Sikkim and Kanchenjunga Trek

Day 02 Delhi – Bagdogra (by plane) – Darjeeling (2130m) by car.
A charming 4-hour journey,through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for Westerners and Bengalis alike.

Day 03 Darjeeling - Pemayangtse (2080 m) at 5 h.
We will  visit Pemayangtse monastery, one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim.

Day 04 Pemayangtse – Uttarey (1960) at 5 h.
Jeep ride to Uttarey, a small village located near the Nepali border.

Day 05 Uttarey - Chewabhanjang (3200m) at 5 h.
Today is a steady climb up as we trek towards the international border of Sikkim and Nepal. We follow a good trail, heading through dense rhododendron forest.

Day 06 Chewabhanjang - Dhor (3750 m) at 7 h.
After a steep climb through the rhododendron forest, the path switches between Nepal and Sikkim with spectacular views down either side of the ridge. It is obvious why the trail clings to the ridge top, there is simply no way down on either side, so dense is the rhododendron forest!

Day 07 Dhor - Paharey Megu (3900m) in 5 h.
Spectacular views of the mountains ahead. We follow the ridge on a good path which once again switches from side to side along the ridge with many short ascents and descents. Camp on open grazing slopes.

Day 08 Paharey Megu - Camp before Daphne Pass (4100 m) at 5 h.
Steady climb on the west side of the ridge. The terrain becomes more open as we follow a wide valley, turning east, in the direction of a large waterfall. Camp by the holy lakes on the west side of the pass.

Day 09 Camp before Daphne Pass - Daphne Pass (4450 m) - Gomathang (3750 m) in 5 h.
Today is one of the most beautiful walks of the trek, as we cross a high mountain pass, offering spectacular views to the north, of the high mountains of Sikkim, including Kangchenjunga (8585m.), Kabru (7317m.) and Pandim (6691m.). We follow at first an easy trail which skirts the edge of two lakes, surrounded by prayer flags, then a steep zig-zag path that climbs to the pass. The walk down to the valley floor follows a good trail across open slopes at first and then down through the pine and juniper forest.

Day 10 Gomathang - Panding (4200 m) at 6 h.
Up and down through the rhododendron forest. After Yangshep (3900 m) we follow a steep path up to Panding.

Day 11 Panding – Dzongri (4020m) in 5h.
We head towards the north-east, descending at first to a river we cross on a plank bridge. Then we start the climb to Dzongri where we meet the original "Sikkim and Kanchenjunga trek" itinerary.

Day 12 Dzongri – Thansing (3930m) in 4h.
We descend through the rhododendron forest towards the glacial Prek river. We established our campsite on the grassy pastures of Thansing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakhing glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views of Pandim.

Day 13 Thansing – Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h.
A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakhing glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samity lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek river. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other snow-capped peaks.

Day 14 Samity Lake – Gocha La (4940m) – Thansing in 7h.
We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.

Day 15 Thansing – Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h.
After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes.

Day 16 Lam Pokhari – Kasturi La (4500m) – Kasturi Odar (3500m) in 6h.
A steep ascent leads to the pass, from where we descend through a luxuriant tropical forest.

Day 17 Kasturi Odar – Labdang (2000m) in 6h.
Today we will walk in the half-light of the undergrowth, through a dense forest, where lianas tangle and moss and orchids hide tree trunks.

Day 18 Labdang – Tashiding (1740m) in 5h.
An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we descend.

Day 19 Tashiding – Martam by car (4h).
We visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers.

Day 20 Martam – Gangtok by car (1h).
En route we visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers. Afternoon at leisure in Gangtok.

Day 21 Gangtok – Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi (by plane). (Hotel B&B)

Day 22 At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international flight. (Hotel B&B)

Day 23 Transfer to airport and fly back home