Itinerary

Day 1

SILLIGURI / YOKSAM

We reach New Jalpaiguri/Bagdogra freshen up at Siliguri and drive to Yoksam (5,800 feet) a 06 hrs. drive . At Yoksom those who wish can walk up to Dubtek monastery (the oldest monastery in Sikkim) above the village. In Autumn, the magenta orchid Pleione praecox can be seen in flower on the trees around the monastery. There is a good view of the following day's walk up the heavily forested Rathong valley.

Day 2

TSOKHA

The first three days of the trek are mainly through forested areas, with plenty of interest for both botanists and birdwatchers. On the first day we walk along the valley crossing several small rivers amidst beautiful mixed forest. One of our favourite "house" plants, the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is much in evidence, rampaging to a great height up large tree trunks. There are many different varieties of orchid to found in this region, as well as rhododendrons. In the Autumn, maples make a fine display of colour across the river. After crossing the Prek Chu, we climb steeply to reach the village of Bakkim (9,150 feet), from where there is a fine view, looking back down the valley with ridge upon ridge of forested hills disappearing into the haze. A further climb brings us up to the fairly new Tibetan village of Tsokha, where we will camp with fine views of the mountains ahead, especially the distinctive peak of Pandim.

Day 3

DZONGRI

In the morning we walk through thick forest of rhododendron and fir, festooned with lichen and moss. At Phedang there is a large grassy clearing surrounded by rhododendrons, with Clematis montana climbing everywhere, where we will have lunch. A steep climb from Phedang brings us out of the forest at a vantage point where we get our first really good views of the main peaks of the Kanchenjunga range. From here the trail is quite easy, continuing through rhododendron scrub to Dzongri (13,000 feet) where we camp near a stream with Pandim still ahead of us.

Day 4

DZONGRI

Early risers can get up before dawn to climb to a vantage point on a ridge above the campsite to watch the sun rise on Kanchenjunga, Kabru, Pandim, Rathong, and many other peaks of the Kanchenjunga massif. We have a rest day here to help acclimatise, and those who wish can walk up to a pass and look down into the valley where the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has its base camp, with wonderful views of Kabru and the surrounding peaks.

Day 5

THANGSHING

After breakfast, we set off climbing steadily to another ridge (at around 14,000 feet), passing herds of yak amongst juniper scrub and rhododendron, which are mixed and burnt as incense by the local Buddhists. The trail then drops down through seas of rhododendrons, whose leaves are rolled up tightly on cold mornings, gradually unfolding as the sun warms them. After a steep descent, we cross the Prek Chu again into fine mixed forest and climb to our campsite at Thangshing (12,900 feet), a large grassy area with the valley opening up ahead and fine views of the mountains.

Day 6

TSOKHA


We return to Tsokha by a lower path avoiding Dzongri.

Day 7

YOKSAM

We walk back to Yoksam, following roughly the same route as on our way up.

Day 8

Enroute

We drive back to New Jalpaiguri/Bagdogra (6hrs.), for our onward journey .

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Medium size vehicle for arrival & departure transfers

Exclusions -

Any kind of expenses of personal nature i.e. camera fees, insurance, laundry, tips, portrages etc.

Extras -

Food: you will have to advice us in advance about the veg or non-veg preference. The entire cooking setup with cook goes with the trek team.