Gangtok and Goecha La pass 11 Days
Our journey starts with a visit to Gangtok city with a population of 100,000 that consist of three main ethnicities of Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalese. Gangtok rose to prominence as a Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of Euchey monastery in 1840. During the British Raj Gangtok became as a stopover on the trade route between Lhasa and Kolkata.
Leave behind Gangtok we head to Yuksom, the basecamp from where you start this trek on foot. Once you are onto the tracks, your next stop is Sachen, and you will pass through many mountain bridges on your route to Sachen, where you can spot animals like mule and yak.
Trek to Ghoecha La winds through beautiful villages of Tshoka via Bakhim, Buddhist monasteries and friendly locals along the way sporting huge smiles as they pass you by through dense forests that supports a fine eco-system and picturesque meadows and enchanting passes. Before the detour to Samiti Lake we visit Dzongri and further to Thansingh, Loffers.
The amaging reflection of Mt. Pandim on its serene waters which is at the best in the morning. Ghoecha La pass at it stands abreast the huge southeast face of Kanchanjunga and other peaks are the highlight of the expedition. The pass used to serve as the base camp for aspiring climbers from the Indian side which is now off limits due to government regulation. The return is the same and from Yuksom we continue on our onward journey.