A
land of mystic splendour, endowed with some of the best treks of India,
Sikkim draws large number of trek enthusiasts as well as nature lovers every
year. Ranging from very easy to moderate treks, the trails in Sikkim take
you through various unexplored regions where you can observe nature at its
best. Trekking in Sikkim provides you an excellent chance to wander up lush
green mountain trails, beautiful valleys, clean lakes and visiting the
monasteries, stupas and temples en-route.
While trekking along the beautiful trails, you come across a number of wild
animals like yaks, snow leopard, blue sheep, goral, tahr and red panda kept
in the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Moreover, the trails
overlooked by Mt. Kangchendzonga, the world’s third highest peak, make
your trekking expedition a memorable experience.
Popular Treks
Treks in West Sikkim
Dzongri and Goecha La Trek (Duration - 8 to 10 Days)
Route Covers : Yuksom - Tsokha - Dzongri - Thansing -
Samiti - Goecha La - Kokchorung - Dzongri - Chaurikhang - Tsokha - Yuksom.
Day 1 : Yuksom - Tsokha : Start your trail from Yuksom
(1,785 mts) market and follow the only road going northwards. The path
climbs gently out of the valley, hugs the right bank of the Ratong Chu river
and crosses four bridges about 50 mnts far from each other. From the fourth
bridge, the route climbs steeply to the north-west for an hour to the Forest
rest House at Bakhim. You can stay here and get a fine view from the
bungalow down the valley towards Yuksom. Resume your walk further on the
trail, pass the Bakhim bungalow and climb in a north-westerly direction for
about an hour to reach Tsokha, which is 3 kms away.
Day 2 : Tsokha - Dzongri :
It’s a moderate-difficult level trek and takes around 5 to 6 hours.
The trail cuts through the Tsokha village, continue your climb steeply
northwards to the alp of Phidang (3,650 mts) which takes around 2.5 to 3
hrs. Stop at Phidang for a lunch and head on to Dzongri. You can also take a
trail to Mon Lepcha, a pass which is higher than the Dzongri Trekker’s
Hut (4,030 mts).
Day 3 : Full Day at Leisure in Dzongri : You are advised
to have a rest day at Dzongri, both for acclimatisation as well as enjoying
the superb views of the mountains.
Day 4 : Dzongri - Thansing : Leave the Dzongri bungalow
and take the right trail that crosses the building and then climbs east up
along the right bank of the river. After passing the hill, the path drops
into the valley and crosses a bridge over the Prek Chu river. After an hour’s
climb due north from the bridge, you will reach Thansing (3,800 mts) which
is located below the slopes of Mt. Pandim.
Day
5 : Thansing - Samiti : Take the trail from Thansing that climbs gently
north, up the valley and passes a stream and alpine meadows. After an hour
above Thansing you will reach Onglathang, which provides you fantastic view
of Kangchendzonga. The trail passes through a series of glacial moraines
before crossing meadows again and arrives at the green lake at Samiti.
Day 6 : Samiti - Goecha La Pass - Kokchorung : Samiti -
Goecha La trek begins with a gentle gradient eastwards for about 30 mnts and
then the real climbing starts. Follow the glacial moraine north-east and
then descend to a dry lake at Zemathang. A rocky trail rising to a height of
400 mts will take you to top of the pass. The trail from Samiti to Goech La
(5,002 mts) takes around 3.5 hrs to 4 hrs. Follow your tracks back to
Thansing, which will take around 2-3 hrs and then head for one hour trail
towards Dzongri until you reach Kokchorung. Set up your camp at Kochorung
and stay overnight.
Day 7 : Kokchorung - Dzongri/ Tsokha : From Kokchorung
head south-east on the well-marked trail for 4 to 5 hrs to reach Dzongri /
Tsokha. You are advised to ask the security guard at Kokchorung or Thansing
about the best route back as the trail conditions change during different
seasons.
Day 8 : Tsokha - Yucksom : On the final day of your trek
return back to Yuksom. The path downhill is easier and it will take around 4
to 5 hrs to reach Yuksom.
Hilley to Barsai Trek (Duration - 1 to 2 Days)
Route Covers : Hilley - Barsai - Hilley.
An easy level climb, Hilley to Barsai Trek covers a distance of 4 kms and
you can complete this trek within 2 hrs. Take the bridle path from Hilley to
Barsai that heads due north along the Singalila Ridge. En-route enjoy the
excellent view of the great Kangchendzonga. You can return back to Hilley
same day, but if you want to experience more then stay overnight at Barsai
for getting the magnificent views and enjoying the rhododendron forests all
around.
Barsai to Dentam Trek ( Duration -
2 to 3 hrs)
Next day you may take an exciting trip to Dentam which is 10 kms away.
Start your walk from Barsai, take the easy trail due north-east to Dentam.
Visit the Alpine Cheese Factory, stay overnight at the Trekker’s Hut or
at Alpine Guest House. Proceed further to visit Pemayangtse monastery or
Rabangla (69 kms) or return to Sombaria or Namchi.
Treks in South Sikkim
Rabangla to Mainom Top Trek (Duration - 1 Day, 6 hrs).
Route Covers : Rabangla - Mainom Top - Rabangla.
If
you want to walk amidst old forests and view plenty of bird species without
wasting much time or energy, then Rabangla to Mainom Top Trek is certainly a
good option for you. Situated on the ridge between Mainom (3,230 mts) and
Tendong (2,590 mts), Rabangla has a scrub forest, which houses a variety of
Himalayan birds like the verditer flycatcher, blue-fronted redstart,
dark-throated thrush, blue-whistling thrush, white-browed fantail etc.
Start your walk from the main Rabangla Bazaar, cross all the road-side
shops and follow the jeepable road for about 20 mnts, which eventually leads
to the Ralang Monastery. Next, the road starts to soar high, after 20 mnts
you will see a sign marking the entrance to the Mainom Wildlife Sanctuary.
From here, the trail leaves the jeepable road and begins to raise steeply
through the oak, rhododendron, chestnut forests. Move further through the
forests, en route is a small hermitage containing the statue of Guru
Padmasambhava. After 4 hrs steep climb along a well-trodden path, you will
reach atop the Maniom Top (3,200 mts) which provides you breathtaking view
of the town below. Follow the same path to return back, it will not take
more than 2 hrs to reach Rabangla.
Damthang to Tendong Trek (Duration - 1 Day, 3 hrs).
Route Covers : Damthang - Tendong Hill - Damthang.
Take the main road from Damthang, heading north-east and then take the
trail through the dense forests of the Tendong Sanctuary. Follow the same
route till you reach at the top of Tendong Hill. From the top of the hill,
you get the view that you will always remember in your lifetime. See the
beautiful Chola Peaks in the east, the imposing Kangchendzonga in the west
and the splendid Singalila Range. Enjoy the spectacular views and return
back to Damthang. The way down takes around an hour and a half.
Essential Gears Required
Essential gears which you should carry during trekking expedition include a
travel bag, sleeping bag, suitable clothes, sufficient food, water bottles,
tents, a pair of hard-sole shoes, first aid medicines, light and route maps.
You can hire essential equipments at reasonable prices from Sikkim Tourism
Development Corporation or from a recognized travel agents/ tour operators.
Sikkim Climate
Sikkim’s climate changes with varying altitudes, it remains cool and
humid most of the year due to frequent rainfall. The months of March to May
and October to December are ideal for trekking in Sikkim.
