Trek to Dzongri (Yuksom, Sikkim)

Greenish Sikkim

Recently I undertook my second visit to Himalayas an 8 days trek to Yuksom, Sikkim. Started off  from Chennai by Chennai-Calcutta Flight (Indigo @ 8.15 A.M, cost Rs. 4000) on 25th April morning to reach Calcutta at 10.30 A.M and after a brief tour of Calcutta city took train from Calcutta Sealdah station to New Jalpaiguri on the same night (Padatik Express - Train No. 12377, cost Rs. 270). 


Reached New Jalpaiguri  at 9.30 A.M on 26th morning and after freshening myself at a local restaurant, drove in a taxis to Yuksom. (Approx. 125 km, took approx. 7-8 hours, and paid Rs. 3500 per vehicle). Our first night stay was at The Red Palace Residency, Yuksom (http://www.hotelredpalace.com/yuksom.htm), an awesome place, which I never imagined is possible in a remote hill station. Red Palace also arranged a camp fire, around which we had our dinner. I would definitely recommend this place for your stay in Yuksom. It is bit expensive, but worth it.

View of snow caped mountains near Tshoka

On 27th, we started to trek to Bakhim/ Tshoka. We covered an distance of 15 Kilometers and scaled1000m (Altitude) in 11 hour. Our overnight stay was in tents (Cost Rs. 50 per person. A cabins would costs Rs. 100). Tshoka is 3005m above the sea level. In my opinion, undertaking 15 Kilometer trek, is like streching bit too far, but i am on someones schedule so didn't have much choice. The recommended approach in situation like this is to walk at your own pace, never try to keep up with others, take short breaks, refill your energy level by having nuts and dry fruits in small quantities and drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Don't ask me where I got the nuts and fruits from. Remember you carry a big rucksack, which should contain all you needs for the entire trek.   

Snow covered tent were we stayed in Dzongri

On 28th, we trekked to Dzongri. It was a 9 Kilometer trek, but again have to scale another 1000m in 7 hours. During the trek, rain gears came in handy as we experienced rain, hail and snow. Few of my fellow trekker got wet, and I could see the alarming rate at which wind was able to strip the body of its core heat.  Our guide mentioned that a relative low wind speed of 10 to 20 miles per hour can have a dramatic and potentially fatal effect on a wet trekker. The best prevention is to not get wet in the first place by taking wind proof and water repellent outer clothing when undertaking trek. If at all if some one gets wet as in our case, the action plan is place the victim inside a tent so that they are protected from the wind and cold and then  replace the victim's wet clothing with dry clothing and place them in a sleeping bag. Provide warm fluids (soups) immediately.  Fortunately, situation didn't turn for worse and things came under control within an hour. After having our dinner, headed down to our cabin for the overnight stay at Dzongri, which is 4030m above the sea level.



Snow, Hail and Rain experience



On 29th, I experienced a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit (Nausea). Fortunately the schedule was light and the only activity was to trek to a view point in Dzongri. The beauty of this 1 hour trek was it was though the snow covered trail path.   

Snow covered Trail Path 

On 30th, Got up at 3 A.M and trekked for one and half hour to view the sun rise (Mt. Kabru). Wow. What we experienced is an awesome Himalayas in a different form. After spending about 30 minutes and after having our customary group photos, trekked back to our camp, had our breakfast before trekking back to Tshoka for the overnight stay.

Black Kabru (in the center) North Kabru ( right) and Sough Kabru (left)

Trek team enjoying the Kabru view

View of  Kabru in bright sun



Trekker Group



On 1st May, after a day long down trek reached Yuksom in the evening. What makes this particular day interesting was the fact we need to cross 3 mountains. Which means 3 times, you climb up and then go all the way down to cross a river, then you again climb up another mountain. My personal experience is that it is easy to climb up than going down. Having good trekking shoes on days like this really helps.




Yaks assisting trekker

 

On 2nd May, while the entire trek group (about 40) planned to visit Norbughang - The Stone Throne and Dubdi Monastry, I hired a taxi and drove back to Bagdogra (nearest airport to New Jalpaiguri) to catch my return flight to Chennai (SpiceJet @ 3.25 PM). Reached Chennai at 7.15 P.M and was back in bed at 10 P.M

  

Quick Facts:

Trek:	Dzongri (Yuksom, Sikkim)
Route:	The route to the Dzongri is greenery with snowcapped mountains and gushing streams. Very popular trek route in Sikkim
Duration:	8 days (New Jalpaiguri to New Jalpaiguri)
Expected Cost:	Rupees 10,000 per person (including Houses/Tent and food, taxi from Jalpaiguri to Yuksom)
Best Period:	September-October
Travel Document:	For Indians, any valid ID regonized by government of India such as driver license, PAN, and for foreign nations, in additional to Indian visa, must obtain inner line permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. The permit can be obtained from all Indian Embassies & consulates. Do consult with your travel agent before undertaking visit to Sikkim.



Snow covered mountain in Dzongri