Sikkim in jan 2012

Hi Friends,

I am planning for the below Itenary in Jan 2012(After 20th) to Sikkim.

Can any one confirm if its possible to do it January .

DAYS PARTICULARS KMS VIA
DAY 1 NEW JALPAIGURI GANGTOK 125 KMS BUS
DAY 2 GANGTOK - LACHEN 124 KMS SUV
DAY 3 LACHEN - TALEM 12 KMS TREK
DAY 4 TALEM - JUKTHANG 8 KMS TREK
DAY 5 JUKTHANG - YABUK 10 KMS TREK
DAY 6 YABUK - REST CAMP 7 KMS TREK
DAY 7 REST CAMP-GREEN LAKE 4 KMS TREK
DAY 8 GREEN LAKE YABUK 11 KMS TREK
DAY 9 YABUK - TALEM 18 KMS TREK
DAY 10 TALEM - LACHEN 12 KMS TREK
DAY 11 LACHEN- GANGTOK 150 KMS SUV
GURUDONGMAR LAKE
DAY 12 GANGTOK - GANGTOK 60 KMS SUV
VIA CHANGU LAKE - BABA MANDIR - NATHU LA
DAY 13 GANKTOK DARJEELING 94 KMS SUV
DAY 14 DARJEELING DARJEELING
SITE SEEING
DAY 15 DARJEELING NEW JALPAIGURI 78 KMS SUV

Check this Itenerary .

Day 01: Reach Gangtok: This is a scenic and winding drive, takes you along the River Teesta which leads to “Gangtok” the capital of Sikkim.
While half way you arrive at a place called Rangpo, this is the entry point to Sikkim. You refresh yourself with Tea and Snacks, then continue the drive to Gangtok.Arrive Gangtok by evening check-in to hotel.

Day 02: Gangtok Sight Seeing.After breakfast visit to the World famous Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centers Monastery, situated 24kms from Gangtok. This is the headquarter of the present seat of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyud Sect. This Monastery is said to be replica of the monastery at Tsurphu, Tibet with its traditional architecture, exquisite paintings, intricate wood work, housing treasures of manuscripts and icons. Rumtek is a splendid example of Tibetan monastic art. ON the way back visit Do-Drul Chorten Stupa: An awe inspiring stupa, encircled by prayer wheels which you may spin while walking around, clockwise only, to offer the prayer “ Om Mane Padme Hum Re”. Nearby, simple housed are two giant statues of the Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava. Tibetology: A unique institution, devoted to Tibet logy the only of its kind in the world where is displayed perhaps the largest collection to Tibetan artifacts outside Tibet.
After lunch visit Govt. Institute of Handicrafts Cottage Industries: this place you can buy local handicrafts such as carpets, woodcarvings or nick-knacks. You may also see the artisans at work.Flower Show at White Hall: Specimens of Sikkim’s famous Orchids and other flora.Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Gangtok to Lachen. The journey takes about 5-6 hours drive with all the stoppages, including lunch break on the way. The drive passes through very interesting Sikkimese villages. Numerous waterfalls should not be missed. Night will be in a hotel in Lachen. Lachen is quite a huge village 280 families from the Bhutia stock. The people here are semi nomadic, moving with their cattles to the high pastures in the north in the summer.

Day 04: Lachen to Zema , 2848 m, (27°46’09N,88 32’22E) (drive 2 Kms) to Tallem 3312m, (27° 47’ 01N, 88° 29’ 48E) Since the original trail was washed away by a flash flood in 2007, it is quite tiring walking on boulder strewn trail along the Zemu Chu in the beginning. There are few climbs and have to cross landslides. The walk from Zema to the first camp takes about four hours. The trail is through beautiful forest of Rhododendron, Magnolia and fir. At few places you will have to walk over fallen trees. The first camp is at a beautiful place, with view of the Lamo Angdang Range, Khangchendzonga and the Simvo. So the first night is in a forest of fir trees, with a small stream running close by.

Day 05: Tallem to Jackchen, 3462m, (27°46’28N,88° 27’38E) Today the trail is through forest and meadows of marshes. Few climbs. As you start from the first camp there is a very interesting bridge to cross over the river which flows from Muguthang valley. The walk is about 4 hours, it is quite tiring as you have to wade through forest and cross many of the obstacles created by fallen trees. The camp will be beside the Zemu River, and the melodious sound of it will lull you to sleep. The sun comes bit late in the morning. There is a newly constructed hut here. From Jackchen there is trail across the Zemu River Tholung which goes to the Kishong La and into the Tholung valley and finally into the Lepcha Reserve of Dzongu.

Day 06: Jackchen to Poki Cave Camp, 3702m,(27° 45’51N,88° 25’26E) Today too the trail is through forest and along the Zemu River. It takes about 4 hours. The mountain view to the left of the trail is amazing. We avoid the old trail as it has a straight climb and takes a long time,instead we use the trail along the river which was constructed by the local people of Lachen. It is bit narrow through bamboo forest. The Camp is located next to a cave, which the local people use it as they move towards Green Lake. This camp site is much warmer then the camps at lower altitude.

Day 07 : Poki Cave Camp to Marco polo Rest Camp, 4332m,(27° 46’06N, 88°22’33E) The walk takes about 4 hours. It is a straight and gentle walk through the forest until the start of climb towards Yabuk. The climb takes about 40 minutes and of course the altitude kicks in. Yabuk is on a flat meadow with a two storeyed wooden hut and a watch tower constructed by the Wildlife Department. Now from here you can see the distant snout of the Zemu glacier and the white trail on the moraine. Since the trail is seldom used we have to move through bushes of thorn which have overgrown into the trail. From here the tree line finishes and plenty of Rhododendron bushes. From Yabuk the trail goes down to the river and then climb to the to the start of the Zemu Glacier. From here the Giants of Sikkim look very close. The camp is located beside a small stream and Zemu glacier.

Day 08 : Marco polo Rest Camp to Camp Masuda, 4641m, (27°46’09N, 88° 19’46E) The walk is about 4 hours, it’s a gradual climb, but you will begin to feel the thin air. The trail is through boulders brought down by ancient glaciers and it is quite tiring, negotiating the bends and climbs. The camp is located in one of the most beautiful spot. You can have a great view of all the great peaks from your tent, without having to get out of your tent. Khangchendzonga, The Twins, Siniolchu, Simvo, Nepal Peak, Tent Peak, Nepal Col, Nepal Gap. If you look to the distant East Jhomolhari stands before you in the grandest form far away in Bhutan. From the camp just walk for a minute and you will come face to face with the mighty Zemu glacier, considered to be the biggest glacier in the Himalaya at 17 miles long. Sun rise is a wonderful experience here. The slow lighting of the peaks in the morning is just magical.

Day 09 : Camp Masuda to Green Lake Excursion,4930m, (27° 45’51N, 88° 17’49E) to Rest Camp. Its about three and half hours walk to Green Lake. Have to start latest by 7am. The walk is through huge glacial plain which never seems to end. As you walk towards Green Lake the mighty peaks get closer and closer and then the view changes with every turn. Then you can see the routes taken by the brave mountaineers on the massif wall of the Khangchendzonga. If you are lucky and you are there at the right season, you will know why it’s a challenge to climb the mountain from the Sikkim side. Numerous avalanche roars down the sheer faces. The Germans, 1929,1931, the British, The Indian army and the last expedition in 2000 by the Austrians had there base camp in Green Lake. So, this is the Real Khangchendzonga base Camp. . Today the walk is about 7 hours in total.

Day 10 : Rest Camp 4592m (27° 46’08N, 88° 21’20E) to Poki Cave Camp. The walk takes about 5 hours and it is all down hill.

Day 11 : Poki Cave Camp to Tallem. Today the distant is bit long, about 6 hours, with few rests in between.

Day 12: Tallem to Zema to Lachen. The walk from Tallem to Zema takes about 3 hours. Following the same boulder trail along the Zemu River.
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Day 13 : Lachen to Gangtok Head for Gangtok around 8am. On the way if Khangchendzonga group is visible from Singhik stop for a while to admire the wonderful view. Visit Phodong and Labrang Monasteries. Lunch on the way. Evening back in hotel in Gangtok.

Have a wonderful trip .
Do tell me how your trek was .

Thanks Avijan,

Can you help me with any Travel Agents.

Do you fell this Itenary is doable in Mid Jan.

Will Gurudongmar be accessible in Jan? I doubt