Sikkim - Darjeeling Trek
Situated 2,045 meters above sea level in the Lesser Himalayas, Darjeeling is a well-liked hill station in North Bengal, India. It attracts many tourists and adventurers all year round. The stunning view of the Kanchenjunga range at dawn from Tiger Hill and the lush valley seen from Mall Road captivates every traveller. Additionally, the fresh aroma from the extensive tea gardens cascading down the hill makes the experience inspiring and rejuvenating.
Darjeeling is also a popular hub for trekkers, serving as the base for the renowned Sandakphu—Phalut Trek. The trek takes you through the rich vegetation of the Singalila range and dense forests of rhododendrons and pine trees on the way to several tribal villages nestled in the mountains. After crossing Tonglu, situated at an elevation of 3,070 meters, you can experience the wilderness of the Singalila National Park.
Trip Highlights & Attractions
The trek to Sandakphu-Phalut starts from Maneybhanjang, which is at an altitude of 2,134 meters. It then leads to Garibas at 2,620 meters via Tonglu, and then on to Sandakphu at 3,640 meters. From Sandakphu to Phalut, it’s an easy walk and offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan range from Mount Everest to Kanchenjunga. The downhill trek leads to Rimbik via Raman and then continues to Pelling in Sikkim, which is roughly 111 KMs away by road. From Pelling, the Darjeeling and Sikkim trekking tour routes to the Pemayangtse monastery, nestled at an elevation of 2,800 meters, then leads to Yuksom, situated approximately 40 KMs from Pelling.
Yuksom, the former capital of Sikkim, serves as the base for the popular Dzongri-Goecha la trek. From Yuksom, visitors can also visit the Tashiding Monastery before heading to Martam. The journey culminates in Gangtok, passing through the Rumtek Monastery.
- Gangtok
- Yuksom
- Tsokha
- Dzongri
- Thangsing
- Lamuney
- Goecha La
- Pelling and Darjeeling
Trip Facts
- Trip id: SKTR-06
- Trip type: Sikkim Trekking
- Trip grade: Moderate
- Starting from: Gangtok
- Ending at: Gangtok
- Trip duration: 18 Days
- Base price: 2400
- Max. altitude: 4300 Meters
- Accommodation: Lodge/Tea House
- Group size: 2-16 Person
Sikkim - Darjeeling Trek — Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Bagdogra airport - Gangtok
Arrive Delhi connecting fly to Bagdogra airport. Meet the guide at the airport and drive to Gangtok. (126 km/5 hrs). Overnight hotel.
Day 02: Gangtok
A leisure day in Gangtok visiting places of tourist interest including Tashi view Point, Ganash Tok, Hanuman Tok and famous Enchey Monastery back to hotel after breakfast other Point visit Tibetology, Institute of Cottage Industry, Dro-Drul Chorten, Rope way and Flower snow world famous Rumtek Monastery. Return back to hotel. Evening walk at the Mall or shopping/leisure.
Day 03: Gangtok
Today you will take an excursion trip to Tshangu Lake (departure in the morning)- situated at a height of 3,780 m. with an average depth of 50 ft. The cool water of the lake is perfectly attuned with the scenic beauty around. A small temple is constructed on the lakeside and beautiful flowers & Alpine vegetation grow around the lake.
Day 04: Gangtok – Yuksum
Drive to Yuksam(1,780 m.) from Gangtok. Arrive Yuksom In the evening take a walk to the Yuksum Coronation site, - a simple stone bench, where the three monks appointed the first king of Sikkim. Visit the nearby Ani Gompa (Buddhist nunnery). Overnight at Yoksom.
Day 05: Yuksum - Sachen (Alt 2450 M ) 8 km
Trek from Yuksum to Sachen taken approx. 6 hrs.Trek begins with a low gradient until you cross Sachen and the third bridge , Walk through dense forest of pine and oak after crossing river PrekChu it is straight 70 degree uphill climb this is the toughest stage in the entire trek , It will last for 2 Hrs depends on the fitness of the clients Finally we will come toBakhim this is just a resting point for the first day. This campsite has only one hut of forest department in the hilly dense forest.Overnight at Camp or tourist hut.
Day 06: Sachen - Tshoka (Alt. 3000 M) 8 km
Trek then we reach Bakhim the trail from Bakhim passes through magnolia and rhododendron trees the most tiring uphill climb. Tshoka is a small village housing about twelve thatched roof houses mainly Tibetan settlement .If weather remains clear we can see Mount Pandim, Aralunchong, Lama -Lamini,Pandim. Overnight in Tent or lodge
Day 07: Tshoka - Dzongri ( Alt. 4,020 M. )
Trek from Tshoka to Dzongri is still a steep climbing time taken approx. 5 hrs we go through dense forest of rhododendrons there’re over 400 flowering species , a place called Deorali Dara provides a magnificent view of mountains.Then we reach Phethang for a break .After Phethang still further climbing we reach Dzongri here the Vegetation is thin and we tend to find only small bushes and shrubs for the night stay here is a tourist hut Its usually overcrowded and noisy. In Dzongri early morning we take a walk to Dabla Khang( DzongriTop) the view from this place is magnificent one can view all the peaks .Acclimatization here is must for further ascending trekkers. Overnight in tent.
Day 08: Rest day & Acclimatize at Dzongri
The day is for rest and acclimatization. On this day one can savor views of the mountain peaks by climbing up to Dzongri Top. From here you get a panoramic view of Kabru (7,353 m.), Ratong (6,678 m.), Kanchenjunga (8,534 m.), Koktang (6,147 m.), Pandim (6,691 m.) and Narshing (5,825 m.). Towards the west, the Singalilla Ridge, which separates Sikkim from Nepal, can be seen. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 09: Dzongri - Thangshing - 3,800 m.
Trek: Dzongri to Thangshing – 5 to 6 hours- Overnight camping Today we ascend gradually over open hillside for a mile or so to a low ridge visible from the campsite (13,500 ft/4,115m). From here, chortens and prayer flags overlooking fabulous views of Khangchendzonga and Pandim make ideal photocompositions. You then descend, at first traversing down towards Pandim on the far side of the valley, and then dropping steeply down on a good path through rhododendron forest to the Prek Chu River at 12,300 ft/3,749 m. for lunch (3 hours). There is a new trekking lodge here that the crew may use for cooking. We cross the river and ascend gradually for one and-a-half-hour, through pinewoods to reach a grassy campsite, beneath the shapely unclimbed peak of Pandim. A new hut has been built here, which may be available for cooking and even sleeping.
Day 10: Thangshing - Lamuney (near Samiti Lake) - 4,298 m.
Thangshing to Lamuney - 3 hours - Overnight camping. Today’s walk is fairly short to give you plenty of opportunity to rest before tomorrow’s big day. You begin by continuing your walk parallel to the Prek Chu River. Sacred Samiti on the opposite side is a beautiful emerald green lake nestled in the midst of brightly colored wind-torn prayer flags.
Day 11: Lamuney - Goecha La return - Choakchrung.
Trek to Goecha La (4,984 m.) and return to Choakchrung. Overnight camping An early start today to beat the inclement weather conditions that is common during the latter part of the day. Set off in the early morning climbing the hill behind the Lake before traversing the moraine and then descending to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Zemathang Plateau. You cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend moraine to a height of about 15,700 feet where you rest above a glaciated lake mottled with snow and icy pinnacles. The Goecha La Pass is another hour away. We traverse the lake and proceed across a slope, and then on a well-trodden path to our objective, which is festooned with brightly colored prayer flags. The views of the east flank of Khangchendzonga and the mountains and valleys in the distance are stunning. We then return to our campsite at Choakchrung.
Day 12: Choakchrung to Tshoka - 3,800 m.
Choakchrung to Tshoka – 7 to 8 hours Overnight camping It’s worth getting up early to take a short hike to the ridge behind the camp. From here there are fantastic views of Khangchendzonga and one can look back up to the Goecha La. Leaving Thangsing, you take a different route, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri Plateau. Descending to the Prek Chu, you contour around jungle to emerge at Phedang. Continue to Tshoka along another steep descent. This will save us a day on the return march, but does involve quite a long day
Day 13: Tshoka to Yuksam –5 to 6 hours overnight in hotel
Today you descend to the Prek Chu following the route you took up on the first day, and then contour gradually downwards to reach the village of Yuksam our starting point.
Day 14: Yuksum to Pelling
Early morning drive to Pemayangtse visit Khechoperi Lake Drive 24 Kms (1 hr 30 min.) to the holy Khechepheri Lake. Continue the journey for another 30 Km (1 hr 30 min.) to reach Pelling. O/N at Pelling.
Day 15: Pemayangtse (2,085m)
The morning visit the Pemayangtse Monastery. This is a premier monastery of Sikkim built in the 17th century. Afternoon A short walk to Sangobhholing Monastery (02 km/45 min.) located on a hillock above the hotel. On a clear day the view of the mountain range is breathtaking. O/N at hotel.
Day 16: Pelling - Darjeeling
Morning transfer from Pelling to Darjeeling on the way visit Tashiding Monastry continue drive (Optional 2 hrs white River rafting at Rangit and Teesta River) and again drive to Darjeeling via tea Garden arrive evening check in hotel and free) (135 kms/06 hrs). Evening free to explore the town. Overnight hotel.
Day 17: Darjeeling: Sightseeing of Darjeeling
Early morning tour to Tiger Hill (at around 4 am) to view sunrise over mighty Kanchenjunga. The view is splendid on clear weather day. On the way back, take a look at Ghoom Monastery and the Batasia Loop. Afternoon visit to Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Gumbu Rock site and Tibetan Refugee self-help (Closed on Sunday) Center Tea Estate. Overnight hotel.
Day 18: Darjeeling – Bagdogra
After breakfast transfer from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport (4 hrs drive 100 km) arrive airport catch flight Mumbai via Kolkata or Delhi.
Cost Includes
- Airport pick up & drop, including all necessary transportation
- Neat and clean good category hotels Accommodation in Gangtok & Yuksom with Bed & Breakfast (CP Basis)
- Trekking support with trekking guide, cook, potters, yaks
- Accommodation during trek with meals & beverages as per company rules
- Services for trekking permits
- Khangchendzonga National Park fees & other necessary services
- While on the trek, we will provide you with Dome/Alpine trekking tents on a sharing basis
- During the trek, we ensure your comfort with camping mattresses, stools, tables, and a kitchen tent
Cost Excludes
- Expenses of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone, alcohol, etc.
- Personal insurance, however, covers immediate medical facilities
- Extra expenses due to unforeseen circumstances such as landslides/strikes/accidents/natural calamities
- Ropeway, airfare ticket, internal flight, tips, etc.