The Singalilla Ridge to Kanchenjunga
with Dave Mention

Dave Mention leads this expedition, which takes us off the beaten track to hike along the rarely-explored Singalilla ridge. To the east, this ridge line offers views of Everest and other Himalayan giants of Nepal, while to the north is the Kanchenjunga massif and its satellite peaks. We join the tradition trail to Kanchenjunga at Dzongri and continue to our high point at Goecha La.

Our fourteen-day Sikkim trek will include an optional hike to Goecha La (see photo on the right) a 17,300 foot pass directly across the impressive South face of Khangchendzonga (Sikkimese spelling). Of course, during the entire trek we have views of the third highest mountain in the world - the mighty Kanchenjunga. Five Treasures of the Snow, as the mountain is known locally, is a mere thirteen meters shorter than K2, the second tallest mountain in the world.  We also visit the cities of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

Day 2: En route to Delhi.

Day 3:  Arrive Delhi and connect on the group flight to Siliguri. Cloud-cover permitting, we will have grand views of the Himalayan giants Everest, Lohtse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.  Drive to Darjeeling. Welcome dinner.

Day 4: Today we will ease into the elevation change to ensure acclimatization as we explore this thriving town. Visit the Tenzing Norgay Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering.

Day 5: In the morning we will drive to the trail head at the small mountain village of Utterey.  Here we will meet our trekking staff and enjoy our first night in camp.

Day 6: Starting our trek we soon have panoramic view of Kanchenjunga as well as Mt. Everest joined by the Three Sisters. Today's destination is Chaubhanjang, which serves as a checkpoint between India and Nepal. 

Day 7:  A long day as we descend slightly from our camp to the low point of the ridge and then begin our climb through the rhododendron forest to the ridge top, which leads us to our camp at Dhor.

Day 8:  We wake up early to see the sunrise on the world’s 3rd highest mountain. Following this great start to our day, we proceed along the ridge to our camp on the slopes known as Pheremagu.

Day 9:  Continue hiking along the west side of the ridge, past a large waterfall to the Daphne Ve Pass.  We have lunch and continue on to the first of three lakes, where we make camp for the night.

Day 10:  A beautiful walk as we cross two high mountain passes, each offering spectacular views, and two lakes.  We camp by the river at Gomathang.

Day 11:  Leaving this beautiful valley for Boktok, we continue switching back and forth across the hillside, past a yak herder’s settlement, to our lunch site by a small river.  An afternoon climb over a small pass brings us to our camp by the river, below the pass.

Day 12:  A steep climb up the ridge behind the camp leads to more amazing views of Kanchenjunga, Kabru and Pandim. After our descent, we camp in Pangding on the valley floor in a dramatic setting beneath the southwest face of the Kabru Massif.

Day 13:  Three hours of uphill climbing brings us to the the trekkers’ hut at Dzongri and our camp site out in the open fields. Bring out the down! Though spectacular views can be had from here, it is also one of the colder camps on this trek.

Day 14:  We have the day to rest and explore Dzongri.  The peaks of Pandim, Narsingh and Joponu now appear to be distinctly closer. 

Day 15: Today’s walk starts across the scenic ridge before descending down to the glacial Prek Chu.  Crossing the river on a new bridge we gradually climb to our camp at Thangsing.

Day 16: An easy walk as we gradually gain altitude to our high camp at 16,000 feet on the shores of the lovely and sacred Samity Lake.

Day 17: Today we hike to reach the high point of this trek.  A predawn start is rewarded as we reach the pass just as the sun is lighting up Khangchendzonga and its satellite peaks. We continue hiking in excess of 17,000 ft. to reach Goecha La and the spectacular panorama that unfolds at the pass.

Day 18:  Descending to a warmer climate, we camp at Tso Kha, a small Tibetan hamlet.

Day 19:  Passing myriad of streams and waterfalls, we continue our descent through forests where orchids bloom in abundance, and finally reach Yuksom, the end of our trail. Well-deserved hot showers and beds for everyone.

Day 20:  Today we will drive to Kalimpong for sight seeing and shopping in a market town strategically located at a crossroads between Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and the plains of Bengal. 

Day 21:  After breakfast we will drive to the airport in Bagdogra and fly to Delhi. After a sumptuous farewell dinner we are transferred to the airport in time for our flight back to the USA.

Day 22: Arrive USA

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.

"I will never forget the sunrise at Dzongri, 13,000 ft, all of a sudden the cold air didn't matter. The views on this trek are nothing short of spectacular."
- Pam Bloom, NH

View from Goecha La
Photo: Brad Reinke

Camp below Mt Pandim

Horses or yaks carry all the camping gear

Yak

Enjoying the view