Kanchenjunga Base Trek
15 Days | Trekking 08 Days
Suitable for families with young children
Goecha La, 4940 Meters
Highest point/ Max altitude
Fitness Grade
Moderate
5-7 hours activity per day with steep uphill and downhill sections or high passes. Some days at high altitudes, good level of physical fitness recommended.
On the border of Sikkim and Nepal, Kanchenjunga is the world’s third highest mountain, and this exciting trekking itinerary takes you within a stone’s throw of its gigantic bulk. Ascending through beautiful landscapes of grassy meadows, rhododendron forests of and rushing streams, we’ll reach the breathtaking heights of this little-visited part of the eastern Himalayas. You’ll also have the chance to explore the fascinating centres of Gangtok and Darjeeling and the local Buddhist culture.
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Tour Highlights
- Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim nestled within the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas.
- Dzongri, one of the famous key halting points in Sikkim.
- Thangshing, the highest peak of Kanchenjunga.
- Samiti Lake, a glacial lake in the Onglathang Valley.
- Goecha La, a spectacular mountain pass in Sikkim.
- Darjeeling, a beautiful hill station famous for its tea plantations.
- Flexible tailor-made booking options
Best Season
- Mar
- Apr
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
Tour Details
This classic trek through the eastern Himalayas journeys from Yuksom to Samiti Lake and onward to the dizzy heights of Goecha La (‘La’ means Pass in Tibetan) (4940m), a high pass situated right beneath the towering massif of Kanchenjunga (8586m). Setting out from Gangtok, the enchanting capital of Sikkim, we head to beautiful Yuksom and continue via Tshoka, Dzongri, Thangsing and the spectacular Samiti Lake to Goecha La. The trail passes through lush vegetation, rhododendron forests, remote villages, and we will be camping in beautiful meadows surrounded by the magnificent panorama of the Himalayan peaks. Dzongri is situated at an altitude of about 4020m in west Sikkim. It offers the trekker the most fascinating close-up views of Kanchenjunga and neighbouring Pandim. Goecha La is situated at an altitude of about 4,940m the high point of the route; the pass is strewn with prayer flags and offers a mind-blowing panorama of the mountains all around.
We finish our trek returning to Yuksom and onward to Darjeeling. We explore this beautiful hill town famous for its lush scenery and tea plantations from the days of British India.
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Flexibility Guaranteed
Please note: You can use this itinerary as a guide to fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have.
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DAY 01 - Delhi
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel for check-in
Arrive Delhi. Our KVT’s representative will meet and would assist you at the airport, later board the vehicle and transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or can explore the surroundings by own.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 02 - Gangtok
Morning board the flight for Bagdogra and drive to Gangtok
This morning have breakfast and transfer to airport to board the flight for Bagdogra, arrive at Bagdogra airport and drive to Gangtok (Distance: 126km appx). Reach Gangtok and check-in to the hotel and rest of the day is free to relax or can stroll around the area in the evening. Gangtok is the capital and the largest city of Indian state Sikkim, it is a popular place among trekkers and one can have a spectacular view of the Kanchenjunga the 3rd highest mountain in the world. (1600m)
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 03 - Gangtok
Gangtok Sightseeing
Today after finishing breakfast we will do the sightseeing tour of Gangtok visiting Phodang monastery, it is located 38 kms from Gangtok. Phodong monastery was built in 18th century and belongs to Kagyupa Sect and then we head to Labrang monastery which is famous for its architectural style. Later proceed to Namgyal Institute of Tibetology it is a museum which flaunts Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan culture and it was established in 1958. After that visit Tibetan handicrafts centre and later return back to hotel. (1600m)
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 04 - Yuksom
Morning drive to Yuksom en-route visit Rumtek monastery
This morning we drive to Yuksom (Total distance: 160km appx) en route we will visit Rumtek Monastery located on the top of the hill and plays an important role in Kagyupa Sect. Rumtek monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim. Reach Yuksom and check-in to the hotel, Yuksom is a small town and also means the meeting place of three lamas. Yuksom is also the base camp for various treks and the entry point for Kanchenjunga National Park. (1780m)
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 05 - Tsokha
Trek towards Tshoka en-route crossing Bakhim (Trek begins)
Morning after finishing breakfast we begin our trek towards Tshoka (3050m) a small village where we camp for the night, on the way we will cross Bakhim (2790m) another beautiful village. The trail leads through dense forest which will give us an opportunity to watch flora and fauna, we will have to cross some streams to reach our campsite. (3050m | 6hrs trek | trek begins)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 06 - Dzongri
Trek from Tshoka to Dzongri
In the morning after breakfast we leave Tshoka village and continue trekking towards Dzongri (4,020 m) our next campsite for the night. The trail goes through dense forest of rhododendron and one can see the different species of flowers while trekking, later we reach Phedang village which comes on the way and from here one can enjoy a breathtaking view of various snow-capped mountains. After spending some time at Phedang, we continue our trek to Dzongri. The trail goes up and down through forest and takes us to a beautiful trekker’s hut Dzongri with its mesmerizing meadows, surrounded by awesome snow-capped peaks. (3990m | 5-6hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 07 - Dzongri
Day is at leisure for acclimatization at Dzongri
A rest day for acclimatization and one can be blessed with a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks such as Kabru (7412m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Koktang (6147m), Pandim (6691m) and Narsingh (5825m). (3990m)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 08 - Thangsing
Trek from Dzongri to Thangsing cross Kockchurang
Today morning we have breakfast then move on to our next campsite that is Thangsing (3930m), the trail leads us to the Dzongri ridge from where one can have a spectacular view of Kanchenjunga, Pandim and other snow-capped peaks then continue the trek through forest of rhododendron. The trail descends down to Kokchurang then we follow the Prekchu River and cross the bridge, later reach Thangsing meadow where we camp for the night. (3930m | 4-5hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 09 - Samiti Lake
Morning trek to Samiti Lake
Today morning we have breakfast then start trekking towards Samiti Lake (4300m) which is a fresh water lake in the Himalayas. We follow the trail which leads us gently to the north and follows a stream and alpine meadows. This will bring us to the moraines of the Onglathang Glacier, from where one can be blessed with the superb view of the south face of Kanchenjunga. If one wants to have a clear views of the surroundings then one has to reach Onglathang early, then we continue walking to reach Samiti Lake. (4300m | 3-4hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 10 - Thangsing
Trek to Goecha La (‘La’ means Pass in Tibetan) and descend back to Thangsing
This morning we start early to reach Goecha La (4940m) to get the incredible views of Kanchenjunga. The trail at the beginning is an easy climb and later steep ascent towards the pass, the whole route passes through Zemathang Plateau. En route we reach at a glacial lake from here the Goecha La is another hour away climb. Then keep moving and reach Goecha La from here you can have a spectacular view of the southeast face of Mt. Kanchenjunga. After spending some time at Goecha La we descend to Samiti Lake by following the same route and continue towards Thangsing where we camp for the night. (3930m | 8-10hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 11 - Tsokha
Trek from Thangsing to Tshoka en route leaving Dzongri behind
Descending the valley from Thangsing, we begin retracing our steps and take a direct route to Tshokha and leave behind Dzongri. The trail leads through the rhododendron forest and later we reach Tshoka where we camp for the night. (3050m | 7-8hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 12 - Yuksom
Trek downhill to reach Yuksom (Trek ends)
Morning after breakfast we start descending down towards Yuksom, retracing our steps through forest and crossing Bakhim on the way. Reach Yuksom and the trek ends here, in the evening we can celebrate the memorable trek with locally brewed ‘Chang’ and ‘Tongba’ and traditional Tibetan food. (1780m | 5-6hrs trek | Trek ends)
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 13 - Darjeeling
Drive from Yuksom to Darjeeling
Today morning after finishing breakfast load up your backpacks and board the vehicle and drive towards Darjeeling (Distance: 135 km appx). Reach Darjeeling and check-in to the hotel and rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or can explore the surroundings by your own.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 14 - Delhi
Catch the flight for Delhi, arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel for check-in
Morning have breakfast and drive to Bagdogra airport to catch the flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel for check-in and evening is free to relax at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 15 - Delhi
Departure Delhi
This day you will be transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport to board the flight for back home.
Tour Map (Only key areas marked)
Send an enquiry
Flexibility Guaranteed! Using the above itinerary as a guide you can fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have. On receiving your enquiry we will respond with prices and work with you to create a truly personalised holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.
