Goechela Himalayan Trek

Goechala trekking is one of the most popular treks in the Indian state of Sikkim. The trek takes you to the base of the mighty Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. The trek is known for its stunning views of the Kanchenjunga massif, beautiful forests, and a chance to experience the unique culture of the local communities.

The Goechala trek starts from Yuksom, a small town located in West Sikkim. The trek is approximately 90 km long and takes around 10-12 days to complete. The trek route passes through dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo, and offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

The trek is graded as moderate to difficult and requires a certain level of physical fitness. The altitude gain is significant, with the highest point of the trek at 16,200 feet. Acclimatization is necessary to avoid altitude sickness, and trekkers are advised to take it slow and steady.

The trek route takes you through quaint villages and beautiful monasteries, providing a glimpse into the unique culture and way of life of the local people. The trek also offers an opportunity to spot a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard.

The highlight of the Goechala trek is undoubtedly the breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga massif from the Goechala pass. The view of the mountain range at sunrise is an unforgettable experience that is etched in the memory of trekkers for a lifetime.

The best time to undertake the Goechala trek is from mid-March to May and from September to November. The weather during these months is pleasant, with clear skies offering excellent visibility of the mountains.

Mt. Kanchenjunga from Thansing Campsite

How the number of days in this Goechela Trek looks like?

Day 1 - Drive from NJP / Bagdogra to Yuksom

Day 2 - Trek from Yuksom to Sachen

Day 3 - Sachen to Tsoka via Bakhim

Day 4 - Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang

Day 5 - Dzongri to Dzongri Top and back. Acclimatization day at Dzongri

Day 6 - Dzongri to Thansing via kokchurang

Day 7 - Thansing to View Point 1 via Samiti Lake; and back to Thansing

Day 8 - Thansing to Tshoka via Kokchurang and Phedang

Day 9 - Tshoka to Yuksom via Bakhim and Sachen

Day 10 - Drive back from Yuksom to NJP / Bagdogra

Goechela is best described in picturesque series of stunning landscape

You may download the GPX file in your GPX Viewer App to navigate offline :

Goechela_Expedition_4600m_Indian_Himalaya_.gpx

Download GPX • 9.16MB

FAQ's :

How to reach Yuksom ?

To get to Goechala you must first get to Yuksom in Sikkim. Your trek starts and ends here. Yuksom is about 150 km from the tri-junction of Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and Bagdogra in West Bengal.

Siliguri is the main city while NJP is the railway station of Siliguri and Bagdogra, is its airport. The airport and railway station lie within 10 km of Siliguri.

You can reach NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra by train or air. Where you reach depends on how you come.

By Train: You will reach NJP, which is the station area of Siliguri. Most trains to NJP come from Kolkata. The North eastbound trains from Delhi also come directly to NJP without touching Kolkata. The trains from both Kolkata and Delhi tend to get booked very quickly. It is best to book train tickets well in advance.

By Flight: The closest airport to Yuksom is Bagdogra. Bagdogra is Siliguri’s airport. Bagdogra has good connectivity from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad by air.

By Bus: If flights are too expensive and trains are full (which they usually are), you can fly to Kolkata and take a bus to Siliguri. The journey is long and takes almost 14 hours. The silver lining is that you get sleeper buses and the roads do not wind too much.

When is the best time to do the Goechela Trek ?

There are two distinct seasons for the Goechala trek – April-May (Spring) and September-October (Autumn).

Witnessing this trek in only one season is like getting to know just a part of it. That’s because the trail is set in the Kanchenjunga National Park, which houses some vibrant varieties of flora amidst its mossy forest. And the forest changes colors in different seasons.

So, in different seasons, the entire color palette of the trek changes. Even the way the trek lights up, changes with the seasons. While spring is known for its romantic, dreamy look, autumn is loved for its sharp views.

What are the things to carry while on trek ?

- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer, and monsoon (1 woolen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket) - 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woolen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket) - 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woolen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

- 3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

- 2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

- Sunscreen

- Moisturiser

- Light towel

- Lip balm or Vaseline

- Toilet paper

- Toothbrush

- Toothpaste

- Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

What is the level of fitness required for this Goechela Trek ?

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 32 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

Can foreigners opt for this trek ?

Yes, it is possible

What are the kind of permits required to obtain from Kanchenjunga National Park?

It can be obtained from the checkpost located in Yuksom at the starting point of the trek.

What are the important points that needs to be considered before going for this Goechela Trek ?

Trekkers must carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

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