Sikkim Trek

On your arrival in Delhi you will be met by your Nomadic Expeditions trekking guide and transferred the convenient Pullman Airport hotel, just minutes form the terminal.

(Airport Pullman Hotel)

Early this morning transfer to the domestic terminal for the group flight to Bagdogra Airport, servicing Darjeeling and Sikkim.

On arrival in Bagdogra, we go through a passport/security check before starting our spectacular drive to Kalimpong. Kalimpong, formerly a terminus point for the mule trains from Tibet, is now a relaxed and quiet “hill station.” Amidst the splendor of beauty and the fragrance of flowers stands Kalimpong at an altitude of 4,500 ft. It’s the river Relli that meanders down the valley of the lush green hills and the glimpses of snow-capped Himalayan ranges to the north that enhances the enchantment of the place. Life obviously becomes varied and colorful because the inhabitants comprise various ethnic groups, who have learned to live in peace and in harmony. The monastery on top of the hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

(Mayfair Himalaya; B, L, D)

After breakfast we start our drive to the trailhead at Yuksom (6,300 ft.), the old capital of Sikkim. In 1641, the first Chogyal (Dharmaraja) King of Sikkim was crowned here. Only a memorial chorten remains today, with the palace in ruins and the oldest monastery of Sikkim not very active. Depending on driving conditions, if we get into Yuksom early afternoon we may have time for a short hike to visit this monastery.

(Chumbi Mountain Retreat; B, L, D)

An eight-mile, six-hour hike through dense moss laden vegetation, a few mountain streams, with a steady increase in altitude makes the first day’s hike a tough one. Pine, magnolia and rhododendron make up most of the forest. At 20-30 feet high the Rhododendrons here are more like trees than bushes. We have good chances of seeing deer.

We camp just past a trekker’s hut (which we may use in case of inclement weather) at an altitude just below 10,000 ft.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

A steady, sometimes steep, climb all day long. We pass through a high altitude Tibetan village Tso-ka in the first two hours (our camp site on our way back), after which the trail climbs steeply through the tree line to the ridge at a point called Deorali (pictured below). The rest of the trek is above the tree line thus offering un-obscured mountain vistas. Low growing rhododendron and juniper make up the taller vegetation and wild flowers bloom all summer long. We will stop here for lunch and weather permitting, soak in views of Kanchenjunga at 28,253 ft. and all its satellite peaks as they loom overhead.

Mt. Pandim dominates the eastern vista with the meadows of Thangsing (our campsite three days from now) seemingly just a stone’s throw away. To the west of Pandim, we can see the deep gap of Go-cha la, the high pass and the highest point of this trek.

The trail now evens off, making the last one-hour hike easier, to our campsite at 13,200 ft, on the meadows beyond the Dzongri Lodge. Koktang, Kabru, Kabru Dome, Frey’s peak and many unnamed mountains surround our campsite. Historically, these meadows were the private pasture grounds for the King of Sikkim’s herds of yak. Today, it is still a favored summer pasture and you will most likely meet quite a few shepherds with their yak herds.

In order to help our bodies acclimate to the high elevation and enjoy the mountain vistas, we will camp here for two days.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Acclimatization and rest day. There are many optional day hikes possible. Though we are in a picturesque campsite with snow-capped peaks all along the northern horizon, even more spectacular views can be had by hiking up the hill (sunrise point) near our camp. A pre-dawn wake-up and hike to sunrise point (15,000 ft.) is highly recommended.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

A five mile, four to five-hour day to the base of Jopine peak. Hiking along the gradual Dzongri ridge is a refreshing change from the steady climb of the past two days. This leads to a steep 1,200-foot descent to the bolder moraine of Pandim River. The trail wends its way through a maze of boulders, that may have us actually walk/hopping from bolder to bolder, to the only (recently constructed) bridge over the river, at this point. A gradual but steady climb now brings us to the open meadow at Thangsing, with Pandim and Jopine dramatically above us.

All day long we are offered views of Kanchenjunga and its satellite peaks, until we reached close to Thangsing, at the base of Mt. Pandim (see picture on page 2). There is small a “trekker’s hut” here that our staff will utilize as a kitchen. A short hike (10-15 min.) on the right ridge, behind the hut, will bring Kanchenjunga back into view.

If the wind picks up, this can be a very cold campsite. Bring out the down!

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Today’s easy three to four-hour hike takes us to Lake Simity. The lake with its backdrop of Kanchenjunga, Jopine and Pandim peaks makes for a picture book campsite. With high mountains all around this valley falls into shadow in the late afternoon and temperatures start dropping soon thereafter. Be prepared for another cold night.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

A day hike to Go-Cha La, 17,350 ft., is the highest point of the trek. From the pass we see the Kanchenjunga ridges, Jannu, Fluted peak, Sinichula and a host of other peaks of Nepal and Tibet.

The trail starts with a steep climb to the top of the buttress, which opens up to spectacular views of mountains and dramatic glacial moraines (cover picture). We try to reach this point by sunrise. Kanchenjunga is once again visible and will be for the rest of the day (weather permitting). Hiking along the ridge for 20-30 minutes before descending sharply to the white sands of Zimathang, the base camp of Mt. Pandim. The trail is now level to the base of the pass and then another steep ascent over boulders to the viewpoint at the top.

There is no fresh water once we leave camp so remember to fill both bottles before starting your hike. Return to our camp, which the staff has moved down to Thangsing. We estimate 8-9 hours of hiking today.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

We continue on trek back to Yuksom, enjoying spectacular Himalayan scenery en route.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Traversing the northern side of the Dzongri ridge we reach the Tibetan Village of Tso ka. Most of the day the trail goes through pristine Rhododendron forests. It joins the main Dzongri/Yuksom trail at Pethang, where we start our steep descent to the Tibetan Village of Tso Kha.

Our yaks are unable to use this trail (thick forest) and will be climbing up the Dzongri ridge and then descending down. Chances are, we will reach camp well before our camp gear will. There is small lodge at the village and we will utilize their kitchen and dining facilities.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Our final day of trekking brings us down another 4,000 ft. to Yuksom. Hot showers and a bed for everyone. This evening we shall be joined by some of the local villagers, our trek staff and yak herders for a grand dinner and an evening of music and dance.

(Chumbi Mountain Retreat; B, L, D)

After breakfast, we drive (5-6 hours) to Darjeeling. The name Darjeeling comes from the Tibetan drone ling, place of the thunderbolt. Perhaps the most fabled of the Hill Stations of the British Raj, to which the British rulers escaped the summer heat of the plains. Perched on top of a ridge at an altitude of 7,000 ft. above sea level, its streets zigzag with no two houses built on the same level.

(Windemere Resort; B)

You have the day to leisurely explore this beautiful and intriguing Hill Station, still steeped in influence of British India. Built on the highest ridge in the region it offers magnificent views of Kanchenjunga. “A promontory rising from a sea of depths that seem to pierce the very core of the world,” the great Robert Byron wrote rather dramatically, “overseen by the white throne of God, a continent on end, trees, cliffs, and shores of snow five miles high, as the eye travels up them to the blue vault above.” In many ways it is the most imposing of the Himalayan giants and certainly its holiest.

(Windemere Resort; B, FD)

Depart this morning for Bagdogra airport, a 2-3 hour drive, for your afternoon flight back to Delhi.

You will be met on arrival in Delhi and transferred back to the airport Pullman Hotel, where you have Day Room to use to prepare for your flight back to the US. Later this evening, you will be transferred back to the airport to check in for your outbound international flight.

(B)