Trekking in Sikkim

The Famous Dzongri Trek

Day 1 This is a drive of about 6 to 7 hours from Darjeeling to Yuksom, the erstwhile capital of Sikkim. The road crosses the spectacular gorge enclosing the turbulent Teesta river, over the Coronation Bridge. A lunch break at Jorethang in Sikkim and then onwards to Yuksom via Legship. The route runs through the typical rural landscape of Sikkim with its stepped rice fields and green forests with the Teesta river roaring below. Yuksom has comfortable trekkers' huts and even at its 5,800 feet altitude, boasts of the first views of Pandim and Kabru peaks

Day 2 This is a tough first day trek by any standards, involving a steep walk through thickly forested ridges to Bakhim at 9,000 feet. The Teesta is crossed five times over rope bridges. It is advisable that not more than three people are over the rope bridge at the same time. Leeches and insects are the rule here. A forest rest house and a suitable campsite provide welcome relief on a hard day. From Bakhim, Yuksom is seen far below on the horizon and Tiger Hill of Darjeeling, still valiantly attempts to raise is head before bowing out to the higher altitude. You could try "toomba", the local liquor, at a little teashop at Bakhim, which is a small settlement with not more than 10 houses

Day 3 Mountaineers and very fit trekkers could proceed directly from Bakhim to Dzongri. However, others would much rather stop for the night at Pethang (3650 m), a small grassy campsite with a water source close by, on a side trail. On route, through meadows and forests, the Tibetan settlement of Tsoka (pronounced Choka ) is arrived at. It has, as is typical, a monastery and just a few houses. The trail has magnificent rhododendron forests, with glimpses of snow peaks at Pethang.

Day 4 This is a steep Stage reaching the ridgeline separating the Prek valley on one side and the Rahtong valley on the other. Back south are the ridges of Yuksom and to the north rises the Kangchenjunga. To its right and towards the northeast, looms the beautiful peak of Pandim and to the West beyond the Rahtong valley is the imposing Singalila Ridge. Passing by dwarf rhododendrons, the expansive yak pastures of Dzongri are reached. Ranging from 4,000 to 4,700 m, Dzongri is a large slice of the geography of the Tibetan highlands. Comfortable trekkers' huts are here as well.

Day 5 This involves climbing up to Dzongri top, over fresh brown earth amidst snowflakes and sleet. An amazing panorama of the mighty peaks of West Sikkim rises suddenly and almost encircles Dzongri Top. This is clearly the high point of the trek. Advisable to start early as clouds come in blocking the view by around in the morning.

Return stages Return by the same route. However this time Dzongri to Bakhim could be done in one day with the second day on the trail to Yuksom.

DZONGRI

YUKSOM

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