Goechala Trek

The biggest reason to do the Goechala trek is the grand views of big mountains that you see. You don’t just see one summit — the Kanchenjunga — but 14 other big summits. That’s a lot for any trek — especially as close to the eyes as on the Goechala trek. It is no wonder that trekkers consider Goechala to be the closest to the big mountain treks of Nepal.

Difficulty
Difficult
Duration
9 - 11 Days
Max. Altitude
15,000
Base Camp
Yuksom
Minimum Age
12
Best time to visit
April, May, Sept, Oct

Highlights

Sunrise on the Kanchenjunga Range

One of the biggest highlights of the Goechala trek is the sunrise seen on the Kanchenjunga range. Even though trekkers are not allowed all the way to the actual Goecha Pass, the view from View Point 1 and Dzongri is worth an arm and a leg!


Rhododendrons in March and April

The trail to Goechala is blessed with rhododendron forests. And come spring months of March and April, they burst to life with pink and red flowers! It’s an enormously pleasing walk through the wooden-log trails of these jungles!


The Samiti Lake

The Samiti Lake is another big attraction on the Goechala trek. The view of the still waters, and the reflection of Mt Pandim in the lake, especially in the early hours, is a visual treat.


Foreigners on the Goechala trek

Foreigners must reach Yuksom, the base camp, 1 day before the regular reporting of the batch. This is required to obtain the foreigner trek permit from Gangtok. This is a Government of Sikkim requirement. The permit costs is Rs 2,000.

Foreigners have to register for the trek in a group of 2 and above.

Goechala Trek

Permit Requisites

  1. The ILP (Inner line Permit or Sikkim permit) for foreigners can be obtained at the checkpost before entering Sikkim from Silguri or outside the Bagdogra airport. This has to be obtained by the trekkers.
  2. Trek permit for all trekkers – Obtained at the forest check post at Yuksom. Fee varies for students (id card required), regular Indian citizens (id proof required) and foreigners.
  3. Special trek permit for foreigners:  Foreigners need to obtain a special permit at Gangtok to trek in Sikkim. Kindly reach Yuksom a day before the trek batch starts. The charges of obtaining the permit will be Rs 2,000 per person. 
  4. Citizens of China, Myanmar and Bangladesh are not permitted to trek in this area.

Short Itinerary

Day 1: NJP to Yuksom

Reach Yuksom from NJP. It takes 6-8 hours from NJP depending on the road condition and traffic

Day 2: Yuksom to Bakhim

Yuksom (5,643 ft) to Bakhim (8,654 ft); 5 hours trek

Day 3: Bakhim to Tshoka

Bakhim (8,654 ft) to Tshoka (9,701 ft); 4 hours trek

Day 4: Tshoka to Dzongri

Tshoka (9,701 ft) to Dzongri (13,024 ft); 6 hours

Day 5: Dzongri to Dzongri Top

Dzongri (13,024 ft) to Dzongri top (13,778 ft) and back to Dzongri; 3 hours

Day 6: Dzongri to Thansing

Dzongri (13,024 ft) to Thansing (12,946) ft; 6 hours

Day 7: Thansing to Lamuney

Thansing (12,946 ft) to Lamuney (13,743 ft); 2 hours

Day 8: Lamuney to View Point

Lamuney (13,743 ft) to View Point One (15,100 ft) via Samiti Lake, back to Kockchurang / Thansing (12,152 ft / 12,946 ft); 12 hours

Day 9: Thansing to Tshoka

Kockchurang / Thansing (12,152 ft / 12,946 ft) to Tshoka (9,701 ft); 6-7 hours

Day 10: Tshoka to Yuksom

Tshoka (9,701 ft) to Yuksom (5,643 ft); 6 hours

Day 11: Yuksom to NJP

Drive from Yuksom (5,643 ft) to NJP.

Places & Attractions On Route

Sikkim Tourist Information Centre (TIC)

Bagdogra International Airport, West Bengal

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Sikkim Tourist Information Centre (TIC)

SNT Complex , Hill Cart Road

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Tathagata Tsal

The Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, is situated near Rabong (Ravangla) in Sou...

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Pelling

Pelling, a beautiful town in the West district of Sikkim, has become the second biggest tourist dest...

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Rabdentse Ruins

Rabdentse was the second capital of the former Kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814. The capital city...

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Packages Offered By Travel Agents