(Meals included B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Today we fly along the Himalayas to Bagdogra. In fine weather, we see the 8,000-metre peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Everest and Kangchendzönga. From Bagdogra we drive on a winding road past wooded hills, small villages and tea plantations to Darjeeling. At the time of the British colonial power in India, Darjeeling was one of the most popular “hill stations” to escape the heat of the lowlands. Even today, you can still sense a lot of colonial flair in this place.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Darjeeling (2100 meters). Flight time 2 hours. Travel time 3 – 4 hours (F, M, A)
In good weather, we set off early in the morning for Tiger Hill (2590 m). We enjoy a spectacular sunrise and a fantastic view as far as the Kangchendzönga massif. In good weather, you can see as far as Mount Everest.
Afterwards we take the famous “Toy Train”, which was built over 120 years ago. The ride on this narrow-gauge train is an exciting experience.
After lunch, we visit a tea plantation for which Darjeeling is so famous. The main harvest time is March to October. Depending on the season, there is less activity in November and no tea is harvested during the winter months. However, we can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute or the Japanese Peace Pagoda.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Darjeeling (2100 meters). Travel time Toy Train 2 hours Travel time 2 – 3 hours (F,M,A)
The journey takes you from Darjeeling into the former kingdom of Sikkim in the little-known south to a beautiful lodge run by a Pradhan family, near the village of Turuk.
Overnight stay in lodge at approx. 1200 m. Travel time approx. 3 hours (B).
Today the tour continues along the Ranit River and up a pass road to the traditional farmhouse in West Sikkim. Here you can go on a short hike.
Overnight stay in the farmhouse at approx. 1600 m. Travel time approx. 2.5 hours (B, L, D)
Today we discover the rural surroundings of Rinchenpong on foot. We first hike through an oak forest to a nearby hill where there is a lonely monastery and, if we are lucky with the weather, enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the Kangchendzönga massif with the mountain giants Pandim, Kabru and Narsing at 1900 meters. Later, we discover the lonely hamlets with their traditional Lepcha houses and experience the rural, natural way of life of the small farmers. In the evening, we have the opportunity to attend the evening ceremonies and evening prayers in the village monastery.
Overnight stay in an easy farmhouse lodge in Rinchenpong (1600 meters). Hike 4 – 6 hours (B, L, D)
The ride continues first to the village of Dentam and then to the top of the Pelling Pass. Here we visit the Pemayangtse monastery.
This was founded in the 17th century and extended in 1705 and is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim.
On occasion, we can also visit the Sanga Choeling monastery.
Our lodge is located below Pelling in the guesthouse at 1700 m. Travel time approx. 3 hours (B)
If the weather is fine, it’s worth getting up early today and driving to the Nyingma monastery Sanga Chöling before breakfast. From there, we enjoy a fabulously beautiful view of Kangchendzönga and other snow-capped mountain peaks.
We reach the Chenrezig statue, which was completed in fall 2018, on foot from the monastery. The newly built complex also includes a skywalk and a gallery inside the statue. At a height of 41 meters, it is the tallest of the three large statues in Sikkim.
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we continue our journey. On our way to Yuksom, we visit the sacred, wish-fulfilling Khecheopalri Lake. The original name of the lake was Kha-Chot-Palri, which translates as the “Heaven of Guru Padmasambhava”. The small, legendary lake is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus.
We start at the lake and set off on a beautiful hike past small villages, terraced fields and forests with cardamom plantations. The hike is mostly downhill and takes around 3 hours. From the end point at the Rathong River, we continue to Yuksom, where we will spend the night.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Yuksom (1750 meters). Travel time 3 – 4 hours. Hike 3 hours (B, L, D)
After running in yesterday, we’re looking forward to some “real” exercise today. We set off from the guesthouse after breakfast. There is a lot to see in the gardens around the easy houses, between which we walk uphill. Spring is the flowering season and fall is the harvest time for black cardamom. The 1 to 2 meter high plants are widespread throughout Sikkim and provide local farmers with an important income. The harvested capsule fruits are traditionally dried over an open fire in large stone ovens, giving the spice its smoky flavor.
After about 2 hours of hiking uphill, our efforts are rewarded. We are invited to a local family for tea and lunch. While the women cook for us, the men show us the terraced plantations on the steep slopes around the house. It’s interesting what they grow there. In addition to lots of vegetables, there are also roots and plants that are sold to the pharmaceutical industry in the valley.
All agriculture throughout Sikkim is organic and Sikkim was declared an “Organic State” at the beginning of 2016. Artificial fertilizers, pesticides and genetic engineering are prohibited by law.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Yuksom (1750 meters). Hike 4 – 5 hours (B,L,D)
Today we start our trekking. Once all the formalities have been completed, we enter Kangchendzönga National Park. The first part leads us up and down through a primeval forest with large oak, spruce, bamboo and rhododendron trees. This area provides a habitat for a large variety of birds and from time to time we come across monkeys Deep below us, the Rathong River rushes through the gorge. In the afternoon, we reach Bakhim, where we set up camp.
Overnight stay in a tent in Bakhim (2750 meters). Trekking 5 – 7 hours (B,D,L)
We walk past magnolias and rhododendron trees to the village of Tsokha. This Tibetan settlement was founded only 50 years ago by Tibetan refugees, but is no longer inhabited today. Situated on a small plateau, the village offers a beautiful view over the surrounding hills and valleys. On a clear day we can see the almost 6700 meter high mountain Pandim. We continue our ascent to Phedong, our destination for today.
Overnight stay in a tent in Phedong (3600 meters). Trekking 5 hours (B.L,D)
Today we climb steeply uphill and reach the tree line. From up here, we have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountain panorama. Not only Kangchendzönga can be seen on a clear day, but also the 6000-metre peaks of Kokthang, Rathong and Kabru Dome. Due to good acclimatization, we have only planned a short stage today and after two to three hours we already reach Dzongri. Here we set up our tents on a beautiful alpine meadow. If you still have the energy and desire, you can climb the 300-metre-higher Dzongri Peak for an even more beautiful view of the mountain panorama.
Overnight stay in a tent in Dzongri (4000 meters). Trekking 2 – 3 hours (B,L,D)
We are already at a considerable altitude of 4000 meters here. That’s why we take a rest day to get used to the altitude. The pack animals are also happy to have a rest day.
If you feel like it, you can climb a nearby hill early in the morning and experience the fantastic sunrise over the Kangchendzönga. In the afternoon, we can take an optional hike to the sacred lake Lakshmi Pokhari.
Overnight stay in a tent in Dzongri (4000 meters). optional hike 2 hours (B,L,D)
We hike mainly up the valley. We continue over some glacier moraines to our camp in Lamuney at around 4200 meters. Here we can take a trip to the turquoise-blue Lake Samiti, which can be reached in around 45 minutes. Overnight stays are no longer permitted at this former campsite for environmental reasons, which we naturally respect. It is a very charming place, surrounded by rhododendrons and fir trees. If we prefer to rest a little after arriving at the camp today, we will have another opportunity to see Lake Samiti tomorrow on the way to Goecha La.
Overnight stay in a tent in Lamuney (4200 meters).
Trekking 5 – 6 hours. Optional hike to the lake 2 hours (B,L,D)
We start early in the morning to admire the sunrise from the first good vantage point. Depending on our condition, we climb up to a viewpoint 4700 meters above sea level or even all the way up to the 4950 meter high Goecha La. At the top of the pass, colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind, carrying prayers to the gods on the summits. We enjoy the silence and the view of the third highest mountain on earth to the full. Thanks to the early start, we have the time. This is followed by a long descent back to Thangshing, where our cook is already waiting for us with a delicious snack.
Overnight stay in a tent in Thangshing (3950 meters). Trekking 7 hours to the viewpoint at 4700 meters or 9 hours to Goecha La. (B,D,L)
Back on a different route to the ascent, we walk along a partly narrow path along a wooded mountainside to the former Tibetan village of Tsokha. We enjoy the “thicker air” and the warmth down here at 3,000 meters. One last
Overnight stay in a tent in Tsokha (3050 meters). Trekking 6 – 7 hours (B,L,D)
We walk downhill through the narrow Rathong Valley. The path leads through partly dense, semi-tropical forest and is a nice contrast to the last few days in the stony heights of the pass. Back in Yuksom, we celebrate our successful trek with our local team, perhaps with a “Chang”, a home-brewed beer made from millet.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse in Yuksom (1750 meters). Trekking 5 – 6 hours (B,L,D)
On the way to Kewzing, we visit the Tashiding Monastery, which stands on a cone-shaped mountain. There are several chortens next to the monastery. It is said that just seeing these chörten cleanses all sins. We can try this out! The prayer walls with the mantras artfully carved in stone are also beautiful. Unfortunately, the stonemason who created all the works of art passed away a few years ago.
In the late afternoon, we reach Kewzing, a typical Bhutia village. Here we are guests in the home of a family and immerse ourselves in the culture of the Bhutia Sikkimese, who originally come from Tibet.
We take a short tour of the village on foot. We end the evening with a traditional Bhutia dinner in the easy kitchen of our host family, followed by a small cultural performance around the campfire. Of course, a “Chang”, a home-brewed beer made from millet, is a must.
Overnight stay in an easy family house in Kewzing (1550 meters). Travel time 3 hours. Hike 2 hours (B,L,D)
Today’s varied drive takes us to the town of Ravangla, where we stroll through the town past tiny pubs and corner stores. We take a detour and visit the Buddha Park with its gigantic Buddha statue, which was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in March 2013.We drive along the mountain ridge with its spectacular panorama to the largest tea garden in Sikkim. The Temi tea garden is known for its excellent, organically grown tea and is an insider tip among connoisseurs. We continue to the town of Singtam on the valley floor and head north to the Rumtek region.
Following the road lined with prayer flags, you come to the original old monastery of Rumtek dating back to 1734. It exudes a wonderful sense of tranquillity and is situated on a mountain ridge with fantastic views of the hills and fields of Martam. A small shrine in an adjoining room is dedicated to the protector of the Kagyu school, Mahakala. However, the figure is covered due to its powerful effect.
His Holiness, the 16th Karmapa, head of the Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism, lived here from 1959 to 1981. After fleeing to Sikkim due to the Chinese invasion of Tibet, he received asylum, land and support from the King of Sikkim to build the new monastery in Rumtek. His home monastery in Tsurphu in Tibet served as a model. During the 16th Karmapa’s lifetime, the monastery was an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. The 16th Karmapa is one of the most important reincarnations in the Tibetan Buddhist world and the head of the Karma Kagyu school. The Karma Kagyu school is one of the four main branches of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelugpa (Yellow Caps) school.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Rumtek (1350 meters). Travel time 4 – 5 hours. Hike 1 – 2 hours (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we take a hike on narrow paths across terraced rice fields to a small indigenous settlement. We walk through the village and gain an insight into village and rural life. We are invited to visit the village shaman in a house built on stilts. Here we are allowed to witness a ceremony and enjoy a cup of tea together.
We then visit the Lingdum Zurman Kharwang monastery. Inside the colorful complex, the murals tell of important events in the life of the Buddha. The cosmopolitan monastery also has an active monks’ school. The young monks can often be found memorizing the Tibetan alphabet or reciting mantras (powerful prayers).
Overnight stay at the hotel in Rumtek (1350 meters). Travel time 1 – 2 hours. Hike 1 – 3 hours (B,D,L)
Enjoy a rest day at the Bamboo Retreat Hotel today. You can also try the herbal bath, a massage or the hot stone bath and take part in a garden tour (payable locally). Overnight stay at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Today we are traveling to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. There we visit the Institute of Tibetology. It has one of the
the most beautiful collections of Buddhist literature, as well as a large number of thangkas, bronze figures and cult objects
.Traditional crafts are taught at the Cottage Industries Institute. Traditional wood carvings, textiles and
Bamboo items are also available.
If the weather is fine, it is worth taking a trip to a viewpoint with a view of the Kangchendzönga massif. The
Probably the most beautiful is the Tashi Viewpoint. We enjoy the hustle and bustle in Gangtok’s bazaar and perhaps we
even make a deal or two
Overnight stay in a centrally located hotel in Gangtok (1800 meters). Travel time 2 hours (B, L)
In the morning we drive to Bagdogra, where our journey comes full circle.
The times given are generally pure driving or walking times. Breaks, stops etc. are also included. The times given are average values based on experience, but may vary depending on road, trail and weather conditions, the fitness of the participants or for other reasons.
The altitude data (for trekking tours) are based on satellite data. These may vary due to walking alternative routes, climbing additional viewpoints, detours due to weather or trail conditions, etc.
We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the program (due to road, trail and weather conditions, flight delays, instructions from the authorities, water level or occurrence on the trekking route, etc.)!
