A medium-length trek that will take you very close to the huge massif of the Kanchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world with its 8586 meters of altitude. You will walk among quite unaltered nature, among thick forests, pastures, alpine meadows, transparent rivers and lakes and glacier moraines, guarded by the white peaks of the Himalayas.
11 days / 10 nights full trip (minimum recommended)
9 days’ trek
Medium. With no technical difficulties
Highest altitude 4985m
Highest altitude overnight 4300m
Local mountain guide English speaking
Meals and overnight in tents during the trek
Accommodation in hotel in Yuksom
Transfers in private vehicle
$1.550*
description
itinerary
included/not included
price
notes
description
In Sikkim, it is better known as Kanchendzonga, while in Nepal it is called Kanchenjunga, “the five treasures of snow”. It is the third highest mountain in the world and forms a large massif with different main and secondary peaks, always very white with glaciers that fall everywhere on all sides, right on the border with Nepal.
The Kanchendzonga Trek travels north from Yuksom, in what is considered the heart of ancient Sikkim, where it has its roots. It is a medium-length trek surrounded by spectacular nature and virtually unchanged, from the dense forests of the early stages to soon reach the alpine areas here above 4000 meters, ending up surrounded by glaciers in the Goecha-La Pass, from where the view of the Kanchendzonga is breathtaking. Small temporary settlements and villages will welcome us as we advance through an area of clear Buddhist influence, as in fact all of Sikkim is, with some small isolated monasteries and temples. All of Sikkim is known for its great wealth of flora, so during the spring, it is especially a good festival for those who like plants and flowers.
There are practically no lodges here to accommodate hikers, so this trek is done in camping in its entirety, although there may be some hut or some small bhati that can give us shelter at some point.
As the trek itself lasts only 9 days (you can always add some more if you want), is a good opportunity to take advantage and travel a few days through Sikkim, maybe getting to Gangtok, the state capital, Pelling, Namchi, Temi tea fields, or even as far as the Yumthang Valley in the north.
Located, along with Darjeeling, on this small wedge between Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, Sikkim was the last state to be part of the Indian confederation and still maintains a strong personality. It is considered part of what is known as “Greater Tibet”, that is, those territories that share the same Tibetan culture, with Buddhism being its main religion. The oldest population group is the Lepchas, followed by the Tibetan Bhutias, but from the 19th century, there were migratory movements from Nepal, becoming the majority population group and Nepali is the main and official language of Sikkim.
The populations are at a certain height, often in steps between two valleys, far from the mighty and unpredictable rivers, so that all of them have impressive views. Winding roads but in good condition make their way through these valleys and mountains, where sometimes you have to go down to the bottom of the valley to cross to the other side of the river and ascend again until you find this destination that we saw so close in the other side of the valley. And as you have guessed, the orography of Sikkim and Darjeeling is complicated, marked by two large rivers, the Teesta and the Rangit, the latter also marking the border with West Bengal before joining the Teesta and Rongpu.
itinerary
1 | Welcome in Bagdogra. Road to Yuksom (1780m) 155km ~6h |
2 | Trek to Sachen/Prekchu Bridge (2440m) ~5h |
3 | Trek to Phedang (3485m) ~5h |
4 | Trek to Dzongri (4030m) ~3h |
5 | Acclimatising day to Laxmi Pokhari. Back to Dzongri |
6 | Trek to Thangshing (3930m) ~4h/5h |
7 | Trek to Lamuney/Samiti Lake (4300m) ~3h/4h |
8 | Climb to Goecha-La (4985m). Trek to Thangshing (3930m) ~7h/9h |
9 | Trek to Tshoka (3800m) ~6h/7h |
10 | Trek to Yuksom (1780m) ~5h/6h |
11 | Road to Bagdogra 155km ~6h. Returning flight |
STARTING AND FINISHING IN KOLKATA OR DELHI (optional)
1 | Arrive to Kolkata or Delhi |
2 | Flight to Bagdogra. |
| (your trip program in Sikkim) |
12 | Flight from Bagdogra to Kolkata or Delhi |
13 | Returning flight |
included/not included
FULL TRIP according program
PRICE INCLUDES
· Welcome on arrival in Bagdogra
· All road transfers by private vehicle
· English speaking guide throughout the trip in Sikkim
· Inner Line Permit in Sikkim
· All special permits needed
· 2 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Yuksom
· All meals included
· Lodging in a tent and three meals a day during the trek according to the detailed program
· Material transport service during the trek
· Sleeping bags (if you want)
· Entrance to the National Park
· All the entrances to the monuments and necessary tickets
· All government taxes and VAT
· Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff
PRICE EXCLUDES
· Flight from/to your origin point
· India Entry VISA
· Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)
· Tips to staff
· Phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense
· Medical and/or travel insurance.
· It’s convenient to get a trek insurance for India (better including helicopter rescue)
· In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme
· No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.
Starting and finishing in Kolkata or Delhi
PRICE INCLUDES
· Welcome on arrival in Kolkata or Delhi
· All transfers in Kolkata or Delhi by private vehicle
· English-speaking escort
· Flight Kolkata/Delhi to Bagdogra roundtrip
· 2 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Kolkata or Delhi
PRICE EXCLUDES
· Lunch & Dinner in Kolkata or Delhi
· Tips to staff
price
* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers as described in the program.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.
notes
NOTES ABOUT YOUR SIKKIM TRIP
Due to being a border area, Sikkim is a special surveillance state and there are some parts of its territory that cannot be visited by foreigners. There are other sensitive areas, included in this program, which require a minimum group of two people to be visited, travel through an official agency with a guide, as is your case, and have a special permit that we take care of processing. Of course, do not forget to always carry your passport with you, as it can be required at any time.
The Kanchendzonga Trek is within a restricted area and can only be done with a minimum group of two people with a guide.
This program starts and ends at the Bagdogra airport (IXB), since you can buy flights from your point of origin to there. Your flight should arrive in Bagdogra in the morning and your return flight should leave in the afternoon.
However, you also have the option of spending a night in Delhi or Kolkata before and/or after your Sikkim trip. We can take care of it if you want.
(You can check if you have the option to fly to Pakyong Airport (PYG), near Gangtok, although it is unlikely)
DO YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP?
This program is designed with the number of days we consider the minimum to make the trip comfortable and safe, but it is always a good idea to add a day if it fits you in terms of calendar and budget.
Like all our itineraries, the itinerary can be customized and adapted to your taste, needs and preferences.
WE ENJOY TALKING WITH YOU
Contact us to obtain the complete dossier of this itinerary, inquiry for all the information you need and ask us any questions you may have.