Dzongri Trek
Dzongri Trek is a popular trekking route located in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is a moderate-level trek that can be completed in about 6–7 days. The trek provides stunning views of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world.
Highlights of Dzongri:
- Yuksom - a historic town located approximately 40 kilometers north of Gyalshing City. Phuntsog Namgyal, the first Chogyal of Sikkim, founded the Kingdom of Sikkim with this as its capital in 1642 AD. Dubdi Monastery is the oldest monastic establishment in Sikkim.
- Tshoka - Another popular destination is Tshoka, a Buddhist monastery located in Tsohka. in harmony with nature and has a captivating vista.
- Dzongri Viewpoint - The most beautiful and perfect viewpoint for high-altitude treks in Sikkim is the Dzongri Viewpoint. A full 360-degree view of the sixteen snow-covered peaks and hills of Pristine and Panoramic. Dzongri Viewpoint, which is 4250 meters high, provides breathtaking views of the whole Himalayan range.
- Laxmi Pokhari (Lake) in Dzongri - At an elevation of 4200 meters, this holy and spotless lake can be found along the Goechala route. The view of the lake with Mt. Tenchingkhang and Mt. Pandim in the background is breathtaking on a clear, sunny day.
Dzongri Trek Route Map:
The Dzongri Trek Route, starting from Yoksom, offers an enchanting journey through the pristine valleys and historical town of the Eastern Himalayas. This charming trek takes the eye of the trekkers with its breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks and lush meadows.
Yuksom serves as the base camp for a trek to Dzongri, Goechala, Rathong Glacier, and Mount Pandim. This place is also used as the base camp for many treks.
The trek is along the Rathong Chuu River and goes through the Eastern Himalayan villages of Sachen, Tshoka, and Bakhim.
Walking from the Dzongri Campsite to the stunning Laxmi Pokhari takes three hours.
Rathong Glacier can be seen from the campsite at Dzongri.
Best Time to Visit Dzongri Trek
The best time to undertake the Dzongri Trek is from mid-March to June and mid-September to November, making it an excellent choice for a summer trek or a holiday adventure. The trek offers many opportunities for outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, and trekking. It is also suitable for children who are used to trekking and have good endurance levels. During the monsoon, the trek becomes slippery and muddy, so this trek gets closed during this time.
The temperature of the day is around 10 °C to 15 °C, and at night it drops to 3 °C to -2°C in the summer. During the autumn, it ranges from 13°C to 20°C during the day, and at night, it drops to 2°C to 7°C. In the winter, the mercury falls to -10°C.
Dzongri Trek Difficulty Level:
The Dzongri Trek is considered a moderate-difficult trek in terms of difficulty. The total distance of the Goechala Trek is around 30km out and back. The altitude of the trek ranges from 5764 ft to 13,204 ft, and it is essential to acclimatize well to avoid altitude sickness. Overall, the Dzongri Trek is a great way to explore the stunning natural beauty of Sikkim and experience the majesty of the Himalayas while enjoying an adventurous outdoor vacation.
Experienced, well-fit hikers are the ideal candidates for this trail; novices should not attempt it. Starting at an elevation of 5,840 feet to 7,400 feet, the trek begins from Yuksom to Sachen. The following day, it travels via Bakhim (8,640 feet) to Tshoka (9,790 feet) from Sachen (7,400 feet). The hardest portion of the trek begins on Day 4, when the group leaves Tshoka (9,790 feet) and travels via Phedang (12,105 feet) to Dzongri (13,190 feet). On the trek's fourth day, the altitude increases to almost 3,500 feet, at which point the going gets very tough. The following day, we arrived at Dzongri Top. It is necessary to spend an acclimatization day at Dzongri to relax and take in the quiet of the mountains. At high altitudes, altitude sickness can occasionally affect hikers as well.
Our descent starts at Dzongri (13,190 feet) and goes to Tshoka (9,790 feet) via Kokchurang (12,090 feet) and Phedang (12,105 feet). Finally, we reach - Yuksom (5,840 feet) from Tshoka (9,790 feet) via Bakhim (8,640 feet) and Sachen (7,400 feet).