Mt. Kangchendzonga
Eco-trekking in Sikkim
Camping above Dzongri
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Cost includes:
-1 night accommodation in Delhi at a 4 star hotel on bed & breakfast room sharing plan.
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Airport transfers and land transportation by private vehicle
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Sightseeing tours as indicated in Sikkim
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Fully organized camping trek with three meals a day, camping equipment and support staff
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English speaking local tour & trekking guides throughout the trip
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Special welcome and farewell dinners in Sikkim
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Hotels and guesthouses in Sikkim, on bed and breakfast plan, double occupancy
- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as specified.
- All breakfasts, and all lunches and dinners except one
- Trekking permit and entry fees to monasteries.
Cost does not include:
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US-Delhi-US international flights
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Domestic flight: Delhi-Bagdogra-Delhi
- Indian visa
- Additional nights at a hotel in Delhi
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Emergency evacuation / medical and travel insurance (mandatory requirement)
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Personal medical kit
- Beverages other than those served on trek and in Temi
- Items of personal nature (e.g., laundry, drinks, telephone calls, taxi service, etc.)
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Tips to guide and trekking staff
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Donations at monasteries or social service organizations
- Any other services not specifically mentioned as included above
For more information and a detailed itinerary... please contact
KarmaQuest Ecotourism and Adventure Travel
Tel: (650) 560-0101/
Fax: 712-8164
699 Spindrift Way, Half Moon Bay,
California 94019 USA
KarmaQuest@earthlink.net
Website: www.KarmaQuests.com |
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Sikkim offers unparalleled hiking through magnificent fir and rhododendron forests to the base of Mt. Kangchendzonga, third highest mountain in the world (photo left). You'll be guided by expert guides and be fully outfitted with camping gear and three meals a day, leaving you to enjoy the views and to learn about and practice ecotourism.
You'll be greeted in Sikkim by KarmaQuest owner Karma Lama's family at the Cherry Resort, for a restful two nights amidst picturesque tea plantations (photo below). Begin a nine day trek at Yuksom, (5800'). Gradually gain elevation as you trek to the highest camp at 13,000', for an optional day hike to the Goechela (16,400') with close up views of Mt. Kangchendzonga. Return to Yuksom, and attend a Buddhist festival at one of Sikkim's premier monasteries, Pemayangtse, before heading to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim, and homeward.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Depart US: En route to Delhi.
Day 2 Arrive in Delhi: KarmaQuest in-country representative staff will transfer you to your hotel in Delhi.
Day 3 Fly to Bagdogra, drive to Temi: Overnight at Cherry Resort (elev: 5,800')
Day 4 Temi: Awaken to the sight of Mt. Kangchendzonga. After a restful morning, visit the tea gardens and factory, and enjoy a traditional dinner at Karma Lama's family home. Overnight at Cherry Resort
Day 5 Drive to Yuksom, seat of Sikkim's first king's coronation. Prepare for the trek with a briefing on the natural and cultural heritage of Kangchendzonga National Park. Camp (6000')
Day 6 Trek Yuksom to Sachen: Begin with a 1/2 day trek through forests alive with birds and medicinal plants. Camp at 7000'.
Day 7 Trek to Tsokha: After breakfast climb steeply to Tsokha, a small Tibetan settlement; 3-4 hrs walk. Camp at 10,760' with views of Mt. Pandim and distant Darjeeling.
Day 8 Trek to Dzongri: Ascend through a magical forest of towering rhododendron and fir trees: "one of the most beautiful forests in the entire Himalaya." Camp at 12,600'.
Day 9 Dzongri: Rest and acclimatization day, with an early morning hike to a view point. Enjoy a "day off." Camp at 12,600'.
Day 10 Trek to Thangsing: Descend into the upper Prek Chu valley crossing through alpine meadows. Camp in a wide glaciated valley framed by glacial moraine. Camp at 12,000'.
Day 11 Trek to Lamuni: After lunch continue up a long valley amidst aromatic rhododendron shrubs toward Mt. Kangchendzonga. Snowy peaks loom on the horizon. Camp at 13,000'.
Day 12 Day trek to Goechela (16,400'): Rise before sunrise to reach the pass for close-up views of Mt. Kangchendzonga before the clouds rise. Descend to Thangsing (12,000').
Day 13 Trek to Tsokha: Take an alternate return route through forests of towering firs to Tsokha. Camp (10,760').
Day 14 Trek Tsokha to Yuksom: Descend to Yuksom by mid-afternoon. Overnight at a hotel. (5,800')
Day 15 Drive to Pelling, visiting Kechopalri, a Wish Fulfilling Lake, known to Hindus and Buddhist for granting wishes in exchange for an offering. Overnight in Pelling.
Day 16 Pelling/Pemayangtse: Attend a morning Buddhist festival at Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the most important and oldest monasteries of Sikkim. Drive to Gangtok.
Day 17 Gangtok: Visit the Institute of Tibetology, a museum/study center of sacred historic texts and artifacts. You'll have free time to shop in Gangtok's main bazaar. Overnight in Gangtok.
Day 18 Rumtek Monastery/Gangtok: Built in the traditional Tibetan style, Rumtek monastery is a masterpiece of color and religious art of the Karmapa lineage. Farewell dinner in Gangtok.
Day 19 Drive to Bagdogra and catch an afternoon flight to Delhi. Transfer to international airport for your flight to U.S.
Please inquire for a more complete itinerary.
Extension Opportunities: Extend your stay in India with a two-three day guided tour of the Taj Mahal, the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, and Delhi or elsewhere within or outside India.
Trip Cost:
4-6 persons US $3,395/person
7-10 persons US $3,050/person
Single supplement US $500/person
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