EHA/TREK-03 K H A N G C H E N D Z O N G A "THE FIVE TREASURE" TREK

This strenuous trek takes you unto Goechala at 5002 mtrs, opposite the south-eastern face of Mt. Khangchendzonga (8345 mt), the third highest mountain in the world and also one of the most majestic peaks in the world. The trek begins through dense sub-tropical forests and passes vast pasture lands of grazing Yaks and finally reaches the alpine region where the only vegetation are Rhododendron shrubs rising a few inches above the ground.

 DAY 01: Bagdogra- Gangtok (1700 mtrs) Dist: 124 km/4 hrs (approx.). Meet, assist and transfer from Bagdogra airport and drive through the Teesta valley to Gangtok. Overnight.

DAY 02: Day excursion in Gangtok. A day for permit formalities & tour around Gangtok. Enchey Monastery: This 90 year old monastery on a hillock 2 km above follows the Nyingmapa sect and is the main monastery in Gangtok. Government Institute of Cottage Industry: This centre offers you the opportunity to observe the local artisans at work and their skills being imparted to young boys and girls. If you want to take back souvenirs, the institute's salesroom is well stocked with local handicraft and handloom products. Do-Drul Chorten : One of the most important Stupas of Sikkim built by the late Venerable Trulsi Rimpoche in 1945-46, it contains a mandala of Dorji-Phurpa, holy texts, mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels. Research Institute of Tibetology : Situated close to the Chorten this institute is a repository of the largest collection of Tibetan artifacts outside Tibet. Also renowned worldwide for the study of Buddhist philosophy and religion, it is a treasure house of rare Thankas, Buddhist icon and objects of art. Rumtek Monastery: 24 km drive to the opposite hill takes you to this magnificent monastery built by the late Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyupa sect. This monastery has been built as an exact replica of the original Kagyu monastery in Tibet. It is also the international Headquarters of the Karma Kagyu centres. Overnight.

 
DAY 03: Gangtok -Yuksom (1770 mtrs) Dist: 126 km/6 hrs (approx.). After breakfast drive to YUksom, a quaint little village, The drive across the Rangit valley, one of the two major rivers, through semi-tropical forests, cardamom plantations and quaint villages Yuksom is also the take off point for trekking to Dzongri and Goecha-la. This is also the place where the three Lamas met and consecrated the first king of Sikkim in 1641. The Norbugang chorten and the Coronation throne stand mute testimony to this historic event. Enroute visit the Tashiding monastery, 30 minute walk. The monastery is the most sacred and was considered the heart of Sikkim by the Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava.  Overnight.

DAY 04: Yuksom-Tsokha (2745 mtrs) Dist: 12 km/time: 6hrs (approx.).  After breakfast, set off on the first part of the trail from Yuksom.  Trek through the village and its terraced  before entering oak and pine forest high above the Rathong River. The trail is well defined, with substantial bridges over the side rivers. Just beyond the confluence of the Rathong and Prek rivers the trail descends steeply to a substantial bridge. There follows a 600m ascent up the forest trail to the small settlement of Bakhim (2750m), offering fine  views down the Rathong Gorge to Yuksam.

Overnight.

DAY 05: Tshoka - Dzongri(4200 mtrs). Dist: 9 km/time: 5 hrs (approx.). The trail from Tshoka heads up through grazing meadows, and past the rhododendron and magnolia trees, to the village of Tshoka (3000 M), from here you have fantastic views of the mountains. Tshoka is a comparatively new village, founded in the early 1960s when the Sikkim government granted this tract of land to Tibetan refugees who had fled over the border in 1959. The village consists of a dozen or so houses, a gompa (Tibetan Buddhist monastery), and rows of chortens (stone Buddhist monuments) lining the main trail...  From Tshoka, the path goes uphill at first, but once a reasonably high altitude has been attained, there are quite a few ups and downs, as one crests every other ridge, and then descends to walk to the next ridge, in turn. But they’re all mild, and one invariably walks through gentle rhododendron covered slopes, with brilliant peaks and views on all sides. Yaks pass you at many a turn, and pheasants are occasionally surprised. From Dzongri, the views of the mountains along the Singalila Ridge include Kokthang, Rathong and Kabru South, while Pandim and Jubonu (5936 M) are two of the highest peaks on the east ridge side of the Prek Valley.  Overnight.

DAY 06: Dzongri. A day return excursion to Dzongri Pass along a route through towering white peaks. Also a day for acclimatization. Overnight.

DAY 07: Dzongri - Thangsing(3930mtrs). Dist: 8 km/time: 4 hrs (approx.).  After a breakfast, set off on the trail along the right bank of the river. After cresting the hill, the path drops into the valley and then crosses a bridge over the Prek Chu river. Thansing (3,800 m), an hour’s climb due north from the bridge, is located below the slopes of Mt Pandim. Reach Thansing and camp near the Prek Chu river. Overnight tents.  Overnight.

DAY 08: Thangshing – Lamune (4000 mtrs) Dist: 6 km/time: 3 hrs (approx.).  The trail from Thansing climbs gently north, up the valley, and follows a stream and alpine meadows. The trail along the valley has a superb view of the south face of Kanchendzonga and the peaks of Pandim , Tingchinkhang and Juponu hover  above the valley. We camp a little below the Samiti Lake  at Lamune ( 4000m) as camping in the lake area is now not allowed due to enviromental reasons. After reaching camp, walk upto the Samiti Lake.  The trail then skirts a series of glacial moraines before crossing meadows again, and arrives at the emerald green lake at Samiti (4,150 m). Overnight.

DAY 09:      Lamune – Goechala (5002 mtrs) - Thangsing  Dist: 12 km/time: 10 hrs(both ways) (approx.).  After a very early breakfast we head towards Goechala, crossing the Samii Lake The trail begins with a gentle upward gradient for about half an hour. The trail follows the glacial moraine north-east and then drops to a dry lake at Zemathang. A rough scramble over rocks and boulders with a rise of about 400 m will bring you to the top of the view point. The walk to the pass takes about half an hour more.  The climb from Samiti to Goecha La (5,002 m) would take between 4 and 5 hours. The Goecha La pass is formed by a depression between Pandim and the Kabru spurs. It overlooks the Talung Valley and commands a very impressive view of the south face of Kangchendzonga. Walk down back to Thansing . This is a long day  of about 10hrs walk in total. Overnight.

DAY 10: Thangsing.  A day for rest or explore a beautiful mountain lake with a chance to come across some of the rare and endangered fauna of this region. Overnight.

DAY 11: Thangsing- Tsokha. Dist: 12 km/time: 6 hrs (approx.).Descend to Phedang and then to Tsokha through dense forests. Overnight.

DAY 12: Tsokha - Yuksom. The last day of the trek. Retrace the trail to Yuksom at your own leisure. If you arrive early you can visit Dubdi Monastery, the oldest monastery in Sikkim built Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, the revered Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism in Sikkim in 1641 AD or stroll around the tranquil Karthok Lake. Overnight.

Day 13: Yuksom – Pelling. (2085 meters). Dist: 45 km/2 hrs (approx).Drive to Pelling, enroute visit Khecheodpalri lake also known as the wishing lake This unusually calm lake, located in the midst of a dense forest is considered very sacred and no water sport or other activities besides prayers and worship are allowed around it. Afternoon visit the Pemayangtse Monastery. Built in the 18th century AD, this monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Pemayangtse - "the Sublime Lotus", also houses the famed "Zangdopalri", a fascinating model of the celestial abode of Guru Padma Sambhava, crafted single-handedly out of wood by the late Dungzim Rimpoche. Overnight.

Day 14: Pelling next destination.