After an early breakfast we start our trek through dense forests and mountain streams. For about 3 hours, the trail is highly undulating with a very gentle rise in altitude till one reaches the third bridge. Half an hour before the third bridge is Sachen, a place where grazers sometime stay. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Sachen. 

The trail is a continuous steep climb before one reaches Bakhim. The area around Bakhim is a good place for bird watching. A steep uphill climb of 2 hours till we reach Tsokha, where we spend the night. Dinner and overnight stay at camp in Tsokha.

The climb up to Phedang is over a gentle path over wooden logs, which are placed for the easy accessibility of the Dzos (pack animals). One can see the transition from the coniferous to the Rhodendron forests as one proceeds along this trail. This is one of the best trails for bird watching. With beautiful brilliantly colored Fire tailed Sunbird flitting around in almost all the Rhododendrons. The trail from Phedang to Dzongri starts off with a more or less flat walk for about an hour followed by half an hour of relatively steep climb and then finally half an hour climb down through an undulating and winding trail. The last half an hour is through sparse vegetation. A day of uphill walks through lush rhododendron & fir forests. Dzongri commands a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain peaks. Dinner & overnight stay at camp in Dzongri.

 

Early morning we climb up to Dzongri top (4350m) to enjoy the sunrise views Kanchenjunga and the surrounding array of peaks. The views of Kokthang, Rathong, Kabru South, Kabru North, Kabru Dome & Kanchenjunga are fabulous. We stay here to rest and acclimatize. Dinner & overnight stay at camp in Dzongri. 

Easy, downhill stretch, into the valley of Ongladang. The trek is initially a flat walk for about half an hour, and then a steep descent through the rhododendrons till one reaches the river. After crossing the river, it is about an hour’s gentle climb to reach Thangshing. Dinner and overnight stay at camp in Thangshing.

Today we trek to our last camp at Lamuney. The walks is a short one of 2-3 hrs, a gradual uphill hike through the Onglathang valley past yak herders and grazing yaks. Lunch at camp. Post lunch there is an option of doing a hike to Samiti Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at camp in Lamuney.

We start early today. We climb the hill behind the lake and then traverse the moraine. Descend to the sandy bed of an empty lake. The whole area above Samiti Lake is called the Zemathang Plateau. We cross this and then ascend to rest above a glaciated lake. The Goecha La Pass is another hour away. We traverse the lake and proceed across a slope, and then on a well-trodden path to Goecha La, which is festooned with brightly colored prayer flags. The views of the east flank of Kanchenjunga and the mountains and valleys in the distance are stunning. We then return to our campsite down to Thangshing.

We trek back to Tsokha. This will be a long day but the route is through dense forest where you get to see a variety of bird life. Dinner and overnight stay at camp in Tsokha.

Today is the last day of the trek as we walk back  to Yuksom. Afternoon free. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Yuksom.

Drive to Bagdogra/ NJP airport. Final Departure.