Kanchenjunga

• Rail: New Jalpaiguri serves as the nearest railways station to Yuksom situated about 150 km away.

• Road: Yuksom, the base camp for Goecha La is easily accessible via road from several major cities including Siliguri. It is about 140 km away and serves as an entry point for Sikkim as well as its capital city Gangtok.

Day 1: Gangtok to Yuksam

Distance: 1780 m, Duration: 6 hours

The drive from Gangtok to Yuksam consists of 6 long tiring hours. However, the ever change of scenery is extremely refreshing and luring. With tea garden, river and bridge comprising the journey, you will reach your final destination of Yuksam with relaxed mind where the trek begins.

Day 2: Yuksam to Tshoka

Distance: 3050 m, Duration: 7 hours

From Yuksam, begin your trek uphill towards the Rathong River gorge passing through dense forest. You will be accompanied by magnolia, rhododendron, and several varieties of orchids, ferns, bright exotic birds, and monkey peeking around the corner. After a hike of about an hour, you will cross the Paha Khola Bridge (1,733 m). Another two hours of trek and there is a spot for swimming near a waterfall and a stream beneath a bridge, where you can stop for lunch break. After crossing the Prek Chu River, there will be steep ascend for two to three hours which will lead to Bakhim. A Tibetan refugee settlement of Tshoka is just a little above from there where you can settle for the day after a long trek.

Day 3: Tshoka to Phedang

Distance: 3760 m, Duration: 4 hours

From Tshoka, a steep climb above will lead you to a splendid rhododendron forest. Contnue walking alongside a well defined trail till Phedang. Owing to the rarefied air, the trek on third day comprise of short distance hike of about 4 hours.

Day 4: Phedang to Dzongri

Distance: 4320 m, Duration: 3 hours

This is yet another day of trekking when you will be covering a short distance as you tread above the 4,000 m mark. Try and set the camp by lunch time and spend the rest of the afternoon getting used to the area and climate. A short climb will take you to beautiful meadows where you are suggested to pitch your tents. The campsite offers some marvelous views of Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo and Pandim. However, you may choose your campsite according to the availability of water.

Day 5: Rest and overnight camping

On your fifth day either you can continue with your excursion or explore the raw beauty of the area by climbing the nearby small peaks offering bewitching views. The morning and evening view are the highlight of the panoramic scenic beauty it offers.

Day 6: Dzongri to Bikhbari

After a full day rest and exploration of Dzongri, it's time to continue to the next destination, Bikhbari. Begin with hiking for half an hour through the climbing trails followed by a climb down the hill. Aftre descending for a while, the trail opens up to flat and smooth valleys until you reach Bikhbari. Enjoy the lush green surroundings as you arrive at your destination and rest for the day. This is also your campsite, so pitch your tents.

Day 7: Bikhbari to Doodh Pokhari, Chaurikhang, Rathong Glacier

Make sure you begin your day early in the morning. Today you will be heading towards the Kangchendzonga Base Camp. The trek in the beginning is slow but steady in pace. As you keep trudging along the trail, you will come across plethora of scenic views but the sight of mystic Frey's peak, Koktang, Kabur and Rathong is awe inspiring. You will be returning back to Bikhbari by the advent of the evening. Every year, some advanced courses in mountaineering are conducted at this campsite by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.

Day 8: Bikhbari to Dzongri

After you are done with your breakfast, it's time to depart the campsite for the next stop of Dzongri. The trail will pass through the Dzongri-La Pass, the place exhibiting the sight of pure beauty. You will begin the trek with a climb up the hill to Dzongri-La, perched at an altitude of 4,500 m. However, for the remaining of the trek, you will be descending down towards Dzongri. As you arrive at the destination, check-in at the trekker's camp and rest for the day while enjoying the wonders of nature all around.

Day 9: Dzongri to Bakhim

From Dzongri, start with an ascent for about half an hour and then climb down the hill until reached a crossroad. Here, the road to left leads to Zamlingang while the right one comprising of a flat walk throughout will take you to Bakhim. Upon arrival, rest for a while and spend rest of the day at leisure at the campsite.

Day 10: Bakhim to Yuksom

Have breakfast at the campsite and depart Bakhim for Yuksom. The trail will descend downwards till you reach the Prekchu Lake Bridge, after which you will continue to climb upwards until arrived at Yuksom. This marks the end of this exceptional trek comprising of the myriad of surprise elements.

Day 11: Departure

It's finally time to depart the town.