Sikkim - Trekking beneath Kangchenjunga
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE land only package services begin with lunch after which there is an optional sightseeing tour of the city.
Day 2: Transfer to the domestic terminal for the onward flight to Bagdogra. We then drive to Darjeeling (2500m / 8200ft) and check in to our hotel.
Day 3: We have a sightseeing tour, to include Ghoom Monastery, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Tibetan Refugee Centre. After lunch, relax in the grounds of the hotel.
Day 4: After an early breakfast, we set off by jeep for the 6 hour drive to Pelling (2250m / 7382ft). We check in to our hotel and have the opportunity to visit Pemayangtse Monastery.
Day 5: After a short drive to the roadhead at Uttarey, we set off on a 3 to 4-hour trek, through rhododendron forest to the first camp of the trip at Chitre (2680m / 8790ft).
Day 6: It is just a short walk to Chiwabhanjang and our camp. From here, we make an excursion to 'Singalila Peak' (3685m / 12,090ft) for great views of Himalayan peaks.
Day 7: Heading north on the ridge, we trek through rhododendron forest with alternate views into Sikkim and into Nepal. A longer day, to our camp at Dhor (3720m / 12,200ft). Great sunset views here.
Day 8: An early start to see the sunrise, then superb trekking along the ridge to our camp at Phedong / Khamsong Danda (3850m / 12,630ft), one of a series of high grazing areas.
Day 9: Trekking now through an alpine world, we follow the west side of the ridge to our camp at the sacred lake of Lam Pokhri (4240m / 13,910ft). A shorter day of 4 to 5 hours.
Day 10: A day for exploration. Above our lakeside camp, we can make a 3-hour excursion to a high ridge for views of Kangchenjunga, the Kabru peaks and Pandim.
Day 11: We cross the Damphebir Pass (4500m / 14,764ft), where the views extend to distant Everest, then descend to Gomothang. A short afternoon walk leads to our camp at Yangseb (3880m / 12,730ft).
Day 12: A pleasant day of trekking, on a good path which crosses a succession of low passes to the camping place at Panding (4275m / 14,025ft).
Day 13: Two further passes at around 4500 metres (14,700 feet) to cross today, en route to the camp at Bikbari (4120m / 13,517ft) which is located below the Rathong Glacier.
Day 14: Another fairly easy day, trekking up to the Ginge La (4340m / 14,239ft) below the peak of Kabur, then descending to camp at Dzongri.
Day 15: Trekking now on the main trail to the Goecha La, we head up-valley to Thangsing and on to Lamuney, where we camp.
Day 16: A long day, as we hike up to the Goecha La (4940m / 16,207ft) for great views of Kangchenjunga, then return via Samity Lake to Thangshing (3930m / 12,895ft).
Day 17: Our return trek takes us down the valley on a trail which avoids climbing up to Dzongri and follows the Prek Chu to Bakim where we camp.
Day 18: Our final day of trekking leads to the roadhead at Yoksom, where we check into a basic hotel.
Day 19: Today, we drive to the town of Kalimpong. After checking into our hotel, we can explore the streets of this thriving bazaar town.
Day 20: Drive back to Bagdogra and and fly to Delhi, where we transfer to our hotel.
Day 21: KE land only package services end after breakfast. Airport transfers are provided on this day.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
