Goecha La

The journey

A close encounter with the "Sleeping Buddha", Mt Kangchenjunga, in Kangchenjunga National Park, Sikkim. Format: homestay on sharing basis, dual sharing, ex Bagdogra, vegetarian, trek tent stay, travel meals, leader included. Tentative dates 20 to 30 November 2026.

• Iconic sunrise views of Mt. Kangchenjunga (Sleeping Buddha) from Goechala
• Rhododendron forests, alpine meadows and glacial valleys
• Camps at high-altitude sites such as Dzongri and Thansing
• Views of Pandim, Kabru, Black Kabru, Rathong and glaciers
• Samiti Lake before the viewpoint
• Why November: very high chances of stable weather and clear skies for Kangchenjunga views

How high, day by day

The highest point reached each day, from the itinerary. Rest and drive days are shown between the known points.

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrive Bagdogra, drive to Yuksom

   Up to 1,780 m

   Bagdogra 126 m to Yuksom 1,780 m; drive 150 km / 6-7 hrs. Arrive by afternoon, meet the team, scenic drive through Teesta and Rangit valleys to Yuksom, the historic first capital of Sikkim and official start of the trek. Permit verification and document checks, gear inspection and trek briefing, evening acclimatisation walk. Meals: dinner. Overnight: homestay in Yuksom.

2. Day 2

   Yuksom to Sachen campsite

   Up to 2,200 m

   1,780 m to 2,200 m; 8 km / 5-6 hrs. Well-marked trail inside Kangchenjunga National Park along the Rathong River, several wooden suspension bridges, sub-tropical forest (magnolia, bamboo, fern). Meals: breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner. Overnight: camping.

3. Day 3

   Sachen to Tshoka campsite

   Up to 2,957 m

   2,200 m to 2,957 m; 8 km / 6-7 hrs. Steeper trail through oak, maple and rhododendron forest; after crossing Tshushay Khola the climb intensifies until alpine meadows open up. Tshoka is a clearing with a trekkers' hut. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

4. Day 4

   Tshoka to Dzongri campsite

   Up to 3,950 m

   3,000 m to 3,950 m; 9 km / 6-7 hrs. Challenging ascent above the tree line; snow patches possible. Dzongri is a vast high-altitude meadow. Evening acclimatisation walk is mandatory. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

5. Day 5

   Acclimatisation at Dzongri Top and back

   Up to 4,200 m

   3,950 m to 4,200 m to 3,950 m; 4 km / 4-5 hrs. Early hike to Dzongri Top for sunrise on Kangchenjunga, Pandim, Kabru, Narsing and Simvo. Return, rest and hydrate. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

6. Day 6

   Dzongri to Thansing campsite

   Up to 3,950 m

   3,950 m to 3,800 m; 8 km / 4-5 hrs. Gentle descent into a wide alpine valley along the Prek Chu river, with glaciers and Himalayan walls. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

7. Day 7

   Thansing to Lamuney campsite

   Up to 4,160 m

   3,800 m to 4,160 m; 4 km / 3-4 hrs. Relaxed morning, gradual ascent along the Prek Chu to Lamuney, the final campsite before the Goecha La viewpoint; views of Pandim, Kabru, Rathong. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

8. Day 8

   Lamuney to Goechala View Point 1 and back to Thansing

   Up to 4,600 m

   4,160 m to 4,600 m to 3,800 m; 13 km / 8-9 hrs. Wake around 2:30 AM, start by 3:00 AM. Climb over rocky moraines to Goecha La View Point 1 (4,600 m) for sunrise over Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), with Pandim, Kabru, Rathong, Talung. Descend to Lamuney for a short break, then to Thansing. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

9. Day 9

   Thansing to Tshoka via Kokchurung

   Up to 3,800 m

   3,800 m to 2,200 m to 2,960 m (as written); 15 km / 7-8 hrs. Descend along the Prek Chu through alpine meadows and rhododendron and conifer forest, rest at Kokchurung, continue to Tshoka. Meals as Day 2. Overnight: camping.

10. Day 10

    Tshoka to Yuksom (road head)

    Up to 2,960 m

    2,960 m to 1,780 m; 15 km / 7-8 hrs. Descend via Phedang, Sachen and Bakhim through magnolia and oak forest and suspension bridges. Trek concludes at Yuksom; hot shower and comfortable night in the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner. Overnight listed as "Camping" in the catalogue, though the text says hotel and inclusions say homestay.

11. Day 11

    Drive back to Bagdogra

    Up to 126 m

    After early breakfast, check out and drive Yuksom to Bagdogra through West Sikkim hills and Teesta valley. Arrive by late afternoon or evening. Meals: breakfast. (The catalogue's altitude/trek-time line for this day, "3,000 m to 3,950 m; 9 km / 6-7 hrs", is a copy of Day 4 and does not apply to a drive.)

Before you go