Goecha La trek - Looking for info

ks_bluechip

On 27th November 2004, I had to cut short my trek at Dzongri and return ... Could not go ahead to Goecha-La, due to snow fall and snow on the trail. Some others, who were well equipped did carry on. I presume they could complete the trek.

For details see this page:
http://kothanda.srinivasan.googlepag...-dzongrilatrek

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ks_bluechip

I think not a good idea for trekking alone (male or female) ... have a companion at least (for safety)! Better to take a Porter-Guide with you, if alone. You can hire one at Yuksom .... for about Rs 200 & his food expenses. Also as far as I know (in Nov-2004) you need to carry food and cooking stove etc., though you can stay in Trekkers' huts, on way.

patty

thanks for the answer arunchs. and also uncle k.srinivasan,remember me?(u r my inspiration too).hmm..maybe it's better if i join with a trek group .any suggestion?

ks_bluechip

Hi ...so you are here as Patty? Great!

I have still lots of places left to see in India ... before i look at Thailand.

If i were you: I would not book anything until I reach Yuksom (unless you have already found a trek-group to join). At Yuksom, I will stay put for a day or two and look around at other Trekkers & Groups, who are starting to Goechela around that time. See if I can tag-along with any of those on cost-sharing basis... if that group is compatible (age-wise especially for me).

If I do not find a suitable group to join; I would hire a porter-guide and foodstuff for myself; but trek all the way and back along (or in close proximity) with some other group of trekkers; making sure they know i am trekking, alone with just a porter. So I might have to "mesh" my daily trek start/end times & places with that group.

That is what I will do ... you can do what suits you best!

Best Wishes....
Srinivasan (Uncle)

meetsathya

This is Sathya from Chennai. I am planning to do the goechala trek in early october with 3-4 friends.

I understand that the cost can be around 3k per person if we organise it at Yuksom. Would anyone have any reference/contact whom I can get in touch with at Yuksom, so that I do all the planning from Chennai, before I land there.

And what about equipment like tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils. Can these be hired at yuksom. Will the hiring cost be in addition to the 3k cost mentioned above.

Thanx a ton

Sathya
meetsathya@gmail.com

ks_bluechip

Hi Sathya,

There are some details posted here on my blog at:
http://kothanda.srinivasan.googlepag. ..-dzongrilatrek

Your 3k figure per person is cost for what? Does that cover food / stay / porter / guide / pony / sleeping bags / jacket .... and for how many days??

I think you can get all of the above at Yuksom for Hire ... Best to do all that after reaching there.

If you have any question after see the above link, i can try and answer those.

- KS

meetsathya

Thanx for revertings Sir. I had a look at your blog. It gives a good idea of what to expect.

There would be 4 of us and we are planning to do the walk aver 8 days in the following way:

Yuksom - Tsoka - Dzongiri - Thangsing - Samiti - Goechala (& back to Samiti) - 5 days. Samiti - Yuksom (3 days)

The 3k was an all-in cost per person (for a group of 4) incl provision, porter, yak, fees etc. Is that feasible?

Would 2 porters and a yak be sufficient? Would we require tents? or can we stay in trekking huts. Are there trekking huts in Samiti.

Can tents and sleeping bags be hired at yuksom? or are there agencies in yuksom who do all the arrangements with whom we can just register instead of a D-I-Y.

Thanx once again for any light that can be thrown on the above

Sathya

ks_bluechip

Sathya,

As far as I remember in Nov-2004, there was no need for hiring tents as there are trekker's huts (basic) everywhere. But you will need a sleeping bag, jackets, woolens, gloves. Everything was available for hire in Yuksom in 2004. Be preapared for snow /ice on trail if early snows. Opposite Hotel Demazong there was Hire shop that had everything.

But you have to carry ration / stove / kerosene. Again everything is available in Yuksom. See my detailed list of Ration Items and adjust pro-rata for your "Party-size incl Porters and Days". Food is not available in the trekkers huts. Buy these rations taking your porter-cook to the shop ... so he doesnt later say something is missing!

One Porter-Cook is a must, so he will carry the entire cooking-stuff and also cook on the way. (He can act as rough-guide to show the trail path, if he is experienced on the trek in recent times). Additional porters required, only if you have personal-bags and stuff to carry too. A Guide may not be required, if you have 1-2 porters who no the way. I don't think a Yak is required .... but you need to judge that based on your loads.

I am not able to comment on 3k budget ...

In 2004, Porters cost about 150-200/- per day, Stay Rs 50/- per bed per person per night and food-rations about Rs 100 to 150/- per head per day. Another 50/- for Misc. like permits etc. Equipment Hire say Rs 50/- per day per person.

I didnt go beyond Dzongri ... so cannot say about Samiti Hut.
But I was told there was no need for a carrying tent . so i presume there was a hut.

I am sure there are Trekking Agent in Yuksom, who can arrange everything and so no need to DIY. I was lucky to meet one Ishenjit there ... who arranged everything for me!.

- KS

arjunm

Dear Satya

I take up your queries one at a time:

I treked in these parts couple of years back, but I think things are more or less the same.

Try to stay at Subba's place. He is the Forest official and he's got his own Hotel too. He's the one who'll issue your permits for the trek as well. You can stay at his hotel (Rs 50 per bed). His place is called the Kabru Lodge. Once your Jeep gets into Yuksom town, drive down until the permit point (about a further 1.5 kms). Kabru Lodge is just there. Ask a local for directions. In fact, the trail to Tshoka starts just behind and above Kabru Lodge (convinient!).

Even if Subba's no longer the forest official, you can still stay at Kabru Lodge. He'll also arrange porters for you (ask for Sukhgrass, gem of a guy and extremely honest. He'll double up as guide cum cook too. For that matter any porter will do that -- and ask specifically before taking them if they can cook).

While you can pick up equipment in Yuksom, see if anyone on IndiaMike can give you a phone number or lead. Otherwise you may have a last minute headache to organise essentials like equipment.

As a suggestion you could pick up equipment from Kolkata. Take along with you some tents and you don't have any hassels left (the porters will pitch them for you if you don't know how to do it). Carrying your own equipment saves you lot of headache. October is a busy month for trekking around those parts and getting space in the trekkin huts could be a prob.

And 3K per head (Yuksom-Yuksom). Pretty doable if you plan well.



Arjun

dwaipayan.mail

jay28

hi guys
We are planning to do goechala on the first week of may.Can anyone suggest the type of clothings we should carry.Is it necessary to get a 3layer clothing and water proof trekking boots for this trek.

meetsathya

Hi Guys

I did the Goechala trek in Oct 07. Ok - here's the info - You can organise everything (incl the permit) after you reach Yuksom. There is a beautiful forest department rest house where you can stay. No need of prior reservation - just talk to the caretaker. he will put you up. Anyway, there are scores of cheap guest houses - Yangrigang is gud. All the guest houses will help fix the trek, permit, guide, cooks, supplies and equipment for you. I'll give you 2 quality references 1) Kinzong Bhutia (kinzong@yahoo.com) - he runs a small hotel and is also on the Khanchendzonga conservation committee (KCC) 2) Yuti Bhutia - 9733160953. I saw him lead a group of phirangs on the field - very professional!!! He is also a member of KCC.

Don't fix your tours with anybody outside yuksom as it will turn out to be expensive. Just carry bread, cheese and some veggies with you. All other supplies are available at Yuksom.

You can write to me at meetsathya@gmail.com for any further info

surajit

hi patty...
i had been to goechala trek during a period from 17nov to 2dec
in 2003 and believe me weather was absolute crystal clear though it was quite wintry... but there was heavy snow on the pass in the tune of knee dip...so dont venture out to step in unless u have all the snow gear.leave lake-samity camp very early in the morning to be able to complete the day-back trek by 7 p.m.
take the foot-trail below the pandim wall after u cross jemathang
valley and that will take u up to the right trail along the morain of the onglakthang glacier. i would advice you to hire a porter-cum-guide-cum-cook at yaksom but in doing that,take local
help. a hike-up to DHUPDI MONASTERY will be a nice warm-up acclimatisation trek at Yoksam. november is a nice plan.go ahead.