Goechala Trek
Goechala Trek is named after the Goecha La, "La" meaning pass, towering at an altitude of 4940 meters (16,207 feet). The mountain pass is famous for magnificent views of some of the tallest mountains in the world. Primarily, the Kanchenjunga massif steals the show. A testament to the beauty of the view is that the Indian currency denomination of rupees 100 featured a view of Kanchenjunga from Goecha La on currency printed from 1998 to 2018.
The Goechala Trek is a rather long route, covering over 66 km with a gradual ascent all along. This makes it a moderately difficult trek. The moderate altitude of the trek, reaching slightly above 15,000 feet, makes it a great trek option for those with some trekking experience in the past who are looking forward to a new challenge with great rewards.
The trekkers are not allowed to go to the Goecha La pass, and we trek to a viewpoint slightly north of the 15,000-foot mark. The views of the Kanchenjunga massif are enthralling from here.
Apart from Kanchenjunga, trekkers get to see Mount Pandim up close from Goecha La trek. At 6,691 meters (21,952 feet), Mount Pandim has a decent altitude; however, what truly makes the views remarkable is their proximity. Situated at a mere distance of less than 5 km, the views of the peak are spellbinding. The campsite of Thansing lies at the foot of the peak, with Kanchenjunga visible in the background. This makes camping here unique.
Highlights of the Goechala:
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- Goechala Trek
- Sunrise of the Kanchenjunga Range
- Samiti Lake
- Dense Alpine Jungles
- Suspension Bridge
- Monastery at Tshoka
- Camping at the base of Mt. Pandim
The Goechala Trek is situated in Sikkim, which has its own unique location and where you can also see the Himalayan ranges and large mountains. The trek is famous for being the nearest place where you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga and also where you can see other summits.
The views are mesmerizing of the ranges of Singalila from the top of
Dzongri. The sunrises in the Kanchenjunga range are worth taking. The
rhododendron forests along the trail leading to Goechala erupt with pink and red flowers in April and May. This trail meanders through these jungles, changing with the seasons.
A well-liked stop on the Goecha La trek is Samiti Lake. In the early morning, reflections of Mt. Pandim in the lake are awe-inspiring in the sight of the tranquil waters.
The suspension bridge and the monastery near Tshoka are the other points of interest in the Goecha La Trek.
Goechala Trek Route Map:
The Goechala Trek Route begins in Yoksom and provides an enchanted journey through the Eastern Himalayas' pristine valleys and historic towns. The gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks and verdant meadows along this quaint trek attract the attention of hikers.
- Yuksom is the starting point for trekking routes to Dzongri, Goechala, Rathong Glacier, and Mount Pandim. Numerous treks also use this location as their base camp.
- The trek passes through the Eastern Himalayan settlements of Sachen, Tshoka, and Bakhim as it follows the Prek Chu.
- Crossing through the dense jungle that rises to 12,000 feet in elevation.
- The Prek Chu River flows through three deep gorges: Pha Khola, Tshushay Khola, and Mentogang Khola. There are suspension bridges spanning these gorges.
- The monastery at Toksha is also a place for an attraction at Goecha La.
- There are two locations to catch the sunrise: Dzongri Top and Kanchenjunga from View Point 1.
- The trek's most picturesque campsite is Thansing, which is merely camping at Mount Pandim's base.
Best Time to Visit Goechala Trek:
The best time for Goechala Trek is in the months of
April-May and September-October which are the
spring and autumn. The temperature of the day is around
12 °C to 15 °C, and at night it drops to
0 °C to -3 °C in the summer. During the winter, it ranges from
8 °C to 12 °C in the day, and at night, it drops to
-5 °C to -10 °C. Early winters are colourful and full of sharp hues, while spring is more romantic. The sunrises and sunsets are yellowish on the snow mountain.
Goechala Trek Difficulty Level:
The Goechala Trek is considered a
moderate-difficult trek in terms of difficulty. The total distance of the Goecha La Trek is around 92 km out and back. Goecha La is a high-altitude trek that takes you 15,000 feet above sea level. The trek is long and requires prior experience.
This hike is best suited for fit, seasoned hikers; it is not for beginners. Starting from Yuksom to Sachen, the trek starts with an altitude of 5,840 ft to 7,400 ft. On the next day, from Sachen (7,400 ft), it goes to Tshoka (9,790 ft) via Bakhim (8,640 ft).
On Day 4, the trek starts from Tshoka (9,790 ft) to Dzongri (13,190 ft) via Phedang (12,105 ft), which is the most difficult part of the trek. The altitude rises nearly 3,500 feet. on the fourth day of the trek and becomes extremely difficult. The next day, we reached Dzongri Top. An acclimatization day at Dzongri is well-needed for resting and enjoying the silence of the mountains. Sometimes hikers also face altitude sickness at high altitudes.
Day 6 starts from Dzongri to Thansing (13,190 ft) via Kokchurang (12,910 ft). And the Day 7 starts from Thansing to View Point via Samiti Lake and returns to Thansing with an altitude of 12,910 ft to 15,100 ft. On this day, we reach the highest point of the trek with great views. Then, after we start descending, from Thansing (12,910 ft) to Tshoka (9,790 ft) via Kokchurang (12,090 ft) and Phedang (12,105 ft). Last day, we reached Yoksom (5,840) from Tshoka (9,790 ft) via Bakhim (8,640 ft) and Sachen (7,400 ft).
