16 days

Goecha La trek nine days on trek. Highest point 4940m. This trek demands a good level of fitness with some fairly strenuous climbs up to open mountain areas. The high point is the Goecha La (pass) which gives the possibility of superb views of Kanchenjunga. There are also opportunities for excellent views from other points lower down. This itinerary gives the opportunity of visiting several monasteries en route, and superb views of Sikkim. It returns to Bagdogra via Kalimpong.

1. Drive to Pelling, and overnight.
2. Visit Pemayangtse monastery and Rabdentse ruins. Drive to Yoksum. Walk around Yoksum.
3. Trek to Tsochka, camp or trekkers hut in the village. This is a day of steep climbing, mostly through magnificent virgin forest with immense trees draped with epipyhytic ferns, orchids and trailing vines. There are deep valleys and rushing torrents to cross on the way. Tsochka is a small Tibetan village surrounded by Rhododendron forest and gives the first opportunity to see the snowy mountains.
4. Another steep climb to Dzongri. Much of the area has been heavily grazed by yaks. There are good areas for camping with fine views of Pandim, Kabru, Kanchenjunga and others.
5. A rest day to allow acclimatization. A dawn visit to the top of a nearby hill gives superb views over the peaks.
6.Trek to Thanshing. The path leads past a prominent trio of ancient chortens on a col, and descends to the Prek Chu before rising again to the wide open valley at Thanshing which lies below steep rocky hillsides.
7. Trek to Samiti lake. This is a short day. Samiti lies surrounded by glacial moraine below the peaks of Pandim and Kabru. There is a real high mountain feel up here.
8. Early morning start to climb up to the Goecha La through alpine meadows and along moraine ridges above the glacier. Return to Samiti and down to Kockchorang.
9. Return to Tsochka along the beautiful valley of the Prek Chu.
10.Descend to Yoksum, overnight at Trekkers Lodge.
11.Drive to Tashiding monastery, camp at Legship.
12.Drive Gangtok, overnight
13.Visit Rumtek, overnight Gangtok
14.Drive Kalimpong
15.Rest day Kalimpong
16.Drive Bagdogra