Sikkim Rhododendron Trek with Garry Weare

You will be met by a World Expeditions representative on arrival and transferred to the Lalit hotel. In the early evening we will have an initial briefing focusing on what to pack, what time the departure from the hotel will be the following morning and arrangements for leaving your main suitcase in Delhi. Your World Expeditions kit bag will also be distributed to you at this time. The main tour briefing will be conducted on arrival at Darjeeling. Overnight: Hotel Lalit

Meals:  Nil

We transfer you to the airport for your early morning flight to Bagdogra (expected departure approx 7.30am). On arrival you will be met by your guide and then transferred to Darjeeling. Although the drive is around 70km the time will vary considerably depending on traffic conditions when ascending the main highway. On arrival in Darjeeling we savour the cool mountain air and our first glimpse of the snow capped Himalaya. This evening your leader will brief you while arrangements will be made for the distribution of your sleeping bag and down and fibrefill jacket. NOTE: There is a 15kg checked baggage allowance included on the flight. Additional kilos can be purchased at the airport however if you are staying in Delhi upon your return, we recommend storing your main suitcase and any excess items & hence filling your provided World Expeditions kit bag with what you will need while in Sikkim. You can store your excess luggage free of charge at our hotel if you are able to return here to collect after the tour. Alternatively there is luggage storage at the airport. Internal fights are not included in the tour cost, we will advise the nominated group flight and happy to assist with booking this for you.

Meals:  B,D

Darjeeling is set on the top of a wooded ridge with commanding views both to the plains and high mountains including Kangchenjunga. Over the next two days we will include organised sightings to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute as well as to one of the famous tea plantations established in the 19th century. Later we have time to explore the local markets and appreciate the rich spectrum of peoples including Sherpas, Tibetans and Bengalis who have made Darjeeling their home. A visit to the Tea Planters club is also recommended for it was here that the British interwar expeditions stayed before assembling their Sherpa crews that would accompany them on the long march through Sikkim and across Tibet to the base of Everest.

Meals:  B,D

Leaving Darjeeling we drive to the border of southern Sikkim before ascending through the foothills to the former capital of Yuksom (1760m) and the entrance to the Kangchenjunga national park. At Yuksom we will meet our crew and yak/mule attendants. The trek commences along a ridge high above the Prek and Rathong rivers with views as far as Tsokha that offer an idea of what lies ahead for the next couple of days. The trek through mixed oak and conifer forest, mosses and ferns beneath tumbling waterfalls to our camp in a forest clearing. (2200m)

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue through a delightful forest to a substantial bridge just upstream from the confluence of the Rathong and Prek rivers. From here we commence an ascent to the tiny settlement of Bakhim, with its Lepcha family – the original people of Sikkim – before ascending further to Tsokha, a clearing that marked the former site of a Tibetan settlement (3050 m). Our camp is located just below the first band of the rhododendron forest.

Meals:  B,L,D

We ascend the trail above Tsokha and enter the most impressive rhododendron forests in the Himalaya. This day together with the stage to Thansing and our return through ancient forests to Tsokha are times to savour as we identify the numerous flowering species that fired Joseph Hookers imagination beneath a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The peaks include the sacred summit of Pandim (6691m) that offers a constant reminder that we are in the midst of the Himalaya. We camp at Phedong (3650m) is a serene clearing that defines the upper elevations of forest.

Meals:  B,L,D

An early start is imperative to gain clear views of the mountains. The trail ascends steeply for an hour before we gain uninterrupted views of Kangchenjunga (8586m) and Pandim. From the vantage point it is a further two to three km across open meadows to the camp at Dzongri (4020m). Dzongri is a vast, windswept area where yaks from Yuksom graze throughout the summer months. From nearby vantage points we gain impressive views of the peaks along the Singali Ridge, the impressive divide between Nepal and Sikkim. The panorama includes Kokthang (6147m) Rathong (6679m) Kabru Sth (7317m) and Kabru North (7338m).

Meals:  B,L,D

At dawn we ascend Dzongri peak for a sunrise view of Kangchenjunga. Returning to camp we trek for 1/1/2 hours to 2 hours to the Dzongri La (4550m) with further stunning views of Kokthang, Rathong and Kabru. A more strenuous option an exhilarating trek descending the Rathong valley and from there complete a circular trek on back to Dzongri. The option take around four to five hours.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Dzongri we cross a series of meadows before the trail descends steeply through rhododendron forests to the Prek river. It is then a short, if somewhat tiring ascent along a boulder strewn river bed before a final hour up valley to the delightful camp at Thansing (3930m). That afternoon we can ascend up the valley to gain views up the Onglakthang glacier to Forked Peak (6108m) and Goecha Peak (6127m) below the impressive east ridge of Kangchenjunga.

Meals:  B,L,D

We divert along a forest trial that leads directly to Pethang meadow. En route we can truly appreciate the vast variety of rhododendron – one of the finest in the Eastern Himalaya. From Pethang we descend to our camp at Tsokha (3050m) and a birds eye view all the way down to Yuksom.

Meals:  B,L,D

A final stage initially affords spectacular views all the way down to Yuksom. After lunch we complete the short drive to Pelling with time to visit the 17th century monastery steeped in Buddhist legends that can be traced to Padmasambhava, the Guru Rinpoche.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a leisurely morning at Pelling we drive to Kalimpong with time that afternoon to explore the markets with its vibrant Tibetan community and appreciate why the bustling town was an important trading post between India and Tibet. Our sightseeing will include visits to some of the outlying Buddhist monasteries as well as Tibetan handicraft and cultural centres.

Meals:  B,D

From Kalimpong we descend to the Indian plains with time to board our afternoon flight to Delhi. The drive will be around 3 hours and we will make a stop for lunch (own expense). Trip concludes on arrival in Delhi, there is no included accommodation on this night, we can assist in booking extra arrangements for you. The expected arrival time at Delhi airport approx 5pm. NOTE: Internal fights are not included in the tour cost, we will advise the nominated group flight and happy to assist with booking this for you.

Meals:  B