This is one of the easy to moderate treks in Sikkim (6 days Bagdogra to Bagdogra) which covers the finest views of Kangchenjunga and the Everest group from Phoktey Dara and the Singalila ridge.
This trek is a good post covid exercise when people have been housebound for many months as it does not go higher than 3600 metres and the walking is for 4-5 hours a day uphill and downhill. It is a spectacular walk in post monsoon weather with clear blue skies and white peaks and excellent in spring with rhododendron blossoms.
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.
Day 01 – Bagdogra to Rinchinpong by vehicle (5-6 hours)
We stop for the night at Rinchinpong instead of Uttarey as there are better resorts in Rinchinpong with great mountain views.
Day 02: Rinchinpong to Uttarey 2010m by vehicle 75 min and then trek to Chittray 2680m 4 hours
The trail leaves the village of Uttarey and begins a pleasant steady uphill climb through a forested path. We soon pass cardamom forests which are an important cash crop in Sikkim and then we enter the rhododendron zone. In about 4 hours steady climbing we reach a clearing in Chittray which is our camping spot for the night.
Day 03: Chittray to Chiwabhanjan 3000m 2 hours to Kalijhar 3580m 3 hours
The next day is a the day for views we now leave the valley and start moving into the higher country. At Chiwabhanjan we come to the border with Nepal – the ridge then climbs higher and we camp at Kalijhar for the night. If the weather is clear we can go to Phoktey Dara for the magnificent sunset view.
Day 04 Kalijar to Achaley 2950m 5 hours
After the great views at Phoktey Dara we descend to steadily in around 2.5 to 3 hours to Tholo dhap and then in another hour drop further to Hageypani from here Achaley in another hour in a pleasant meadow.
Day 05 Achaaley to Uttarey 4 hours and drive to back to Rinchinpong
This day is the last day of the trek and loses altitude steadily all the way down. We should reach Uttarey by lunch and after a quick lunch we drive back to our resort at Rinchinpong 1 hour for a hot shower and good dinner.
Day 06 We leave Rinchinpong in the morning depending on our flight time at Bagdogra.
We stop for the night at Rinchinpong instead of Uttarey as there are better resorts in Rinchinpong with great mountain views.
Day 02: Rinchinpong to Uttarey 2010m by vehicle 75 min and then trek to Chittray 2680m 4 hours
The trail leaves the village of Uttarey and begins a pleasant steady uphill climb through a forested path. We soon pass cardamom forests which are an important cash crop in Sikkim and then we enter the rhododendron zone. In about 4 hours steady climbing we reach a clearing in Chittray which is our camping spot for the night.
Day 03: Chittray to Chiwabhanjan 3000m 2 hours to Kalijhar 3580m 3 hours
The next day is a the day for views we now leave the valley and start moving into the higher country. At Chiwabhanjan we come to the border with Nepal – the ridge then climbs higher and we camp at Kalijhar for the night. If the weather is clear we can go to Phoktey Dara for the magnificent sunset view.
Day 04 Kalijar to Achaley 2950m 5 hours
After the great views at Phoktey Dara we descend to steadily in around 2.5 to 3 hours to Tholo dhap and then in another hour drop further to Hageypani from here Achaley in another hour in a pleasant meadow.
Day 05 Achaaley to Uttarey 4 hours and drive to back to Rinchinpong
This day is the last day of the trek and loses altitude steadily all the way down. We should reach Uttarey by lunch and after a quick lunch we drive back to our resort at Rinchinpong 1 hour for a hot shower and good dinner.
Day 06 We leave Rinchinpong in the morning depending on our flight time at Bagdogra.
The dates for this trek will be the second half of November 2021 - exact dates will be notified shortly.
Costs
For Indian Nationals Indian Rs 45,000 /- including taxes
The cost is per person for Bagdogra to Bagdogra (6 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.
Costs
For Indian Nationals Indian Rs 45,000 /- including taxes
The cost is per person for Bagdogra to Bagdogra (6 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.
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.
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.