Kancendzonga Uttarey Trek Trekking Tour

Early morning call for your visit Tiger Hill at sunrise. On the way back visit Yiga Choling Monastery. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Afterwards visit the fascinating Mountaineering Institute, the beautiful Padmaja Zoological Park, the Tibetan Self Help Centre and a Tea garden. Ovenight in hotel

An early departure from Darjeeling by jeep to the trekking area in West Sikkim. Six exciting hours through winding roads across valleys and over hills clad with a variety of vegetation. We swoop down to cross the wild Rangeet River before climbing steeply up to Pemayangtse (2,100 m.), perched dramatically on an airy ridge with a panorama of Himalayan peaks ahead. After crossing some spectacular bridges to the road-head at Uttarey (2,000 m.), we spend our first night in a trekking lodge and meet the local people who will accompany us on our trek.

We tread over the highest reaches of the Singalila Ridge, which forms the border between Sikkim and Nepal. We may meet the occasional yak herder but we are well beyond permanent settlements. The names given to places around here however exotic it may sound to your ear, are basically associated with their purpose, such as high pastures, passes and ridge points. We pass through a rich forest cover, swathes of rhododendrons, open ridges, sacred lakes and remote passes. Our first day takes us to Chiwa Bhanjyang (3,100 m). An easy trail rises gently through rainforest until a final steep ascent for the last couple of hours bring us to the Nepalese border and our first camp.

This is an attractive setting to acquire some essential early acclimatization. A hike to the nearby Singalila Peak at 3500m will give us valuable acclimatization and some excellent views.

Overnight camping

A gentle uphill traverse through forest and then over a more exposed hillside brings us to prayer flags adorning our first pass and views of distant mountains - a taste of what is to come. As we gradually gain height we will appreciate the previous day's acclimatization. The occasional yak herder's hut is the only sign of habitation as we look down far below to the rice fields and cardamom plantations. Our camp is in a remote and sheltered hollow below the ridge.

Rising just before dawn, a five-minute walk onto the ridge may reveal the spectacular sight of sunrise on both Everest and Khangchendzonga. Throughout the day we descend and climb, maintaining a steady height, spiraling from one side of the ridge to the other until a rough steep ascent takes us across a pass. Beyond, the trail wends its way steadily through rhododendrons and past several Hindu shrines where a second easier pass drops down to our camp close to a shepherd's summer settlement. Look out for the Blue Sheep on the high craggy mountainside.

We walk easily on a good trail through woods until we begin a steady rise up a broad valley where we catch our first closer view of the entire Kabru range dominated by Mount Pandim (6,691m). A further 2 hours of ascent will get us to our camp with Everest and a host of other Khumbu giants dominating the distant skyline. An afternoon of rest and acclimatization for the following day's foot slogging.

Now we are in high mountain country and the forests lie far below. For the past two days we have been walking in Nepal and today we pass the sacred lake of Lam Pokhari, which marks our entry back into Sikkim. A little snow underfoot can be expected as we climb to our first pass, the Danphe Bhir La at 4,530 meters, the Pass of the Pheasant. From here it is possible to see the whole of Sikkim with the view stretching out well into Tibet and Bhutan. A further hour's contouring and a small ascent reveals the Kag Bhir La (the Pass of the Crow) where we may be lucky enough to view a panorama of Himalayan peaks including Khangchendzonga. Reluctantly, we then must head downhill making a steep descent to our riverside camp.

We leave our lovely meadow camp to climb through forests of sweet smelling silver fir and rhododendrons. Soon we are in high mountain terrain again. Look out for the brightly colored Danphe birds (Impeyan Pheasant), which nest in the high crags around the Kamsey La, 4,200 m. As we drop down into the meadows of Kokling, we are already looking up at our next pass of 4,300 m. that we reach with a steady ascent up a steep crag to a skyline dominated by the dizzying pinnacles and icy cliffs of Kanchenjunga. Once again we end the day's hike with a steep descent to our campsite by the Tikip Chu, which has its source high on the Rathong mountains (6,679 m.).

Today our route joins the regular trail up to the Goecha La. A steady climb through ancient fir forest, juniper and rhododendrons gradually opens out to the summer pastures of Dzongri. Another high camp, but we should be well acclimatized by now probably in contrast to some of the trekkers we meet who could be on day 3 of their Dzongri Trek at 4,000 m., 'the headache zone'!

Down the hill to Kokchulang where we are likely to accost other trekkers making us look back in retrospect towards really appreciating the peace and solitude of our last few days. We move easily up the valley passing the busy trekkers campsite of Thangsing to our own riverside camp a short distance below the Samiti Lake.

Today we ascend gradually over open hillside for a mile or so to a low ridge visible from the campsite (13,500 ft/4,115m). From here, chortens and prayer flags overlooking fabulous views of Khangchendzonga and Pandim make ideal photocompositions. You then descend, at first traversing down towards Pandim on the far side of the valley, and then dropping steeply down on a good path through rhododendron forest to the Prek Chu River at 12,300 ft/3,749 m. for lunch (3 hours). There is a new trekking lodge here that the crew may use for cooking. We cross the river and ascend gradually for one and-a-half-hour, through pinewoods to reach a grassy campsite, beneath the shapely unclimbed peak of Pandim. A new hut has been built here, which may be available for cooking and even sleeping. Overnight camping

Today's walk is fairly short to give you plenty of opportunity to rest before tomorrow's big day. You begin by continuing your walk parallel to the Prek Chu River. Sacred Samiti on the opposite side is a beautiful emerald green lake nestled in the midst of brightly colored wind-torn prayer flags. Overnight camping

An early start today to beat the inclement weather conditions that is common during the latter part of the day. Set off in the early morning climbing the hill behind the Lake before traversing the moraine and then descending to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Zemathang Plateau. You cross this under the shadow of Pandim and then ascend moraine to a height of about 15,700 feet where you rest above a glaciated lake mottled with snow and icy pinnacles. The Goecha-La Pass is another hour away. We traverse the lake and proceed across a slope, and then on a well-trodden path to our objective, which is festooned with brightly colored prayer flags. The views of the east flank of Khangchendzonga and the mountains and valleys in the distance are stunning. We then return to our campsite at Samiti Lake. Overnight camping

Overnight camping

It's worth getting up early to take a short hike to the ridge behind the camp. From here there are fantastic views of Khangchendzonga and one can look back up to the Goecha La. Leaving Thangsing, you take a different route, avoiding the long climb to the Dzongri Plateau. Descending to the Prek Chu, you contour around jungle to emerge at Phedang. Continue to Tshoka along another steep descent. This will save us a day on the return march, but does involve quite a long day. Overnight camping

Our final day, and freewheeling downhill almost all of the time. We descend through rainforest rich with bird-life and flowers, across spectacular bridges spanning cascading rivers whose sources are high in the mountains we have so recently left behind. Tired and elated we arrive in Yuksom and our charming traditional hilltop hotel. This will be our last evening with the trekking crew so we will be celebrating our achievements, and a final thank you to the local staff. Overnight Hotel

After breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Kalimpong considered as the oldest town in hills of Darjeeling was once the head quarter of Bhutanese Governor, the word Kalim means “ Minister” and pong is “stronghold”. It is also called Kalibong or the “Black spur” by the locals and to the local Lepcha it is known as Ka (we) –LEM (play) – PONG ( ridge), ” The ridge where we play”. Kalimpong was silk route to the Tibet and also famous center of eastern and central Tibetan wool trade. Before check in to the hotel we will visit flower nursery and after lunch we will visit church ,Thongsa Bhutanese Monastery and very famous Durpin Gumba and local market in the evening. Overnight at Hotel

Get driven to the nearest Bagdogra airport.