| STYLE |
: |
Trekking |
| GRADE |
: |
Moderate + |
| DATES |
: |
May 29 – Jun 9, Jun 6 – Jun 17, Jun 12 – Jun 23, Jun 15 – Jun 26, Nov 1 – Nov 12, Dec 6 - 17, 2008 |
| NO. OF DAYS |
: |
14 |
| NO. OF TREKKING DAYS |
: |
13 |
| Maximum Altitude |
: |
5002 m/16406 ft (Goecha La) |
| REPORTING |
: |
Fly from
Delhi to Bagdogra and from here drive to Darjeeling
(110 kms/4-5 hrs). From Darjeeling its another
123 kms drive to Yuksom that takes about 6-7
hrs. |
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This popular trek in Sikkim , is from Yuksom to Dzongri and onwards to Goecha La, and has su perb views of Kanchenjunga . From Yuksam, the trail follows the Rathong Valley to Bakhim and from here a steep ascent to the village of Tsokha . Above Tsokha the trail reaches Pethang. A further stage brings you to Dzongri (4020 M). From here the trail drops steeply down the river to Thansing (3930 M). The final stop is at Samiti Lake from which an assault is made to Goecha La (4940 M) for the best views of Kanchenjunga . Dzongri is situated at an altitude of about 4020 M, in west Sikkim . It offers the trekker a most fascinating close-up view of Khangchen junga and Mt. Pandim . To the west rises the long outline of the Kyangla ridge. Dzongri is trekker’s paradise. Goecha La is situated at an altitude of about 4940 M. Goecha La offers a mind catching sight of the mountains like Pandim, Khangchenjunga and the others. The trek to Goecha la really is getting out & getting trekked. There are only few trekking routes around the Kangchenjunga National Park that are open to visitors. The trek is traditional which follows a picturesque route past lush vegetation and and wonderful mountain views until it reaches a high pass. The training courses
|
| of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute are conducted in these valleys and trekkers have passed through here for decades. |
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| What
to Expect |
| • High altitude
trek, above the tree line |
| • 4,000 species
of flowering plants, 600 species of birds,
560 species of Orchids, 40 species of Rhododendrons |
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♦ |
DAY-BY-DAY
ITINERARY |
::::: |
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NJP/Bagdogra to Yuksam
Six hour drive form the railway station/airport to Yuksam. Night at hotel
Pemathang. |
|
YUKSAM (1785 m/5854 ft) – SACHEN (5400 ft) (8 kms/5-6 hrs)
It’s a 5-6 hrs gradual climb. Stay at Sachen for the night. |
|
SACHEN– TSHOKHA (3000 m/9840 ft) (9 kms/6 hrs)
This will be a steep climb. We will spend our night at Tshokha, surrounded by
shepherd huts. |
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TSHOKHA – DZONGRI (4030 m/13218 ft) (10 kms/5-6 hrs)
On this day the trail passes through the village of Tshokh and continues to climb
north through the forest of rhododendron to the alp of Phidang (3650 m) taking
around 3 hrs to complete the ascent. Continue further towards Dzongri. On arrival
set campsite for overnight stay. |
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|
DZONGRI
The day is for rest and acclimatization. On this day one can savour views of the
mountain peaks by climbing up to Dzongri Top. From here you get a panoramic view of Kabru (7353 m), Ratong (6678 m),
Kanchenjunga (8534 m), Koktang (6147 m), Pandim (6691 m) and Narsing (5825 m). Towards the west, the Singalila Ridge, which
separates Sikkim from Nepal, can be seen. Overnight in tents. |
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DZONGRI – TANGSIING (3800 m/ 12464 ft) (10 kms/4 -5 hrs)
The trail from Dzongri continues along the right bank of the river towards east. After cresting the hill the path drops into the valley
and then crosses the bridge over the Prek Chu river. Its an hour climb from the bridge to Tangsiing (3800 m) located on the slopes
of Mt Pandim. Overnight in tents |
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TANGSIING – SAMITI LAKE/LAMUNE (4500 m/ 14760 ft) (7 kms/3-4 hrs)
The trail from Tangsiing climbs gently north and follows a stream and alpine meadows. About an hour above Tangsiing we reach
Onglathang from where the superb view of the south face of Kanchenjunga can be seen. In order to capture clear views one has to
reach Onglathang early. The trail then skirts through a series of glacial moraines before crossing over meadows again, and arrives
at the emerald lake at Samiti. Overnight in tents. |
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SAMITI LAKE – GOECHA LA (5002 m/ 16406 ft) – THANSIING (13 kms/6-7 hrs)
The climb to Goecha La begins with a gentle gradient eastwards for about half an hour and then later the steep ascent starts. The
trail follows the glacial moraine north-east and then drops to a dry lake at Zemathang. A tough scramble over rocks and boulders
with a rise of 400 meters will bring us on the top of the pass. The pass is formed due to the depression between Pandim and the
Kabru spurs. It over looks the Talung Valley and commands a very impressive view of the south face of Kanchejunga. Afternoon
return to the Samiti lake. Overnight stay in tents. |
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THANSIING – LAMPOKHARI (4200m/13800 ft) - THANSIING (7 kms/6-7 hrs)
Overnight stay in tents at Thansiing. |
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THANGSIING - TSHOKHA VIA PHEDANG (11 kms/5-6 hrs)
Overnight at Tshokha. |
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TSHOKHA – YUKSAM (14 kms/5 -6 hrs)
Retrace steps towards Yuksam on the final day of the trek. The going is easier as the path is mainly downhill. Stay at the same
hotel. |
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YUKSAM – Bagdogra/NJP (6 hrs drive)
Day to return back to our nests…catch your flight back, train back. Reach the station/airport by 3 pm. |
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Rs. 29,500 per person*
*3.09%
Service Tax Extra |
| |
| Cost Includes |
• |
Transport from Bagdogra Airport/ NJP
Railway Station to Yuksam and back. |
• |
Accommodation in campsites on
twin sharing basis. |
• |
Meals:
All meals beginning with breakfast on Day 1 till
lunch on Day 7. |
• |
Camping
equipment like tents, sleeping bags,
mattresses, camping stools, etc. |
• |
Professional
and experienced guides. |
• |
Wetsuits during
the rafting trip. |
• |
Experienced chef
and service staff. |
|
| |
| Cost Does Not Include |
• |
Any airfare (to and from Bagdogra,
can be requested). |
• |
Any trainfare
(to and from NJP, can be requested). |
• |
Sleeping bag (can be be hired
from us). |
• |
Any meals/services not mentioned
above. |
• |
Any charges for video cameras,
still cameras, etc. |
• |
Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages,
etc. |
• |
Personal expenses like tips,
telephone calls, laundry, etc. |
• |
Any costs arising out of unforeseen
circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad
weather, etc. |
• |
Travel insurance. |
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| FLIGHT
CONNECTIONS |
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| Delhi - Bagdogra |
IC 789 |
IC 879 |
9W 601 |
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| Kolkata - Bagdogra |
IC 721 |
9W 617 |
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| Bagdogra - Delhi |
IC 7892 |
IC 879 |
9W 601/2 |
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| Bagdogra - Kolkata |
IC 722 |
IC 721 |
9W 618 |
IC 879 |
9W 601/2 |
9W 602 |
| TRAIN CONNECTIONS |
| |
|
| Delhi - NJP*
- Delhi |
| Mahananda Exp |
Daily |
| Avadh Assam Exp |
Daily |
| North East Exp |
Daily |
| Rajdhani Exp |
Daily |
| |
|
| Kolkata - NJP - Kolkata |
| Testa Torsa Exp |
Daily |
| Darjeeling Mail |
Daily |
| Kanchanjanga Exp |
Daily |
| Kamrup Exp |
Daily |
| *NJP – New
Jalpaiguri |
|
| HELICOPTER CONNECTIONS |
There is also a helicopter service
connecting Bagdogra to Gangtok which taeks about
30 mins to reach Gangtok and costs around
Rs. 1500 per head. The helicopter can take five
persons per trip. (Ph: 03592 205277) |
| ROAD CONNECTIONS |
The second lap
of the journey to Sikkim from Bagdogra or Siliguri
onwards has to be completed by road. It is a 233
km jounney to Yuksam. The approximate run is for
11 hrs, with a break at Darjeeling. Private taxis
or jeeps can be hired at Bagdogra airport and
NJP railway station. If you want to break your
journey at Gangtok, a daily bus runs from Siliguri
town (12 kms from Bagdogra
airport and next to NJP railway station), by Sikkim
Nationalized Transport (SNT) for various destinations
(Ph: 0353 421496).
Several privately run buses also ply on the route.
These buses can be boarded at Tenzing Norgay Bus
Stand (Ph: 0353-514920).
Private cars can be hired on a full use or share
basis. The share cabs that ply are Maruti Omnis,
Max-Jeep and Mahindra Bolero.
Hiring a full Jeep from NJP to Gangtok costs around
Rs. 3000-3500. |
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| Payment Terms & Conditions |
• |
Full payment to
be made in advance at the time of booking the trek |
• |
Payment to be made by Cheque/DD
in favour of GREAT INDIAN OUTDOORS (P) LTD. payable
at New Delhi/Gurgaon |
• |
Payment
for this trip will not be adjusted against any
future trips |
• |
Cancellation policy |
| |
- |
>30 days:
Full refund (after deducting any expenses
that have been incurred for hotel bookings,
transport, etc.) |
- |
21-30 days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded
(after deducting any expenses that have
been incurred for hotel bookings, transport,
etc.) |
- |
14-21
days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded
(after deducting any expenses that have
been incurred for hotel bookings, transport,
etc.) |
- |
<14 days: No refund |
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Great Indian Outdoors
(P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure safety of its clients.
However in the case of any unforeseen mishaps,
Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for
any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes
rising due to the above are
subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi
only. |
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