Dzongri Trek

Day 1: Drive from New Jalpaiguri Junction to Yuksom
Day 2: Trek from Yuksom to Sachen
Day 3: Trek from Sachen to Tshoka via Bakhim
Day 4: Trek from Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang
Day 5: Explore Dzongri - Acclimatization Day at Dzongri
Day 6: Dzongri to Tshoka via Phedang
Day 7: Tshoka to Yuksom via Bakhim and Sachen
Day 8: Drive to New Jalpaiguri Junction from Yuksom

In Himalaya Shelter, we provide you with the option to customize your trekking experience. Whether you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family, you can opt for our personalized tailor-made trekking program. This customized trek will be exclusively designed for you, taking into account your specific requirements for transportation, accommodation, meals, and any other premium facilities you may need during the trek. No other participants will be added to your group. Choosing a customized trek will enable you to fully enjoy the trek with your loved ones. Click here to learn what a Customized Trekking program looks like.

The Dzongri trek is culturally and spiritually related to Sikkim. The trail to Dzongri trek was once the Himalayan trade route. This trail is also a pilgrimage route. The beautiful Dzongri top is located  in Khangchendzonga National Park and it is considered as a sacred place. The word “Dzongri” means “meeting place of men and mountains”. This place is like a meeting point of spirituality and humanity. Dzongi holds great religious value among Bhutias, Lepchas, and Tibetan people.  

The Dzongri region was a crucial part of the trans-Himalyan route. The traders and monks once walked on this trail from Sikkim to Tibet. They would cross the high-altitude passes for the trade. The Dzongri region became important when the Britishers were exploring the Kanchenjunga region. This region became an acclimatization zone for the trekkers. Today, trekkers love Dzongri trek as it offers everything you expect on a trek

• 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.

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).

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 From March To Mid-May

Spring is the best time to plan your Dzongri Trek. The trail will be covered with Rhododendron bloom. The temperature starts rising and the meadows start turning green. You can see clear views of the Himalayas.

• Dzongri Trek From Late-May To June

The days will be warm and you can trek more comfortably. You will see Yaks grazing on the meadows. Summer is a good time for the trek-beginners. But you may see monsoon clouds by mid-June.

• Dzongi Trek From June To Mid-September

Monsoon is not a good time to plan your Dzongi Trek. The trails become very muddy and slippery. You can also see leeches in the forest areas. The visibility is poor and the trail becomes challenging. 

• Dzongi Trek From Late-September To November

Autumn is also a good time for your Dzongri Trek. The trails become dry and the meadows start turning golden. You can feel the crispiness in the air. The trail becomes less-crowded and peaceful.    

• Dzongri Trek From December To February

Winter can be very challenging to trek Dzongri. The trail remains covered with heavy snow. The landscape turns white and becomes majestic. Winter Dzongri Trek is only suitable for seasoned trekkers.   

You will start your trek to Dzongri from Yuksom. This beautiful village is located in West Sikkim. You have to reach Gangtok first and then you can travel to Yuksom.

Delhi To New Jalpaiguri / Bagdogra

New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) is a big town near Gangtok. This city has a major railway station. You can find direct trains from Delhi or many other cities to NJP. You can also book a direct flight from Delhi to Bagdogra Airport. 

New Jalpaiguri To Gangtok  

You can find various options to travel from New Jalpaiguri to Gangtok. Regular buses and shared jeeps will take you to Gangtok via Darjeeling. Gangtok also has an airport but the flights are very limited.

Gangtok To Yuksom

Now look for a government bus or shared taxi to Yuksom.

The distance is 145 km and will take about 6-7 hours. The journey to Yuksom is very beautiful.

Clothing and Backpack

Get a good backpack (50 L) with a rain cover. Look for a bag that can provide you good back support. Pack 4 quick-dry t-shirts and 2 trekking pants. Get a pair of thermals (upper and lower) for night. Pack a fleece jacket or woolen sweater as a mid-layer. Get a waterproof wind breaker for sudden rain and chilly winds. For winter trekking, get a good down jacket. Now pack a woolen beanie and a balaclava. Get two pairs of gloves (woolen and waterproof). You should also pack a suncap for the daytime.

Footwear

You should look for good quality trekking shoes. Your shoes must be waterproof and provide good ankle support. Do not wear a new pair of shoes on the trek. Your feet must be familiar with the shoes. Now pack 4 pairs of trekking socks and 2 pairs of woolen socks. Pack a pair of comfortable slippers or sandals for the campsite.

Personal Care

For personal care items, start packing with your toiletries. Get a small zipper pouch and pack all the toiletries. Now look for a quick-dry towel and a toilet roll. You should also pack hand sanitizer and moisturizer. Pack a sunscreen that can protect your face from sunburn. You can also pack some snacks for the trek.

Physical Fitness Preparation for Trek:

To overcome the difficulty level of  trekking, it requires strong cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and overall physical fitness. Incorporate these exercises into your routine to increase strength, stability, and stamina, which will help you tackle difficult terrain sections of the trail at high altitudes.

Enjoy breathtaking Sunrise and Sunset

The sunrise and sunset look magical from the Dzongri trek. The giant Himalayan turns golden orange when the first sunrays fall on them. The cold weather feels a little warm and more pleasant.

Explore Dzongri Meadows

You can spend your evening by roaming around the big alpine meadows. These meadows look like big green carpets. You can also see Yaks grazing in these alpine meadows. These meadows are good spots for enjoying nature.

Spot Himalayan Wildlife

The Dzongri Trek is located inside Khangchendzonga National Park. You can see various rare animal species on the trek like red panda and musk deer. You can also spot birds like monal and blood pheasant.

Experience Local Spirituality

Sikkim is known for beautiful monasteries. You can see Buddhist prayer flags in your trails. The shortens and monasteries say a lot about their spiritual beliefs. You can visit the monasteries and pray for well-being.