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If you are using the public transport, take a shared taxi from NJP to Jorthang which you can get outside the NJP station. It takes 3 hours to reach Jorthang and costs about Rs 120. At Jorthang go to the taxi stand(anybody will guide you there) and take another shared taxi to Yuksom. Taxis leave to Yuksom twice a day, once between 6-7 a.m and next between 12 p.m and 1 p.m. A shared taxi charges Rs 100 per seat from Jorthang to Yuksom. If you are taking a hired taxi, the route is pretty straightforward. You start on the Guwahati highway and branch off to Sikkim in half an hour. The 5 hour journey takes you through Jorthang, Legship before reaching Yuksom. On the way back, shared jeeps leave Yuksom to Jorthang at 6 a.m. Make sure to enquire about the vehicle and book a seat the previous evening. Note: Jorthang has the last ATM and you get phone network in Yuksom and also Bhakim. If you are joining our trek batch, we can arrange transportation for you from NJP to Yuksom and back. The mode of transport would be Sumos with six people sharing a Sumo. A sumo costs approximately Rs 3,600 from NJP to Yuksom. Trekkers would share the vehicle cost amongst themselves. Reaching NJP: You can choose to come to Kolkata and take one of the many trains to NJP. If you are coming from Delhi or northern India, try to take any north east bound train which directly goes to NJP by passing Kolkata. Flying to Bagdogra is another option that you can choose though flights to Bagdogra tend to be pricier than those to Kolkata. Kolkata to NJP and back: There are numerous trains which leave Kolkata in the evening 5 p.m onwards. Book on any of them preferably the ones reaching by 9 a.m. Our vehicles will be ready to pick you up from the station at 9 a.m. For the return, book any train that leaves NJP after 6 p.m. This gives sufficient time for you to reach NJP from Yuksom in leisure.
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Trek Fees
Goechala Trek
Rs 10,450
per person (Yuksom to Yuksom)
A service tax of 3.09% applicable on the trek fees
What the trek fee includes, excludes and Cancellation charges
April/May batches
Sept/Oct batches
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Central government employees can avail special casual leave for trekking the Goecha la trek, write to info@indiahikes.in for the application kit..
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Weather Observations
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Dated; 18/5/2013 Bright and sunny morning at Yuksom, clear view of the ranges from the valley...Hope the weather favours us through out the season... |
Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from NJP to Yuksom 5,670 ft (6 hrs)
Day 2: Trek starts at Yuksom 5,600 ft to Sachen 7,150 ft
Day 3: Sachen 7,150 ft to Tshokha 9,700 ft via Bhakim 8,600 ft
Day 4: Tshokha 9,700 ft to Dzongri 12,980 ft via Phedang 12,000 ft
Day 5: Dzongri 12,980 ft to Dzongri top 13,675 ft , then to Thansing 12,900 ft via Kokchurang (12,000 ft)
Day 6: Thansing 12,900 ft to Lamuney 13,600 ft
Day 7: Lamuney 13,600 ft to Goecha La 16,000 f) via Samiti Lake 14,100 ft, then back to Thansing
Day 8: Thansing to Tshokha via Phedang
Day 9: Tshokha to Yuksom via Bhakim and Sachen
Day 10: Leave Yuksom early morning and reach NJP by 4.00 - 5.00 pm
Trek Facts
Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult. See link for details.
Trail type
Cricular trek. Returns back to the base camp.
Altitude
Goechala 16,000 feet (4880 mts).
Rail head
NJP (New Jalpaiguri). NJP can be easily reached from Kolkata or Delhi by train.
Nearest Airport
Bagdogra is the nearest airport. It is 25 kms away from NJP or Siliguri. Note: NJP and Siliguri are sister towns and not separated from each other. There are no hotels or accommodation at Bagdogra. Auto/taxi ply frequently between Bagdogra and Siliguri
Base Camp
Yuksom near Jorethang in Sikkim
Best Season
April last week to June end; Mid September to October end. It is also possible to trek in Nov and Dec but gets dry and very cold.
Temperature in May, Jun.
Day: 15° to 25°C. Night: 8° to 15°C. Temp at highest camp, Dzongri: Day 7°C to 15°C. Night: 3° to -2°C.
Temperature in Sept and Oct.
Day: 13° to 20°C. Night: 2° to 7°C. Temp at highest camp, Dzongri: Day 3°C to 10°C. Night: 3° to -4°C.
Rain
Rains start end June until mid September. Approach road landslides/blocks common in late August and early Sep. Usually repaired in a few days.
Snow
Stretch after view point 1 could be under snow in early May. Eases out by June. Light snow cover in Sep/Oct on the higher reaches.
Preparation
Physical preparation mandatory. See link for more details.
