In view of the prevailing setback on the established Singalila Trek route, a new itinerary has been designed to allow visitors entry into the areas of the region that are still open to trekkers. On taking the trail from the western flanks of Dzongri, the path reaches out into the current permissible areas of the Singalila Ridge. For most parts of the trek, the trails are well within Sikkim with an exception on the seventh day when camp is set in Garakhet (very near the Nepal border). This will also be the day for exceptional views. As such, your program includes several hours of forays into the borderline providing the opportunity for great views of the Himalayan giants in Nepal such as Mount Everest, Mount Makalu and Kumbakarna.
For those with little time, or less inclination to undergo the rigours of hard mountain trekking, the trek up to the meadows of Dzongri offers the benefit of having experienced a truly spectacular alpine trek within a span of a week (or even less). The trail runs through moss-laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia and rhododendron culminating in the meadows of Dzongri at 4,030 meters with exceptional mountain views. It is a naturalist's paradise. These forests harbour hundreds of varieties of wild plants; exotic orchids vie for attention with equally spectacular varieties of birds and butterflies. Some of the animals found along this trail are the Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Marbled Cat, Langur and the Red Panda. The program described below is planned for 8 days but it is possible to bring it down 5 days but depends also upon your fitness.
A wonderful Himalayan Hiking adorned with riots of rhododendron, Varsey Hiking is an offbeat Hiking destination of Sikkim. A no-sweat trek with moderate hikes invite trekkers who trek more to get closer to nature than feeling the thrill of adventure. The Hiking reaches up to a height of 3300 m and ideal for short to medium distance treks. The area is beautified by hanging mosses and a wonderful array of endemic species of flora and fauna. From March to April Rhododendron trees bloom with vibrant colours and the hills ablaze with different shades of red and yellow Rhododendron. After a visit to Gangtok, one of the most fascinating tourist spots of Sikkim and Pemayangtse Monastery, one can plan for a three days trek with night stay in camps to see those bewildering sights of Varsey. The trekking route would go as follows:
Goecha-La trek is the premier and the most well known trekking trail in Sikkim. This trek takes the trekkers up-close for a spectacular view of the mighty Mt. Kanchendzonga 8596m - the third mountain in the world along with several other towering snow capped mountains. Some of the most well know peaks seen during this trek are Mt. Pandim 6691m, Mt. Kabur north 7338m, Mt. Kabur south 7317m, Mt. Kumbhakarna (Janoo) 7710m, Mt. Simvo 6811m, Mt. Kabru Forked 6108m, Mt, Frey Peak 5830m, Mt. Rathong 6679m, Mt. Kokthang 6147m and Mt. Goecha Peak 5127m. Goechala trek is an extension of the Dzongri trek. Trekking beyond the meadows of Dzongri is a raw adventure at its best where the visitor is taken into the realm of towering mountain peaks and unspoiled nature. During Goechala trek the spectacular landscape of nature will make one find inner peace and one will start appreciating the beauty of the Nature and God's creation.
The trek to Green Lake, the base of Mt. Khangchendzonga on the Zemu glacier in North Sikkim is the most enchanting of all treks in this area with a variety of flowers such as rhododendrons, primulas and blue poppies. The view of the Mt. Khanchendzonga is fantastic. The Green Lake base camp is more than 5000 meters, so proper acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness. Since there are no trekkers huts or bunglows along this route so any team attempting the trek must be entirely self sufficient, with proper trekking equipments, food, guide, porters etc. Best Season: April-May and October-November. Trek Grading: Moderate to Strenuous. Maximum Hiking Altitute: Zemu Glacier Maximum Camp Altitude: Green Lake. Staring and Ending Point: Bagdogra/ Phuentsoling/Bhadrapur airport.
For those with little time, or less inclination to undergo the rigours of hard mountain trekking, the trek up to the meadows of Dzongri offers the benefit of having experienced a truly spectacular alpine trek within a span of a week (or even less). The trail runs through moss-laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia and rhododendron culminating in the meadows of Dzongri at 4,030 meters with exceptional mountain views. It is a naturalist's paradise. These forests harbour hundreds of varieties of wild plants; exotic orchids vie for attention with equally spectacular varieties of birds and butterflies. Some of the animals found along this trail are the Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Marbled Cat, Langur and the Red Panda. The program described below is planned for 8 days but it is possible to bring it down 5 days but depends also upon your fitness.
Some areas marked on this trek are currently out-of-bound due to the current political situation across the border in Nepal. However, a trek to this region is still permitted barring some points close to the borderline. Prospective visitors to this area may contact us via email for details to an alternative itinerary. This recently opened trek route encompasses the area southwest of Dzongri and as defined by it's name, includes several days of hike traversing the Singalila Range, the lesser mountain chain that rises from the northern hills of Darjeeling District and extends to converge with the Khangchendzonga (or Kanchenjunga) massif. The Singalila is also the divide that demarcates the western borders of Sikkim and Darjeeling with Nepal. As one traverses this razor-edged borderline ridge, spectacular views abound on both sides with rare species of rhododendron in bloom (at the right season), and an occasional herd of yaks with its herder will be your only source of contact with civilization for quite a number of days.
