Last Updated on August 11, 2022 by rabiamuzaffar
If you are as avid a trekker as I am, you will have heard about the Goechala Trek. The trek has been sitting in my bucket list for quite some time now. Earlier this year, Thrillophilia helped turn this desire into reality. Embarking on the Goechala trek requires a fair bit of preparation, which is why it was extremely important for me to choose the perfect package. After sifting through the internet for several weeks, some positive Thrillophilia reviews for this particular package encouraged me to move ahead with it. What especially appealed to me about it was the fact that the package was an inclusive one, which meant that I didn’t have to bother myself with any of the other trekking requirements, including the meals. I took this 10 day tour in February, along with a group of 8 people who were also a part of the tour. The tour commenced as soon as we arrived at the Bagdogra Airport.
The group met up at a designated spot, and was then transferred to our first destination- Yuksom- by car. The drive to Yuksom was a rather long one; although it took us 7 hours to get there, the road was riddled with some fantastic views and proved to be quite the stunning journey. We stayed the night at a hotel in Yuksom. The next day, our journey to Goechala started in earnest. The first stop was Sachen, where we were to set up camp for the night. Led by a tour guide, we walked along the stunning Rathong River. The steep road led us through vibrant forests of oak and rhododendron, where we stopped occasionally to take in the beauty of the surroundings. We carried a packed lunch with us to keep us energized throughout the journey. BY evening, we were at Sachen where we pitched our tents for the night.
The next day, we started our walk early. The hike for the day took us through fragrant viburnum plantations. Thereafter, we crossed a small river and began a short trek upward. About three hours of trekking took us to Tshoka, the little Buddhist village where we stayed on the second day. Since the evening were kept free, some of us in the group decided to venture out and explore the village on our own. There wasn’t much to see, but the little monasteries were worth a visit.
On the third day, the journey took us from Tshoka to Dzongri via Phedang. This part of the trek had well paved trails, and was easy to cover. The route took us through forest and grasslands, and we arrived at Dzongri way before nightfall.
The next day, we hiked to the Dzongri top; nestled at an elevation of over 4,000 feet, the mountaintop offers scenic vista views of the surrounding peaks. After the short detour, we made our way back to Dzongri and continued onward to the Thansing campsite. Our arrival at Thansing marked the first day in a proper high-altitude climate. With the weather dropping so drastically, the sixth day was kept free just to help our bodies get acclimatized to the new conditions. We spent the day walking around the area and around camp. The campsite itself was privy to excellent views of the surrounding, so I spent some time taking pictures of the place.
The next morning started at sunset. We started our trek to Goechala, crossing the frozen Samiti Lake as we went by. After a short trek, we arrived at the much awaited Goechala viewpoint. At a height of about 15,000 feet above the ground, Goechala is known for its view. In fact, the viewpoint commands a direct view of the majestic Kanchenjunga, which looms clear at a distance. After spending some time here, we made our way back to Kokchurang for the night.
The next day started our journey back down. Although the route we took was more or less the same as the one that took us uphill, our guide made sure to take a few shorter trails to make the descent easier for us. In two days, we were back at Sachen. Although I was initially apprehensive about the trek and its difficulty, the tour package made everything extremely easy for us. We received freshly prepared meals on all days of the tour, as well as packed lunches on the first and the last climb. Moreover, all the camps and hotels that we were kept at were clean, well furnished and comfortable. The trekking group was accompanied by a qualified leader at all times. A support staff went along with us as well, including hardworking porters who carried our luggage and cooks who prepared fresh food even in sub zero temperatures! The Goechala Trek met all my expectations, and I cannot wait for my next trip with Thrillophilia. To avail best this trek read the Thrillophilia positive Reviews
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