Sikkim Treks

Mid Apr 2009 (18 days) India's Sikkim Trekking (Dzongri-Goechala Trail)
Approximately Rm4700 (10-12 pax group), Rm4500 (14 pax) & Rm4400 (16 pax and above)

Update 15 Oct 08- Note that on trekking days, group will be accompanied by local guides, a kitchen crew and horsemen. There will also be packhorses carrying the equipment including main luggages. Group member will carry a day pack with snacks, lunch pack, water, cameras and jackets and fleece. This is similar to our Indian Himalayas Bhapa Pass trekking trips. We also use jeeps for Sikkim as the roads are too narrow for buses.

Some members from Sikkim April08 extend to Bhutan after the trip. Please let us know if you keen to extend to Bhutan.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit (for Sikkim trekking one must be fit), with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!

View of Kangchenjunga from Goechala

Small but beautiful, Sikkim is situated in the eastern Himalayas . The state is spread below the Mount Khanchendzonga (8534 mts), the third highest mountain in the world, and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. With an area of 7,300 sq km and measuring approx. 114 km from the north to south and 64 km from east to west, the elevation ranges from 300m to over 8540m above sea level. Amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers, hills, Sikkim offers her visitors a rare and spectacular experience. Within a matter of hours one move from the sub tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold rugged mountain slopes below year round snow-covered peaks.

Day 1 Kuala Lumpur Delhi: Fly Indian Airlines IC854 at 1135AM arriving 1615PM. Rest of day free to wander about Delhi's hip area in Conaught Circus. Overnight hotel.

Day 2 Bagdogra & Darjeeling 2134m: Fly domestic flight Air Deccan DN619 at 0900AM arriving Bagdogra at 1100AM. Transfer by jeeps to Darjeeling some 90km 2hr drive on a spectacular winding road through what is known as ‘tea heaven of the world'. Darjeeling 2134m grows some of the world's best teas. Darjeeling comes from the word Dorje Ling - meaning Thunderbolt Place. Afternoon free at leisure to enjoy the scenery around Darjeeling . Overnight hotel.

Day 3 Darjeeling sightseeing: Start 330AM for Tiger Hill 2590m, some 11km away, for breathtaking sunrise over the eastern Himalayas and great views of Mt Kangchenjunga 8598m. On clear days, Mt Everest 8848, Lhotse 8501m and Makalu 8475m are visible. We also visit Ghoom Gompa, locally known as Yaoghoeling Monastery tal of Sikkim. Rest of day we cover Padmaja Zoo with its snow-leopard breeding program, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refugee Centre and the local market. Overnight hotel.

Darjeeling "tea" town / Yoksum village

Day 4 Yoksum 1760m: Jeep on to Yoksum 5hr, ancient capital of Sikkim. The spectacular drive along narrow roads leads to remote valleys. Overnight hotel.

Day 5 Trek Day One Tshoka 3050m: Trek from Yoksum to Tshoka is 18km 6hr. We walk through dense forest of pine, which are found in abundance in lower altitudes. After crossing river Prek Chu it is straight 70 degree uphill climb to Bakhim. From Bakhim to Tshoka, the vegetation changes to magnolia trees and rhododendrons. Overnight tents.

Day 6 Trek Day Two Dzongri 4020m: It's a steep climb from Tshoka to Dzongri taking 5hr. This leads through dense forest of rhododendrons with much of the over 400 flowering plants of Sikkim . A popular viewpoint is Deorali Dara. We break the trek at Phethang before reaching Dzongri. At this elevation, vegetation is thin with small bushes and shrubs. A walk to Dabla Khang( DzongriTop) at dawn has magnificent views of the mountain ranges. Overnight tents.

Day 7 Trek Day Three Thansing 3930m: Trek from Dzongri to Thansing takes 4hr through more bushes and sparse vegetation. Its mostly level walking followed by a rapid descend of 100m to Prek River. This is our campsite that is surrounded by beautiful Mt Pandin and Mt Thansing. Overnight tents.

Close up view of Kangchenjunga / Bride near Yoksum

Day 8 Trek Day Four Samiti 4200m: A slow ascent of some 3hr takes us to Samiti Lake through thin vegetation. An easy day to prepare for the next difficult day. Located at the base of Mt Pandim with a small but beautiful lake, it also serves as our campsite. Overnight tents.

Day 9 Trek Day Five Goechala 4940m: Its 7hr return journey from Samiti to Goechala. We cross a sandy plain know as Zemathang and a moraine before reaching Goechala, for the close up views of Mt Kanchenjunga 8534m . Here we enjoy views of the southern face of the 3rd highest mountain in the world. We return to Lake Samiti and overnight in tents.

Day 10 Trek Day Six Cokchorung 3000m: We start our return trip with an easy trek of 4hr to Cokchorung, Overnight in tents.

Day 11 Trek Day Seven Tshoka 3050m: Its 5hrs gradual descend to Tshoka and our last night stay in tents.

Day 12 Trek Day Eight Yuksum 1760m: The final day of the Trek takes 6hr and brings us back to Yusum. Overnight hotel.

Day 13 Gangtok 1780m: We spend the morning relaxing in small village. Its also an opportunity for some to wake up late. Near Ravongla, we visit the Bonn Monastery. After lunch, we jeep 5hrs to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. This is also a popular hill retreat for holidaying Bengalis and other locals and a good place to relax, eat and shop. Ovenight hotel.

Day 14 Gangtok: Sightseeing covering Tashi view point, Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok. Visit lavishly decorated Tuk-La-Khang or Royal Chapel and perhpas the Orchid Santuaries housing some 454 species found in Sikkim. Overnight Gangtok.

Day 15 Bagdogra Delhi : Transfer by jeeps 4.5hr to Bagdogra for our domestic flight Spicejet SG882 to Delhi at 1405PM arriving 1755PM. Option to take local bus at own expense for a couple of hours in Connaught Circus.

Day 16 Delhi : Free and Easy at Delhi.

Day 17 Delhi to Kuala Lumpur : Morning Free and Easy at Delhi for final shopping and catch night flight 0050AM after dinner.

Day 18 Kuala Lumpur : Indian Airlines IC0853 at 0050AM reach Bangkok at 0610. Transit at 0720 arriving in Kuala Lumpur next day morning 1025AM Arriving Kuala Lumpur at 1025AM.

Mountain town Gangtok / Ghoom Tibetan Monastery

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Cost cover airfares, accommodation, Sikkim's permit fees and transport.
Not covered are Visa fees Rm160, airport taxes, entrances ticket and meals except for trekking days. Allocate about Rm160 for 8 days meals.
Guides/cooks accompanying group do expect tips. Yongo encourages group members to be generous but should of course, commensurate with their level of service rendered.
A deposit of Rm804 is payable to confirm your place.
Cost is subject to change if there's a significant changes in foreign exchange rates and/or airfares.

Email: rachelheng123@gmail or yongo@streamyx.com
Phone: Rachel 012 352 0868 or Lee Min: 016-220 9033
Address: No 19 Lrg Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur