GOECHALA TREK

Report in Siliguri by 9 a.m., check in at the post on Sevoke Road and board your vehicles for the trip to Yuksom. For admission purposes, bring two passport-size portraits and a copy of your identity proof, as well as your initial ID proof. For immigrants, the laws are different. If you have time on your hands, explore the town; this will aid in your acclimatisation. The night will be spent in a hotel in Yuksom.

Yuksom is the starting point for the Goechala trek ( behind the forest check post ). The trail begins by skirting through Yuksom's fields before entering the lovely Rathong river valley. Today's trail is all through dense forest, with a few rays of sunshine thrown in for good measure. The trail can be a little slick at times. The fierce Tshushay Khola falls in a sequence of tiny waterfalls joining the Prek River is one of the things to look forward to today. The log huts can be seen all the way down the route. The river Prek, which flows directly underneath the campsite, has a calming tone. Spend the night at Sachen.

The ascent to Tshoka is difficult. We begin by crossing the Prek River on a wooden bridge. The bridge is decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and swings as you step over it. We ascend into the oak and rhododendron forest after crossing the bridge. Tumba, the local malt, is very common. It's available in Tshoka cafes. Get spectacular views of Mt. Pandim and the whole Kanchenjunga range from the monastery at Tshoka. At Tshoka, you will spend the night in a camp.

Today is the day that all Goecha la trekkers have been waiting for. Today's trail involves a long climb. The path travels across thick woodland with blooming pink Rhododendrons in the spring. We arrive at Phedang, a large clearing with stunning views of the range, after a few hours on the trail. Follow the track before you hit Dzongri. It is a vast meadow surrounded by Kanchenjunga's snow-capped peaks. Enjoy the sensation of being surrounded from all sides by the majestic Himalayas. Ask your guide the names of all the peaks if you're curious. Dzongri is a great place to spend the night.

Early in the morning, begin trekking to the Dzongri top to observe the kaleidoscopic vision of the sun rising. You'll have a 180-degree view of the tops of the Singalila and Kanchenjunga ranges from there. The peaks bathed in the first rays of the morning are the kind of vision that makes you think, "I could watch it all day." Thansing can be seen from the top as well. The path climbs up to Thansing after descending to Kockchurang. The river Prekchu runs through the trail. Thansing is about 2 kilometers away after crossing the river bridge. When you get there, the trail takes you over rocks and boulders. Camps are where you can spend the night. The nights can be chilly in this area.

Today's hike is relatively straightforward, with the majority of the trail being level. We'll arrive in Lamuney in around 2-3 hours. The stunning Samiti Lake is about a half-hour drive from Lamuney and is reached through a steep rocky path. On the lakeshore, there's a fair chance of seeing mountain goats and bluebirds. The lake does not allow camping. We return to our Lamuney camps after enjoying some quality time at the coast. Camps are available for overnight stays.

We trek up to Viewpoint 1 and down to our camps on the same day, making today the most difficult. However, we have the benefit of leaving some of our belongings in our rucksacks at the Thansing camps, allowing us to trek with a lighter pack. We leave way before sunrise because the distance is long and the trail is steep. Up to Viewpoint 1, the trail ends. With Mt. Pandim and Kanchenjunga so close, the view from Viewpoint 1 is stunning. Spend some time here before heading down to Thansing. In the evening, arrive in Thansing. Here, you will spend the night in a camp.

The path runs through the woods and has a largely level gradient with a few minor ascents and descents. When descending, exercise caution and take it slowly. The Prekchu river flows below you, and rhododendron trees line the route. At Tshoka, you will spend the night in a camp.

Retrace the steps back to Yuksom from Tshoka. It's a short experience. Make a pit stop in Sachen. The track is mainly downhill from Sachen. Before reaching Yuksom, there are a few ascents in the final segment. The Goechala trek comes to an end today. Staying in a hotel in Yuksom for the night. Make plans to return the next day.

Early in the morning, board your vehicles for the drive from Yuksom to Siliguri. The journey comes to a close in Siliguri.