This is one of the easy to moderate treks in Sikkim which covers the finest views of Kangchenjunga and the Everest group from Phoktey Dara and the Singalila ridge. The trek starts off in the rhododendron sanctuary of Barsey which is in full bloom in April and ends at Uttarey with fine views of both flowers and mountains on the way.
Trip Highlights
A walk to the high view point of Phoktey Dara and Singalila between Sikkim on one side and Nepal on the other
Views of four 8000 metre peaks from Phoktey Dara – Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu.
Verdant forests of the Eastern Himalaya rich in bird life.
Moderate walking in spring weather with rhododendron blossoms.
A loop trek not crossing 12,000 feet so moderate in nature with camping spots along the way.
Who should join this trek?
A good choice for both first timers and experienced trekkers - moderate level of fitness required.
1) Walking times: average 4-5 hours walking per day
2) Altitude: upto 3600m
3) Terrain: mostly following well travelled trails and paved paths and steps.
4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area and mobile phones will not work other than at Uttarey.
5) This is a full support camping trek with tents no lodges are available.
The trek will be led by Binod Gurung, one of our senior and most experienced guides in Sikkim.
Day 1 Fly to Bagdogra and drive to the Richinpong for the night 5-6 hours - stay at a resort in Rinchinpong. Day 2 Drive from Rinchinpong to Hillay 2-3 hours and start the trek to Barsey 2800m 1 to 2 hours - camp among the rhododendrons and enjoy the flowers for the rest of the day. Day 3 Trek from Barsey to Jorbutey 2900m (5-6 hours) Day 4 Trek from Jorbutey to Thulo Dhap 3000m (4-5 hours) Day 5 Trek from Thulo Dhap to Kalijar 3450m (4-5 hours) Day 6 Morning sunrise at Phokey Dara 3600m - 45 minutes climb back to Kalijhar for breakfast. Then walk to Chiwabhanjan 3100m ( 3 hours) through rhododendron forest. From Chiawabhanjan walk down to Sophaka around 2300 metres in about 1.5 hours and take the new road by jeep to Uttarey. From Uttarey 1925m we can drive back to our resort in Rinchinpong by evening. Day 7 Drive Rinchinpong to Bagdogra (5-6 hoours) and fly back to home destinations in the afternoon
April 10th to 16th 2023
For Indian Nationals Indian Rs 45,000/- plus 5% GST
The cost is per person for Bagdogra to Bagdogra (8 days ) as per the itinerary given.
Costs given above are at current rates and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 3 months before the trek.
Costs include
All necessary permits and Kangchendzonga National Park permits as needed in Sikkim.
Two nights hotel in a good resort in Rinchinpong is covered.
At Rinchinpong lunch is not included.
All meals on the trek are covered.
Full camping on the trek is covered.
Cost of porters/guides yaks and other support staff on the trek is covered. Please note that porters will carry one duffel bag or backpack not exceeding 12 kgs in weight for each trekker comprising of personal items, clothing, sleeping bag etc.
Costs not included
Flight Cost/Train costs to reach Bagdogra/New Jalpaiguri
Lunch en route Bagdogra to Rinchinpong is not covered.
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation costs if needed.
Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
Air fare from residence country to India and back
Cost of covid negative test if needed and any other test like rapid antigen test in Sikkim if required.
Tips to porters and guide at the end of trek – we will give a guideline on this before the trek
ITEMS REMARKS
Duffle Bag All the equipment listed below other than what you need for the day should be packed into a duffle bag, locked and handed over to the porters in the morning. In case you cannot get a duffle bag in your home country these are available very cheap in Kathmandu and I can help you with this. The duffle bag should not weight more than 10-12 kgs!
1 Sleeping Bag Warm sleeping bag is needed at least three season rated to 15F
2 Daypack or Hipbelt To carry water, one jacket some nuts, chocolates, cap, camera to keep with you in the day, maybe gloves and cap as well, hiking poles etc.
3 Boots or Trekking Shoes one pair
4 Slippers or Sandals for camp lightweight to wear in the evenings
5 warm Socks 2 pairs to carry and one pair to wear
6 Gloves one pair
7 Underwear 1 to wear and 2 to carry
8 Warm Cap one- Wool or fleece is usually good
9 Heavy jacket the warmest you can get as nights and early mornings are cold - down is usually preferred otherwise a warm synthetic filled jacket.
10 Thermal Underwear ( top and bottom) - long johns inner layer to wear at night and early morning ;
11 Mid Layer Usually a jacket of fleece or wool which can be worn over a thermal layer or by itself while walking
12 T shirts for walking one to wear and 2 to carry - if the sun is hot you can walk in a T shirt
13 Trousers /tights etc one to wear and one to carry light weight preferred
14 One Rain Jacket /Wind Jacket/Soft Shell jacket useful in case of wind ... you may need it in light rain though we would usually take shelter and wait for the rain to stop. Our trek is not in the rainy season though some light rain/snow in the late afternoon evenings cannot be ruled out.
15 Torch or headlamp one small needed carry one set spare batteries
16 Sun bloc one small tube should be ok spf 30 or 50
17 some essential medicines vitamins, headache, fever, pain killers, diamox for altitude, your own specific medicines etc
18 Hiking poles if you have bad knees then this is recommended especially on the down hills!!
19 Water bottle one no 500 ml or 1 litre is ok you can use the 500 or 600 ml empty coke or pepis bottles
20 Sun glasses the sun is strong in the day
21 Cap for the sun ditto!
22 small towel for baths and wash up in case you can use the hot shower
23 toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, vaseline, comb and any other toilet items you may need!
24 wet tissues - wet ones for bathroom called wet ones in India
25 some washing powder surf etc small to wash clothes en route if needed
26 Nuts, raisins etc all mixed up can be divided into small packets for daily use
27 Chocolates /Energy Bars/Amul cheese slices/tea bags Carry some chocolates or energy bars to have on the way. Amul cheese slices are very useful and can be had as snacks when you are tired of sweets!
28 Sweets for energy
29 Volini gel/ Bengay etc for aches and pains or any other equivalent
30 Iodine or chlorine tablets for water purification available in Kathmandu- this is important as mineral water bottles are expensive; for overseas visitors you can get iodine tablets in REI and other large outdoor outlets
31 Electral or any other rehydating salts Carry a few small packets of electrolyte - useful to have mixed with water if dehydrated
32 some spare plastic bags to pack wet stuff, dirty clothes etc
33 Book in case you want to read on the way and IPOd for music optional!
34 Two small locks one for your duffle bag and one for your room in case the lodge does not have a lock
35 Clothes line with hooks on either side in case you want to hang up your wet clothes to dry outside!!
36 Super Glue To patch up boots that may give way!
37 Face mask For dust, cold winds etc available in kathmandu
38 Extra shoe laces one pair
Sujoy Das
+94 9831054569 India
+977 9818037020 Nepal
[email protected]
CANCELLATION POLICY
The cancellation policy and refunds available are given below:
0-7 days before the start of the trek =75%
8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 50%
16-30 days before the start of the trek = 35%
31-45 days before the start of the trek = 30%
46 days and above = 20%
IN CASE OF LEAVING THE GROUP
If due to illness or any other reason a client has to leave the group and go down or wait at a lodge for the group to pick him/her up on the way back, all expenses including lodging, fooding and any porter/guide related expenses if any are to be borne by the individual client over and above the trek fees paid for the trek. There are also no refunds for leaving a trek before completion.
HIRING OF PONIES ETC
In the eventuality of a client needed the services of a pony to come down to lower altitudes, the cost of hiring the pony will be paid by the client.
EVACUATION BY HELICOPTER
In the eventuality of not being covered by emergency helicopter evacuation insurance and an evacuation is considered necessary, the cost of the evacuation will be paid by the client in advance to the helicopter company/travel agent etc as deemed necessary.
LODGES/CAMPING SITES ON THE TREK
The choice of lodges/camping sites to be used on the trek will be decided by South Col and clients will have to stay at these designated lodges/camps. Clients are not permitted to choose their own lodges on the route.
TREK ROUTE
The trek route and day wise schedule will be fixed by South Col and will have to be followed by the client.
RISKS AND LIABILITY
The trek is in a remote mountain area and has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which the client should be prepared; weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected changes; remoteness from normal medical services; evacuation difficulties.
In the event of injury or illness South Col Expeditions (Sujoy Das) or its Staff can, at the clients cost arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for the health and safety of the client.