Seeking trekking partners for Sikkim - Goecha La Trek

Couple of us are planning to go on this trek and would love more folks to join in.

Planning Trek to Gecha La :
Route: Yuksum-Dzongri-Goecha La. dates: 14th-22th april.
Interested? Pl. contact me at earliest!
Day 1: Arrive in Yuksum before nightfall
Day 2: Trek Starts.
Trek Yuksom to Bakhim. O/N in Tents.
Distance:11Km 6hrs
Altitude:2800m.
Day 3: Trek Bakhim to Tshoka. O/N in Tents.
Distance:3.5Km. 2hrs
Altitude: 30000m.
Day 4: Tshoka to Dzongri. O/N in Tents.
Distance: 9kms 5hrs
Altitude: 4000m
Day 5: Trek Dzongri to Thansing. O/N in Tents. Distance:7Km 4hrs
Altitude: Thansing:3800m.
Day 6: Trek to Lamune. O/N in Tents.
Distance:4Km 3hrs
Altitude: Lamunee:4160m.
Day 7: Early Morning Trek to Goechla Pass Via Samiti Lake. Back to Camp for Lunch. Afternoon Trek Back to Thansing/Kookrochoong. O/N in Tents.

<EDIT - Doubt clarified.Just read the post carefully.>

Let me know if you can make the dates. April 14th - 22nd.

Hi Sucheta and group.

Don't treat me as a partner as I just have finished this trek in October 2008 .

I just want to say about your first day planning. It is not 11 km from Yaksom to Bakhim. Yaksom to Tsoka is 18 km and Bakhim to Tsoka is only 2 km, so Yaksom to Bakhim is 16 km and before Bakhim you have to cross 4 bridges, route goes down 200-250 ft. before the bridge and then goes up again for 200-250 ft., applies to all 4 bridges. So first day you may need more time, say around 7-8 hr.

Another problem we faced that, you need a complete day in Yaksom if you don't arrange/book all needed stuff from before. Finding guide/porter/yak, doing police station paper works, marketing needs a full day.

If you need some info./pics you can check my blog http://goechala.blogspot.com

Happy trekking.

Thanks Supratim. This is very helpful information! Liked your blog

hi we are also planning for gochela but have not yet confirmed the dates...it might be from 6 th april but we are not yet sure of the dates.

Hi Mantru,

Would be great if you can make it april 14th. My sis has already booked the tickets etc so we cannot change the dates. I saw the pixs on your website - beautiful !!

I think your plan is doable if you are in very good physical condition... You should plan to reach Yuksom as early in the afternoon (the previous day) as possible... You may have to start later the next day if provisions aren't complete and only trek to Sachen on day-1 and make up on the 2nd day to Dzongri (or make up on day-3)

I and my brother are also going to do this trek from April 26th- May 3rd, but our dates are very fixed (as my brother is getting married on May 5th !!)

Good luck with your trek... Do send me your email since your trek is 10 days before mine, it'll help me to not make your mistakes :-)

Can anyone send me info about good guides?

Also, we were thinking of hiring a guide, 1 porter cum cook and 1 Yak... Hope that is more than enough for 2 people...

Where does one get equipment rental in Yuksom? We will need tent, warm clothes, sleeping bag, raincoat etc.

Where does one get permits and pay fees? Is this place open all days?

How does one get from New Jalpaiguri station to Yuksom (how long does it take, best way to get there)?

(Btw, our trek dates are Apr-26th to May 2nd (Yuksom to Yuksom))

TIA

Hi bond007,is your dates fixed aswell...coz we might be therearound the same time planning to leave delhi on 21 st.

thanks sucheta,
i might not be able to make it on 14 th looks like i'll be leaving delhi on 21 st april

Hi Bond007,you will find plenty of threads in this forum giving you the details about the trek. Here are a few points for you.
1) Make sure you discuss your trek itinerary with your guide and yakman and also tell them that the places of night halts can change in case you need.
2) Do base your ration calculations considering the fact that your guides and porters will use that and they mainly prefer to consume rice in this area.So Considering your calculation you will have three extra heads, guide, porter and yakman.
3)Good quality trekking equipment, tent, clothes are avaliable in Yaksum.Carry them from your home location.Even I would advice you to buy your ration from Siliguri specially kerosene.
4) You can hire a car from NJP to Yaksum. It will take around 5 to 6 hours to reach.
5) Permits and fees are payable in Yaksum.Do not remember if it is open at sundays.
Have a nice trek.

Thanks for the info Travel_joy...

I was thinking that we'll only need two people (i.e. guide and porter cum cook). Why do we need the yakman? Anyway, i think i'll deal with it when i get there... What equipment do people rent...i had jacket/gloves/cap for warm clothes, stove/utensils for cooking, tent/sleeping bag in mind...

Mantru- Yes, our dates are very fixed since my brother is getting married on 5th May. I have a contact in Yuksom (a hotel operator) who has promised to arrange a few things upfront.
Let me know if you are interested in joining us. Our pace will be fast (7 days for the whole trek to Goecha la) and it'll begin on Apr-26th (Sunday). I'm taking the whole week of April-27th to May-3rd off for this trek and it fits just nicely...

You mentioned about hiring a yak.Well, the yak wont go alone and hence the yak man.
Your list of equipments to rent is fine though most trekkers prefer their own warm clothing.

bond007,

we might pass eachother around the same time...i'll be leaving delhi on 21 st will stay at home for few days will might be we'll start on 24 th..not so sure till date till my brother confirms...

Hi Suchetha,

Is it feasible for me to join...? if so please send me the itenerary with guidance on booking and travel from bangalore. please note that i have no prior experience in such trek apart from local treks in karnataka. April 10th is holiday... can't we utilise it by adjusting dates...?

Regards,
charan