Goechala Trek- A tryst with the imposing Himalayan mountains

Are you seeking to explore the enigmatic Himalayan landscape at its pinnacle by embarking on a trek? What if this mountain-escapade takes you brilliantly close to the world's third-highest mountain in the world-the majestic Kanchenjunga? The thought itself is sending chills of exuberance down my spine.

Let us explore a trek that is all this plus much more- the glorious Goechala- the most sought-after expedition in the north-eastern part of India.

The trek prides itself with a double distinction; it traverses in close proximity of the biggest Indian mountains as well as takes you to the sprawling Kanchenjunga National Park.

Through this article, let’s explore the trek to the best of our virtual capacity!

About Goechala Trek

Sikkim, the requiem for a Himalayan kingdom, it truly is! And traversing the magnificent trails of this region is on every backpacker’s wish list. Goechala Trek beckons tourists to its alluring charm not only from India but from all corners of the world. Ever wondered, why?

It is for the simple reason that this trek treats you to the paradisal views of 14 grandiose mountain summits of India. The Goechala Trek is the closest that one can get to the big mountain Nepalese treks.

Additionally, the Goechala trekking trail embraces rookies and newbies with the same passion as it welcomes its veteran trekkers. For some reason, this mountain soirée seems to be wrapped in a mother-like warmth. It welcomes you with an adorable homecoming to the grooves and abysses of the sweeping Himalayan massifs.

Here is a quick overview of this magnificent trek route.

Goechala trek route

Goecha La is a high-altitude Himalayan Pass in the Himalayan range. The trek to this heavenly Pass commences at the sleepy hamlet of Yuksom in the western part of Sikkim. Yuksom sits pretty amidst the lush greens and boasts of salubrious weather throughout the year. One must remember that before setting foot on this trek, one can shop for all supplies at Yuksom. It is the last place where you can purchase all the essential items.

The trekking route is interspersed with massive ascents, tricky descents, and also the altitude changes rapidly. Apart from the humungous peaks, your journey along glorious valleys nestled between these mountains. The lush valleys house the most exotic Himalayan fauna of the region. Effervescent mountain streams cutting through deep gorges and gushing waterfalls amid thickets of trees add a mystic element to the trek. The dramatic changes in the scenery from glossy greens to barren terrains is one of the most startling points of this excursion.

All this plus the trek sweeps one off their feet by offering a potpourri of attractions all along the route. Some of the major points of interest are listed below-

Attractions of Goechala Trek

The trekking trail to Goechala is resplendent with such beautiful attractions that its beauty remains etched in your memory eternally. There are numerous viewpoints en route that display the most splendid sunrises and sunsets. The ethereal beauty of the sun casting its crimson glow on the evergreen Himalayan giants is a sight to behold. Additionally, the following focal points form the crux of this scintillating trek route.

Kanchenjunga National Park- This National Park is one of the pivotal attractions of the trek. The park is bedecked with endemic flora and fauna of the region such as pines, birch, cedars, deodars, and many more conifers. It is a natural habitat of exotic Himalayan birds and also one of the rarest bio-diverse terrains in the world. The beauty of Rhododendrons in the park is unbeatable, especially during spring and summer. The sight of blood-red rhododendrons resplendent in diverse forest patches is unbelievably beautiful.

Samiti Lake- The calling of a high-altitude glacial lake located at almost 13,800 feet makes one seek Goechala trek even more. The ethereal beauty of this turquoise lake nestled amidst the green vegetation and Himalayan mammoths makes for the most haunting feature of the trek.

Goechala Pass- If one can count Samiti lake as the sparkling gem of the expedition, Goechala Pass is undoubtedly the dazzling Kohinnoor of this mountain adventure. At a staggering elevation of 15,100 feet, the Pass can be reached through the beautiful Rhododendron trails lined with glacial moraines. Viewpoint 1 near Goechala Pass summit treats trekkers to the most divine view of the sun rising over the majestic Kanchenjunga range. Indeed, the eureka moment of the Goechala trek!

Yuksom- Do you know that this picturesque village was the first capital of Sikkim? This hamlet encompassed by towering cliffs and illustrious monasteries sway you with its pristine charm. The historical village of Yuksom also called the Gateway to Kanchenjunga serves as the start point for many famous and beautiful North-Eastern treks.

Sachen- For someone high on solitude, the unexplored camping site of Sachen near Yuksom is a perfect blessing. At an elevation of 7,130 feet, this beautiful Basecamp is cradled amidst the thick alpine trees of fir, birch, and oaks. With Rathong and Mentogang rivers gurgling nearby and Perk waterfall cascading in its silver shimmer, Sachen is the ideal campsite for trekkers.

Tshokha- Tshokha adds an interesting element to the Goechala Trek. It is the refugee settlement inside the Kanchenjunga National Park. The serene Tshokha monastery and wooden-slatted trails add a unique charm to the place.

Dzongri- Dzongri, is rightly called “the meeting place of men and mountains” as it offers the most stupendous view of the entire Singalila Himalayan range. It is perched at a height of 13,675 feet above sea level and offers one of the most spectacular sunrises in the whole trekking route.

Thansing- The Thansing valley enamors you with the rich Buddhist culture as it houses numerous monasteries that one can visit. The place is popular for the most idyllic glimpses of the Pandim and Kanchenjunga peaks.

Goechala trek best time to visit

The spring-summer months from March to the beginning of June and fall months stretching between October and November mesmerize the trekkers with a never-ending expanse of breathtaking Himalayan vista. These months make for the best time to embark on the Goechala Trek.

During these dreamy months, the region glimmers with verdant greens and kaleidoscopic blooms of mountain flowers. All this paints the landscape with exquisite beauty that one has to see to believe! The Goechala trek in April bursts with scarlet red shades of rhododendrons blooming along the misty forest trails.

The multihued autumn spectrum of Goechala trek in October and November blazes the entire region with a tinge of reds, cognacs, browns, and yellows against the backdrop of crystal-clear azure skies. This crisp extravaganza is ideal for some great photographic shots.

In the monsoon months of mid-June to September, the trail is washed with rains. This makes the region prone to muddy puddles and landslides. It is, therefore, not recommended to venture on this trek route during these months.

Goechala trek in December, January, and February is also a risky proposition as the region experiences heavy snowfall. This makes trekking difficult. Also, the temperatures drop down to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius in some stretches of the trek.

Goechala trek difficulty level

Professionally, the Goechala Trek route is touted to be of a difficult grade level. However, amateurs, as well as seasoned trekkers, can embark on the trek by keeping the following tips in mind. This will help the trek be foolproof and replete with ecstatic fun!

• Get your BMI check done before you attempt this trek. The challenging terrain demands sound physical fitness as well as strong mental endurance.
• The staggering Goechala height of 15,000 feet means that the oxygen levels are low. Therefore, it is not advised that people with heart ailments or having respiratory problems venture on this trek.
• The trek can also result in Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or deoxygenation. It is best to keep yourself well hydrated throughout the trek.
• It is highly recommended to hit the trail with the right trekking equipment and shoes to navigate the sporadic steep hikes that are a part of the Goechala trek.
• The long duration of 11 days necessitates that you keep your willpower and spirits high as many a time the trek takes you away from civilization.

In conclusion, we forewarn you that returning home will be the most difficult part of this intense mountain expedition. The charming spell of Goechala Pass will entice you for a lifetime!
Good luck!