy in the evening. Overnight in tent camp.

Make the final day of the trek a memorable one! Be present as you hike through the lush landscape. It’s the same route as we took on the first day of the trek, but after many days, it seems fresh. Enjoy any scenery you missed on the first time around. In Yuksam, we check into our hotel and rest or explore the rest of the day. Overnight in hotel. 

After breakfast, our team transfers you to Bagdogra airport or NJP Train station for your next destination. Thank you for taking the Sikkim Kanchenjunga Goechala Trek with Ashmita Trek & Tours! We look forward to seeing you again.