For the people of Sikkim, Kanchenjunga is more than just the third highest peak in the world; it is believed to be the abode of the state’s patron deity. This trek takes one right up close to the big mountain, through forests of rhododendrons, orchids, pine and magnolia to the higher valleys and the rolling meadows used for grazing by the gentle yak-herding Lepchas.
DAYS 1-4
- Day 1: Arrival at Darjeeling
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport and drive 2-3 hrs through the tea estates to Darjeeling. Overnight hotel.
- Day 2: Darjeeling
Sightseeing in Darjeeling. Visit the tea gardens and the market. Overnight hotel.
- Day 3: Drive Darjeeling to Pelling (2440 M)
Visit Pemayangste, the second oldest monastery in Sikkim. Wonderful views of the Kanchenjunga range. Overnight hotel
- Day 4: Trek Banthanti to Ghorepani (2850 M)
Drive to Yoksum, the ancient capital of Sikkim. Complete police and tourism formalities and visit the old Yuksom monastery. Overnight hotel.
DAYS 5-8
- Day 5: Trek Yoksum to Tshoka (3050 M)
The first half of the day is a level walk through the fairly dense forest. After lunch, it crosses the Rathong Chu and then climbs steeply for an hour and a half till the rest house at Bakhim. Continue ascent through the forest till Tshoka, a small Tibetan refugee settlement.
- Day 6: Trek Tshoka to Dzongri (4020 M)
The trail is a steep uphill through some beautiful rhododendron forest to a small clearing at Phedang which is usually our lunch spot. Another steep ascent from here brings us to the top of the ridge at Deorali Dara – the treeline ends here. The walk though strenuous gets a little gradual as we approach the grazing grounds of Dzongri. Overnight camp.
- Day 7: Dzongri
A day of rest and acclimatisation at Dzongri. One can take a walk up to the ridge past fluttering prayer flags for some rewarding views of the Kanchenjunga massif and its secondary peaks or even walk upto the Dzongri pass.
Overnight camp.
- Day 8: Dzongri to Samiti Lake (4200 M)
Descend on a well defined trail to Prek river and continue to campsite at Thangsing , at the base of Pandim peak. Easy and gradual walking along mani walls takes us past Onglathang to a small moraine ridge and down to a lovely campsite at Samiti Pokhari. Overnight camp.
DAYS 9-13
- Day 9: Samiti Lake to Goecha La (4940 M) to Thangsing
Begin early for a steep climb to the Goecha La (pass). After having spent time on the pass come back to the campsite for lunch. After lunch pack up to descend further down to Thangsing. Overnight camp.
- Day 10: Thangsing to Tshoka (3050 M)
Walk down along the Prek river to bypass Dzongri. The trail goes through some really dense forests of rhododendrons. Have a lunch break again at Phedang and descend to Tshoka. Overnight camp or a village lodge.
- Day 11: Tshoka to Yuksom (1760 M)
Descend to Yuksom. Overnight hotel.
- Day 12: Yuksom to Darjeeling
Drive to Darjeeling. Overnight hotel.
- Day 13: Bagdogra Airport drop
Drive 2-3 hrs from Darjeeling to Bagdogra, visit a tea garden enroute and drop to Bagdogra Airport.
Inclusions:
- Travel from bagdogra and back by road / rail (by non-ac / 2 or 3 tier ac coach)
- All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents / hotel
- All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
- All trekking arrangements with india’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
- Porterage upto 15kg/person
- Peak fee/sanctuary fee/royalty/permits where applicable
Exclusions:
- Sleeping bag
- Flights not included in the above-mentioned cost
- Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
- Bottled water
- Items of personal clothing
- Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
- Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
- Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
- Travel & cancellation insurance
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS
Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.
WHY GO WITH AQUATERRA ADVENTURES
A question easy to answer, you may wonder, in an age where adventure travel is apparently booming. Varying costs are available and there is no shortage of operators willing to run your trip. This is possibly the most important decision for you to make, after you have chosen to take on an adventure trip.
An Experienced Team
Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.
Value for Money
The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.
Best Equipment
Equipment on all our adventure travel trips matches worldwide standards. On treks, we use 4 season 2-person tents, which can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and keep you dry and protected from the elements. Outfitter wings accompany all mountain trips for dining under.
Great Food
Our staff is trained in hygienic preparation of meals and offers a great variety of food on an outdoor trip. Good equipment, food and guides is what makes an outdoor trip an experience to savour.
WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US
Uday Benegal
Musician & Lead Band Member – Indus Creed
A bunch of us friends recently got in touch with Aquaterra Adventures to set up a whitewater rafting trip on the Tons River in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Aquaterra team were excellent in every way: they were superbly efficient, highly reassuringly safe and extremely warm, friendly and hospitable.
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Pooja Dhameja
Avid Trekker
There isn’t a more classy example of a team that is so well organised, courteous, warm and welcoming! The arrangements right from the camping sights, food, refreshments and stay were so extremely comfortable, of-course the food and the variety offered just beat everything else.
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Mr. Rajesh
Avid Adventurer
Camp Bagi (near Mori, Uttarakhand) is a beautifully located and professionally maintained wilderness camping site. Operated by Aquaterra, the gold standard in adventure tours in India, it offered us a highly memorable rafting, hiking and camping experience over the 4 days that we stayed there (May 28-31, 2019)
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Geetika
Adventure Enthusiast from Gurgaon
Great job by the team, especially Rana. We went with 2 kids aged 2.5 yrs and 6.5 yrs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My elder one loved the trek and the rafting experience was great too! Definitely recommend it for others.
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GET IN TOUCH TO BOOK!
Join us for a trip of a lifetime, if you crave for some high end adventure!
We strive to create the best trips possible for you, with uncommon professionalism, unsurpassed personal service and a commitment to protect and preserve the cultures and environments through which we travel. Get in touch with us to plan your next holiday
