Goechala Trek

Duration

10 Days

Maximum Altitude

5200 mtrs

Pickup point

NJP Railyway station & Bagdogra Airport

Descriptive Overview of Goechala Trek

At such a great altitude, the lush jungle on the Goechala trek is amazing. Not only that, but there’s more. Add in the dramatic scenery changes, such as witnessing Mt Pandim sit next to the Prekchu River and getting up in the middle of the night to climb to View Point 1 to see the sun rise over Kachenjunga! These are the characteristics that distinguish Goechala as a memorable trek.

  • Dense Forest & Flora at 12,100 feet

    At such a high height, there are extremely few treks with treeline. When compared to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh treks, the tree line is around 10,000 feet. This hike, however, runs through the Kanchenjunga National Park and is not for the faint of heart. And I thought that was quite impressive. This trek is also one of the best for bird watching in the Himalayas. Particularly notable is the dense canopy of Rhododendron trees, which bloom in the misty spring and turn dark and gloomy in the autumn.

  • 3 incredible suspension bridges

    You'll traverse these suspension bridges across the Prekchu river, which flows through three deep gorges: Pha Khola, Tshushay Khola, and Mentogang Khola. The rapid appearance of the bridges surprised me. And seeing down into the deep gorge from these suspension bridges is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

  • Monastery at Tsokha

    On the second day, something occurs. You've almost reached 9,600 feet, and there's a monastery nearby! Isn't that incredible? Tsokha is not the exact location of the monastery. You'll need to go out of the campground and across a wooden bridge over a pond. It's such a serene environment. Mountains have always appealed to me as a location to meditate. As a result, I was overjoyed to discover this monastery nestled among the Goechala trek.

  • Versatile Scenes

    The first is between Tsokha and Dzongri. The walk begins by winding among rhododendron and pine woods. However, when you approach Phedang, the lush forest cover gives way to a desolate landscape. The transformation is remarkable. From Kokchurang to Thansing, the scenery changes dramatically. The Prekchu river, which you had observed rushing deep within the gorges, cuts through the jungle here. Yes, you've joined the river. It also adds to the setting's mysterious atmosphere. The sudden change in scenery, with a wooden bridge crossing the river, was unexpected.

  • Sunrise on Kanchendzonga from Dzongri Top

    This is your acclimatisation day, and you will be staying at Dzongri. Early in the morning, get up at 4.30 a.m. and drive to Dzongri peak, which is at 13,778 feet. It's a difficult ascent. But it was well worth it.

  • Camping at the foot of Kanchendzonga

    Thansing is the trek's most beautiful campsite. It's a desolate meadow on Prekchu's riverbed. It also lends itself to a one-of-a-kind experience. It was a fantastic experience for me to sit close to the river and see Mt Pandim for lengthy periods of time.

  • Sunrise on Kanchendzonga from View Point 1

    Finally, our favourite trek recollection begins with a 1 a.m. wake-up call for View Point 1. We were initially irritated by the unusually early start time. When we arrived to View Point 1, though, everything changed. It's an amazing feeling to watch the first rays fall atop Kanchenjunga. It casts a magnificent light on the world's third highest mountain, as well as others.

Why Goechala Trek?

Goechala, located at an elevation of over 15,000 feet, provides an adventure like no other. While it is one of the oldest trekking routes in the Himalayas, it is not as well known. However, the Goechala Trek has recently gained popularity among adventure seekers. Many trekkers dream of reaching Goechala, which offers breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga Range, the world’s third highest mountain range. You will be able to see not only Kanchenjunga but also several other Himalayan peaks. The Goechala Trek, which includes a number of summits along the way, is the ultimate adventure.

The trail provides many surprises along the way, such as the soothing Samiti Lake, the mystical settings of Thangshing, a beautiful sunrise view from the Dzongri top, and an abundance of natural beauty as you trek through the Kanchenjunga National Park, amidst thick Rhododendron forests. Capture sunrise and sunset views from the highest point on the planet, and rejuvenate your senses with the ultimate trekking experience at Goechala. This trek will put your physical and mental endurance to the test, but the experience you will gain will be well worth the difficulties of the journey.

The Adventure

The 11-day Goechala Trek is ideal for those looking for a challenging experience. The 90-kilometer trek takes you through many changing terrains, providing up-close views of the Himalayas. From Mt. Kanchenjunga to Mt. Pandim, and many more, enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas as you embark on the thrilling adventure of Goechala.

Sikkim strikes an ideal balance between calming natural beauty and adventure-filled trekking experiences, particularly the Goechala Trek, which satisfies the wanderlust of all wanderlusting souls.

There are numerous routes that lead to the Goechala Summit. Depending on the convenience and feasibility, we choose the route that begins in Yuksom and continues through Dzongri, Phedang, Thangshing, and Goechala.

The trek begins in Yuksom Village, which is approximately 150 kilometres from the NJP Railway Station. An 8-hour drive from NJP will bring you to Yuksom by late evening, and your trekking adventure will begin the next day as we trek from Yuksom to Sachen. The scenic hike will take you through forest cover, and if you’re lucky, you might see mountain animals like the Yak.

The trek from Sachen to Tshoka, at an elevation of 9700 feet, continues the next day. Some of the majestic Himalayan peaks can be seen while trekking through Rhododendron covers. Keep your cameras ready; you might catch some beautiful natural moments along the way.

The next day, we will continue our journey to Dzongri via Phedang, following the hiking trail. The 9-kilometer hike will take us to an elevation of 12,900 feet. The trail here is rocky, and completing the ascent requires a high level of physical fitness. The following day is a rest day, during which you can explore Dzongri at your leisure before retiring for the night.

The following day’s trek will take us to Thangshing via Kokcharang and lush meadows. The next day, we will trek from Thangshing to Lamuney, and the following day, we will trek from Lamuney to the Goechala Summit. The trek from Lamuney to Goechala is strenuous and will put your trekking skills and physical fitness to the test. Enjoy the magnificent Himalayan peaks from the Goechala top to your heart’s content, then return to Lamuney or Thangshing the same day if the weather permits.

The following day, we will return from Thangshing to Tshoka via Phedang, and then to Yuksom via Bakhim and Sachen. We will spend the night in Sachen before driving back from Yuksom to NJP.

What to Expect During the Trek?

We will take you through the best trek route to Goechala, passing through dense forests, mountain bridges, monasteries, and Rhododendron meadows. This high-altitude mountain pass provides a stunning panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga’s southeast face. The breathtaking Goechala Trek is similar to many Himalayan treks, but some of its characteristics make it even more captivating.

Goechala Trek is located very close to Mt. Kanchenjunga, allowing you to see the towering peak from a very close distance. You will also see 14 other mountain peaks in addition to Kanchenjunga. It is one of the highest Himalayan treks, at 6000 m, and as such, you must prepare your body for a variety of challenges.

Unlike many other Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand and Himachal, the trail’s starting point is not short and smooth, and as such, this trek is not suitable for beginners. This trek is ideal for experienced trekkers with prior trekking experience and a high level of physical fitness. To conquer the Goechala Summit, you should start your preparations three months before the trek with a solid fitness regimen.

Sikkim’s weather is pretty moist all year, and as you get higher in elevation, the moisture increases, adding to the natural cold conditions. Goechala Trek can be done all year, but certain weather conditions make it more enjoyable than others.