Goecha La (el. 4940 m.) is a high mountain pass in Sikkim, India in the Himalaya range.
The southeast face of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, is viewable from the pass, which is also a base camp for those aspiring to scale the mountain.
The trek to Goecha La starts in Yuksom, where the motorable road ends at an altitude of 1770 meters. It takes approximately seven and a half days to reach Goecha la and return to Yuksom. Key halting points are Sachen, Bakkhim, Tshoka, Phedang, Dzongri, Kokchurong,Thansing and Lamuney. The initial days of the trek proceeds through dense forest cover, enters bugyals, and ends in rocky terrain. The trek is highlighted by the presence of rhododendrons of various colours during the month of may.
Trek Information
Trek Name: GOECHA LA Trek
Location: WEST SIKKIM
Base: YUKSOM
Season: March - May (For Flowers):September - November(For Clear View)
Rivers: Prek Chu, Pha Khola, Rathang Chu
Peaks Visible: Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Goecha, Kabru range, Kumbhakarna, Shimvo, Jupono, Kokthang, Narshing, Rathong, Tenzinkhang.
ITINERARY
29th May,11:Start from Kolkata(Board Train)
30th May,11:Reach NJP -> Yuksom
31st May,11:Acclimatize
1st June,11:Yuksom -> Tsokha
2nd June,11:Tshoka -> Dzongri
3rd June,11: Acclimatize
4rth June,11:Dzongri -> Thangsing
5th June,11:Thangsing -> Lamuney
6th June,11:Lamuney -> Goecha La -> Lamuney -> Kokchurang
7th June,11:Kokchurang -> Tshoka
8h June,11: Tshoka -> Yuksom
9th June,11: Yuksom -> NJP -> Board Train
10th June,11: Reach Kolkata
How it all started...
It all started of a thought of doing another trek this year but this time it was the month of May and June which is in my mind. First I asked my friends but most of them gave me a negetive answere. So I decided to look for some well conducted treks. In the mean time my friend Sandip agreed to accompany me this time. So we decided that we will do SAR PASS trek conducted by YHAI on the month of May. Another member Durbar Da also agreed to join us but at the end dropped because of some important work of his. So then we thought of doing ROOPKUND trek with two of us but couldn't get any train tickets. Then I suggested him to plan for Goecha La as it is a one night journey from here so reaching the base wont be a problem. Then I looked for some information on the net for this trek. It was again INDIAMIKE to the rescue. Got the number of BUDDHA SINGH SUBBA (our guide) from a indiamiker named ANIRBAN.I immediately contacted him and booked him at the end. Our previous trek was very hectic in terms of arrangements, so we decided that this time we wont be carrying any tents and rations. We will only carry our sacks with us. So we got a quotation of Rs. 800 each per day from Buddha. After certain calculations we came to a conclusion that it was indeed very reasonable from him as we are only 2 people in the group. So this time we didn't had to arrange anything, just the usual dry fruits and chocolates etc.
The Journey
Day 1 (29th May,2011):
“LEAVING HOME”
SEALDAH -> NJP: 567 Km.
Train Name: 12377 Padatik Express.
Duration: 10 hr.
Our train was at 10.55 Pm from Sealdah. It was an overnight journey which past without any event.
“RIDE”
NJP -> YUKSOM: 145 Km.
Duration: 6-8 hr. Drive.
Reached NJP at 10.30 AM. The train was 2 hours late. We took a Auto and reached Siliguri in 20 Mins. Then we had a lunch there. In between we arranged a vehicle which will lead us to Yuksom. Initially we thought of going by share basis but train spoiled the plan as the last jeep from Jorthang leaves at 2 Pm and it was impossible for us to reach there on time. So booked a sumo for Rs. 1500. It was dark by the time we reached Yuksom. It was 8.30 and we quickly boarded in a hotel named Dhemazong. We met Buddha Singh Subba our guide that night.
Day 3 (31st May,2011):
“TESTING OURSELVES”
Acclimatize
Today was the day for acclimatization. So we went to a near monastery called NARBUGANG. Then we climbed to the DUBDI MONASTERY which is at the top of the hill opposite of our hotel. The place was very nice. We then returned to the hotel and finalized everything with buddha.
Day 4 (1st June,2011):
"LONG DAY"
YUKSOM(1798 M) -> TSOKHA(2987 M) = 17 KM
Duration: 6 hr.
Grade: GRADUAL ACSENT = Tough & Hectic.
Terrain Details
YUKSOM -> SACHEN : 3 hrs
Mostly steep acsent.
SACHEN -> BAKHIM : 2 hrs
1 steep down then mostly up
BAKHIM -> TSOKHA : 1 hrs
Zigzag trail upwards.
I always feel that the first day of any trek is the most difficult one and this one is no different. Our destination was Tsokha which is 17 km away and 1000 mtrs higher than Yuksom. It was a struggle for me and it took us 6 hours to reach Tsokha. We met one group(2 NRIs & there Indian brother)on our way. They were very friendly and nice people.
Day 5 (2nd June,2011):
"ELEVATIONS"
TSOKHA(2987 M) -> DZONGRI(4038 M) = 12 KM
Duration: 4 hr.
Grade: STEEP ACSENT = Tough.
Terrain Details
TSOKHA -> PHETHANG : 3 hrs
Wooden plank trail totally upwards.
PHETHANG -> DZONGRI : 1 hrs.
Very steep acsent.
Day 2 is a big day as we will be reaching Dzongri, our first objective.It was a 12 km walk with 1000 mtrs elevation. So it was struggle again. But this time my body seems to jell with it nicely and after an hours walk it wasn't that bad for me. But the weather was pretty bad. It was cloudy all day long with few spells of showers through out the day. It took us 3.30 hrs to reach Dzongri. We shared our room with the other group. There was another foreigner's group of 7 people. Most of them are very friendly.
Day 6 (3rd June,2011):
"Cloud Watching"
Acclimatize
As we made 2000 mtrs elevation in 2 days and we are at an altitude above 4000 mtrs we planned to stay at Dzongri for acclimatization. The early morning was cloudy so we took an half an hour sleep before waking up and get ready to go to the Dzongri Top which is the view point and a 2 kms walk or climb rather.
The view was something that I can not explain. Took lots of images. The I realized that the ground was shaking for couple of minutes. Then we realized that it was an earth quake. And just after that we heard a roaring sound and we saw a huge avalanche near pandim. It was something that I never saw. It was a lifetime experience.
As we came down to our hut it was a time to say bye to the other 2 groups. The 1st group was going back as they planned to come till here. And the other group went ahead. Me and sandip spent the day exploring the surroundings. Late in the afternoon another group of 6 foreigner's reached Dzongri. Rest of the day went in lots of chats with them and between us. In the last 2 nights I couldn't sleep well but I had a sound sleep that night. I guess the acclimatization had worked for me.
Day 7 (4rth June,2011):
"HOPPING AROUND THE RIVERSIDE"
DZONGRI(4038 M) -> THANGSING(3810 M) = 9.5 KM
Duration: 3 hr.
Grade: GRADUAL DESCEND = EASY.
Terrain Details
DZONGRI -> KOKCHURANG : 1.30 hrs
Trail through the ridge initially then very steep descend.
KOKCHURANG -> THANGSING : 1 hrs
Mostly boulder hopping, gradual acsent.
To day our destination was Thangsing which is a gradual descend from Dzongri. Initially I was breathing a bit heavily but after 10 minutes I was feeling great. The trail was initially through the valley connecting the ridges. Then came the steep descend which I almost ran and reached Kokchurang. I was the first person to reach Kokchurang that day. I waited for around 30 minutes for sandip. then we made our way towards Thagsing. That day we walked along side with the 2 porters. After reaching Thangsing the weather suddenly became kind to us and it was sunny for around 2 hours and then it became cloudy in the afternoon. We had momo that day.
Day 8 (5th June,2011):
"CAKE-WALK"
THANGSING(3810 M) -> LAMUNEY(4084 M) = 5 KM
Duration: 2 hr.
Grade: GRADUAL ACSENT = EASY.
Terrain Details
THANGSING -> LAMUNEY : 1.40 hrs
Easy walk through the valley. Couple of stream crossing.
The easiest walk so far. That day we walked along side with Mike and Brain (team members of the other group) and there group chatting all the way.
It was raining at night that day. So we were worried about our next big day.
Day 9 (6th June,2011):
"D DAY"
LAMUNEY(4084 M) -> GOECHA LA(8938 M) -> KOKCHURANG(3795 M) = 24 KM
Duration: 11 hr.
Grade: MIXED = HECTIC.
Terrain Details
LAMUNEY -> 1st VIEW POINT : 1.30 hrs
walk in the dark narrow trails with gradual acsent.
1st VIEW POINT -> 2nd VIEW POINT : 1.15 hrs
1 steep descend into the valley of ZEMATHANG then gradual climb and lastly narrow trail climbs towards the point.
2nd VIEW POINT -> 3rd VIEW POINT : 15 mins
Walk through the snow on the ridge
2nd VIEW POINT -> GOECHA LA : 20 mins
Very risky steep decsend then a steep climb to the pass.Very slippery
GOECHA LA -> SAMITI LAKE : 2 hrs
Steep descend into the ZEMATHANG VALLEY then a steep climb(zigzag) to reach the 1st VIEW POINT and gradual descend towards the SAMITI LAKE.
SAMITI LAKE -> LAMUNEY : 20 mins
Easy walk down the hill to reach LAMUNEY.
LAMUNEY -> THANGSING : 1 hr.
Easy walk on the valley.
THANGSING -> KOKCHURANG : 40 mins
Boulder hopping and walk by the river side,gradual descend.
We woke up at 2.30 Am. Had tea and Porridge. We left at 3.15 Am with our head torch on. It was pitch black. We reached the 1st View Point at 04.45 Am. Then suddenly a brisk wild swept away all the clouds and it was all clear in a moment. Caught the first ray on Mt. Kanchendzonga. At 05.15 Am we left for 2nd View point. On our way we crossed a Zemathang. We reached 2nd View Point at 06.15 AM. Then we moved towards the Pass and it took us 20 more minutes to reach the pass. It was very sliperry. We left Goecha La at 8 Am. We spent 2 hours there. We reached SAMITI LAKE at 10.30 AM. I spent 30 minutes near the lake. It was such a peaceful place. I reached our camp at 11.15. Had lunch and left at 12 PM for Kokchurang. By 1.30 PM we reached Kokchurang. We waited there for 1 hr for our guide and porters.
Day 10 (7th June,2011):
"RACING"
KOKCHURANG(3795 M) -> TSOKHA(2987 M) = 13 KM
Duration: 3 hr.
Grade: GRADUAL DESCEND = EASY.
Terrain Details
KOKCHURANG -> PHETHANG : 2 hrs.
Full jungle trail. Lots of ups and downs, Very slippery trail.
PHETHANG -> TSOKHA : 40 mins
Steep descend, wooden planks are very slippery.
Most of the days walk was through the jungle. We took the different route just to avoid Dzongri and the trail connects with the actual trail at Phethang. The trail was the worst part of the entire trek. The trail was all wet and slippery. After a 2 hours continues walk we reached Phethang. We had spring roll and Alu Parathas and then left for Tsokha. From Phethang to Tsokha we were having a race with Buddha and the other 2 porters. We were all running. I the last couple of blocks Sandip tried to make a bold move by jumping down the zigzag trail. He took the lead bt couldn't control himself and fell awkwardly and got hurt on his ankle. It was quite fun though. We decided to stay in the tent but at night it was raining heavily and water is soaked into our tent. So we quickly availed the vacant hut room for the night.
Day 11 (8th June,2011):
"BACK TO CIVILIZATION"
TSOKHA(2987 M) -> YUKSOM(1798 M) = 12 KM
Duration: 4 hr.
Grade: GRADUAL DESCEND = EASY.
Terrain Details
TSOKHA -> BAKHIM : 25 mins
Easy zigzag trail, steep descend
BAKHIM -> SACHEN : 50 mins
Gradual descend.
SACHEN -> YUKSOM : 1.30 hrs
Mostly down with one steep climb after the 1st bridge.
The last day of our trek. Sandip wasn't feeling well with a soar ankle. So we took it really slow. At pha khola we had our lunch. Then finally we reached Yuksom. But we had to wait for 2 more hours for our sacks.
Day 12 (9th June,2011):
"DRIVE BACK"YUKSOM -> NJP : 145 KM
Duration: 5 hr. Drive.
Train Name: 12378 Padatik Express
Duration: 10 hr.
Thanks to our hotel manager we booked two seats for the morning jeep to Jorthang. We boarded to our ride as planned but it was only 10 minutes we left Yuksom the tire punctured. And the spare tire was also punctured. So we have to wait for 30 minutes or so for a car to borrow tires.At a small toen called LEGSHIP we again halted to repair the punctured tire. We reached Jorthang at around 12.30 and quickly booked our seat in the next available ride to Siliguri. The remaining part of the journey went without much trouble.We reached Siliguri at 4.30. Our train was at 9, So we went to a friends house who works there in a bank. We spend some time there and thene went to the station and boarded on our train.
Day13 (10th June,2011):
"BACK TO DAILY LIFE"
Reached Home
Reached home in the morning.
