Day 01: Bagdogra – Darjeeling Upon arrival at Bagdogra airport met our representative and then drive towards Darjeeling. On arrival transfer into hotel. Evening sightseeing and acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Darjeeling (The day is for relaxed & acclimatization)
Early morning drive to Tiger Hill to for a singular experience of the first rays of the sun bathing the Himalayas. On the return visit the Ghoom Monastery. Built in 1875 the monastery which follows the Gelugpa sect, houses one of the largest statue of the Maitreya Buddha-“the future Buddha”. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03:Darjeeling – Yuksam (123 kms/6-7 hrs) (1780 mt /5838 ft)
In the morning drive to Yuksam via a beautiful valley. On the way you will find dense forest, lush green meadows, waterfalls and much more. Upon arrival at Yuksam set out camp for dinner and overnight stay. Yuksam is the base of West Sikkim’s most popular trekking region, Dzongri and is also of historical importance to the between different factions of Buddhist sects in Tibet forced the Red Hat Sect to seek refuge in Sikkim. Lama Lhatsun Chempo, on his journey to Sikkim, arrived at Norbugang in Yuksam, where he met two other lamas, Sempa Chempo and Rinzing Chempo and began converting the people into their faith. Sacred texts had revealed that the ruler designate of Sikkim would be a man named Phuntsog of Gangtok, so the lamas sent an envoy in search of him. The party returned with Phuntsog Namgyal, whose ancestry could be traced to the legendary prince Guru Tashi, founder of the Kingdom of Miyang in the Chumbi Valley. In 1641 Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned as Sikkim’s first king, the Chogyal.
Day 04: Yuksam - Bakkhim (16 kms/5-6 hrs) (3005 mts/9856 ft)
We walk gently uphill, following the Rathong River's gorge, through dense mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, ferns and several varieties of orchids, brightly colored birds, and the occasional monkey. After an hour or so we cross the Paha Khola Bridge, (1,733 mts /5685 ft). There is a swimming spot by a waterfall (for those who dare!) after two hours, and we can stop for lunch by a bridge over stream. Passing by sweet smelling viburnum we cross the Prek Chu River and then ascend steeply for two or three hours to arrive at the lodge at Bakkhim. We will either stay in the Tourist Hostel, or sleep in our tents. This hostel is often occupied by Himalayan Mountain Institute students on rock-climbing courses. This is a long trekking day and you should expect to be pretty tired by the time you arrive at Bakkhim. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 05: Bakkhim - Phedang (5 kms/4 hrs) (3483 mts/11425 ft)
We begin today’s walk by trekking for about one hour up to the picturesque village of Tsokha. Tsokha is home to acolony of Tibetan refugees who have erected a small monastery by a small lake. A fairly steep climb aboveTsokha takes you into beautiful rhododendron forests, and you continue along a well-defined uphill path to Phedang (approx. 2/3 hours from Tsokha). Today we will be doing a shorter trail since we will be gaining much altitude. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 06: Phedang - Dzongri (4 kms/3 hrs) (4030 mts/13218 ft)
Another short day’s walking today as we are now treading above the 4,000-meter mark. We will be setting up camp by lunchtime and suggest that you spend a relaxed afternoon acclimatizing. A brief climb beyond brings you to a meadow where we can pitch our tents in a campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Kanchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim. As usual on trek the choice of campsite depends on many variables, one of the most important is the close supply of water. You will get spectacular views of Kanchendzonga, Siniolchu, Kabru, Pandim, Jopuno, Koktang, Talung and Narsingh. The trail from here levels up to Dzongri. Dzongri also offers you the most fascinating close up view of the Kanchendzonga massif and other Himalayan peaks. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 07:Dzongri (4030 mts/13218 ft).
Excursion to Laxmi Pokhari Early risers can get up before dawn to climb to a vantage point on a ridge above the campsite to watch the sunrise on Kanchendzonga, Kabru, Pandim, Rathong, and many other peaks of the Kanchendzonga range. Full day excursion to Laxmi Pokhari. The trial first goes through rhododendron bushes and pasture land for about an hour to Chamaray. From here it is a gradual ascent to Laxmi Pokhari, a big lake cupped in a deep crater. Here you will get good view of Kanchendzonga range, Pandim, Narsingh, Kabur, Kabur
dome, Koktang etc. If you reach Laxmi Pokhari early and feeling physically fit, an excursion towards Kabur rock willbe a rewarding experience. Back to Dzongri. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 08: Dzongri – Bikhbari (12 kms/4-5 hrs).
The trail first ascends gradually for about half an hour & then descends till we reach a crossroad. The trail on the left goes down to Zamlingang. We follow the trail to the right, which is a flat walk throughout. Dinner and over night stay at the camp.
Day 09:Bikhbari
Excursion to Chaurikhang and Rathong Glacier (Kanchendzonga Base Camp) It is a gradual ascent all the way to the base camp. This is the Kanchendzonga Base Camp, which is also the site where the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling conducts its advanced mountaineering courses. You can get close views of Frey's peak, Koktang, Kabur and Rathong from here. Return to Bikhbari. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 10: Reserve day for summit.
Day 11:Bikhbari - Bakkhim.
In the morning trek back to Bakkhim with packed breakfast. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 12: Bakkhim – Yuksam
In the morning trek back to Yuksam. After lunch trek to Dubdi monastery, ‘the hermit’s cell’, which is situated on the top of a lofty hill one thousand feet above Yuksam? The fir-clad mountains behind provide a dramatic background. Founded by Lhatsun Chempo in 1701, it is the oldest monastery in Sikkim. After visiting the monastery descend to the site where the first King of Sikkim was crowned in 1641 by three lamas. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 13: Yuksam – Bagdogra
In the morning transfer to Bagdogra airport and from here catch a flight for onward destination.
Trip and services ends here.