Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri) Highlights

Majestic Himalayan Views: The Goechala Trek from NJP offers stunning views of the world's third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga, and a panorama of other towering Himalayan peaks.
Dense Alpine Forests: Hike through dense rhododendron and oak forests, encountering diverse flora and fauna along the way.
Charming Local Villages: Experience the rich culture of Sikkim as you pass through quaint Himalayan villages, interacting with friendly locals and enjoying their hospitality.
Pristine High Altitude Lakes: Discover the serene Samiti Lake and the emerald-green Thangshing Valley, nestled in the lap of the mountains.
Challenging Terrain: The trek offers a mix of steep ascents, rocky paths, and high-altitude challenges, making it a thrilling adventure for trekkers seeking both natural beauty and physical challenge.

Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri) Overview

The Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri) is an exciting adventure that takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Indian Himalayas. Starting from NJP, a small town in West Bengal, this trek leads you on a journey of discovery and natural beauty. As you hike through lush forests, serene meadows, and rugged terrain, you'll witness stunning vistas of towering peaks, including the mighty Kanchenjunga. This trek is a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility, offering a chance to connect with nature and experience the rich culture of the Himalayan region. Get ready to embark on a memorable trekking expedition from NJP to Goechala!

Quick Facts

GoechaLa Trek duration: 10 days and 9 nights
The highest point is 16207 feet.
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Trekking distance of GoechaLa: 90 Km
Best Months for the GoechaLa Trek: April into May and September through November
The closest railroad station, New Jalpaiguri (NJP), is 150 kilometers from Yuksom.
Bagdogra Airport, which is located 155 kilometers from Yuksom.
ATM: The last location where you can find an

How to reach

By Air

To reach the Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri) by air, you can fly into Bagdogra Airport (IXB), which is the nearest airport. From Bagdogra, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach NJP, and then proceed to the trekking base in Yuksom by road, which is approximately a 6-7 hours drive.

By Road

To reach the Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri) by road, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to Yuksom, the trek's starting point. The journey takes about 6-7 hours and involves a scenic drive through winding mountain roads, offering picturesque views of the Himalayan landscape.

By Train

To reach the Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri) by train, you can take a train to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP), which is well-connected to major Indian cities. From NJP, hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach Yuksom, the trek's starting point, which is approximately a 6-7 hour drive away.

Itinerary For Goechala Trek from NJP (New Jalpaiguri)

Day 1 - Drive from Bagdogra Airport/NJP to Yuksom

Embark on your Goechala Trek adventure with a scenic 7-hour drive from Bagdogra Airport/NJP to Yuksom, situated at an elevation of 5,670 feet.
As you journey towards Yuksom, you'll be captivated by breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
The route follows the meandering Teesta River, and as you continue uphill, you'll cross a picturesque bridge in Legship before finally reaching Yuksom. Here, you'll check into a comfortable hotel and retire for the night.

Day 2 - Trek from Yuksom to Sachen

Day two marks the beginning of your exhilarating Goechala pass trek. Wake up to the crisp mountain air and start your day by ascending uphill, tracing the path along the enchanting Rathong River gorges.
As you trek through the lush, dense thickets adorned with magnolia, rhododendron, and ferns, you'll eventually arrive at the Paha Khola Bridge. Along the way, savor a packed lunch to keep your energy levels high.
Be on the lookout for the diverse wildlife, including exotic orchids, colorful flowers, and playful monkeys that call this region home. Your day concludes as you settle down at the Sachen campsite.

Day 3 - Trek from Sachen to Tshokha

Today's trek leads you from Sachen to Tshokha, with an elevation gain from 7,150 feet to 9,700 feet. This picturesque 7-kilometer journey takes around 5 hours to complete.
You'll traverse aromatic viburnum plantations, cross the Prek Chu River, and embark on a 2-3 hour uphill hike to reach Bakhim.
Continuing your ascent, you'll finally reach Tshoka, a Tibetan refugee settlement, where you'll spend the night in a camp.

Day 4 - Trek from Tshoka (9,650 ft) – Dzongri (12,980 ft) via Phedang

On day four of your Goechala trek, you'll make your way from Tshoka (at 9,650 feet) to Dzongri (at 12,980 feet) via Phedang (at 12,050 feet).
This leg of the journey spans approximately 3.2 kilometers and takes 5-6 hours to complete. The trek unfolds through scenic forests of rhododendrons, offering well-marked trails for your convenience.
A short trek will lead you to Dzongri, where you'll spend the night in comfortable camps.

Day 5 - Trek from Dzongri (12,980 ft) – Dzongri Top (13,675 ft) (1 hr) and back to Dzongri and then to Thansing (12,930 ft) via Kokchurang

Post-breakfast at the Phedang campsite, prepare for another exciting uphill trek. On this day, the Goechala pass trek takes you above 4,000 meters in the Himalayas.
Enjoy your packed lunch amidst stunning vistas while acclimatizing to the higher altitudes.
Following your break, ascend further to reach the Thansing overnight campsite, offering mesmerizing views of peaks like Koktang, Rathong, Kabru, Khangchendzonga, Simvo, and Pandim.

Day 6 - Trek from Thansing (12,930 ft) – Lamuney

Take a well-deserved break at Lamuney (at 13,700 feet) to acclimatize to higher altitudes.
Spend the day relaxing at the camp or embark on a short exploration to soak in the natural beauty of the surroundings. Your overnight stay will be in cozy camps.

Day 7 - Trek from Lamuney (13,700 ft) – Goechala (15,100 ft) and back to Kokchurang

Day seven is an early start as you begin your challenging trek from Lamuney (at 13,700 feet) to Goechala (at 15,100 feet) and back to Kokchurang.
This demanding 10-12-hour journey involves climbing over moraines, descending to Samiti Lake, crossing the Zemathang Plateau, and reaching the Goecha La Pass viewpoint 1.
Here, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga and distant peaks before returning to Kokchurang for an overnight camp.

Day 8 - Trek from Kokchurang (12,100 ft) – Tshoka (9,650 ft) via Phedang

Wake up early to witness the enchanting views of Kanchenjunga Peak from a nearby ridge before embarking on your trek back to Tshoka.
Today's route passes through the Dzongri Plateau to avoid a strenuous climb. Traverse Prek Chu and the deciduous forests of Phedang before settling down in overnight stay camps at Tshoka.

Day 9 - Trek from Tshoka (9,650 ft) – Yuksom (5,800 ft) via Bakhim (8,600 ft) and Sachen

On your descent from Tshoka to Yuksom, you'll cover a distance of 15 kilometers in about 6 hours.
The trail follows the Prek Chu River and takes you through Bakhim and Sachen. Upon arriving in Yuksom, check into a local hotel, where you can relax and unwind for the remainder of the day

Day 10 - Departure from Yuksom

Bid farewell to your remarkable Goechala Trek adventure. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, pack your belongings and check out.
With this, your incredible Goecha La trek comes to a close, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the Himalayan journey.