Firsthand experience, narrated by Ayan Das
Pic Courtesy: Ayan Das
Some of the Himalayan trails are not only well-known among the Indians, but also popular across the world. The entire route falls under the Kanchenjunga National Park in the Eastern Himalaya in West Sikkim where people can cherish the smell of fantastic flowers and can view great Himalayan ranges. This area is mostly covered with thick vegetation, along with numerous rare bird species, wildflowers, especially Rhododendrons.
The trek starts from Yuksom, a 149 km ride from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station, residing at an elevation of 5670 feet. This fascinating place is situated in West Sikkim and can be accomplished in a moderate budget. The mighty view of the south-east face of Kanchenjunga (8586m), Mt. Pandim (6691m) can be seen from the trail.
The trek permits along with guide and porter selection can be done at Yuksom, from where one needs to hike up to Sachen or Bakhim which is a 5 to 6 hours. There is a bungalow at Bakhim in which the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) trainees stay before reaching their base camp, Chaurikhang.
The next day one can walk through the jazzy jungle and can reach Tshoka (2985m) after 5 to 7 km hike. There is home stay and camping facilities there. If carrying tents, then camping is the best option. A monastery near the home stay is mandatory visit for the trekkers.
It is a 7.35 km hike up to Dzongri through the wooden stairs which come across the route. After hiking up a few hours, comes Phedang, a flat area after negotiating the big boulders. Here some hikers take rest where there is scarcity of water, hence best plan – not to stay at the Dzongri home stay due to the hygiene. The very next dawn after reaching Dzongri, hikers usually climb up to Dzongri top to see sure sunrise on the sleeping Buddha and the mighty Pandim. From here one can see Kanchenjunga (8586m), Talung (7349m), Rathong (6679m), Kabru North (7353m), Koktang (6147m), Simvo (6812m), Kabru South (7318m), Kabru Dome (6600m), Kabru Forked (6100m), Pandim (6691m), Tenchenkhang (6010m) and Jupono (5650m).
After two night stay at Dzongri, if health permits and have insufficient time, then can trek through the tantalizing trails for 5 hours and reach Thansing. From here the mightiest sleeping Buddha is not visible but can have a prominent view of Mt. Pandim.
There is also a home stay at Thansing and a kitchen store. People can also stay in the kitchen if they want to. If plan to push up to Goechala the very next day, then best to start at midnight, or take a halt at Lamuney and on the following day, move for Goechala via Samity Lake. There are three view points on the way to Goechala. So studying the route is mandatory before starting, not to rely on the guides, no matter how much trustworthy they are. If planning to hike down on the same day, then ensure to make a night halt at Kokchurong. Otherwise one can hike straight down to Tshoka or Bakhim which will be a lengthy trek through the majestic meadows.
The following day will be the last day of the trek as will reach Yuksom where one can taste some great dishes in the roadside restaurants.
This trek is a year-round indulgence for trekkers with any level of experience. If planning to get fresh snow then the month of November, December and March are suggested. To get views of fancy flowers then make a visit in September, October and from April-June. The rest of the months will either be rainy or will be heavily filled with snow.
So, good luck, make your plan, step forward and we assure that your experience may not be better but it will never be bitter!