Khangchendzonga National Park – Trekking & Connectivity

Khangchendzonga National Park – Trekking & Connectivity

Most of the trekking routes start from Yuksom in West Sikkim. Necessary Permit can be obtained from the Wildlife Education and Interpretation center at Yuksom or from the check post. State Tourism Department along with other travel agents organize treks to Dzongri (4,050 metres (13,290 ft)) and other places. The popular trek routes are:

·      Yuksom - Tshoka - Dzongri

·      Bakim - Dzongri - Thangshing - Samuteng - Goechala

·      Dzongri Base Camp - Rathong – Khangerteng

·      Thangshing - Lam Pokhari - Kasturi Orar - Labdang - Tashiding

Another popular trekking point includes a path to the Green Lake with Lachen, a village in North Sikkim as the starting point. Foreign nationals require a restricted area permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Delhi to visit the park and the associated region. Indian nationals are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit from the State Home Department. Permission of the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also mandatory for everybody visiting the park. The important and popular routes are:

·      Lucanes Jakchen-Yabuk-Rest Camp (Marco Polo Camp) - Green Lake

·     Lachen-Thasngu (13,695 feet (4,174 m)) - Muguthang (16,000 feet (4,900 m)) - Thay La (17,000 feet (5,200 m)) - Khyoksa La (18,000 feet (5,500 m)) - Rest Camp - Green Lake.

Most of these trekking routes pass through the Kanchenjunga National Park and is shown in the film Singalila in the Himalaya. The best season to trek in KNP is from March to May/early June and again from September/November to early December. In winter, when the high altitude birds descend to the lower levels, the forested trails around Yuksom are convenient for bird watching.

Yuksom is located at about 41 Kms from Pelling, 119 Kms from Gangtok, 122 Kms from Pakyong Airport, 152 Kms from Bagdogra Airport, 140 Kms from Siliguri Junction Railway Station, 146 Kms from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and 191 Kms from Lachen.