Goechala Trek
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The closest you can get to Mt. Kanchenjunga without climbing it. 

Goecha La Trek

Sept to Dec 2023

₹ 18900 + 5% GST

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

Goechala Trek

4600 m

​₹ 18900 + 5% GST

Yuksom to Yuksom

+ Rs. 3264 Backpack Offloading
+ Rs. 688 Outdoor Insurance
+ Rs. 16000 Transport (Shared by 6 people)

Difficulty Level - 5

Yuksom - 24 Days -  61 kms

Up to 15% off in May-Jun batches for a limited period! ✨
Batches: June  - September 2023

Brief Description of Goechala Trek

Goecha La Trek is a popular trekking route in Sikkim, India. It is a high-altitude trek that takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Himalayan range, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and lush forests.

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The trek starts from Yuksom, a small town located in the west of Sikkim and is usually completed in 8 to 10 days. The trail passes through several villages, including Sachen, Tshoka, Dzongri, and Thansing, and the highest point of the trek is the Goecha La Pass, located at an altitude of 4,940 meters.

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The trek is challenging and requires a good level of fitness and endurance, as the trail involves steep ascents and descents, rocky terrain, and high altitude conditions. However, the stunning views and the opportunity to witness the unique flora and fauna of the region make the trek worth the effort.

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To ensure a safe and comfortable trekking experience, it's important to carry appropriate gear, including warm clothing, sturdy trekking shoes, and a good quality backpack. It's also recommended to hire a local guide who can provide valuable insights into the local culture and traditions and help navigate the trail.

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​Overall, the Goecha La Trek is a must-do for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers, providing an unforgettable experience of the majestic Himalayan range.

Itinerary of Goechala Trek

Here's a detailed itinerary for the Goecha La Trek in Sikkim:

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Day 1: Arrive in Yuksom

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On the first day of the Goecha La Trek, you will arrive in the small town of Yuksom, which is the starting point of the trek. Yuksom is located in West Sikkim and is about a 6-hour drive from Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim.

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Upon arrival in Yuksom, you can check into your hotel or guesthouse and rest for a while. You can also explore the town and visit the historic coronation throne, where the first king of Sikkim was crowned. You can also visit the nearby Dubdi Monastery, which is the oldest monastery in Sikkim and dates back to the 18th century.

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In the evening, you will have a briefing session with your trek leader and support staff. They will give you a detailed overview of the trek, including the itinerary, the terrain, and the challenges you may face during the trek. They will also check your trekking gear and equipment and give you some last-minute tips for the trek. Overnight stay will be at a hotel or guesthouse in Yuksom.

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Day 2: Yuksom to Sachen

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On the second day of the Goecha La Trek, you will begin your trek from Yuksom to Sachen. The trek distance is around 8 km and it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

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The trail initially passes through the village of Yuksom before entering the Kanchenjunga National Park. You will cross the Prek Chu River over a wooden bridge and begin to climb uphill through dense forests of rhododendrons and magnolias. You will also pass through small settlements like Bakkhim, which has a few tea stalls and guesthouses.

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After a few hours of trekking, you will reach Sachen, which is a small clearing in the forest. You can rest and relax for the remainder of the day and explore the surroundings. You can also visit the nearby Sachen Monastery, which is a small and quaint monastery perched on a hill. Overnight stay will be in tents or a guesthouse in Sachen.

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Day 3: Sachen to Tshoka

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On the third day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek from Sachen to Tshoka. The distance of the trek is around 8 km and it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

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The trail continues through dense forests of rhododendrons and magnolias, and you will climb uphill for most of the day. You will also pass through a small settlement called Bakhim, where you can take a break and have some tea and snacks.

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As you continue trekking, the trail will open up to beautiful views of the surrounding hills and mountains. You will also pass through a series of prayer flags and small shrines, which are a common sight in the Himalayas.

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After a few hours of trekking, you will reach Tshoka, which is a small village located at an altitude of 3,048 meters. Tshoka is surrounded by beautiful hills and is famous for its stunning views of Mount Pandim. You can rest and relax for the remainder of the day and explore the village. You can also visit the nearby Tshoka Monastery, which is a small and beautiful monastery with intricate murals and statues. Overnight stay will be in tents or a guesthouse in Tshoka.

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Day 4: Tshoka to Dzongri

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On the fourth day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek from Tshoka to Dzongri. The distance of the trek is around 10 km and it takes about 6 to 7 hours to complete.

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The trail climbs steeply through dense forests of rhododendrons and oak trees, and you will cross several small streams and waterfalls. You will also pass through a beautiful meadow called Phedang, which is a great spot for a quick break and some snacks.

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As you continue trekking, the trail will open up to stunning views of the surrounding hills and mountains, including Mount Pandim, Mount Kabru, and Mount Jopuno. You will also pass through a series of prayer flags and small shrines.

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After a few hours of trekking, you will reach Dzongri, which is a beautiful meadow located at an altitude of 4,020 meters. Dzongri is surrounded by stunning peaks and is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset views. You can rest and relax for the remainder of the day and explore the surroundings. Overnight stay will be in tents or a guesthouse in Dzongri.

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Day 5: Rest day in Dzongri

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On the fifth day of the Goecha La Trek, you will have a rest day in Dzongri. This day is necessary to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the upcoming trek to Goecha La.

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You can spend the day exploring the surroundings and taking in the stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Mount Pandim and Mount Kabru. You can also take a short hike to Dzongri La, which is a nearby pass with beautiful views of the valley below.

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In the afternoon, you can attend a brief orientation session with your trek leader, who will give you important information about the trek to Goecha La. You can also use this time to check your gear and make sure everything is in order for the next day's trek.

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Overnight stay will be in tents or a guesthouse in Dzongri.

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Day 6: Dzongri to Thansing

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On the sixth day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek from Dzongri to Thansing. The distance of the trek is around 8 km and it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

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The trail descends through beautiful rhododendron forests and crosses several small streams and waterfalls. You will also pass through a small meadow called Kokchurang, which is a great spot for a quick break and some snacks.

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As you continue trekking, the trail will open up to stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Mount Pandim and Mount Kabru. You will also pass through a beautiful valley and cross a few more small streams before reaching Thansing.

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Thansing is a beautiful meadow located at an altitude of 3,780 meters and is surrounded by stunning peaks. It is a popular spot for camping and is the last campsite before the trek to Goecha La. You can rest and relax for the remainder of the day and explore the surroundings. Overnight stay will be in tents in Thansing.

 

Day 7: Thansing to Lamuney

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On the seventh day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek from Thansing to Lamuney. The distance of the trek is around 4 km and it takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.

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The trail follows a river and gradually climbs up to Lamuney, which is a small meadow located at an altitude of 4,200 meters. The trail is mostly rocky and can be a bit challenging in some places.

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As you trek, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Mount Pandim and Mount Kabru. You will also pass by Samiti Lake, a beautiful glacial lake that is a popular spot for photography and relaxation.

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Upon reaching Lamuney, you can rest and relax for the remainder of the day and prepare for the next day's trek to Goecha La. Overnight stay will be in tents in Lamuney.

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Day 8: Lamuney to Goecha La and back to Thansing

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On the eighth day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek from Lamuney to Goecha La and back to Thansing. This is the most challenging day of the trek as you will be trekking at a high altitude and the trail is steep and rocky.

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You will start early in the morning, around 3:00 or 4:00 AM, to reach Goecha La by sunrise. The distance of the trek is around 10 km and it takes about 7 to 8 hours to complete.

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The trail climbs steeply up to a ridge and then follows a rocky trail to the top of the ridge. From here, you will be rewarded with stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga and other surrounding peaks. You will also see the Talung Glacier and the beautiful Samiti Lake below.

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After spending some time at Goecha La, you will retrace your steps back to Lamuney and then continue on to Thansing. The descent can be challenging on the knees, so it is important to take it slow and steady.

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Overnight stay will be in tents in Thansing.

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Day 9: Thansing to Tshoka

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On the ninth day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek from Thansing to Tshoka. The distance of the trek is around 12 km and it takes about 6 to 7 hours to complete.

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The trail descends through the beautiful rhododendron forests and crosses several small streams and waterfalls. You will also pass through a small meadow called Kokchurang, which is a great spot for a quick break and some snacks.

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As you continue trekking, you will reach Phedang, which is another beautiful meadow located at an altitude of 3,650 meters. It is a popular spot for camping and is a great place to take a break and enjoy the stunning views.

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From Phedang, the trail descends further to Tshoka, which is the last village on the trek. Overnight stay will be in tents in Tshoka.

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Day 10: Tshoka to Yuksom

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On the final day of the Goecha La Trek, you will trek back from Tshoka to Yuksom. The trail is the same as the one you took on the second day of the trek, passing through dense forests and crossing several small streams. The total trekking distance for the day is around 16 km and takes about 6 to 7 hours.

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Upon reaching Yuksom, you can rest and relax for the remainder of the day. You can also explore the town and visit the historic Dubdi Monastery, which is the oldest monastery in Sikkim and dates back to the 18th century.

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In the evening, you can celebrate the completion of the trek with your fellow trekkers and the support staff. You can also try some local food and drinks and share your experiences of the trek. Overnight stay will be at a hotel or guesthouse in Yuksom.

Things to carry on Goecha La Trek

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Here are some essential things you should carry on the Goecha La Trek:

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1. Backpack: A good quality backpack with a capacity of around 50 to 60 liters.

2. Clothing: Warm and comfortable clothing, including a down jacket, waterproof jacket and pants, fleece or woolen jacket, thermal inner wear, gloves, and warm socks. It is important to dress in layers to adjust to changing weather conditions.

3. Footwear: Good quality trekking shoes with ankle support and good grip.

4. Trekking poles: Trekking poles provide additional support and stability, especially during steep descents.

5. Sunglasses: To protect your eyes from the harsh sun and snow glare.

6. Headlamp or flashlight: Essential for early morning and late evening treks.

7. Water bottle and hydration pack: It is important to stay hydrated during the trek, so carry a water bottle or hydration pack with you.

8. Snacks: Carry some energy bars, dry fruits, and chocolates to munch on during the trek.

9. Personal medication: Carry any personal medication you may need, along with a first aid kit.

10. Camera: To capture the stunning views and memories of the trek.

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Remember to pack light and only carry essentials. Avoid carrying unnecessary items that will add weight to your backpack.

​Inclusion 

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  • Meals during the trek 

  • Forest Permits/Camping Charges, if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)

  • 2 Nights guest house stay in Yuksom on sharing basis

  • Tents on twin sharing basis, Sleeping bags, mats

  • Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys

  • Services of an experienced Trek guide, cook, and helpers.

  • Porters or mules for carrying common supplies

  • Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification

​Not Included

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  • Personal clothing and gear required for climbing (Personal Climbing equipment)

  • Any kind of insurance.

  • Personal expenses such as table drinks, rooms services items, laundry, telephone calls at hotels or tips, etc.

  • Personal high altitude porter

  • Any additional expenses caused by or liability for a disturbance in the trip program due to our circumstances, weather conditions, sickness, natural disasters, riots, etc.

  • Any other service or item which is not mentioned as “Price Includes”.

​Q&A

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How difficult is Goechala Trek?
 

The Goechala Trek is considered to be a moderate to challenging trek, suitable for experienced trekkers. The trek covers a distance of around 90 kilometers and takes about 9 to 10 days to complete.

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The trek involves steep ascents and descents, narrow trails, rocky terrain, and some tricky sections that require good physical fitness and endurance. The altitude gain is also significant, with the highest point of the trek being the Goechala Pass, which is located at an altitude of 4,940 meters.

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The trek also involves long hours of walking, sometimes up to 8 hours a day, which can be exhausting. The weather can be unpredictable and harsh, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 15°C.

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Overall, the Goechala Trek is a challenging trek that requires a good level of physical fitness, endurance, and mental strength. It is important to train yourself physically and mentally before attempting this trek.

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How many days is the Goechala trek?

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The Goechala Trek is a multi-day trek that usually takes around 9 to 10 days to complete. The trek covers a distance of approximately 90 kilometers and involves long hours of walking each day, with some sections being quite steep and challenging.

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The exact duration of the trek may vary depending on the itinerary and the pace of the trekker. Some trekking companies offer shorter or longer versions of the trek, but the standard duration is usually around 9 to 10 days.

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It is important to plan your itinerary carefully and acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness and other health issues. You should also allow some buffer days in case of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

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What is the cost of the Goechala trek?

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The cost of the Goechala Trek in Sikkim can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the trekking company, the duration of the trek, the inclusions and exclusions of the package, and the season in which you plan to go.

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On average, the cost of the Goechala Trek can range from around INR 15,000 to INR 35,000 per person for a 9-10 day trek. This usually includes accommodation, meals, trekking permits, guides and porters, transportation, and camping equipment.

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​However, it is important to note that there may be additional costs such as airfare, travel insurance, personal expenses, and any extra activities or equipment rentals. You should check with the trekking company and read the inclusions and exclusions of the package carefully before booking the trek.

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