Tshoka to Yuksom via Bakhim & Sachen | Yuksum to Bagdogra | Goechala Part 8 | April 2024

Goechala, the closest you can get to Mt Kanchenjunga without climbing it. The trail is ancient, but it wasn’t always popular. The shift occurred during the Nepalese Civil War from 1996 to 2006. During this period, Nepal became inaccessible to trekkers due to the unrest. This was a significant setback for trekking enthusiasts, who began seeking alternatives. Goechala emerged as a beacon of hope during this time. The trail offered an incredible close-up view of the world’s third-highest mountain Kanchenjunga and stunning vistas of the Singalila range from Dzongri Top.
DAY 1
Drive from Siliguri to Yuksom
Drive Distance: 140 km | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours
DAY 2
Trek from Yuksom to Sachen
Trek Distance: 7.50 km | Trek Duration: 5.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 5,840 ft to 7,400 ft
DAY 3
Sachen to Tshoka via Bakhim
Trek Distance: 6.50 km | Trek Duration: 5.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,400 ft to 9,790 ft via 8,640 ft
DAY 4
Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang
Trek Distance: 8.40 km | Trek Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude Gain: 9,790 ft to 13,190 ft via 12,105 ft
DAY 5
Dzongri to Dzongri Top and back. Acclimatization day at Dzongri
Trek Distance: 2 km | Trek Duration: 2.5-3 hour | Altitude Gain and Loss: 13,190 ft to 13,670 ft and back to 13,190 ft
DAY 6
Dzongri to Thansing via Kokchurang
Trek Distance: 6.55 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Loss and Gain: 13,190 ft to 12,910 ft via 12,090 ft
DAY 7
Thansing to View Point 1 via Samiti Lake; and back to Thansing
Trek Distance: 16 km | Trek Duration: 12-14 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 12,910 ft to 15,100 ft via 14,120 ft; and back to 12,910 ft
DAY 8
Thansing to Tshoka via Kokchurang and Phedang
Trek Distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 9 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,910 ft to 9,790 ft via 12,090 ft and 12,105 ft
DAY 9
Tshoka to Yuksom via Bakhim and Sachen
Trek Distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,790 ft to 5,840 ft via 8,640 ft and 7,400 ft
DAY 10
Drive back from Yuksom to NJP / Bagdogra
Drive Distance: 170 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours