Participants arrive in Yuksom, a picturesque village in West Sikkim.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Trek briefing and introduction to guides and fellow trekkers.

It is a 6-7 hour ride through the hills. Upon arriving in Yuksom, prepare for the next day's trek. If time permits, one could also see around Yuksom. The Dubdi monastery and the Coronation Throne are some local attractions. Additionally, Yuksom is a historically significant place for Sikkim as it was anointed the first capital of Sikkim in 1643 AD.

Trek distance: 8 km

Elevation: 2,250 meter.

The trail begins with an ascent through dense forests.

Highlights include crossing several suspension bridges over the Prek Chu River.

Campsite setup at Sachen.

This relatively easy walk helps trekkers find their rhythm and gradually get used to the demands of the trail. The distance is about 8km, and most trekkers take between 3.5 and 4.5 hours to reach Sachen. Trekkers tend to skip this campsite at times. However, this is only recommended if a regular and experienced trekker has made multiple 800m single-day altitude gains before.

Trek distance: 8 km

Elevation: 2,950 meter.

The route includes steep ascents and descents through dense forests.

Scenic views of Rhododendron forests.

Reach Tshoka, a quaint village, and set up camp.

The walk begins in a leisurely fashion from Sachen. Getting to the bridge over Prek chu (chu meaning river) takes about an hour. From the bridge to Tsokha, there is a straight ascent of about 5 km, an excellent introduction to climbing the next day. Bakhim (meaning Bamboo Hut) breaks the climb. There is a tea stall at Bakhim, where you can sit and enjoy the views of the valley below. Trekkers are often astonished at how much they have climbed in the previous hour and a half. Rhododendron trees abound around Bakhim, and from here onwards, till you are above the tree line, they will remain a constant companion. It is a further hour and a half to Tsokha.

Trek distance: 10 km

Elevation: 3,950 meter.

Continuous climbs through lush Rhododendron forests and open meadows.

Stunning views of Mount Pandim, Tenzingkhang.

The campsite at Dzongri provides panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas.

This day is often called the ‘test day’ since it is a relentless and relatively steep climb from Tsokha to Dzongri. You will gain altitude fast, and it is essential to not rush up the slope. The time ascent to reach Dzongri is about 5-6 hours, and you will still reach comfortably by 2 pm, assuming you start at around 8 am. The trail passes via Phedang (3679m appx.), which almost slices the walk in half. It looks like a possible campsite, but teams do not prefer to camp here because of the lack of water near the campsite. Water here must be brought from far away (20 min walk one way). Thus, teams rest here for a while, have their packed lunch/rations provided to them in the morning, and proceed to Dzongri. In an hour, you will come across Deorali top, the highest point on this day at over 4100m. Hereon, the trail eases out and descends slightly to Dzongri. Upon arrival in Dzongri, many people will experience a mild headache due to the 1000m effective gain. Make sure you stay warm and hydrated. Let the guide/team leader know about any headache or health difficulty. Usually, the headache should subside within a couple of hours.

NOTE: There is no water source on the trail today, and trekkers must fill up at Tsokha and ration the water wisely.

Short hike to Dzongri La viewpoint for sunrise.

Participants can rest and acclimate to the altitude.

Exploration of nearby meadows and interaction with the local yak herders.

This day you stay on at Dzongri and take rest. You may wake up early and walk up to Dzongri top to see a panoramic view of all the snow-capped mountains at sunrise. One can see at least ten peaks here from left to right, including Kokthang, Rathong, Frey Peak, Black Kabur, Kabru Dome, Kabru North and South, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Tenzingkhang, Japnoo, Narsing and a few others. Return from Dzongri top to the campsite and rest here for the day.

Trek distance: 10 km

Elevation: 3,800 meter.

Gentle descent, followed by a gradual ascent to Thansing.

Picturesque landscapes encompass regions like Kokchurang.

Campsite setup alongside the river at Thansing.

This day you ascend a little from the Dzongri campsite and then walk through meadows with gentle up and down slopes till you arrive at the steep descent to the Kokchurang campsite by the Prek chu. The descent is challenging for almost everyone and can take around an hour. Kokchurang campsite is nestled in a dense forest by the riverside and is a perfect spot to rest for a while. We do not set up camp here on our way up. After some rest, we proceed to Thangsing, our camp for the night, through some more beautiful forest. On a clear day, the Thangsing campsite gives you a welcome gift of outstanding views of Mt. Pandim right upon arrival. Soak in the beauty of the sights before you and surrender to nature splendour. Thangsing is a wide-open field, and you will often find trekkers or local staff playing cricket, football, or volleyball. Join us for some fun and to test your lungs!

Trek distance: 4 km

Elevation: 4,150 meter.

Gentle walk through meadows approaching the Samiti Lake.

Campsite at Lamuney serves the base for the Goechala pass ascent.

Evening preparation for an early morning start.

It is the most straightforward day of the trek. A very gradual gain from Thangsing will take you to Lamuney in 1.5 hours. Start late by 10 am, and you will still reach Lamuney by 11:30 am. Relax at camp. You will be up early and leave for View Point 1 around 2:30 am.

Trek distance: 10 km round trip

Elevation: 46500 meter. at the pass.

Early 3:00 AM, start to catch the sunrise at the pass.

The trail involves challenging terrain and steep ascents.

Witness breathtaking views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other peaks.

Return trek to Thansing for an overnight stay.

The day starts early at 2:30 am. It will be biting cold at this hour, and one must be prepared for it. Typically, the temperature will be below zero at the start. Start slowly and cross the Samiti Lake in the dark on your way up to the viewpoint. The start is timed to take you to the perspective around first light and before sunrise, for as beautiful as first light looks on the peaks, the sunrise is pure magic. Peaks light up in the descending order of altitude, with Kanchenjunga first lit, followed by kabru north, and then the lower peaks in order. The route used to be open right up to the Goecha la earlier. However, the National Park authorities have closed the road beyond viewpoint one as the zone beyond it has been identified as having a significant concentration of blue sheep and snow leopards. This area is a breeding zone for these species as well. It has been demarcated as a conservation zone to reduce human interference. Carry a pair of binoculars with you to give yourself a chance of spotting a rare leopard or a flock of blue sheep. Leopard sightings are sporadic as they are timid, and if you see one, count yourself lucky! Descend to Samiti Lake on your way back to the camp. Around 8 am, when you are likely to be back at Samiti, the water is usually very still, and a total reflection of the peaks around it is visible. Several birds will be out by now, and the area around the lake is an excellent place for photography aficionados. Come back to camp at Lamuney, have an early lunch and move down to Thangsing campsite.

Trek distance: 9 km

Elevation: 4,240 meter.

Descend through dense forests and intersect various streams.

Highlights include diverse flora and fauna.

Set up camp at Kasturi Oro amidst stunning landscapes.

Route to Chamray proceeds from Thangsing. The trail to Chamray begins amidst Rhododendrons. Bushes and vegetation become sparser because of the very low temperature. There, one encounters Lampohkri Lake on the route to Chamray. The trail to Chambray goes under the shadow of Mount Lama Lamani. The view of the Singalila Range is impressive from the route. A further one-hour walk from the lake will take you to the Camping Site.

Trek distance: 12 km

Elevation: 3,670 meter.

Descend through dense forests and intersect various streams.

Highlights include diverse flora and fauna.

Set up camp at Kasturi Oro amidst stunning landscapes.

The route to Kasturi is a bit difficult and proves worth an experience for adventure lovers. It takes about 5 to 6 hours from the Kasturi Camp Site. The walk will be on hills and rocky slopes from Kasturi, located on a hilltop, and the view from here will surely take your breath away.

Trek distance: 18 km

Elevation: 1900 meter.

Descend into sub-tropical forests.

Trek relatively easier, passing through vibrant villages and farmland.

The walk from Kasturi to Labdang is a rapid descent and can take 5 to 6 hours. It is a complete walk with dense forest and a home for various birds. You can hear the greeting of birds as you walk the path down. Labdang itself is a small village that is well connected by roadways. Overnight camping at Labdang Village.

Trek distance: 12 km

Elevation: 1,750 meter.

Gradual descent to Tashiding.

Participants will be driven from Tashiding to Yuksom.

Night stay at a guesthouse in Yuksom, marking the end of the trekking journey.

After having breakfast, we depart to Yuksom/ NJP or Bagdogra Airport, depending upon the trekker's mode of transportation to their respective homes. It is advisable to start early since it is a long drive. We suggest packing the luggage in advance before beginning your journey. The distance from NJP/ Bagdogra airport is 155 kilometres, which ideally should not take more than 7 to 8 hours. Lunch can be enjoyed at Jorethang or Malli Checkpost. After having lunch, continue your drive to your destination at the N J P/Bagdogra Airport.