Adventure · Khecheopalri Lake
Old village trail from Khecheopalri to Yuksom
With a local guide, walk the old footpath that links Khecheopalri village and Yuksom through forest, fields and small settlements, the way people travelled before the roads.
Photo: walter callens · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Long before the Pelling–Yuksom road, villagers walked between Khecheopalri, Yuksom and Pelling on footpaths through forest and terraced fields. Parts of these trails are still used by locals and are walked by trekkers as a warm-up before the Goecha La trek.
The route drops and climbs through mixed forest and farmland, crossing streams and passing village houses, chortens and mani walls. It takes about 5–6 hours depending on pace and stops. Paths are not waymarked and branch often, so go with a guide from Khecheopalri or Yuksom.
Finish in Yuksom with time to see Kathok Lake and Norbugang before dark. Arrange for your car or luggage to meet you there. Avoid the monsoon, when trails are slippery and leeches abundant.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
How long is the walk from Khecheopalri to Yuksom?
About 5–6 hours on foot for most walkers, depending on the route and stops. There are big drops and climbs. Start early, carry water and snacks, and arrange for a car or your luggage to meet you in Yuksom.
Do I need a guide for the Khecheopalri–Yuksom trail?
Yes, we strongly advise one. The paths are unmarked, branch often and pass through private farmland. A local guide costs indicatively ₹1,500–2,500 for the day and knows the safest route in current conditions, as well as the villages on the way.
When is the best time for the Khecheopalri–Yuksom walk?
October to November and March to April, when trails are dry and the weather mild. December to February is cold but possible. Avoid June to September: rain makes the paths slippery, streams rise and leeches are common.
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