Off The Beaten Track (***)

Sikkim: A Circular trek between Sikkim and Nepal border to the foot of Kangchendjunga 8585 m, Sikkim is a land of the mountain crest,lies between the kingdom of Bhutan in the east, Nepal to its west and on its north border town the plateau of Tibet. After its annexation by India in 1975, Sikkim became a restricted area, requiring special entry permits and result has retained its original Budhist charm. The smallest state in India is the land of orchids and monasteries where Kanchanjunga occupies a special status for the Sikkimese as a sacred protecting deity where people are hospitable, warm and friendly.

Day 1: Arrival Delhi,
Transfer to hotel, night in hotel.

Day 2: Delhi to Darjeeling via Bagdogra: (2,135m),
Transfer to Domestic airport for flight to Bagdogra. Assistance on arrival in Bagdogra and 3 hour drive to Darjeeling built by Britishers in mid 1800 and now is important tourist destination of west Bengal, also known for the world class tea, On arrival check I hotel, rest time at leisure.

Day 3: Darjeeling;
Very early at 4 to 4.30 am drive to tiger hill to see the dawn on Kangchendjunga (8,548m) massive and other Himalayan peaks back to hotel for breakfast. Later take ride on world famous toy train to Ghoom monastery one of the most famous monasteries in Darjeeling, Botanical Gardens, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, after Lunch stroll in tea Garden, evening at leisure, night in hotel

Day 4: Darjeeling - Uttarey (1965m)
Le matin, nous partons pour Uttarey. 9 h de trajet. Nuit en camp.Morning leave to Uttrey, 9 hours of drive through picturesque landscape and villages, night in camp.

Day 5: Uttrey – Chewa (3,170 metres) 5/6 hours Trek 1
We begin our trek with a walk out of the Uttarey village towards Chittrey. We will negotiate the river crossing and an uphill walk through the semi tropical forest to reach Chittrey, a flat green pasture land where we will stop for lunch. Nice view of the Rhododendron forest from the flat pasture land. We will continue our uphill walk till we reach Chewa. There is a police check post for recording the necessary information. Chewa is located on the top of the hill from where the border with Nepal is demarcated. The white piller-like structure is the only way to find out if we are in Nepal or in Sikim. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at the camp.

Day 6: Chewa - Dhud (3,715 metres) 6/07 hours Trek 2
Today is the mixture of both the uphill and the down hill walk along the India-Nepal border called the Falakay Dhara. The vegetation becomes more barren but very scenic with views of the country side and cow herds on both the Neapl and the India side. On a clear day, we can have a beautiful view of Darjeeling from here. The final hours of the walk is on the loose stones to reach our camp site a Dhud.

Day 7: Dhor - Sikkim Megu (4045m) 4.30 hours Trek 3
Rise up to the beautiful early morning sunrise on the Kanchendzonga ranges including the Kumbarkarna and Kanchendzonga.This mountain ranges will not leave us from here onwards. A relatively easy day today with a steep walk for an hour to reach Kokchey Deorali (hidden valley) from where we descend for an hour to Kokchey. A flat walk for an hour and half will reach us to Sikkim Megu where there is trekkers hut. View of the Dafey Bhir (the highlight of the trek) is visible from here. Overnight at the camp.

Day 8: Sikkim Megu - Parey Megu/Garakhet 4 hours, Trek 4
Megu (land) on the Indian part is Sikkim Megu and on the Nepal side is Parey Megu, where we are headed today. The imposing Dafey Bhir is clearly visible today. The walk is a mixture of both the uphill and the downhill one but shorter day today tp prepare ourself for the longer and the more difficut one tomorrow. Depending on the water condition we will camp either at Parey Megu or in Garakhet where there is a trekkers hut. Camp overnight

Day 9: Parey Megu/Garakhet - Dafey Bhir Meadow (4400m ) Gomathang (3725m) 7/8 hours Trek 5
An early start to negotiate the difficult Dafey Bhir today. The walk is the mixture of both the steep uphill and down hill one. The Lam Pokhari lake is enroute. After negotiating the twin pass of Dafey Bhir, we will take the steep decend for an hour to reach our beautiful camp ite at Gomathang. The final part of the steep descend is through the dense forest of Rhododendron.

Day 10: Gomuthang - Baktok. Excursion au lac de Majur Pokhari (Paecoke lake ) 5 to 6 hours Trek 6
A relatively easy day today. We will take an hours walk to our camp site from where we will take the 05 - 06 hours excursion to Majur Pokhari, the lake. This lake is a very sacred lake for the local community. Camp overnight.

Day 11: Botok - Pangden (3890m) 06 - 07 hours Trek 7
A beautiful walk of both the uphill and down hill one but not very steep, with the Kanchenjunga mountain ranges overlooking you. After 3 hours walk we will come across a small lake at Yangshep. Most of the walk is on the barren stony part till we reach our site wheret here is a trekkers hut. Beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga ranges.

Day 12: Pangden-Dzongri (3890m) 04 - 05 hours, Trek 8
An early morning sun rise view over Mt.Kanchenjunga can be best view from Pangdin. After breakfast we will take the steep descend to negotiate the river crossing and continuing an uphill walk. Beautiful view of the mountain ranges all around. Here we will be entering the forest of Rhododendron and we will cross various trekkers hut enroute. We will reach Dzongri where there is tourist lodge. Camp overnight.

Day 13: Dzongri to La Mini (4050 mtrs) 7 hours, Trek 9
After breakfast short climb to the ridge below Dzongri top than easy path leads through the pasture land. Steep descend to the parachu and gradual walk in the beautiful valley till Thangsing carpeted meadow, After 0ne hours reached at shadow of mount Panduim where shepherd and milk maid lives with their flocks. campsite O/N in camp.

Day 14: La Mini to Goechela 4950 mtrs 6 hours both way (or view point) back Thangsing Trek, 10
Leave early morning at 4 a.m. by torch light, feel the silence ofnature, gurgling of meandering streams, moment of glacier and whistling of wind. As day begins white mountains appears as a huge marble wall in front (In clear weather), First ray of dawn on the summit excite the trekkers and slowly white marbled wall transformed in volcanic lava for short moment, after having this magic spectacle get back to the Campsite and further short trek to Thangsing.

Day 15: Thang-shing to Tsokha,5 hours Trek 11
One hour descend by same trail leads to Dzongari, Now take a bifurcation through forest below the Dzongari trail which merge later in to same route descend to Tsokha by wooden paved scenic path avenue by Rhododendron tree,s, night in camp.

Day 16: Tsokha to Yuksum, 5.30 hours Trek 12
Steep descend for 1.30h till the river bank, now easy trail leads high over the valley floor to Yuksum, night in camp or Lodge.

Day 17: Yuksum – Gangtok.
Vehicle will drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, free visit in town, night in hotel.

Day 18: Visit Gangtok,
Full day excursion. Lioyd Botanical Garden which consists of a wide range of flora, Enchey Monastery of Nyngmapa Order monastery. Rumtek monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre) 24 kms away from the Gangtok, the seat of the Kagyu order, one of the 4 major Tibetan Budhist sects. Since the late 1960, after the arrival of his Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. The centre houses some of the world most unique religious scriptures and religious objects. Ditional is design, it is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarter in Tibet Enchey Monastery.

Jour 19: Gangtok–Delhi.
Departure to Bagdogra and flight to Delhi, assistance upon arrival at Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time at leisure, O/N in hotel.

Day 20: Visit Delhi and Departure.
Sight seen in Delhi, By evening transfer to airport and flight to on ward destination.

Cost per person: Departure from 2 person onward