This trek is planned for those with less time and
inclination to undergo the rigors of hard mountain trekking. This trek is
popular due to the meadows of Dzongri. One will experience a truly
spectacular alpine trek with forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia
and rhododendron. The trail runs through the meadows of Dzongri at 4,000
meters with exceptional mountain views. It is a naturalist's paradise. These
forests harbor hundreds of varieties of wild plants, exotic orchids, large
varieties of birds and butterflies. One can come across Himalayan Black
Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer and the Red Panda.
Highest Trek Altitude: Dzongri (4, 030 meters / 13,221
feet) Grade: Moderate to Strenuous Period of Operation: April to May and
October to November
Day 01: Arrival New Jalpaiguri Railway Station /
Bagdogra Airport- Gangtok
Meeting
and assistance on arrival at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station/ Bagdogra
Airport. Board your vehicle to Gangtok (130 Kilometres / 04 hours). Arrive
Gangtok and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Gangtok
Half day sightseeing - Visit Rumtek Monastery, one of the most sacred and
wealthy monasteries in the region. Visit Droul Chorthen, Research Institute
of Tibetology - housing vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit
manuscripts/ icons/ Thankas. It is an international study centre of Buddhism
and its philosophy / religion etc. Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom
(Closed on Sunday) & Flower Show are next in the itinerary. Overnight
stay at hotel in Gangtok
Day 03: Drive - Gangtok to Yuksom (151 Km / 5 ½
- 6 Hrs)
Yuksom is the old capital of Sikkim where the first king was consecrated.
It also has the oldest existing Monastery built during. Visit Dubdi
monastery, which is situated on top of a hill. The fir - clad mountains
provide a majestic background. Overnight stay in hotel
Day 04: Trek - Yuksom to Bakhim
Yuksom (1780 meters/ 5840 feet) to Bakhim (3,005 meters / 9,859 feet) - 16
Km/ 5 - 5 ½ Hrs
The trek first goes uphill, following the Rathong River, through dense
mixed jungle with magnolia, rhododendron, varieties of orchids and ferns -
Wild life includes, brightly colored birds and the occasional monkey. After
an hour or so we cross the Paha Khola Bridge. On crossing the Pre Chu River
ascend steeply for two or three hours to arrive at the lodge at Bakhim. We
will either stay in log hut / camp. Snacks and dinner before retiring in Log
hut / camp
Day 05: Trek - Bakhim to Phedang
Bakhim 3,005 meters / 9,859 feet to Phedang 3,760 meters / 12,336 feet - 5
Km / 4 - 4 ½ Hrs
The day will start with walk by trekking for about one hour up to the
hamlet of Tsokha / Chokha. Tshoka / Chokha is home to a colony of Tibetan
refugees who have erected a small monastery by a small lake. A fairly steep
climb above Tsokha takes you into beautiful rhododendron forests, and you
continue along a well-defined uphill path to Phedang. A shorter trail is
planned keeping in mind the gain in altitude - Dinner and overnight Camp
Day 06: Trek - Phedang to Dzongri
Phedang (3760 meters / 12,336 feet) to Dzongri (4,030 meters / 13,221 feet)
4 Km / 3 Hrs
Short day's trek today - One will preferably setting up camp by lunchtime
and recommendation is that you spend a relaxed afternoon acclimatizing. A
brief climb beyond brings you to a meadow where one can pitch tents in a
campsite with views of Koktang, Rathong, Mount Kabru, Mount Kanchendzonga,
Mount Simvo and Mount Pandim. Dinner and retire in Camp.
Day 07: Dzongri - 4, 030 meters / 13,221 feet
Visit
to Laxmi Pokhari - Early risers can get up before dawn to climb to a vantage
point on a ridge to watch the sunrise on Kanchendzonga, Kabru, Pandim,
Rathong, and many other peaks of the Kanchendzonga range. Back to Dzongri -
dinner and retire at Log hut / Camp.
Day 08: Trek - Dzongri to Bakhim
Dzongri (4030 meters / 13,221 feet) - Bakhim (3,005 meters / 9,859 feet)
Excursion around Dzongri and trek back to Bakhim. Return by the same route.
However this time Dzongri to Bakhim could be done in one day with the second
day on the trail to Yuksom. Many other variations of this trek are possible.
Dinner and Overnight Camp
Day 09: Trek - Bakhim to Yuksom
Bakhim (3,005 meters / 9,859 feet) to Yuksom (1,780 meters / 5840 feet)
One passes through a forest of Rhododendron trees, speckled with high
altitude Himalayan Orchids and at times, meadows with grazing herds of Yaks.
The much - talked about trek to Dzongri, gets the best of West Sikkim etched
indelibly on adventurous minds and the walk back is nostalgic. Rest of the
day free to visit the oldest monastery and the surrounding area - Gala party
- Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 10: Drive - Yuksom to Darjeeling
Yuksom (1780 meters/ 5840 feet) - Darjeeling (2134 meters/ 7,001 feet) -
Approx. 125 Km - 4 ½ - 5 Hrs
After an early breakfast drive to Darjeeling -
known as the Queen of the Hills, it offers spectacular views of the
Himalayan ranges including Mount Everest and Mount Kanchendzonga. It is
famous for tea gardens, breathtaking valleys and scenery. The route is
scenic and the drive is enjoyable. Over night stay at hotel
Day 11: Drive - Local Sight Seeing at Darjeeling
Early
morning tour to Tiger Hill to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject
to clear weather) - On the way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop (an
Engineering marvel). After breakfast half - day sight seeing of Padmaja
Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
(Closed on Thursday), Tenzing & Gombu Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help
Center (Closed on Sunday) & Tea Estate. Afternoon there is a visit to
Rock Garden & Ganga Maya Lake. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 12: Drive - Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station / Bagdogra
Airport
After breakfast proceed to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station / Bagdogra
Airport - (100 Km / 03 hours), for your onward connection / journey.
more..
