
Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult

Duration
10 Days

Highest Altitude
15,100 ft

Age
13 to 55 years
Duration
10 Days
Age
13 to 55 years
Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult
Highest Altitude
15,100 ft
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
Goechala Trek
The Best Trek in India for Big Mountains Views
The biggest reason to do the Goechala trek is the grand views of the big mountains that you see. You don’t just see one summit — the Kanchenjunga — but 14 other big summits. That’s a lot for any trek — especially as close to the eyes as on the Goechala trek. It is no wonder that trekkers consider Goechala to be the closest to the big mountain treks of Nepal.
Before we dive into the details about the Goechala trek, here is a little backdrop of why Goechala is well-known among trekkers all over the world:
While the trail to Goechala is an old one, it wasn’t always so famous. The change came about during the Nepalese Civil War which lasted from 1996 to 2006.
Disturbances in Nepal during this time shut the country to trekkers. Suddenly trekking to the highest mountains of the world was out of bounds. It was a huge blow to the trekkers who frantically started looking for alternatives.
At that time, Goechala emerged as the closest solace. The trail promised a brilliant close-up of the third highest mountain in the world and offered breathtaking views of the Singalila range from Dzongri Top.
Sunrise on the Kanchenjunga Range
One of the biggest highlights of the Goechala trek is the sunrise scene on the Kanchenjunga range. Even though trekkers are not allowed to the actual Goecha Pass, the view from ViewPoint 1 and Dzongri is worth an arm and a leg!
Rhododendrons in April and May
The trail to Goechala is blessed with rhododendron forests. And come spring-summer months of April and May, they burst to life with pink and red flowers! It’s an enormously pleasing walk through the wooden-log trails of these jungles!
The Samiti Lake
Samiti Lake is another big attraction on the Goechala trek. The view of the still waters, and the reflection of Mt Pandim in the lake, especially in the early hours, is a visual treat.
optional additions
Trek fee
₹
+ % Gst
+
Goechala Videos
Watch these videos to plan and prepare for your trek.


Quick Itinerary
A route map of the Goechala trek
Day 1
Drive from NJP / Bagdogra to Yuksom
Drive Distance: 140 km | Drive Duration: 6-7 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: 2 Mile Check Post, Bhakti Nagar Police Station
Transport will be arranged at 10.30 AM. This cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of the cab – Rs 7,000 per vehicle, shared among 5-6 trekkers.
Day 2
Trek from Yuksom to Sachen
Trek Distance: 7.50 km | Trek Duration: 5.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 5,640 ft to 7,410 ft
Trek gradient is moderate-difficult. Gradual climb for 2.5 hours after which the trail becomes steeper up to Sachen. Carry 2 litres of water from Yuksom. You will cross streams intermittently where you can refill your water bottles.
Day 3
Sachen to Tshoka via Bakhim
Trek Distance: 6.50 km | Trek Duration: 5.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,410 ft to 9,900 ft via 8,655 ft
Moderate gradient with initial rolling terrain through the forests and 40 minutes of ascent from Bakhim in a series of long switchbacks after which the trail eases off into a gradual climb. Carry sufficient water from Sachen.
Day 4
Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang
Trek Distance: 8.40 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Gain: 9,900 ft to 13,180 ft via 12,085 ft
Today is going to be a difficult day. It starts with 30 minutes of steep climb followed by a gradual ascent, after which the trail again climbs steeply for 20 minutes to reach Phedang. 1-hour ascent from here followed by a gentle descent brings you to Dzongri.
Day 5
Dzongri to Dzongri Top and back. Acclimatization day at Dzongri
Trek Distance: 2 km | Trek Duration: 1 hour | Altitude Gain and Loss: 13,180 ft to 13,780 ft and back to 13,180 ft
The day starts with a climb to Dzongri Top. Dzongri Top at 13,778 ft, is the highest point from where you get 180-degree panoramic view of the mighty peaks such as Kakthong, Rothang, Kabru South, Kabru North, Kabru Dome, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, and the Lama Lamini peaks.
Day 6
Dzongri to Thansing via Kokchurang
Trek Distance: 6.55 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Loss and Gain: 13,180 ft to 12,945 ft via 12,150 ft
Gentle descent for about 2 hours followed by a steep descent to Kokchurang. Continuous ascent from here to Thansing. Carry 2 litres of water from Dzongri. The only water source on the way where you can refill your water bottles will be at Kokchurang.
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: 12,945 ft to 15,100 ft via 14,100 ft; and back to 12,945 ft
The longest day of your trek. The distance is long, followed by continuous ascent to reach View Point 1. Stay well hydrated and carry 2 litres of water before beginning the summit climb as well as before the descent to Thansing. There will be no water source on either stretch.
Day 8
Thansing to Tshoka via Kokchurang and Phedang
Trek Distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 9 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,945 ft to 9,900 ft via 12,150 ft and 12,085 ft
Continuous ascent till Kokchurang, followed by relatively flat trail to Phedang for about 4 hours, and a steep descent to Tshoka. Stay well hydrated and carry 2 litres of water from Thansing since there is no water source on the trail today.
Day 9
Tshoka to Yuksom via Bakhim and Sachen
Trek Distance: 13 km | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,900 ft to 5,645 ft via 8,655 ft and 7,410 ft
Continuous descent to Sachen, followed by an undulating trail to Yuksom. Carry sufficient water from Tshoka. You will cross a few streams where you can refill your water bottles.
Day 10
Drive back from Yuksom to NJP / Bagdogra
Drive Distance: 170 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours | Drop off point Indiahikes trekkers: NJP railway station / Bagdogra airport
This transport cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of cab – Rs 7,500 per vehicle, shared among 5-6 trekkers.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in lodges
- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent
- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.
Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.
A route map of the Goechala trek
PRO-TIPS
Onward Travel
There are two ways to reach your pick-up point -- reach NJP railway station by taking a train, or reach Bagdogra airport by taking a plane. If you cannot reach the pick-up point before 10.30 AM on Day 1 of the trek, plan your travel in such a way that you reach NJP / Bagdogra the previous day (Day 0) and stay for the night.
Return Travel
While returning, you will reach NJP / Bagdogra by 5.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 8.00 PM from NJP railway station / Bagdogra airport.
Campsites at a Glance
At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Goechala trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.
Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.
I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences.
I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.
In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.
Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.

What I Like and Don’t Like About the Goechala Trek
What I Like About the Goechala Trek
Goechala is Best Discovered Through Pictures
Know Your Trek
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Goechala trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
PRO TIPS
Trek Trivia
Things Nobody Tells You About Goechala
Did You Know about the Chogyal Community of Sikkim?
Yuksom is known as the meeting place of three monks. A long time ago, three monks travelled down here from Tibet. They crowned the first king of that region and named the community ‘Chogyal’. Since then, all those who were crowned kings belonged to the Chogyal community. In 1642, the first Chogyal king, Phuntsog Namgyal established Yuksom as the first capital of Sikkim. The Chogyal dynasty ruled there for over 300 years.
The Chogyal community, today too, plays an important role in their society. They banned any expedition in the mountains in the region from the Sikkim side. They considered it a dishonour to their Gods. After putting pressure on the government for some time, the central and state government both finally banned climbing from Sikkim in the early 2000s. That's why Kanchenjunga cannot be climbed from Sikkim and has to be climbed from Nepal.
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