Kanchenjunga from India: the Goecha La Trek in Sikkim

Kanchenjunga, 8,586 m, is the third-highest mountain in the world. From the Indian side the official high-altitude route to the massif runs through Kanchenjunga National Park: Yuksom, Tshoka, Dzongri, Thangsing, Lamuney and the Goecha La area. It shows the eastern side of the mountain, but it does not coincide with the expedition approaches in Nepal.

The first days pass through the damp forests of Sikkim and involve a significant gain in altitude. A separate acclimatisation day is provided at Dzongri, with an outing to Dzongri Top. The group then crosses an open ridge, descends to the Prek Chu and climbs through Thangsing to Lamuney. An early start in the direction of Goecha La is the culmination of the trek.

The difficulty of the route lies in the combination of steep forest climbs, a multi-day load and nights above 4,000 m. There is no technical climbing, but cold, snow, rain and a slippery trail are all possible. Participants must be able to walk five to eight hours a day with confidence and hold their pace on long climbs and descents.

The actual upper point is determined by the national park permits in force, by the state of the trail and by the guide’s decision. The programme therefore states the direction of Goecha La and the maximum declared altitude, but does not promise passage to a closed or unsafe point.

The main tariff includes leadership that reduces the risk of misunderstanding when discussing how participants feel, the pace and any change to the route. Local guides and the ground team provide knowledge of the trail and of the rules of Sikkim.

Day 1. Arrival in Bagdogra and transfer to Gangtok, 1,650 m.

A team representative meets the group at Bagdogra airport and arranges the transfer to Gangtok. After check-in we rest, meet the guide and discuss the onward logistics. The day is needed for recovery after the flight and for a document check before entering the protected districts of Sikkim. Night at a hotel.

Day 2. Gangtok and preparation for the trek.

We visit the accessible sights of Gangtok, including monasteries and cultural centres, then return to the hotel. The order of sites depends on opening hours. In parallel the guide completes the check of equipment and permits, and participants prepare a separate bag for the mountain section. Night at a hotel.

Day 3. Drive to Yuksom, 1,780 m.

We drive from Gangtok to Yuksom, the historic centre of Sikkim and the start of the Goecha La route. After check-in you can walk to the coronation site and the accessible monasteries. The task of the day is to reach the start without overloading anyone on foot and to prepare for the first stage. Night in a hut or at the confirmed accommodation.

Day 4. Yuksom to Sachen, 2,450 m.

We begin the trek through pine and oak forest, cross bridges over the Prek Chu and climb to Sachen. The stage takes about six hours. The first day lets everyone set a pace, check their footwear and ration their strength before the steeper climb to Tshoka. Night in tents.

Day 5. Sachen to Bakhim to Tshoka, 3,000 m.

We continue the climb through Bakhim and forests of magnolia and rhododendron to Tshoka. The stage takes about seven hours and is one of the most tiring forest sections. After check-in it is important to restore fluids and food, because the next day takes the group above 4,000 m. Night in tents.

Day 6. Tshoka to Dzongri, 4,020 m.

We climb steeply through rhododendron forest and Phethang to Dzongri. About five hours of walking bring the group to its first night above 4,000 m. The guide reduces the pace and watches carefully for signs that anyone is tolerating the altitude poorly. Night in a hut or in tents, according to the confirmed arrangement.

Day 7. Acclimatisation in Dzongri.

We stay at Dzongri and, depending on the condition of the group, climb Dzongri Top, from which in clear weather Kanchenjunga, Kabru, Rathong, Kokthang and Pandim are visible. The outing exists for adaptation before Thangsing and Lamuney, not only for the panorama. After the descent we rest and prepare our kit for the rest of the route. Night in tents.

Day 8. Dzongri to Thangsing, 3,800 m.

We climb an open ridge to about 4,115 m, then descend to the Prek Chu and, after crossing the river, gain altitude again to Thangsing. The stage takes about five to six hours. The alternation of climbing and descending calls for even rationing of effort. Night in tents.

Day 9. Thangsing to Lamuney, 4,298 m.

A short stage of about three hours follows the Prek Chu towards Samiti Lake and the Lamuney camp. The short distance preserves reserves before a night or early start and gives extra time to adapt. After check-in the guide announces the permitted upper point and the start time. Night in tents.

Day 10. Outing in the direction of Goecha La, up to 4,984 m.

We set out early in the morning for the Zemathang plateau and the viewpoint on the Goecha La route that is accessible on the date of the trip. In clear weather the eastern side of Kanchenjunga opens up. The maximum point depends on permits, on the state of the trail, on the weather and on how participants feel; reaching 4,984 m is not guaranteed. After the outing we descend to the Kokchurang camp. Night in tents.

Day 11. Kokchurang to Tshoka.

Following an alternative trail we avoid climbing back onto the Dzongri plateau and make a long descent through forest. The stage takes about seven to eight hours. After the highest point of the route it is important to stay attentive on wet roots, stones and tired legs. Night in tents.

Day 12. Tshoka to Yuksom.

We continue the descent to Yuksom; the stage takes about five to six hours. The self-supported part of the route ends here. After check-in participants shower, sort out their baggage and recover after several walking days. Night at a hotel.

Day 13. Yuksom to Darjeeling.

In the morning there is a walk to the Dubdi monastery and the historic site in Yuksom, after which we drive to Darjeeling. The declared road is about 95 km and five hours. The day links the trekking with the cultural part and leaves the evening free. Night at a hotel.

Day 14. Transfer to Bagdogra airport.

After breakfast we say goodbye to the team and drive to Bagdogra airport. The declared road is about 90 km and three hours, so we recommend choosing a flight after 14:00 and confirming it with Mountain Guide before purchase. Participants check in independently at the airport.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• A local guide for groups of one to three participants
• Meeting and seeing off at the airport
• Hotel accommodation – the number of nights according to the programme
• Breakfasts in the hotels before and after the trek
• Accommodation in lodges and tented camps according to the programme
• Three meals a day and hot tea or coffee during the trek
• Vegetarian catering during the trek
• Boiled drinking water on trekking days
• The necessary permits, authorisations and national park entry fees
• Entrance tickets to the sightseeing sites in the programme
• Group equipment, a basic medical kit and a first aid kit
• Kitchen, dining and toilet tents on the stages where they are needed
• A sleeping bag – bringing your own is recommended for reasons of hygiene

• International flights
• An Indian visa or any other entry permit the participant requires
• Medical insurance and the cost of emergency evacuation
• Lunches and dinners while staying in the city hotels
• A personal porter – $25 a day for baggage up to 20 kg; two participants usually share one porter, and porter insurance is included in that rate
• Single occupancy
• Early hotel check-in and late check-out before or after the programme
• Tips for the local team
• Additional costs if the programme is departed from or changed
• Costs arising from cancellations, weather, illness, damage to property and other unforeseen circumstances

Documentos:

• Passaporte internacional
• Passagens aéreas
• Seguro médico, incluindo evacuação de helicóptero

Equipamento pessoal:

• Mochila de 30-50 litros
• Saco para pertences pessoais (nosso time fornecerá no local)
• Saco de dormir, temperatura de conforto -5°C
• Bastões de trekking com anéis obrigatórios

Roupas e calçados:

• Botas de trekking previamente impermeabilizadas com produto especial
• Tênis (para a cidade)
• Camada de membrana impermeável – jaqueta + calça
• Conjunto de fleece
• Roupa térmica superior e inferior
• Jaqueta de plumas com capuz
• Luvas grossas
• Luvas finas
• Bandana ou buff (além de proteção contra o sol no vale, pode ser usada para aquecer o pescoço ou rosto no frio)
• Chapéu
• Meias de trekking quentes

Diversos:

• Lanterna de LED de cabeça com autonomia mínima de 12 horas
• Powerbank
• Óculos de sol
• Capa de chuva
• Capa de chuva para mochila
• Garrafa térmica ou cantil – 1 litro
• Polainas
• Protetor solar SPF 50
• Bálsamo labial com SPF 10-15
• Kit de primeiros socorros pessoal
• Atadura elástica e/ou faixa de suporte
• Pasta de dente, escova, sabonete, shampoo, chinelos
• Toalha
• Papel higiênico (vendido nas lodges ao longo do caminho)