19-Nights India Sikkim: Kanchenjunga Ridge Trek — CALL

MT Sobek: India Sikkim Kanchenjunga Ridge Trekking

Day 1 Arrive in Delhi
15-minute private van transfer
Arrive in Delhi late tonight. Your guide will be waiting to greet you and transfer to a nearby airport hotel. Settle into a good night's sleep after a long journey.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport


Day 2 Fly to Bagdogra & Travel to Darjeeling
2.5-hour flight to Bagdogra, 3.5-hour transfer to Darjeeling
Transfer to the airport with your trip leader and board a domestic flight to Bagdogra. Travel to Darjeeling by car, while stopping at Kurseong, the "Land of White Orchids" for tea and snacks. Enjoy a welcome dinner in Darjeeling before turning in for the evening.
Accommodation: New Elgin
(B, L, D)

Day 3 Discover Darjeeling
35-minute private van transfer
After breakfast, awake in the Darjeeling hills and visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) Everest Museum, established in 1957, the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center, and the Happy Valley Tea Estate, where tea is still produced in the traditional way since 1854. Spend the afternoon roaming the bustling alleyways of Darjeeling's colorful bazaars.
Accommodation: New Elgin
(B, L, D)

Day 4 Drive to Pemayangtse
3.5-hour private van transfer
Rise for an early breakfast and set off by jeep for Pemayangtse (7,380'), or "Perfect Sublime Lotus" in northeastern Sikkim. In the late afternoon, take a short walk through the forest to the ruins of Rabdentse. This fort, which was the second capital of Sikkim under Chogyal II, highlights the glorious history of Sikkim. The Nepalese invasion in the 18th century destroyed the palace and capital and only these ruins remain today. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, the second oldest in Sikkim, built in 1705 by Lama Lhatsun Chempo. Spend the night at a local hotel.
Accommodation: The Elgin Mount Pandim - Heritage Resort & Spa
(B, L, D)

Day 5 Trek to Archaley
3-hour private van transfer
4.5 hours/3 miles hiking with 3,050' elevation gain
After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the tea plantations to Uttarey in west Sikkim. Follow the River Rangeet, which originates in the Himalayas, and embark on your first walk through local Sherpa villages, gradually climbing, then trekking through forests to Thumki. Climb to Uttarpani (8,720') and continue uphill for views of Kanchenjunga and Pandim, setting up camp at Archaley (9,450'), a tranquil meadow surrounded by peaks.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Kanchenjunga
(B, L, D)

Day 6 Camp in Kalizar
5.5 hours/3 miles hiking with 1,870' elevation gain
Begin your morning ascent through rhododendron forests to Hangeypani. Continue uphill before descending to Thulo Dhap. Follow the trail through forests with great mountain vistas, and climb steeply for an hour to Khardak Danda, passing abandoned shepherd huts, and later, to camp at Kalizar (11,320'). Breathe in staggering views of Kumbakarna (25,295'), Koktang (20,170'), Rathong (21,915'), Kabru South (24,000'), Kabru North (24,240'), Talung (24,110'), Kanchenjunga (28,208'), Simvo (22,350') and Pandim (21,950').
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Kanchenjunga
(B, L, D)

Day 7 Take in Himalayan Views & Climb to Major
4 hours/3 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation loss
Get up early and trek to the viewpoint at Phoktey Dara for sweeping sights of Nepal's high Himalaya, including Mera Peak (21,830'), Chamlang (24,010'), Baruntse (23,690'), Nuptse (25,850), Lhotse (28,120'), Makalu (27,825'), Chomolonzo (25,640'), and the Sikkim Himalayas' 3 Sisters, Janu, Kanchenjunga and Pandim. Spot Bhutan in the far distance or the nearby villages dotting the rolling hills. Descend to Chiwabhanjang and climb to your camp at Major (10,790').

(B, L, D)

Day 8 Walk the Ridge Between Sikkim & Nepal
6 hours/6 miles hiking with 4,090' elevation gain and 2,100' elevation loss
Continue on an ancient path past prayer flags at 11,480'. Descend to 10,825' and traverse Sikkim and Nepal while clinging to the narrow ridgetop. The dense rhododendron forests in spring are in full bloom, adding color to this inspired walk. Stop for lunch before heading to camp at Dhor (12,200'). Spend the evening on the Nepal side of the ridge, with a sunset panorama of the iconic peaks of Makalu and Everest.

(B, L, D)

Day 9 Watch the Sunrise on Kanchenjunga
5-6 hours/5 miles hiking with 2,250' elevation gain and 1,665' elevation loss
Wake up early to catch the sunrise on Kanchenjunga, the world's third tallest mountain. Spend the day going uphill and downhill against a stunning backdrop of native flora and fauna, prayer flags, and peaks, before arriving at camp in Paharay Megu (12,895').

(B, L, D)

Day 10 Visit Sacred Lakes Around Lampokhari
6-7 hours/5 miles hiking with 2,300' elevation gain and 860' elevation loss
Experience closer mountain views today. Follow a wide valley, passing by a waterfall and the holy, emerald boot-shaped lake at Lampokhari, an important pilgrimage site for the Sikkimese who visit during the monsoon months. Begin your ascent along a winding path to Kangla Pass (13,780') and Danfe Bir, taking in the Kanchenjunga and Padim mountains before camping lakeside by Jumlay Pokhari (14,600').

(B, L, D)

Day 11 Trek to Yangseb
5 hours/5 miles hiking with 2,290' elevation gain and 3,500' elevation loss
Enjoy sunrise just footsteps from your tent. After breakfast, descend through forests of juniper and pine to Gomathang near the river. Have lunch and climb to camp at Yangseb.

(B, L, D)

Day 12 Journey to Panding
5 hours/3 miles hiking with 2,370' elevation gain and 1,300' elevation loss
Trek the hillside and cross a small river, climbing to reach a small pass with views looking back towards the mountains. You've made it this far—soak it all in and head for camp at Panding (14,025').

(B, L, D)

Day 13 Cross Tegyapla Pass & onto Dzongri
6 hours/7 miles hiking with 984’ elevation gain and 2,132’ elevation loss
Head to Tegyapla and its ancient shepherds' huts, crossing the river to climb to Tegyapla Pass (14,270'). Descend to Shabchu stream, and gradually ascend to the expansive meadows of Chaurikhang (13,520') and Dzongri.

(B, L, D)

Day 14 Rest Day at Dzongri
Spend a leisurely day among alpine meadows as you acclimate to the elevation. Relax at camp surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks or explore on a light hike.

(B, L, D)

Day 15 Descend to the Praig Chu & Camp at Lamune
6-7 hours/7 miles hiking with 2,625' elevation gain and 2,175' elevation loss
Set off early for a majestic sunrise on Kanchenjunga and the neighboring peaks of Rathong (21,925'), Kokthang (20,180'), Kabru Dome (21,670') and Forked Peak (20,060'). Follow a scenic ridge and descend down for lunch along the banks of the glacial Praig Chu. Climb to Thangsing, an open campsite with the southern ridge of Kanchenjunga, the Oglathang Glacier and Pandim directly in view. Walk to camp at Lamune (13,660'), the thrill of towering peaks looming overhead.

(B, L, D)

Day 16 View the Eastern Wall of Kanchenjunga & Camp at Thangsing
6-7 hours/7 miles hiking with 1,425' elevation gain and 2,205' elevation loss
Head out early for Samiti Pokhari, a sacred lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Climb to see the sunrise again on Kanchenjunga, every angle anew. Follow the lake and ascend a series of moraine ridges on the eastern edge of the Oglathang Glacier. View the stunning eastern wall of Kanchenjunga, including five principle summits of the massif and the stunning Kabru and Rathong peaks. Return to camp and continue descending to reach Thangsing.

(B, L, D)

Day 17 Descend to Tsokha
6 hours/7 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain and 4,500' elevation loss
Backtrack on your journey where you'll take another return route, towards the quaint Tsokha in Sikkim, descending through forests of tall rhododendrons and magnolias.

(B, L, D)

Day 18 End your Trek in Yuksom
5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1,960' elevation gain and 5,900' elevation loss
Continue downhill through forest trails and rhododendrons to the historical town of Yuksom, where the first king of Sikkim was coronated. Walk to Dubde Monastery, or visit the sacred, serene lake. Overnight in a local hotel.
Accommodation: Tashigang Hotel
(B, L, D)

Day 19 Drive to Kalimpong
5.5-hour private van transfer
In the morning, drive to Kalimpong in the Himalayn foothills above the Teesta River. An important trading hub among Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim, Kalimpong is home to colonial-style buildings, landscaped gardens and sacred Buddhist scriptures. Spend the evening regaling your fellow trekkers with sights and stories at a farewell dinner to conclude your epic tour of Sikkim and the Kanchenjunga ridge.
Accommodation: The Elgin Silver Oaks
(B, L, D)

Day 20 Drive to Bagdogra & Fly to Delhi
3-hour private van transfer & flight to Delhi
Transfer to Bagdogra and board a flight to Delhi for connection to departing international flights.
Accommodation: The Elgin Silver Oaks
(B)