Itinerary
Our journey begins and ends at Yuksom, a small town in West Sikkim. From Yuksom, we will trek to Tshoka with an overnight break at Sachen. On Day 3, we will trek through the lush rhododendron sanctuary to Phedang and further to Dzongri. The next morning, we will trek to the Dzongri Top to experience the sunrise. On Day 5, we will start for the glacial valley of Thansing via Kokchurang and onwards to Lamuney the next day. From Lamuney, we will hike to the Samiti Lake. Day 7 marks our Goecha La ascent. The descent will bring us to Kokchurang, from where we will retrace our steps back and reach Yuksom on Day 9.
Day 1: Arrive at Yuksom
Arrive at Yuksom by late afternoon. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 2: Trek from Yuksom to Sachen (8 km)
We walk across expansive grasslands towards the Rathong Valley. The route snakes through an ancient sub-alpine forest of mossy oak, chestnuts, magnolia, pines and bamboo, and past a waterfall. Ferns and delicate orchids skirt the trail. Around 50 m away, there is a bridge across the Pha Khola. We will cross it and keep trekking till we reach another bridge across the Mentongang River. Sachen is around 30 min from here. Birds like thrushes can be spotted. There are a couple of log huts in the middle of a clearing in a coniferous forest. Overnight in tents.
Day 3: Trek to Tshoka (7 km)
We will climb higher onto a plateau towards the small village of Tshoka. We will cross an old wooden suspension bridge lined with colorful Buddhist prayer flags across the Perk-Chu. Thick forests of pine and blushing bright rhododendrons mark the way. On the way we will cross Bakhim where we will stop awhile before proceeding towards Tshoka. Khangchendzonga and Pandim loom in the horizon. Overnight in tents.
Day 4: Trek to Dzongri (12 km) via Phedang and Deorali Top
Watch the sun rising behind Pandim before starting out for Dzongri today. We will climb to a pond and visit a monastery. The gradient is steep and altitude sickness becomes more pronounced. The trail is well marked with wooden logs. Phedang is a lovely meadow surrounded by rhododendron, fir and spruce forests. As we near Deorali Top, we can notice the rhododendrons slowly turning to stunted bushes. The air thins and headaches are common. En route to Dzongri, we will cross the tree line and grasslands and shrubs take over. Overnight in tents.
Day 5: Trek to Thansing via Kokchurang (10 km)
It is an easy ascent along a series of cairns to Thansing today. On the way you can see Pandim looming over the Prek Valley. Hanging glaciers and snowfields adorn the upper reaches of the valley. There are moraine fields and meadows that are very impressive in May. Kokchurang is a coniferous slope along the Prek-Chu. We will cross the Prek River and trek to Thansing. Overnight in tents.
Day 6: Trek to Samiti Lake (7 km) via Lamuney
We will trek through expansive meadows today. Pre-monsoon, multitude of wildflowers bloom in the meadows along the watercourses. Finch, Assentor, Laughing thrush are some of the birds that can be spotted here. Sometimes along the way, it feels as if we are walking through clouds. From Lamuney, we will trek to the Samiti Lake, the source of the Prek River. The deep blue lake is impossibly clear and you can see till the bottom. Mt. Pandim reflects in the still waters of the lake; a reflection so clear you can discern every snowy fold. We will camp at Lamuney. The campsite is bereft of grasses. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Ascend Goecha La & trek to Lamuney (22 km)
This is the longest day of the trek. We will start before dawn and hike to Samiti Lake and further to a viewpoint from where we can witness a spectacular sunrise over the Khangchendzonga Range. From here, the gradient steepens as we proceed towards the snow-covered plateau of the Zemathang Glacier. Several glaciers, streams, lateral and median moraine ridges can be seen on the left while a sheer ice fall sweeping from Pandim dominates the right. We will need to descend down a loose scree and walk over a kilometer long flat sand bed. It is porous and water runs underneath and so it can be treacherous. A 5 km trek from here will bring you to Goecha La. On the way we can trek over a scree and see the Goecha Lake. You'll be witness to unparalleled views of the massive East Ridge of Khangchendzonga high above the Talung Glacier and the high ridges and peaks that enclose the upper Prek Valley. A turquoise lake can be seen below. The pass is mostly shrouded in mist and is lined by fluttering prayer flags. The atmosphere is rarefied, so take necessary precautions. We will descend to Lamuney. Overnight in tents.
Day 8: Trek to Tshoka (18 km) via Phedang
The descent is through a forest full of rhododendrons in different shades. The area has a rich birdlife. Overnight in tents.
Day 9: Trek to Yuksom (15 km)
Today is the last day of the trek. We will reach Yuksom via Bakhim and 4th bridge.
