The Best Treks in Sikkim - Part II

The various treks on offer in Sikkim can be classified on the basis of their difficulty level, duration, grade and season. While the Dzongri-Goecha la or Khangchendzonga Trek, which we covered in the first instalment of our series on trekking in Sikkim, is the most popular trek here, there are also lesser-known and virgin treks that one can take in the state.

Monastic Trek
One of the most popular trails in Sikkim, the Monastic Trek introduces you to the various monasteries of the state which holds immense historical and spiritual significance.

Tip: No special permits are needed for this trek. Indians don’t need any permit. Foreigners can do with their Inner Line Permit or ILP. Itinerary in Brief

DAY 1: Set base in Pelling and visit Pemayangtse, Sangaloching and Rabdentse ruins (second ancient capital of Sikkim). Return to Pelling.

DAY 2: You can walk up to Khecheopalri and spend a night there in a camp.

DAY 3: You can keep the thrid day for visiting the magnificent and serene May Khangchendzonga Falls. After visiting the falls, get back to Yuksom and stay overnight.

DAY 4: Spend the day around Yuksom and explore the Norbughang coronation throne. Spend the rest of the day in Yuksom village.

DAY 5: Trek to Hungri via Dubdi Monastery. Spend a night at Hungri.

DAY 6: Trek to Silnon via Kungri

DAY 7: Leave for Tashiding Monastery from Silnon. Trek ends at Tashiding from where you can go to Jorethang.

Read: Documenting the Tribal Healers of Sikkim

Rhododendron Trek
Sikkim is famous across the world for its wide variety of rhododendrons. Witnessing the beautiful flowers in different hues is a visual treat. No special permit is needed for Indians while foreigners need their ILP to take this trek. The trek is easy and best done in the flowering season of rhododendrons which is from mid-April to mid-June.

DAY 1: Day trek to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Set base in Okhrey or Hilley and do the Barsey Trek. Spend a night here. Next day trek back to the base.

DAY 2: From Hilley, you can go to Barsey and spend a night at the Guraskunj Trekker’s Hut.

DAY 3: Trek to Jorbutri and spend a night there.

DAY 4: Trek to Kalizar from Jorbuti. Set your own camp at Kalizar and overnight.

DAY 5: Trek to Uttarey from Kalizar via Chewa Bhanjyang. Trek finishes at Uttarey. From there, you can travel to Siliguri, Jorethang, Gangtok or Geyzing

Khedi Trek
This trek is usually taken only by the locals of Sikkim, especially on the day of Ramnavami. It is a moderate-level trek and Indians don’t require any special permit to take this trek. Foreigners need to show their ILP for this trek. During this trek, one gets to see the rich biodiversity that the region is blessed with. It is advisable to take your own tents for camping as there are no homestays or trekking huts here. It is also advisable to do this trek only through a travel agent to ensure maximum safety.

DAY 1: Travel to Pashing Teng Kha and set base here. The Base Camp is at an altitude of 1425m.

DAY 2: The trek starts from Assam Lingzey to Chaurikharkha through cardamom fields. Overnight at Chaurikharkha in camp.

DAY 3: Trek towards Khedi along different lakes like Bhaley Dunga, Pokhari and Pothi Pokhari. The path travels through beautiful rhododendron forests. Return to Khedi and spend the night camping.

DAY 4: Hike towards Sela Pass and enjoy breathtaking views of Tsomgo and Kupup Lake. Return to the campsite at Khedi and spend the night there.

DAY 5: Trek from Khedi to Talkharka and spend overnight there in a camp.

DAY 6: Trek from Talkharka to Assam Lingzey and drive to Gangtok. Trek ends at Assam Lingzey.

Read: 7 Stunning Lakes of Sikkim You Must Visit

Singalila Trek
This is a Hard Trek (Expert grade). Indians don’t need any permit while Foreigners need both PAP and RAP. Foreigners can take this trek only though a travel agency. Apr-May and Oct-Nov are the best time to take this trek.

There are two entry points for this trek: Uttarey and Nambu. 

 

 

 

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Option 1: From Uttarey
DAY 1: Start from Uttarey and reach Chewa Bhanjyang.

DAY 2: From Chewa Bhanjyang to Dhur. Overnight at Dhur in camp. No trekkers’ huts are available here.

DAY 3: Dhur to Sikkim Meghu. Spend a night in camp.

DAY 4: Sikkim Meghu to Dafeybhir. Overnight at Dafeybhir.

DAY 5: Trek to Tikipchu and spend the night here.

DAY 6: Tikipchu to Dzongri via Bikbari.

DAY 7: Dzongri to Thangsing via Kokchurang .

DAY 8: Trek to Lhamuni from Thangsing.

DAY 9: Lhamuni to Samiti Lake. From Samiti Lake to first view point then Goecha la Pass. Return to Thangsing and spend overnight at the camp.

DAY 10: From Thangsing to Tshoka via Kokchurang and Phedang.

DAY 11: Tshoka to Yuksom

Option 2: From Nambu
DAY 1: Start from Nambu and reach Yambung via Chongri.

DAY 2: Trek to Dafeybhir and stay overnight.

DAY 3: Trek to Gomathang and spend the night there.

DAY 4: Trek to Tikipchu and spend the night.

DAY 5: Tikipchu to Dzongri via Bikbari.

DAY 6: Dzongri to Thangsing via Kokchurang .

DAY 7: Trek to Lhamuni from Thangsing.

DAY 8: Lhamuni to Samiti Lake. From Samiti Lake to first view point, then Goecha la Pass. Return to Thangsing and stay overnight at camp

DAY 9: From Thangsing to Tshoka via Kokchurang and Phedang.

DAY 10: Tshoka to Yuksom

 

 

 

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Read: An unforgettable Trek Through the Mesmerising Singalila Ridge

Pokteydhara Trek
While Indians don’t need any permit, foreigners require ILP and PLP for this trek. What sest this trek apart and makes it rewarding is that it not only offers stunning views but one also gets to see Mt Khangchendzonga and Mt Everest from Poktheydhara and Singalila Ridge.

DAY 1: Trek to Thulodhab from Uttarey via Achaley. Spend a night camping under the stars at Thulodhab.

DAY 2: Trek from Thulodhab to Kalizar. Visit Poktheydhara in the afternoon.

DAY 3: Keep the third day for visiting the Singalila Ridge. Return to the camp, have a quick breakfast and trek to Uttarey via Chewa Bhanjyang. Trek ends at Uttarey.

Tendong Trek
Set base in Chemchey and trek to the Tendong Hill via Damthang. It’s a day trek or else, you can also spend a night at Tendong in your own tent.

Maenam Trek
Day 1: Trek from Ravangla to Bhaledunga via Maenam and spend a night at Bhaledunga.

Day 2: Start trekking down early morning to Ravangla or Yangyang. Trek ends at Yangyang.