Kanchenjunga base camp
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
Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world is part of a massif that borders Sikkim and Nepal. The other peaks in the massif include Kabru, Kumbhakarna, Mt. Pandim, Simvo and several other mountains. The mountain range is visible from most parts of Sikkim Darjeeling Himalaya and is considered the guardian deity of the region.
A trek to the Kanchenjunga base camp is a dream cum true for many adventurers. There are two treks in the Sikkim side that will take you close to the base. One is the Dzongri – Goechala trek and the other is the Green Lake trek. Neither of these treks actually goes to the base camp, but the Dzongri Goechala route is by far the more popular route and takes you up to Goecha La (La means Pass in Tibetan), which is just across the Kanchenjunga base camp.
The trek is also commonly referred to as a trek to Dzongri (13780 feet / 4200 meters) or Goechala (16207 feet / 4940 meters). The area is preserved as Kanchenjunga National Park which has recently been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016. The national park is spread over a total area of 2,035 square km and adjoins the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet, and in the west of it is the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area of Nepal.
The Kanchenjunga base camp trek is considered to be one of the best treks in the Himalayas. The view of sunrise playing over Mount Kanchenjunga takes away all the tiredness of the trail. You will discover some of the highest peaks in the world all around you such as Mt. Kabru, Mt. Simvo, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Rathong, Mt. Kokthang, and Frey Peak which will leave you spellbound.
There are two trekking options on the route. The Dzongri trek is a relatively shorter one. This trek takes you to a viewpoint known as Dzongri Top, which offers an excellent close view of the Kanchenjunga peak. Those who wish to get further up close and personal with the mountain have to trek till Goechala which is much closer to the base camp.
22 Years Experience
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Description of the trek
The trek begins at Yuksom, which was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD. It lies in a basin-like valley surrounded by mountain ranges at an altitude of 1,780 metres (5,840 feet). This is where the vehicular road ends and the trek starts.
A trek of 3 to 4 hours from Yuksom will take you to Sachen (7200 feet). You will be winding through forests of conifer and oak, mosses and ferns and past frequent streams that tumble down the hillside.
A steep hike from Sachen will take you to Bakhim first and then to Tshoka (9700 feet). The trail climbs sharply through a mixed oak forest then you enter the first Rhododendrons forest.
Dzongri is the first viewpoint of the trail at an altitude of 13120 feet. This is a large meadow, surrounded in all directions by the mighty peaks of the Kanchenjunga range. In every direction, there are snow peaks to be looked at.
If you are trekking to Dzongri, you will be returning from here. But those who decide to trek further will continue.
From Dzongri the road bifurcates, one trek route goes towards the HMI (Stands for Himalayan Mountaineering Institute) base camp, and the other route goes towards Goechala via Thansing
Thansing (12900 feet) is the base of the mighty Mount Pandim and the Tinchenkhang. On the way from Dzongri to Thansing, we will cross the river Prek Chu at a place called ‘Kokchurang’ where locals believe evil spirits ‘that slap hard on the faces of the visitors exist. Thangsing Valley has a fabulous view of the east-face wall of Kanchenjunga.
Lamuney – The way to Lamuney is slightly uphill and flat. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful views of most of the Kanchenjunga range. You may choose to trek further to Samiti Lake which is home to mountain goats and bluebirds which you are quite likely to spot.
Goecha-La is all about viewing Kanchenjunga, up close and personal. We will reach our destination ‘The Goe-cha-La’ (altitude 16207 feet). Goecha is a mountain located very close to Kanchenjunga ‘La’ is Tibetan for mountain passes.
We return from here through the same route or its slight variation to Yuksom where all the worldly comfort waits for us.
Biodiversity
The Kanchenjunga National Park is famous for its unique biodiversity, all the way from Yuksom to Dzongri / Goe-cha-La, one can spot
various birds, butterflies and wild animal species throughout the journey such as different species of Bulbul, Woodpecker, Barbet, Sunbird, Thrush, Flycatchers, Magpie, Wren babblers, Laughing thrush, Finches, Accentors, Grandala and also Blood pheasant, which is the state bird of Sikkim. Regarding other wildlife, you may spot Yellow-throated marten, Pika, Mountain weasel, and Himalayan Blue Sheep. Red Panda is not very uncommon on this trail, you may get a glimpse if you are lucky enough. Also, different varieties of rhododendrons and other wildflowers will make the trail remarkable and memorable.