A trek with a plate full of mountains!!!

Goechala Trek is known to be the trek of a lifetime because no other trek in the Himalayas offers spectacular views of not one but fourteen snow-capped high Himalayan peaks. If you are a trekking enthusiast, then this trek should definitely be on your wishlist.

But not only snow-capped mountains, Goechala trek also offers a lot of other things that attract hundreds of trekkers every year to this place. Situated at an altitude of 15,100 ft or 4600 m, this difficult trek is simply a Himalayan delight for seasoned trekkers. Starting from the deep jungles of the Kanchenjunga National Park to getting close to the Kanchenjunga, the entire journey is nothing short of a fairy tale. And the USP of this trek is that when you actually get a glimpse of the mountain peaks from a short distance, you will be awestruck with the close proximity and life-size of the high peaks that fall on the trail. There will also be a campsite right near the foot of Mt Pandim. So just imagine yourself at that campsite with a bonfire. Can life be better than this for a Himalayan lover?

Furthermore, being a nature lover, how can you miss breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and that fierce alpenglow that would come that would come amidst being in the vicinity of high snow-capped mountains? Trust me no amount of money can buy this happiness. Those high mountain peaks appearing like molten gold during sunrise and sunset is indeed a sight to behold for the rest of your life and to be cherished forever.

Walking through the Kanchenjunga National Park is also another aspect to be cherished. With blooming Rhododendrons during March and April, long suspension bridges, a serene alpine lake with mirror-like water, and a tranquil monastery at an altitude of 3000 m, this trek could not get anything better.

This place also has a rich history connected to it as well. The Goechala trail was first discovered by the British at the time of their colonial rule in India and it was used as a route to connect Tibet to Sikkim. However, the Goechala trek was first opened for the public in the year 1979 by the famous French mountaineer Pierre Noire. Not only this, the area around the Goechala Pass is considered to be very sacred and pious by the indigenous tribes – Lepcha and Bhutia groups for centuries.

Please note that apart from the closest views of the Kanchenjunga range, the Goechala trek also offers the closest view of Mt Pandim.

The trek starts from the quaint Himalayan village, Yuksom in West Sikkim, which is considered to be the previous capital of Sikkim before Gangtok. You will also get to experience the daily Himalayan lifestyle in Yuksom.

On the first day of our trek, our team will pick you up from NJP at 9 am. And on Day 9, our team will drop you at NJP around 5 to 6 pm. So we advise you to make your further plans from there onwards.

March, April and September, October

Goechala Trek can be done only during the Spring season (March and April) and Autumn season (September and October). Both these seasons will offer completely distinct and different landscapes. If you go for this trek during the Spring season, it is full of blooming Rhododendrons everywhere, and literally, the entire forest turns into a beautiful hue of pink and scarlet. Apart from Rhododendrons, there will be so many other beautiful flowers blooming everywhere inside the Kanchenjunga National Park. During the autumn season, the landscape is completely different. Its dark everywhere and the trail is mossy with clear blue sky. In the spring season, the daytime temperature falls between 12 °C and 15 °C and at night it falls down to 0 °C and -3 °C. There will snow once you reach closer to View Point 1 and if lucky you might also witness snowfall after Dzongri. During the autumn season, the daytime temperature falls between 8 °C and 12 °C and at night it falls down to -5 °C and -10 °C. However, there won’t be snow even in the higher campsites.

Suitable Age Group: Goechala Trek can be done between the age group 13 years to 60 years. However, it is mandatory that your fitness should be at its best or it will be very difficult to conduct this trek. For minors make sure they are accompanied by their parents or guardians during the trek. Since this is a difficult level trek, you need to submit a medical fitness certificate from a doctor before going for the trek.  

In Goechala Trek, you will get mobile networks only at Yuksom. From further Yuksom, there is no mobile networks available. There might be intermittent connection at Tshoka but that cannot be reliable at all.