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Trekking in the Sikkim Himalayas
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Sunrise at Khangchendzonga -- Dablakhang (Touring and moderate trekking) ITINERARY Day 0 Depart US. (Most flights through to Delhi depart in the evening, make morning stops in Europe and arrive Delhi shortly before midnight the next day.) Day 1 Arrival at Delhi Airport. Greeting by TrekSikkim representative who will escort guests to hotel. Day 2 Delhi. City sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. (Sikkim Permit processing, if not already completed.) Day 3 Delhi to Bagdogra to Gangtok. Arrival at Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal and travel by jeep to Gangtok, Sikkim. The terrain shifts from hot and flat to lush and mountainous as we leave the plains of West Bengal and enter Sikkim. Overnight at Tashi Delek Hotel. Day 4 Gangtok. A day of sightseeing and shopping. Visit the Cottage Industries, Institute of Tibetology, Dro-dul Chorten, Lal market. Rumtek. Excursion by jeep to Rumtek Monastery, seat of the Karmapa Lama, second in importance after the Dalai Lama. Orientation on Sikkim's culture and history. Traditional Sikkimese banquet. Detailed briefing of trek. Overnight at Tashi Delek Hotel. Day 5 Gangtok to Yoksum. Travel by jeep via Tashidhing Monastery, tea plantations. The jeepable road ends and the trek begins. Overnight at Tashi Gang Hotel. Day 6 Yoksum to Tsokha. Bed-tea at 6 a.m.; porters gather loads by 7 a.m. A 16-kilometer walk, taking about five hours and moving from an elevation of 4,800 ft. to 10,000 ft. We break for hot tea and lunch at Prek Chu River. Overnight in trekkers' huts. Day 7 Tsokha to Dzongri. Tsokha, a tiny Bhutia hamlet is the last permanent habitation along the trek route. The walk to Dzongri (13,200 ft.) is 10 km. and takes three to four hours. We break at Phedang for lunch. The route is through a forest of rhododendron and orchids, with views of snowcapped peaks. Overnight in tents. Day 8 Dablakhang. Rise before dawn for a early morning hike to the top of Dablakhang (14,100 ft.,) a mountain sacred to the Sikkimese from which to worship Khangchendzonga. Sunrise views of Khangchendzonga, Siniolchu and Kabru peaks. Return to Dzongri for breakfast. Dzongri to Thangshing. The route takes us through meadows of wild flowers, a drop through a rhododendron forest, and up along a riverbank with spectacular views of Mount Pandim throughout. The walk of nine kilometers takes about four hours. Overnight in tents. Day 9 Thangshing to Tsokha (10,000 ft.) via the Alpine Route (depending on fitness level/desire.) Overnight in trekkers' huts. Day 10 Tsokha to Yoksum. Morning walk back to Yoksum. Visit site of the Three Thrones, barking deer and blood pheasant enclosures. Overnight at Tashi Gang Hotel. Day 11 Yoksum to Pemayangtse. By jeep. Check in at Mount Pandim Hotel with views of Khangchendzonga. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, seat of Sikkimese Buddhism, in afternoon. Day 12 Pemayangtse to Darjeeling. Travel by jeep. Check in at Windamere Hotel in time for Afternoon Tea. Day 13 Darjeeling. Visit Tiger Hill Observatory, tea plantations, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Museum, Snow Leopard Breeding Center. Overnight at Windamere Hotel. Day 14 Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport to Delhi. By jeep. Day 14/15 Return to US. (Most Europe- and US-bound flights leave Delhi shortly after midnight, make early morning stops in Europe, and arrive in the US about mid-day.) 1999 TREK SCHEDULE SPRING: April 3 - April 18 FALL: September 25 - October 10 Dates above denote US departure and return. Note: At this time, treks are to Dablakhang. Individual groups who prefer to block out dates for themselves may choose choose to trek to Goechala or may adapt any itinerary to their own liking. Treks to Singalila or North Sikkim (Yumthang Valley) are by special arrangement only. Unless specified "led by Hope," senior English-speaking guides accompany groups for the trekking portion of the itinerary, while Hope hosts the group in Gangtok and other sites. PRICES All treks are US$3400. This rate includes domestic round-trip airfare between Delhi and Bagdogra, all land costs, including overland transportation, accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, full board, permits, guides, porters and pack animals. A supplement may be charged to those wishing room on a single basis. Not included are telephone calls, laundry, alcolholic beverages, and gratuities. For brochures, further information or questions, please contact: Ann Leibowitz |
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