SIKKIM – TREKKING AND HIKING

First, the bad news regarding trekking in Sikkim: there are several restrictions and regulations. You cannot simply shoulder your rucksack and set off. The following rules apply:

An agency must always be involved to provide you with at least one guide.
The minimum size for a trekking group is 2 people.
A permit must be applied for. Fortunately, this is not very complicated (except for the Green Lake Trek).

However, the good news follows immediately: trekking in Sikkim is absolutely worth it! The landscape is beautiful, varied, and impressive; the routes are not overcrowded; the relationship with the support team is straightforward and friendly; and you will return with a rucksack full of wonderful memories.

How does such a tour work and who is involved?

There is a support team consisting of a guide, a cook, and those responsible for the luggage. Depending on the area, horses, dzos (a hybrid of yak and cow), porters, or a combination of these are used to carry the luggage. You discuss the daily schedule with the guide and hike together with them. This means you have an itinerary provided by us, but it can be flexibly adapted to the respective weather, terrain conditions, and your physical condition. The walkers are the measure of all things, not the itinerary.

The rest of the team sets off independently of the hiking party—either earlier or later—and prepares everything for the meals and the night’s camp. It is agreed beforehand whether you prefer a warm lunch (it is warm and tastes better, but ties you to the kitchen team in terms of time and location) or a packed lunch (it is cold, but gives you flexibility with time and location). We bring a lightweight table and small chairs, as the ground is often too uncomfortable to sit on.

You will therefore always carry a daypack with you, while your main luggage is inaccessible during the day. Sleeping takes place in (rainproof) tents. The only exception is the Singalila-Darjeeling Trek, where comfortable lodges are also available—giving you a choice. Sometimes you have to get up very early to watch the sunrise from a particularly scenic spot—an unforgettable experience.

Some treks reach considerable altitudes (for instance, the Goecha La is 4,900 m high). The tours are usually structured so that you gain altitude gradually. If you feel unwell (headache, nausea), please inform the guide immediately so that the itinerary can be adjusted.

Catering

During the trek, varied vegetarian meals are served, using fresh food for as long as possible and minimal canned goods. The cooking tends to be more international. If you urgently require meat, please bring cured sausages or similar items from home. If you have specific food intolerances, dietary requirements, or strong preferences/dislikes, please be sure to inform us in advance so that we can shop accordingly. Sufficient supplies are carried so that even particularly hungry trekkers are always satisfied and provisions are available for an extra day if needed. Water is boiled daily in the morning and evening and filled into the bottles you bring (or you can bring your own system, such as a water filter, SteriPen, or similar).

Trekking Season

In winter, it is very cold and snowy, while the summer monsoon brings heavy rain—making the periods in between the ideal trekking seasons. Mid-March to early June and mid-September to late November are the best months, though you should still expect snow and/or rain at times. It can also be cold to very cold in higher regions, especially at the beginning and end of the season. Spring offers the advantage of blooming flora (particularly rhododendrons) and fewer trekkers, but carries the disadvantage of reduced visibility (though visibility above the treeline is almost always good) and potentially impassable routes due to snow. In autumn, the air is clearer, but there are noticeably more people on the trails.

What to Bring

Duffle bag or kitbag, preferably waterproof (a rucksack works as well)
Trekking poles, if required
Sleeping bag rated down to -10°C and/or a (fleece) liner
Well broken-in, ankle-high trekking boots, preferably well-waxed or Gore-Tex
Warm jacket (e.g. down), warm trousers, thick jumper
Warm thermal underwear
Umbrella and/or waterproof jacket and trousers
Sun cream, lip balm with SPF, sun hat, sunglasses
Woollen hat, scarf, gloves
Outdoor shoes, trainers, or trekking sandals as a spare pair
Hiking socks
Daypack for camera, water bottle, jumper, etc.
Two 1-litre water bottles
(Aluminium-backed) seat pad for a dry, warm, and clean seat
Personal first-aid kit
Headtorch
Towel
Camera with sufficient spare batteries (no charging facilities available) / power bank
Hot water bottle for the sleeping bag, if desired

Tip

Anyone who has never or rarely trekked before and consequently lacks equipment or clothing items can easily purchase supplies in specialist shops in Gangtok or Darjeeling. Although the quality of goods there is not top-tier, they are sturdy enough to easily survive at least one trek or last up to 5 years, while being very reasonably priced.

Treks

In addition to those listed here, further options are available which we would be delighted to discuss with you!

Trek	From/To	Duration	Difficulty
Dzongri Trek	Yuksom/Yuksom	4–6 days	2
Goecha La Trek	Yuksom/Yuksom	8 days	2
Singalila (Sikkim area)	Yuksom/Uttarey	14–15 days	3
Singalila (Darjeeling area)	Maneybhanjang/Rimbik	4–8 days	2
Green Lake	Lachen/Lachen	12 days	3
Lhaba Trek	Lachen/Lachung	4–8 days	2
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek	Yuksom/Yuksom	9–12 days	2
Tosar Trek	Tolung/Mangan	4–5 days	2

Most treks offer flexibility in stage distribution and, in some cases, route variations, which accounts for the varying durations.

Day Hikes

Shorter options exist in the form of walks, such as to the ruins of the former capital Rabdentse, as well as multi-hour mountain hikes, including:

Maenam Hill (near Ravangla)
Yuksom -> Khecheopalri Lake
Dubdi Monastery
Ravangla -> Dalling -> Kewzing
Tinjure (near Gangtok)
Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
Rinchenpong