West Sikkim Trek
Duration : 15 Nights / 16 DaysDestination Covered : Calcutta - Darjeeling - Bakhim - Simiti Lake - TsokaJ Yuksom - Gangtok - Calcutta
Day 1 Calcutta
Arrive Calcutta. Met upon arrival and tranfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 Calcutta! Bagdogra! Darjeeling IC/ Jeep
After breakfast transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Bagdogra. Met upon arrival and drive to reach Darjeeling (2134 m) by covering approx 110 kms in 5 hrs. The route winds its way through tea estates. There is a narrow gauge railway line running parellel and criss-crossing the road. Darjeeling is called the Jewel in the Crown. Upon arrival check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3 Darjeeling ]eep
Morning visit Tiger Hill to see the sunrise and also get the best view of the world's third highest mountain Kanchenjunga and other peaks. On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery enshrining Maitreyee Buddha. After breakfast proceed for a ride in the famous toy train for half an hour. Visit Botanical Gardens, Observatory Hill, Mountaineering Institute to know the history and the equipment used in the first conquest of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norge. Visit zoological park to see the Siberian tigers, Lamas, Himalayan black bear and panda. Visit tea estates an Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre for woollen carpet and leather products. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 4 Darjeelingl Yuksom Jeep/ Car
After an early breakfast drive to Yuksum (1780 m) by covering approx 123 kms in 7 hrs. Yuksum is the oldest' capital of Sikkim where the first king was consecrated at 1642 A.D. It also has the oldest existing monastery built during 1700 A.D. Overnight at Trekkers Hut.
Day 5 Yuksom/ Bakhim Trek
After breakfast start the first leg of trekking to reach Bhakim (3035 m) by covering approx 13 kms. in 4 hrs. T1f€ track is a gradual ascent and descent through the dense verdant semi-tropical forest following the Pairag Chu. Arrive and check into Forest Hut for overnight stay.
Day 6 Bakhim/ Dzongri Trek
After breakfast start trekking to reach Dzongri (4030 m) along a well marked track by covering approx 12 kms. in 4 hrs. Initiailly the track climbs steeply. But as the track is through fascinating rhodendron bushes running riot with colour, one may not feel the climb. Arrive at Dzongri and check into Trekkers Hut for overnight stay.
Day 7 Dzongri/ Thangsing Trek
After breakfst start trekking to reach Thangsing (3800 m) by covering approx 8 kms in 3 hrs. One can have fantastic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Mt. Pandim, Mt. Kabri etc. from the Dzongri Pass. Continue to reach Thangsing for overnight stay in tents.
Day 8 Thangsing / Simiti Lake Trek
After breakfast start trekking to reach Simiti Lake (4200 m) by covering approx 8 kms. in 3 hrs. Simiti is one of the high altitude fresh water lakes found in the bosom of mighty Himalayan ranges. This is also considered a very sacred lake. Arrive and camp by the side of the lake.
Day 9 Simiti Lake! GochalaJ Simiti Lake Trek
After breakfast start trekking to reach Gochala (5000 m) by covering approx 14 kms. in 5 hrs. From the pass one can see the lofty and majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kabru and Kabru dome etc. Return to Simiti Lake for overnighf stay in tents.
Day 10 Simiti Lake! Thangsing Trek
After breakfast start trekking to reach Thangsing by covering approx 8 kms. in 3 hrs. Arrive and overnight stay in tents.
Day 11 Thangsinfl Dzongri Trek
After breakfast start trekking to reach Dzongri by covering approx 8 kms in 3 hrs. Arrive and overnight stay in tents.
Day 12 Dzongri/ Tsoka Trek
After breakfast start trekking to Tsoka (3710 m) by covering approx 9 kms. in 3 hrs. The trek winds its way down upto Phedong, the start of the rhodendron trail. Arrive in Tsoka for a cosy overnight stay in the Trekkers Hut.
Day 13 TsokaJ Yuksom
After breakfast start trekking to reach Yuksum by covering approx 5 kms. in 2 hrs. Rest of the day free to visit the oldest monastery and the surrounding area. Overnight stay in Trkkers Hut.
Day 14 Yuksomf Pemayangtse/ Gangtok Jeep
After breakfast drive to Pemayangtse (2085 m) by covering approx 30 kms. in 1 hrs. Pemayangtse is one of the oldest and important monasteries in Sikkim. Visit the monastery. Proceed to reach Gangtok (1810 m) by covering approx 110 kms. in 5 hrs. Arrive Gangtok and check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15 Gangtok Jeep/Car
After breakfast leave for full day sightseeing of Gangtok visiting Tibetology, Orchid Sanctuary. Do Orul Monastery, Handicraft Centre etc. in 4 to 5 hrs. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 16 Gangtokj Bagdogra/ Calcutta Jeep/IC
Transfer to Bagdogra airport in time to board flight for Calcutta. Arrive Calcutta, met upon arrival and tranfer to international airport in time to board flight for onward destination.
