Goecha la Trek Reviews

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2012 - Dhayalan

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 700
Goechala Trek Review By Chandra Dhayalan
(Goecha La - 28th April'2012 Batch)

 

Hampta trek review

I have never done a trek before, so Goechala was my first trekking expedition. The team was a good combination of some novice and experienced trekkers. Myself being novice got several tips from team members regarding what to do and what not to do. The support staff were awesome, they even made a birthday cake at Tshoka for one of our teammates. 

The rhodedendrons between Tshoka and Dzongiri had just started blooming, it was a little disappointing to see them in very little numbers. But I think the next batch will have more to see. Other than Sachen all the campsites were great, but still I think Sachen is required. It will not be possible for most of the team to trek till Tshoka in one day. For most of the part, the trek was beautifully paced with enough time to acclimatize.

On reaching DZongiri, it started snowing and the next three days till we visited Goechala and started our descend back it was all white snow cover around. Even though the snow made it little difficult, I'm sure myself and the team enjoyed this very much. I heard this kind of snow was not expected during this time on this trek. So it was special, especially the view of snow surrounded Samiti lake was picture perfect and a treat to watch.

We had some very long walks back to Yuksom in the last couple of days, particularly the penultimate day from Kokchurang to Tshoka was tough due to the slippery path caused by the melting snow and rain. Still it was a good challenge I took with great spirit and enjoyed it. All the way on the trek I never hesitated to have a pause and capture the fantastic views in my camera. 

After the completion of every days trek the tiredness will be blown away by just looking around the majestic views of the mountains and the nature. It is a great feeling to have successfully completed my first trek. Now going forward I'm telling myself 'I must do at least one trek a year'. Well done team Indiahikes.

 

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2012 -Krishanu

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 448
 Goechala Trek Reveiw by Krisanu Majumdhar
(Goecha La - 10th May'2012 Batch)

 

 

 It is 4:45 A.M. All of us are standing in the viewpoint one, spellbound by the gorgeous Kanchenjunga, panting and waiting for the sunrise. Even now, while writing this trek report, a strange thought keeps coming to my mind. I should not have come back from there. Such was the beauty of the place.

In middle of May, you will find red, pink yellow and white Rhododendrons blossoming. And if you like bird-watching, the whole journey will be a paradise for you. The Dzongri top is not to be missed as the unhindered 360 degree view is breathtaking during sunrise as the golden from the sky slowly melts into the white peaks of Kanchenjunga range.

 

And once you reach Thangsing the whole landscape changes and suddenly you will find yourself in the middle of the mountains. You will get to see many blue Sheeps, and a few untamed wild Yaks in Lamuney. It is not suggested to very close to these Yaks. You can meet the saint in a cave near Samiti lake, can offer your prayer and take his blessings too.

 

Wake-up by 2 A.M the next morning. Reach viewpoint one, crossing Samiti lake and enjoy the sunrise. Then crossing the Zemathang valley, reach viewpoint two, for a closer view of Kanchenjunga and Goecha peak. You can also have a glimpse of the green Goecha Lake, half-frozen. I can assure you, this day will remain with you for eternity, go experience it first-hand, as my words can never do justice to the mighty mountain landscape that you will walk upon and look into.

 

Our experience with Indiahikes was superb, as the guide and all the trek-leads were very friendly. The whole co-ordination effort, since registering, was just perfect. The food offered on the trek was very healthy and tasty, and fitness activities we have undergone were indeed helpful. But the most charming were the cooks and the porters, and I am still not very much sure if they gave away both the cricket matches played at Thangsing to us to make us feel happier. No no, I think, we played better!

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2012 -Meghali

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 525
Goechala Trek Review By Meghali
(Goecha La - 10th May'2012 Batch)

 

 

 

The GoechaLa is a moderately difficult trek in Sikkim, being a good choice for trekkers in the east. Two things that should be kept in mind before planning this trek are, firstly, choosing the right time for it (late April to May) so as to be able to see the Rhododendrons in full bloom and avoid extreme temperatures and secondly, to have a high level of physical stamina in order to survive the 5 and a half days of tough climbing. The uphill climb goes from being moderate to tough with a set of steep climbs lined up from day 2 onwards. The two days of early morning climbing to Dzongri Top and GoechaLa viewpoints require a good climbing pace in order to avoid missing the sunrise. The downhill walks are definitely easier but longer.
 

The trek begins to open up only from the second day with Tshoka offering a beautiful campsite and the first view of the snow-capped Pandim. Colorful rhododendrons and wild strawberries can be spotted on the trail here onwards. The two sunrise points are obviously the climax of the trek and it is advisable to start off well in advance on both days to catch the first glimpse of sun rays on the Kanchendzonga. The Thanseng and Lamuney campsites are the two most beautiful campsites but the wind and chill make survival tough here. Don't miss playing cricket at Thanseng, the locals arrange the bat and ball for you.
 

Save enough battery and camera memory for Samiti Lake. Great shots come effortlessly here.
 

The Indiahikes team conducts the trek very efficiently and provides clean and healthy food. However, there was no provision for sufficient packed lunch which is desirable in future.

 

Chhang and momos are not to be missed in Yuksom along with some local sightseeing to Norbugang Chorten and Kathok Lake.
 

It’s good to stick to guide while walking as these locals know the place inside out and have a hundred anecdotes to tell.
 

Mosquito repellent cream and Zeoline are highly recommended as insect bites and hill diarrhoea are frequent on the trek.
 

Every trek has its own moments of beauty that are unmatchable. Goechala is abounding in such moments with its majestic views of snow capped peaks and the Samiti Lake. However, it must be noted that the trek starts getting beautiful only as the altitude raises above 9000 feet unlike some treks in the Garhwal which offer majestic views from the very beginning.
 

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2012 -Koteshwar Rao

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 213
Goechala Trek Review By Koteshwar Rao
(Goecha La - 10th May'2012 Batch)

 

"There are many treks in Himalayas but the reason that made me pick Goecha La in particular is Mt. Kangchenjunga. What's better than witnessing the World's third highest peak from a distance of around 10km? I could not ask anything better. The trek started from Yuksom heading up to Goecha La Viewpoint 2 after which we returned back to Yuksom. Does that mean we took the same route for to and fro? Yes to some extent and No for almost. Though we have camped for 7 nights, Tshoka is the only place where we camped twice. So I don't regret on this trail. Kockchurang is the heaven of Goecha La trail with beautiful goldish water streams around you.

I was thinking Day 1 (Yuksom to Sachen) and Day 2 (Sachen to Tshoka) could have been merged to just one but realized how crazy that would be after we did Tshoka to Yuksom. I personally feel Days 1 and 2 are perfect. The gain in altitude is highest between Tshoka and Dzongri, so carrying a lot of water and food is advisable. The toughest part of the trek was from Lamuney where we started at 2am, reached Viewpoint 1 at 4:30am, Viewpoint 2 at 9am, back to Lamuney at 2pm, Thansing at 4pm and Kockchurang at 5:30pm. This part of the trail took 15 and half hours for the day (1 hour delay due to hailstorm) and you are at the highest altitude of the trail. Hence carry a lot of water (supplement for oxygen) and some food to survive for around 15 hours. The views that we got made us forget the time.

The support team including porters and cooks was the best I could ever get. All you have to do is just enjoy the trek, everything else is taken care."


 

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2011 -Vipul Jani

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 224
Goechala Trek Review By Vipul Jani
(Goecha La - May'2011 Batch)

 

"Over all, It was an amazing experience for me. The trek has been fanastic. Our team was wonderful and co-operative. The highlights were obviously Dzongri Top and first view point on way to Goecha La. We could not go beyond first view point but there are no regrets as we were very much dependent on weather. The trail between Tsokha and Phedang, specifically the wooden section in between rhodedendrons on both sides was awesome.

 

 
As far as camp sites are concerned, Sachen and Kokchurang were least satisfying and could be avoided if possible. I felt, may be we could have gone up to Bakhim on first day if we could leave earlier. I wish they renovate Kokchrang trekker's hut and clean up surrounding area as it is critical junction for Phedang, Thansing and Dzongri.

 

 
From Indiahikes perspective, it has been successful trek. We got great food along the way at almost all places. The guides / porters were very friendly and helpful. It is moderate to difficult grade trek, thus having an extra day at Dzongri would have been great to conserve energy and aclimatize better before we head for Thansing/Lamune.

 

 
This is a lovely trek and I would definitely recommend to my colleagues and friends to go on this trek at least once"

 

 

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2011 -Bhupender

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 227
Goechala Trek Review By Bhupendra Singh Rajput
(Goecha La - May'2011 Batch)

 

" This was my first trek of long spell and that too in the Himalaya's. So I was in the mixed state of mind throughout the trek. Although the trek route was visited by many trekkers and we found many more enroute (to & fro), every moment was new challenge for me and that's how  I enjoyed the trek.
 
 
For the first two days, I was moving ahead with my normal pace and found myself alone, well ahead of the group. Second day, Kailash, our cook, advised me to be with the group only and from that moment, I brought down my pace and decided to be part of support team extending moral support to the team members who are in need during the trek. I was happy doing this role as well.
 
 
I found myself to be well supported by the team mates who are well versed and experience with such treks and really gave me confidence that I can do this..
 
 
Overall I am happy with trek and whatever we could achieve during the trek is the foundation for the next event."

 

 

 

Goecha la trek reviews Summer 2011 -Vijay

  • Print
Details
Parent Category: Trek Reviews
Created on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 12:34
Written by sandhya uc
Hits: 256
Goechala Trek Review By Vijay Zala
(Goecha La - May'2011 Batch)

 

"The locations and campsites selected were beautiful also the trek routes were awesome. Our teammates were fantastic - I have never been in trekking with such a nice team. All basic arrangements were nicely planned and managed - particularly food, trek timings, emergency plans, safety cautions..

 

Organizing team have done wonderful job starting from introduction mail to end of expedition.Only few things I would like to notify which may add more value:


- camp site of first camp at Sachen was not good - we can think of exploring better camp site in nearby vicinity. Also treks for first two days were too short (only 2- 3 hours walk). I think we can reduce one day here and add one more day at Goecha La Pass.

-I come to know from many local guys that it would be a better time to be at Goecha La during September compared to May.

I personally believe that organization of such event is not easy task and can be improved step by step but above all it was nicely done!!"