Gyalshing district · Theme
Flowers and forests in West Sikkim
Rhododendrons, orchids and silver fir
Photo: Atulbhats · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
In West Sikkim, flowers and forests works best in Dzongri and Goecha La, Kanchenjunga Falls, Khangchendzonga National Park and Khecheopalri Lake. We have 3 packages built around it. Sikkim's state tree is the rhododendron and its state flower the noble orchid. Barsey, Yumthang's Shingba sanctuary and the Goecha La trail turn red, pink and white from March to May. We plan around bloom, not calendars.
Rhododendrons flower from about 1,800 m in March up to the alpine zone in late May, so one trip can follow the bloom uphill. Orchids are best in the lower valleys and at the orchid sanctuaries around Gangtok.
Bloom moves with the weather each year. We watch reports from the sanctuaries and tell you honestly if a week looks early or late.
Places
Where to go
trek
Dzongri a…4,020M
Dzongri and Goecha La
Sikkim's classic trek from Yuksom to the face of Kangchenjunga
waterfall
Kanchenju…1,400M
Kanchenjunga Falls
A tall, two-pronged waterfall on the Pelling–Yuksom road
sanctuary
Khangchen…1,780M
Khangchendzonga National Park
India's first mixed World Heritage Site, entered on foot from Yuksom
lake
Khecheopa…1,700M
Khecheopalri Lake
The sacred lake where birds are said to clear the fallen leaves
village
Uttarey2,000M
Uttarey
A forest village on the Singalila Ridge by the Nepal border
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Trips to start from
Indicative prices per person, twin sharing. Each one can be changed.
Budget
Top4,200M
Dzongri short trek from Yuksom
Yuksom · Dzongri and Goecha La · Yuksom
Budget
Top4,570M
Goecha La trek, group departure
Yuksom · Dzongri and Goecha La · Yuksom
Budget
Top2,300M
Uttarey and Hee Bermiok village escape
Hee Bermiok · Uttarey
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Hours that fit the theme
Adventure
The Dzongri trek: six nights from NJP
The short version of Sikkim's classic trek: Yuksom to Sachen, Tshoka and Dzongri, a sunrise climb to Dzongri Top over Kabru, Kangchenjunga …
Adventure
Summit day to the Goecha La viewpoint
The long day at the heart of the Goecha La trek: a 3 am start from Lamuney, past Samiti Lake in the …
Nature
Spring trek through the rhododendron belt
Time the Dzongri or Goecha La trek for April and early May, when the forest between Bakhim and Phedang flowers in red, …
Monasteries and shrines
Samiti Lake and the sacred landscape
Pause at Samiti Lake on the way back from the Goecha La viewpoint, a glacial lake sacred to the Bhutia and Lepcha …
Nature
Climb the steps to the falls
Stop at the car park on the Pelling–Yuksom road and climb about 100 steps to the viewing area beneath Kanchenjunga Falls, where …
Culture
Pelling to Yuksom day tour via the falls
The classic full-day tour from Pelling: Rimbi waterfall, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Yuksom's Norbugang throne and Kathok Lake, by private car, …
Nature
Two big falls: Kanchenjunga and Phamrong
From a base in Yuksom, see the district's two best-known big waterfalls in one half day: Kanchenjunga Falls on the Pelling road …
Nature
Photographing the falls in full flow
Photograph Kanchenjunga Falls when it runs fullest, in late August to October, using a tripod and slow shutter for soft water, protecting …
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We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
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Where we would book
Budget
Uttarey village homestays
Family homestays in Uttarey, the cool village at about 2,000 m on the Singalila Ridge near the Nepal border, beyond the Singshore Bridge. Simple …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
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