DAY 01 Siliguri - Darjeeling: Today arrive in Siliguri by air or by train, after breakfast or lunch, drive 4hrs to Darjeeling, the summer capital of British Bengal Raj, with a stopover en route for tea. It is beautifully set amongst rolling greenery of the tea plantations. Evening check in to hotel and free.
DAY 02
Darjeeling Sightseeing:
Rise early today to catch the famous sunrise at Tiger hill, before we go on a tour covering the famous Ghoom monastery, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and if time permits, the Tibetan Refugee self help centre. Evening same hotel.
DAY 03
Darjeeling - Pelling:
After breakfast, scenic 5hrs drive to Pelling (2,085m) lunch en route. Arrive Pelling in the late afternoon and check into hotel, Evening free & easy to explore the small town which offers a good view of the entire mountain range.
DAY 04
Pelling - Yuksam (1,780 m):
Today we will visit the Pemayangtse Monastery in the morning. This monastery is the 2nd oldest in Sikkim dating back to 1750 and is the head quarter of Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. If you happen to be there during Kagyat chaam festival, performing ritualistic and strangely rhythmic dance wearing ceremonial masks, will haunt you for days after you have left this cloud –woven hilltop. After the sight seeing , lunch follows and then it’s a drive to Yuksom, which will serve as the start point of our trek. From Pemayangtse to Yuksam, the distance is approximately 35 km and 2-hrs drive. Yuksam was also the 1st capital of sikkim and the king Phuntsok Namgyal was crowned by Lhaptsen Chempo in 1641. We shall spend the night in the village lodge of camp out.
DAY 05
Yuksam - Bhakhim (1,745 m) : Today it is the first day of our trek, starts with a hot cup of tea and briefing by the guides. The first day walk is 12 km distances about 7hrs. You will see more of gigantic trees and greenery, Evening camp out.
DAY 06
Bhakhim - Tsokha (3,005 m):
Acclimatizationday. Today’s is short but steep 1hour walk of about 4km distance through magnolia and rhododendron forest. Tsokha is the only village on the trek. From our camp, we can get the first views of Mt. Pandim peak (6,691m) and at night we can even see the lights of distant Darjeeling in the valley beyond. Rest of the day to take it easy and adept to the thinner air before making further ascent. We’ll stay the night in Trekkers hut of camp at the camping ground behind the hut.
DAY 07
Tsokha - Dzongri (4,030 m): After break fast, begin your ascend to Dzongri. This 11km stretch from Tsokha to Dzongri takes 4-5 hrs rising through beautiful pine and Rhododendron forest. Phedang Meadow (3450m), before continuing Dzongri. Evening camp out.
DAY 08
Dzongri - Chaurighang (4,200 m): After visiting viewpoint sunrise and the mountain ranges followed by breakfast. Then leave for Chaurighang 3-4hrs. Overnight camp below Kabur dome.
DAY 09
Chaurighang - HMI Base Camp (4,600 m)
After b/fast walk to base camp, this is a seasonal institute where all the mountaineers from Darjeeling and Sikkim have to go for advance course for about a month. Back to camp for lunch and then trek back to Dzongri 4hrs.Evening camp at Dzongri (Optional from here one can also trek up to Cokchurung for further extension of trek to Gochala.
DAY 10
Dzongri -Tsokha:
Descend back via same rout to Tsokha, 3-4hrs and rest. Overnight in camp and enjoy the Chhang( a kind of brew)
DAY 11
Tsokha-Yuksam:
After breakfast walk back to Yuksam, this will take about 5-6hrs walk including lunch en route. Relax in the only hotel with shower in Yuksam Tashighang. (Trek end)
DAY 12 Yuksam-Gangtok (6 - 7 hrs):
Today we drive for Gangtok via Rabongla and Temi teagarden , which produces one of the finest tea in India. Gangtok, check in to Hotel.
DAY 13
Gangtok (sightseeing):
Today you will be taken to all the sightseeing places of Gangtok, evening. Evening same hotel.
DAY 14
Gangtok-Siliguri / Bagdogra /Kalimpoong / Nepal / Bhutan or extension to North Sikkim.
