INTRODUCTION:
Sikkim will delight you with breathtaking scenery, nature and wildlife, adventure sports, food and culture, and so much more! The GOECHALA TREK has to be one of Sikkim’s most beautiful places to visit. It will captivate and surprise you with its perfect blend of natural beauty and vibrant culture, raw adventure and glorious landscapes.you can visit kareri lake trek.
The Goechala Trek Route-
The journey begins in Yuksom, which serves as the basecamp from which you’ll embark on this trip on foot. Your coming stop on the trail will be Sachen. On your way to Sachen, you’ll cross numerous islands and may see creatures similar to mule and yak. Also, your coming destination will be Tshoka and Bakhim, with some delicate climbing as well as thick timbers full of rhododendrons and alpine berries that will buck up the path and make your journey more vibrant. The coming stop is Dzongri, which is a significant corner in this trip; some people only return after a day or two of rest.
Tip 1: Get plenty of rest and sleep before embarking on the trek. The long drive through the mountains is tiring, and the erratic flight schedule can disrupt sleep. So get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, pack your bags the night before, and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Arrival in Yuksom on Day 1-
An expedition to the Goechala trek would necessitate travel to the nearest railway station to Yuksom’s base camp, New Jalpaiguri Junction. It takes about 6 hours to drive up to the elevation of 5,670 feet.
Day 2: Yuksom to Sachen
When you arrive in Yuksom, check into your pre-booked accommodation and prepare to begin your trek. Although many people prefer to hike from Yuksom to Tshoka in a single day, it is best to start slowly and save energy for the next few days. Before arriving in Sachen, travellers will pass through lush surroundings and dense forests, passing by the ancient bridges of Pha Khola, Tshushay Khola waterfalls, and the Mentogang Khola River. The hikers would reach Sachen at an elevation of 7,150 feet.
Day 3: Tshoka to Sachen
The trek continues from Sachen to the next destination of Tshoka on the third day, passing through the village of Bakhim. This section of the journey will reveal the clear skies that will lead you forward. Throughout Sachen, the trail is pleasant, but the ascent to River Perk becomes steep. Bakhim is a good spot for tea and snacks. Continue on the trail until you reach Tshoka, a 9,700-foot elevation with stunning views of Mt. Pandim and Mt. Kanchenjunga.
On Day 4, Tshoka to Phedang and Phedang to Dzongri.
Because it is surrounded by Rhododendron trees, this is the most beautiful and important part of the trek. The trail leads the trekkers to Phedang after about an hour of trekking through a mix of steep climbs and flat wooden paths, and by the time one arrives, it’s almost lunch time. After that, continue on your journey to the mighty Dzongri, your destination for the day. You’ll be accompanied by muddy patches, steep slopes, and colourful prayer flags until you reach an elevation of about 12,980 feet.
Day 5: Dzongri Recharge Your Batteries
After four days of continuous trekking, allow your system and body to rest. Spend the night sleeping under the stars before an exciting day ahead.
On Day 6, Dzongri to Dzongri Top and Thansing to Dzongri Top
Begin your journey from Dzongri to Kokchurang, which should take no more than 5 hours. This section of the trek strikes an ideal balance between ascending from Dzongri and descending into the Kokchurang grasslands. Follow the trail up to the Prekchu River, where the next Thangsing stop is only two kilometres away at an elevation of 12,900 feet.
Day 7: Thansing to Lamuney
Trekkers must exercise caution as they descend through the Thangsing meadows, which provide a clear view of Mount Kanchenjunga and the summit’s other peaks. In nature, the descent is steep, and the breathtaking views can be dangerous in disguise. You’ll be on the Lamuney lands at an elevation of 13,600 feet in no time if you follow the trail through the trekker’s hut.
Day 8: From Lamuney to Samiti Lake and then to Thansing.
This is the day you will be rewarded for all of your hard work, time, and effort over the course of this journey. Your journey can begin as early as 3 a.m. The trail from Lamuney to Goechala via Samiti Lake begins to steepen as the ridge becomes clearer and closer. From the time one steps onto the rocky path, Samiti Lake should take no more than 45 minutes to an hour to reach. Hikers must proceed with extreme caution once they arrive at the lake.
The path narrows even more, the climb becomes far too steep, and the ridge takes you through the dangerous mountain sides. It will take about two hours to get to Zemathang and another two hours to get to Goechala, which is at an elevation of 16,200 feet. Because camping at dangerous altitudes where oxygen levels are insufficient is not permitted, visitors can take their time admiring the scenery before returning to Thangsing for the night.
Day 9: Thansing to Phedang, then Tshoka, then Bakhim, then Sachen, then Yuksom.
Continue on the same path to Lamuney, where you can take the Thangsing route to Kockchurang. You’ll be at Tshoka in no time if you return to the Phedang trail because the downhill trek is faster than the uphill. Tshoka trekkers can spend the night in the trekker’s hut or in their own tents.
Trekking down from Tshoka to Sachen via Bakhim is faster than trekking uphill due to the steep descent. It doesn’t take long to travel the final few miles to the Yuksom settlement.
