trek to kanchenjunga · kanchenjunga. five treasures of the snow, as the mountain is known locally,...

TREK TO KANCHENJUNGATrekking in Sikkim

High Altitude Trekking

April 4 – 18, 2021

October 23 – November 6, 2021

nomadicexpeditions.com | 800-998-6634

Sikkim, bounded by Tibet to the north, Bhutan to the east, Nepal to the west and the plains of India to the south, was a Buddhist monarchy until recently. Travel to Sikkim became restricted soon after it was inducted into India in the early seventies, and only now Sikkim is slowly opening up for tourism. Ranging from 3,000 feet to 28,000 feet elevation and located in the monsoon belt, Sikkim has orchids growing in a rainforest climate and majestic snow-capped mountains. The original inhabitants were the Lepchas or Rong-pa, the ravine folk from Assam, who now live in harmony with the Khampas from Tibet and Nepalis from neighboring Nepal. Sikkim, a prosperous and a wonderfully diverse state, has much to offer in terms of both beauty and spirituality.

On this expedition, we combine interacting and meeting local people and exploring monasteries with a moderately strenuous trek towards the base camp of the third highest mountain in the world - the mighty Kanchenjunga. Five Treasures of the Snow, as the mountain is known locally, is a mere thirteen meters shorter than K2, the second tallest mountain in the world.

Our trek will include an optional hike to Go Cha La, a viewpoint at an altitude of 17,350 feet.

TREK TO KANCHENJUNGATrekking in Sikkim

Day 1 ARRIVE DELHI

On your arrival in Delhi you will be met by your Nomadic Expeditions trekking guide and transferred the convenient Pullman Airport hotel, just minutes form the terminal.

(Airport Pullman Hotel)

Day 2DELHI TO KALIMPONG

Early this morning transfer to the domestic terminal for the group flight to Bagdogra Airport, servicing Darjeeling and Sikkim.

On arrival in Bagdogra, we go through a passport/security check before starting our spectacular drive to Kalimpong. Kalimpong, formerly a terminus point for the mule trains from Tibet, is now a relaxed and quiet “hill station.” Amidst the splendor of beauty and the fragrance of flowers stands Kalimpong at an altitude of 4,500 ft. It’s the river Relli that meanders down the valley of the lush green hills and the glimpses of snow-capped Himalayan ranges to the north that enhances the enchantment of the place. Life obviously becomes varied and colorful because the inhabitants comprise various ethnic groups, who have learned to live in peace and in harmony. The monastery on top of the hill offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

(Mayfair Himalaya; B, L, D)

Day 3TO YUKSOM, 6,800 FT

After breakfast we start our drive to the trailhead at Yuksom (6,300 ft.), the old capital of Sikkim. In 1641, the first Chogyal (Dharma-raja) King of Sikkim was crowned here. Only a memorial chorten remains today, with the palace in ruins and the oldest monastery of Sikkim not very active. Depending on driving conditions, if we get into Yuksom early afternoon we may have time for a short hike to visit this monastery.

(Chumbi Mountain Retreat; B, L, D)

Day 4BAKIM, 9,800 FT / TREK DAY 1

An eight-mile, six-hour hike through dense moss laden vegetation, a few mountain streams, with a steady increase in altitude makes the first day’s hike a tough one. Pine, magnolia and rhododendron make up most of the forest. At 20-30 feet high the Rhododendrons here are more like trees than bushes. We have good chances of seeing deer.

We camp just past a trekker’s hut (which we may use in case of inclement weather) at an altitude just below 10,000 ft.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Day 5DZONGRI RIDGE, 13,200 FT / TREK DAY 2

A steady, sometimes steep, climb all day long. We pass through a high altitude Tibetan village Tso-ka in the first two hours (our camp site on our way back), after which the trail climbs steeply through the tree line to the ridge at a point called Deorali (pictured below). The rest of the trek is above the tree line thus offering

MONGOLIA | SIBERIA | BHUTAN | TIBET | CHINA | NEPAL | INDIA

nomadicexpeditions.com800-998-6634

Y O U R J O U R N E Y

DEPARTURE DATES: APRIL 4 – 18, 2021OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 6, 2021

ACTIVITY LEVEL:

High Altitude Touring & Trekking

Hiking up to 8 hours a day with 1,000 – 3,000 feet elevation gain or loss in a day; adverse mountain weather conditions are possible (hot/humid lower elevation - snow/rain/high winds in higher elevations) are commonplace; driving on dirt or badly maintained roads. Eight nights of tented camping above 10,000 feet elevation. Trek requires hiking to 14,600 feet with optional hikes to above 17,000 feet.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Views of Kanchenjunga (third highest peak in the world)

Tibetan Buddhist Culture

“Hill-Stations” of Kalimpong & Darjeeling

Rhododendron Forests

Wilderness Trekking

ACCOMMODATIONS:

1 night Airport Pullman Hotel, Delhi

1 night Elgin Silver Oaks

2 nights Lodges, Yuksom

8 nights alpine tented camps

2 nights at Windemere Resort, Darjeeling



un-obscured mountain vistas. Low growing rhododendron and juniper make up the taller vegetation and wild flowers bloom all summer long. We will stop here for lunch and weather permitting, soak in views of Kanchenjunga at 28,253 ft. and all its satellite peaks as they loom overhead.

Mt. Pandim dominates the eastern vista with the meadows of Thangsing (our campsite three days from now) seemingly just a stone’s throw away. To the west of Pandim, we can see the deep gap of Go-cha la, the high pass and the highest point of this trek.

The trail now evens off, making the last one-hour hike easier, to our campsite at 13,200 ft, on the meadows beyond the Dzongri Lodge. Koktang, Kabru, Kabru Dome, Frey’s peak and many unnamed mountains surround our campsite. Historically, these meadows were the private pasture grounds for the King of Sikkim’s herds of yak. Today, it is still a favored summer pasture and you will most likely meet quite a few shepherds with their yak herds.

In order to help our bodies acclimate to the high elevation and enjoy the mountain vistas, we will camp here for two days.


Day 6DZONGRI, 13,200 FT / TREK DAY 3

Acclimatization and rest day. There are many optional day hikes possible. Though we are in a picturesque campsite with

snow-capped peaks all along the northern horizon, even more spectacular views can be had by hiking up the hill (sunrise point) near our camp. A pre-dawn wake-up and hike to sunrise point (15,000 ft.) is highly recommended (pictured above).


Day 7TO THANGSING, 13,200 FT / TREK DAY 4

A five mile, four to five-hour day to the base of Jopine peak. Hiking along the gradual Dzongri ridge is a refreshing change from the steady climb of the past two days. This leads to a steep 1,200-foot descent to the bolder moraine of Pandim River. The trail wends its way through a maze of boulders, that may have us actually walk/hopping from bolder to bolder, to the only (recently constructed) bridge over the river, at this point. A gradual but steady climb now brings us to the open meadow at Thangsing, with Pandim and Jopine dramatically above us.

All day long we are offered views of Kanchenjunga and its satellite peaks, until we reached close to Thangsing, at the base of Mt. Pandim (see picture on page 2). There is small a “trekker’s hut” here that our staff will utilize as a kitchen. A short hike (10-15 min.) on the right ridge, behind the hut, will bring Kanchenjunga back into view.

If the wind picks up, this can be a very cold campsite. Bring out the down!




Day 8SIMITY, 14,200 FT / TREK DAY 5

Today’s easy three to four-hour hike takes us to Lake Simity. The lake with its backdrop of Kanchenjunga, Jopine and Pandim peaks makes for a picture book campsite. With high mountains all around this valley falls into shadow in the late afternoon and temperatures start dropping soon thereafter. Be prepared for another cold night.


Day 9OPTIONAL HIKE TO GOECHA LA PASS

TREK DAY 6A day hike to Go-Cha La, 17,350 ft., is the highest point of the trek. From the pass we see the Kanchenjunga ridges, Jannu, Fluted peak, Sinichula and a host of other peaks of Nepal and Tibet.

The trail starts with a steep climb to the top of the buttress, which opens up to spectacular views of mountains and dramatic glacial moraines (cover picture). We try to reach this point by sunrise. Kanchenjunga is once again visible and will be for the rest of the day (weather permitting). Hiking along the ridge for 20-30 minutes before descending sharply to the white sands of Zimathang, the base camp of Mt. Pandim. The trail is now level to the base of the pass and then another steep ascent over boulders to the viewpoint at the top.

There is no fresh water once we leave camp so remember to fill both bottles before starting your hike. Return to our camp, which the staff has moved down to Thangsing. We estimate 8-9 hours of hiking today.


Day 10TO RIVER CAMP, 12,600 FT / TREK DAY 7

We continue on trek back to Yuksom, enjoying spectacular Himalayan scenery en route.


Day 11REACH TSO KA, 10,600 FT / TREK DAY 8

Traversing the northern side of the Dzongri ridge we reach the Tibetan Village of Tso ka. Most of the day the trail goes through pristine Rhododendron forests. It joins the main Dzongri/Yuksom trail at Pethang, where we start our steep descent to the Tibetan Village of Tso Kha.

Our yaks are unable to use this trail (thick forest) and will be climbing up the Dzongri ridge and then descending down. Chances are, we will reach camp well before our camp gear will. There is small lodge at the village and we will utilize their kitchen and dining facilities.




Day 12END TREK AT YUKSOM, 6,800 FT

Our final day of trekking brings us down another 4,000 ft. to Yuksom. Hot showers and a bed for everyone. This evening we shall be joined by some of the local villagers, our trek staff and yak herders for a grand dinner and an evening of music and dance.

(Chumbi Mountain Retreat; B, L, D)

Day 13TO DARJEELING

After breakfast, we drive (5-6 hours) to Darjeeling. The name Darjeeling comes from the Tibetan drone ling, place of the thunderbolt. Perhaps the most fabled of the Hill Stations of the British Raj, to which the British rulers escaped the summer heat of the plains. Perched on top of a ridge at an altitude of 7,000 ft. above sea level, its streets zigzag with no two houses built on the same level.

(Windemere Resort; B)

Day 14IN DARJEELING

You have the day to leisurely explore this beautiful and intriguing Hill Station, still steeped in influence of British India. Built on the highest ridge in the region it offers magnificent views of Kanchenjunga. “A promontory rising from a sea of depths that

seem to pierce the very core of the world,” the great Robert Byron wrote rather dramatically, “overseen by the white throne of God, a continent on end, trees, cliffs, and shores of snow five miles high, as the eye travels up them to the blue vault above.” In many ways it is the most imposing of the Himalayan giants and certainly its holiest.

(Windemere Resort; B, FD)

Day 15TO DELHI / DEPART INDIA

Depart this morning for Bagdogra airport, a 2-3 hour drive, for your afternoon flight back to Delhi.

You will be met on arrival in Delhi and transferred back to the airport Pullman Hotel, where you have Day Room to use to prepare for your flight back to the US. Later this evening, you will be transferred back to the airport to check in for your outbound international flight.

(B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary.

LAND PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International airfare to & from Delhi, India;

• Internal India airfare (listed separately)

• Tips to guide, camp staff and drivers;

• Comprehensive medical and trip insurance;

• Airport taxes;

• Excess baggage charges;

• Photography and video fees;

• Food and beverages not included in the group meals;

• Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundryand telephone calls;

• Other items not specifically mentioned as included.

LAND PRICE INCLUDES:

• All required permits for trekking and touring in Sikkim;

• Ground transportation in India as described in the itinerary;

• All Airport/Hotel transfers on arrival and departure;

• All accommodations based on double or twin occupancy;

• All meals as noted in itinerary;

• Full trek support including camping staff, all trekking equipmentwhile camping (personal tent, sleeping bag, bag liner, sleepingpads; dining & kitchen tents, toilet tents);

• Pack horses and yak support during trek;

• All excursions, entrance fees, and visits as described in itinerary;

• Extensive pre-departure Travel Guide, reading list, importantinformation about your trip, map and luggage tags;

• Bilingual Nomadic Expeditions guide throughout your stay.

We would love to share this exceptional adventure with you!

Our Expedition Specialists are available from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM EST, Monday thru Friday

Nomadic Expeditions, Inc. | 57 Station Road | Cranbury, NJ 08512 USA

Phone: 800-998-6634 or 609-860-9008 | Fax: 609-860-9608 | Email: [email protected]

2021 LAND PRICE

4 + Trekkers: $6,200 per person

Single Supplement: $1,770 per person

Internal Airfare: $210 per person (Delhi – Bagdogra – Delhi)

NOTE: Land Price is based on double occupancy and Internal Airfare is subject to change by airlines

WHY TRAVEL WITH NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS?

Unrivaled ExpertiseNomadic Expeditions was founded in 1992. Nothing can compete with the experience we have attained over 25+ years of designing luxury adventure travel to Asia. While each trip we design is slightly different than its predecessor, our breadth of knowledge, network of contacts, and experience in the field is unrivaled.

Our People We hire the best in the business to create and execute memorable journeys for our clients. From our Expedition Specialists in the United States, Ulaanbaatar, Lhasa, Delhi, and Thimpu who turn wish lists into reality to our English-speaking, professionally trained guides who share their extensive knowledge of the culture and natural history of our destinations, our staff is what makes Nomadic Expeditions successful.

Passion for Travel While our journeys open your eyes to a whole new world of experiences, we understand that choosing to book a trip with us requires time spent away from friends, family, and work. Your time is precious and we take that to heart. It’s why we design journeys that go beyond a checklist of attractions. When you travel with us, we want you to remember drinking tea with a nomadic family or digging for fossils with a renowned paleontologist. We imbue our trips with encounters, whether it’s with a local resident, a high-ranking government official, or a renowned wildlife conservationist, so you take home more than a set of photographs to frame on your nightstand.

Our Philosophy Nomadic Expeditions was founded on the principle of treading lightly long before sustainable travel was a buzz phrase. Every expedition is undertaken with the greatest respect for the lands we explore and the local people we meet. Those who travel with us do so with the assurance that the preservation and protection of the ecosystems and cultures we visit is of the utmost importance to us, both as individuals and as a company. Respect for the places we travel to is at the heart of everything we do, but over our 25+ years we have realized additional opportunities where we can lend a hand. We have gone beyond simply treading lightly and have wholeheartedly partnered with local communities and regions. Read more about our sustainable practices and philanthropic efforts on our website.

nomadicexpeditions.com | 800-998-6634

trek to kanchenjunga · kanchenjunga. five treasures of the snow, as the mountain is known locally,...

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