The great vistas of enormous mountains that you see are the main reason to complete the Goechala trek. Not only do you view the Kanchenjunga, but also 14 other major peaks. That’s a lot for any journey, let alone one as close to the eyeballs as the Goechala trek. It’s no surprise that hikers regard Goechala as the closest to Nepal’s great mountain treks.
Mountains are the answer to all of life’s troubles, and it creeps into your deepest worries, concerns, and disappointments with modern life. It is a thrilling duty to go across the valleys and ridges of boundless splendor while breathing in unpolluted pure air. As a result, hiking is rife with life-changing events. It not only provides bodily refreshment, but it also expands your mental space as you get closer to the marvels of the galaxy and obtain a genuinely new viewpoint.
Goechala Trek is one of India’s most unusual hiking places, full of miraculous encounters. Trace your path through lush meadows, gleaming crystal clear streams, and a plethora of colorful flora and wildlife. The Goechala trek is all about nature’s untainted splendor. Along with the breathtaking views of the majestic mountains, you will be reminded of your sense of self.
The journey up to Goechala Pass is all about freshness and wildness, from the green woods of Yuksom to the effete vistas of Tshoka. You will bear witness to Kanchenjunga’s south face at Goechala Pass (4940 meters) (8586 meters). You will see yourself as a small creature among the magnificent mountain peaks, reminding you that you are nature’s most spoiled kid. You will begin your journey after meeting our employees. Trek through semi-tropical vegetation, beautiful rivers and streams, and lovely waterfalls close below Prek Chu. Ascend the Dzongri’s difficult terrains from Tshoka. Continue through the shade of Mount Pandim until you reach Goechala.
Before we get into the specifics of the Goechala walk, let’s take a look at why it’s so popular with trekkers all over the world:
- While the trail to Goechala is centuries old, it wasn’t always so famous. The transformation occurred during the Nepalese Civil War, which lasted from 1996 to 2006.
- During this time, Nepal was closed to trekkers due to political unrest. Trekking to the world’s highest mountains was suddenly out of the question. It was a big setback for the hikers, who scrambled to find alternatives.
- Goechala appeared as the nearest solace at the moment. The path promises a spectacular close-up of the world’s third tallest peak, as well as amazing vistas of the Singalila range from the Dzongri summit.
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Sunrise over the Kanchenjunga Mountains
The dawn above the Kanchenjunga range is one of the most spectacular parts of the Goechala trek. Even though hikers are not permitted to go all the way to the actual Goecha Pass, the views from View Point 1 and Dzongri are priceless!
Rhododendrons blooming in April and May
Rhododendron trees surround the path to Goechala. And in the spring and summer months of April and May, they bloom with pink and scarlet blossoms! It’s a wonderful experience to wander through these rainforests’ wooden-log pathways!
The Lake of Samiti
Another major draw on the Goechala trek is the Samiti Lake. The view of the quiet waters and Mt Pandim’s reflection in the lake, especially in the early hours, is breathtaking.
Goechala Trek Highlights
At such a great altitude, the lush jungle on the Goechala trek is amazing. And that isn’t all. Add to that the dramatic scenery changes, such as witnessing Mt Pandim sit next to the Prekchu river and waking up in the middle of the night to climb to View Point to watch the first rays of the sun fall over. Kanchenjunga! These are the elements that make Goechala a memorable hike.
At 12,000 feet, the forest is dense?
At such a high height, there are extremely few treks with treelines. Compared to hikes in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh, the tree line is roughly 10,000 feet. However, not on this walkthrough of Kanchenjunga National Park. And I thought that was fantastic. This is also one of the best Himalayan hikes for birding.
Especially the dense canopy of Rhododendron trees bloom in the misty spring and become dark and cold in the autumn.
There are three suspension bridges.
These suspension bridges will take you across three steep gorges – Pha Khola, Tshushay Khola, and Mentogang Khola – through which the Prekchu river runs. The quick ascension of the bridges surprised me. And seeing down into the deep valley from these suspension bridges is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A monastery at Tsokha
On the second day, something occurs. You’re almost at 9,500 feet now, and there’s a monastery nearby! Do you believe it?
The monastery is not located in Tsokha, and you must follow the route that leads out of the campground and cross a wooden bridge over a pond. It’s such a tranquil location, and I’ve always thought of mountains as a place to contemplate.
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Dramatic scene changes
The first route connects Tsokha with Dzongri. The walk begins by meandering among rhododendron and pine woods. However, when reaching Phedang, the lush forest cover abruptly gives a desolate landscape. The transformation is remarkable.
Another notable shift in the landscape is the transition from Kokchurang to Thansing. The Prekchu river, which you observed flowing deep in the gorges, rips through the bush abruptly. Yes, you’ve joined the river.
And it adds a mysterious atmosphere to the environment. With a wooden bridge over the river, the sudden change of scenery was unexpected.
The first dawn on Kanchendzonga was seen from Dzongri Top.
This is your acclimatization day, and you will spend it in Dzongri. Wake up at 4.30 a.m. and travel to Dzongri summit at 13,778 feet. It’s a difficult ascent. But it’s well worth it.
I’ll never forget the first time I watched the early rays illuminate Mt. Kanchenjunga. The mountain’s color changes as the morning unfold, and the Dzongri summit also provides a panoramic vista. It was a completely different sensation, and it was an astounding sight that I will never forget.
It is a fantastic endurance test.
I’ve always liked trips that put my stamina to the test. And Goechala does it brilliantly. This journey covers 65.7 kilometers in 10 days. And that, too, with a significant increase. Although the routes are well-maintained here, the altitude climb and lengthy days put your stamina to the test.
The dawn over Kanchendzonga, as seen from ViewPoint 1
Finally, my favorite journey memory begins with getting up at 1 a.m. for ViewPoint 1. I was initially irritated by the very early start time. However, as we arrived at ViewPoint 1, everything changed.
Seeing the first rays of sunlight fall atop Kanchenjunga is a magical experience. It casts a magnificent light on the world’s third tallest peak, as well as others. I was completely enthralled. My eyes welled up with tears as I stood there, taking in the breathtaking scenery.
On the way back, I noticed the beautiful Samiti lake. With its deep turquoise waters, the lake was the ideal way to end the peak day.
Is the Goechala Trek dangerous?
Goechala is a high-altitude climb that takes you above 15,000 feet in elevation. The hike climbs quickly, and your safety is heavily on your preparation.
When it comes to the path, Goechala is secure. The entire path is well-designed and broad. For navigation, no particular skills or assistance are necessary.
The journey, however, is lengthy and arduous, and it also accelerates. Having experience hiking in the Himalayas helps to acclimate you to the difficulty. Knowing about Acute Mountain Sickness can help you deal with any altitude concerns you may have on your climb.
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What is the difficulty level of the Goechala trek?
The Goechala trek offers long trekking days and steep ascents. As a result, it is classified as a tough trek since it demands a lot of stamina and puts you in danger of AMS. There are no simple exits after Dzongri either.
To get into the specifics, this 11-day walk ascends from 5,643 ft to 15,100 ft. That’s about a 10,000-foot elevation rise. This ascent is one of the most difficult parts of the journey. If you are not careful, it puts you in danger of altitude sickness. Keep an eye on how your body reacts to the altitude while on this walk.
The Goechala Trek is full of surprises for hikers. The ultimate trekking point of Goechala will provide you with an unforgettable view of the snow-covered mountains and glaciated lake below.
