Goecha La Trek: My Adventure in India's Himalayas
Unveiling Sikkim's Hidden Gem
Goecha La? Seriously awesome! It's known as one of the most beautiful treks in Sikkim, and a top trek in India overall. Prime time to go is April-May when the rhododendrons are blooming like crazy, or September-October for clear blue skies, less rain, and before it gets too cold. The best part? You can see Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, up close and personal from this trek!
My Goecha La Experience
My group went during the end of April. A total of 9 days, with 7 days spent up in the mountains. We experienced all kinds of weather – sun, rain, snow, fog! It was a bit of a temperature shock going from 35 degrees in the city to sub-zero temps at camp. The entire trek was about 90km round trip. The highest point was the Goecha La viewpoint at roughly 4800m. Luckily, we all made it up there to witness an unbelievable sunrise over the Himalayas. Everyone was healthy and happy, even though we had to start before 2 am and trudge step by step on snow-covered ground.
Sikkim: A Region Unlike Any Other
A unique thing about Sikkim is that you have to go through checkpoints and they even stamp your passport! Permits for foreigners to enter the area and trek are among the highest in India. This area used to be its own kingdom and had significant Tibetan influence because the first king of the state migrated from nearby lands. Buddhist influences are very strong here, quite different from most of India which is predominantly Hindu.
Yuksom: Gateway to Adventure
To trek Goecha La, you have to go to Yuksom. This small town is the entry point to Kangchenjunga National Park. It's super charming, full of flowers, with cool temperatures, and friendly people.
The Crew
Our group had 12 people, plus some other international trekkers. Amazingly, we had 8 people supporting us, not to mention nearly two dozen mules carrying tents, food, and personal belongings for everyone for all those days. That's a massive amount! Compared to Nepal, or even Malaysia, the cost was surprisingly affordable. The most expensive part was probably the plane ticket, as you have to fly internationally to Kolkata and then domestically to Bagdogra.
India's Trekking Potential
India has so much potential for exploration. Since Nepal is so famous for trekking, many people just pass through India without realising that the 4-5 states bordering the Himalayas are a trekking paradise. I feel like they're already serving so many locals that they don't actively promote it internationally.
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