Goechala

HIke under the shadow of Kanchenjunga

Soaring graceful peaks, all between 6000 meters to 8500 meters, which remain under the snow throughout the year, overwhelm you at Goecha La. The hues of the early sun create magic on the snow ridges as you watch them motionlessly and wonder why this land and the mountains are beyond just the landscape features; and why they are so highly revered and considered sacred by the people of Sikkim, who live so peacefully far down the valley.

An arduous but fascinating trail, popularly known as Goecha-La or Guicha-La Trek in West Sikkim, originates from Yuksom – the ancient Capital of Sikkim. The trail reaches such rugged, lofty snow-plateau of the higher Himalayas, where most of the areas, peaks and terrains are still unexplored, unclimbed and untrodden.

"Though Sikkim is reasonably accessible, only half a dozen of its countless lofty peaks have been conquered. There is, therefore, plenty of scopes for explorers and naturalists as well as for climbers", wrote LT COL H. W. Tobin in his Himalayan Journal about Goechala and its surroundings in 1930. The stunning array of rich bio-diversity with varied landscape forms of the Greater Himalayas has made the Goechala route one of India's most fancied high-altitude treks.

Goecha La trail trudges through the core of Kanchenjunga National Park and brings you to the foot of the most sacred peak in Sikkim and the world's third tallest mountain – Mt Kanchenjunga.

Activities in Goechala

Trekking with Camping - Goecha La is one of the best hiking trails in Sikkim. Originating from Yuksom, the last village with road access in West Sikkim at an altitude of 1800 meters, the hike immediately brings you to the wilderness of the Great Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. MORE

Bird Watching in Goechala - Apart from the Himalayan wilderness hiking experience, the tremendous variety of vegetation types in the Goecha-La trail ranging from broadleaf forests in 1800 meters to the Alpine shrublands above 5000 meters, has made this entire zone a crucial birding area. MORE

Attractions in Goechala

Peaks, Glaciers and Lakes
The Goecha-La trek is known for its stunning natural landscape dominated by many unclimbed and significantly higher peaks of the Kanchenjunga massif. A list of notable peaks between 6000 and 8500 meters, giving the closest possible view all along the trail, includes Mt Kanchenjunga (8586 meters), Mt Kabru North (7353 meters), Mt Talung (7349 meters), Mt Kabru South (7318 meters), Mt Sinolchu (6887 meters), Mt Simvo (6812 meters), Mt Pandim (6691 meters), Mt Rathong (6679 meters), Mt Koktang (6147 meters), Mt Kabru Forked (6100 meters) and Mt Tenchenkhang (6010 meters).
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Sachen
At 2100 meters, Sachen is generally used as the first stopover point of the Goechala Trek that begins from Yuksom. On a flat clearing among the dense broadleaf and moist temperate forest Sachen has a small log hut that can accommodate 6 to 8 people. The hike to Sachen from Yuksom passes through the verdant forest of Rhododendron and oaks and usually takes about 3 to 3.5 hours for the steady legs. Situated amid the dense forests, Sachen does not provide an excellent mountain view, but this can be an ideal camping base for the birdwatching trekkers, who may want to restrict the hike to a limited distance to observe the birdlife.
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Tshoka
At an altitude of approx 3000 meters, Tshoka is used for Day-2 Campsite on the Goecha La trek. From Sachen, the hike has a significant climb of about 900 meters through thickly forested hills with moist temperate forests. On the route to Tshoka, snowy mountains views start appearing on the horizon making the hiking experience more delightful.
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Dzongri
One of the major highlights of the Goecha La trek is to reach Dzongri at 3700 meters. The most challenging part of the hike is between Tshokha and Dzongri, albeit the fascinating one. You notice the significant change in the forest type while you walk through the forest of Phedang.
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Dzongri Top
The most prized experience in Dzongri is a hike to the highest point in the hill known as Dzongri Top - at almost 4000 meters. Typically, the hike starts early in the morning to observe an unforgettable sunrise view over the Kanchenjunga Massif.
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Thansing Valley
At Thansing, you are in the core of Kunchenjungha National Park. A vast meadow flanked by Prek Chu River, Thansing lay at 3800 meters and an approx. Seven kilometres hike from Dzongri. This part of the hike is relatively easy as you walk down to the river for the first half and then gradually walk up again for the same distance through a nice paved trail passing through the dwarf rhododendron forests and shrublands.
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Lamuney
Lamuney at 4400 meters is considered to be the base to reach the Geocha La Pass. This is the last camping site on this route. From Thansing, a short trek of about 2 hours will take you to the upper valley of Kanchenjunga National Park. The area is marked by glacial lakes and moraines, where the vegetation is scarce.
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Lampokhri
Lampokhri is the name of a small beautiful glacial lake at an altitude of 4250 meters, which in the local language means Big-Pond. This beautiful lake is also a brilliant campsite for trekkers looking for an alternative exit route while returning from Goechala.
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Kasturi Orar
A long day hike from Lampokhri to the opposite of Singalila Range will bring you to Kasturi Orar at 3800 meters. This area used to be a popular mask deer hunting place for the locals who used to take shelter in some saves. Therefore, the site got its name from Kasturi (Musk deer) and Orar (cave). As the name suggests, the area is rich with Himalayan species, including the musk deer.
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Labdang Village
Labdang is the first village that you come across after the arduous Goecha La trek. A small village in the remote corner of West Sikkim, which is only recently connected with a rough jeepable road from Tashiding, Labdang has merely 80 households, mainly of the Gurung community. From Kasturi Orar, it is a long steep downhill hike to Labdang.
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