Kanchenjunga base camp

Dzongri Goechala

Practical Information

Trek Duration
The actual Dzongri trek typically takes 7 to 8 days . Add 3 to 4 days if you wish to cover Goechala too. Our  programs are mostly on an Airport to Airport basis, which would add 3 more days to your program. So the entire tour may vary between 10 to 15 days.

 

Getting There
The nearest airport from Yuksom is Bagdogra (IXB) about 160 km and 6 hours drive away. The Gangtok airport at Pakyong is closer at 127 km but has limited flights operating there.  We have our own vehicles to transfer you from the airport to Yuksom.

 

The best time to trek
Kanchenjunga base camp trek can be undertaken any time of the year except for extreme winter and the rainy season. During the months of December to February, the area is too cold for trekking. The monsoon months of July to September leads to incessant rain and frequent landslide. The rest of the year is fine for trekking.

Dzongri Goechala Trek, Sikkim

The Dzongri Goechala Trek is one of the most rewarding walking routes in the Eastern Himalaya. Set within Kanchenjunga National Park, this trek offers sustained views of the Kanchenjunga massif while moving gradually through forests, alpine meadows, river valleys, and high mountain basins.

 

For travellers who value slow walking, changing landscapes, and time to observe, this trek provides a balanced Himalayan experience. It is more accessible than the Green Lake Trek, yet still physically demanding and deeply immersive.

Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan Landscape

Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, rises along the border of Sikkim and Nepal. The massif includes peaks such as Kabru, Kumbhakarna, Pandim, Simvo, Rathong, Kokthang, and Frey Peak. These mountains are visible from large parts of the Darjeeling–Sikkim Himalaya and are regarded locally as guardians of the land.

A walk towards the Kanchenjunga base region has long been considered a meaningful journey rather than a simple trek. From the Indian side of Sikkim, there are two recognised high-altitude routes:

  • Dzongri – Goechala Trek

  • Green Lake Trek

Neither route reaches the actual base camp. The Dzongri Goechala Trek leads to Goecha La, a high mountain pass directly opposite the Kanchenjunga base area, while the Green Lake Trek approaches the mountain from the remote northern side. Among the two, Dzongri Goechala is the more commonly walked and better suited for travellers seeking a structured yet challenging Himalayan walk.

Kanchenjunga National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The entire Dzongri Goechala route lies within Kanchenjunga National Park, a protected area covering 2,035 sq km. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, recognising both its ecological and cultural importance.

The park connects with:

  • Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (Tibet) to the north

  • Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (Nepal) to the west

Walking here means moving through a carefully preserved environment where access is regulated and trekking remains relatively low-impact.

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Trek Options: Dzongri or Goechala

There are two trekking options on this route:

Dzongri Trek

A shorter option that takes you up to Dzongri Top (approx. 4,200 m / 13,780 ft), offering wide views of Kanchenjunga and surrounding peaks. Ideal for walkers with limited time or those not wishing to go higher.

Dzongri Goechala Trek

The extended route continues beyond Dzongri to Goecha La (approx. 4,940 m / 16,207 ft). This option brings you significantly closer to the Kanchenjunga massif and requires stronger physical preparation and acclimatisation.

Trek Starting Point: Yuksom

The trek begins at Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim, established in 1642 AD. Located at 1,780 metres (5,840 feet), Yuksom sits in a broad valley surrounded by forested ridges.

This is where the motorable road ends and the walking trail begins.

Walking Route Description

Yuksom to Sachen

  • Walking time: 3–4 hours

  • Altitude: 2,200 m / 7,200 ft

The trail passes through dense forests of oak and conifer, with moss-covered trunks, ferns, and frequent mountain streams.

Sachen to Bakhim to Tshoka

  • Altitude: 2,950 m / 9,700 ft

A steeper climb through mixed forest leads first to Bakhim, then onwards to Tshoka, where the landscape begins to open. This section introduces the first rhododendron forests, especially striking during spring.

Tshoka to Dzongri

  • Altitude: approx. 4,000 m / 13,120 ft

Dzongri is a wide alpine meadow and the first major viewpoint of the trek. Snow peaks surround the area in all directions, making it a natural rest and acclimatisation point.

Travellers completing only the Dzongri Trek return from here.

Dzongri to Thansing (via Kokchurang)

From Dzongri, the trail splits:

  • One route leads towards the HMI Base Camp

  • The other continues towards Goechala via Thansing

The trail descends to Kokchurang, crossing the Prek Chu river, before opening into the Thansing Valley.

  • Altitude: 3,930 m / 12,900 ft

Thansing lies at the base of Mount Pandim, offering close views of its rock and ice faces, along with distant views of Kanchenjunga’s eastern wall.

Thansing to Lamuney and Samiti Lake

The route towards Lamuney is gradual, with wide views across the Kanchenjunga range. Many groups choose to walk further to Samiti Lake, a glacial lake often visited by mountain goats and high-altitude birdlife.

This area is particularly valued by photographers for its changing light and reflections.

Goecha La

  • Altitude: 4,940 m / 16,207 ft

Goecha La is the highest point of the trek. From here, Kanchenjunga appears close and commanding, especially during early morning light. “La” means mountain pass in Tibetan, and Goecha La sits directly opposite the Kanchenjunga base area.

After spending time at the pass, the trek returns to Yuksom, either by the same route or a slight variation.

Biodiversity Along the Trail

The Dzongri Goechala route is known for its gradual ecological transitions. From lower forests to alpine zones, walkers may encounter:

Birdlife

  • Bulbuls, Barbets, Woodpeckers

  • Sunbirds, Thrushes, Flycatchers

  • Laughing Thrushes, Finches, Accentors

  • Grandala and Blood Pheasant (state bird of Sikkim)

Wildlife

  • Yellow-throated Marten

  • Pika

  • Himalayan Blue Sheep

  • Mountain Weasel

The Red Panda is known to inhabit this region and is occasionally sighted, though sightings depend on season and luck.

Seasonal wildflowers and multiple species of rhododendrons line the trail, particularly between Tshoka and Dzongri.

Dzongri Goechala Trek vs Green Lake Trek

While the Green Lake Trek offers a more remote and technically demanding approach to Kanchenjunga from North Sikkim, the Dzongri Goechala Trek provides:

  • Better-established trails

  • Shorter overall duration

  • Greater suitability for experienced but non-technical trekkers

Both treks offer distinct perspectives of the same mountain, and the choice depends on time, fitness, and interest in remoteness.

Plan Your Trek with Darjeeling Walks

At Darjeeling Walks, we approach Himalayan trekking as a walking experience, not a race to a viewpoint. Our focus is on pacing, acclimatisation, local knowledge, and time spent observing landscapes, people, and light.

If you are considering the Dzongri Goechala Trek or comparing it with the Green Lake Trek, we recommend speaking with us directly.

 

 Call us or fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of this page to discuss routes, seasons, and preparation.