High Altitude Trekking in Sikkim

Sikkim is a utopia for trekking and adventure lovers. Apart from being generously blessed with appealing and charming natural beauty, Sikkim has some of the most exciting, and adventurous high altitude trekking routes in the world. 

Trekking in the high altitude region of Sikkim is ideal if you are looking for an adventure trip filled with the serene beauty of nature, panoramic views of the majestic snow-capped mountain peaks, Verdant dense Forest, captivating Landscape and at the same time triggering your adrenaline rush. 

The high-altitude trekking region of Sikkim is some of the most pristine and less explored regions filled with stunning natural beauty, rich vegetation, balanced ecosystem, and Mountain range. Surely one of the most well-kept secrets of the Himalayas

High Altitude treks in Sikkim range from an altitude of 1700 meters to 4950 meters above sea level. The trekking trails pass through a dense sub-tropical forest of Pine, Bamboo, Fir, Oaks, and flowering plants like Rhododendron, Magnolia, and Silvers to Alpine Valleys where Junipers, Cypresses, Rhododendrons, shrubs, and many rare and endangered species are found.  

The breath-taking view of Mt. Kanchendzonga and 16 other mighty snow-capped mountain peaks from proximity is a sight to behold for any Trekkers during the high-altitude treks in Sikkim. The spectacular switch in landscape and vegetation each day because of extreme altitudinal variation is a treat of a lifetime. The presence of exotic and rare flowering plants, tree species, and birds along the trekking trails adds more enthusiasm to this already picturesque and adventurous route. 

The special feeling of finding inner self, peace, tranquillity, and realizing how small we are while surrounded by those gigantic snow-capped Mountains, Peaks, Hills and divine nature is incomparable. Only a holy chant of “Om Shanti, Om Shanti” is what your soul will fill you up with during those moments of sublimity. 

All high-altitude trekking trails in Sikkim except Green Lake Trek are in the west part of Sikkim and fall inside the Kanchendzonga National Park, World Biosphere reserve, and mixed world heritage sites. Being inside the National park area trekking trails and camping locations are kept in its natural self with the slightest of maintenance in tandem with a well-protected ecosystem and nature. 

Goechala Trek, Dzongri Trek, Kasturi Trek, Yambong Singalila Trek, Uttarey Singalila Trek, and Kanchendzonga Trek in the west part of Sikkim is proper well beaten high altitude trekking trails. Yuksam, Uttarey, and Nambu Village serve as base camps to these trekking routes. The motorable road stops in these Villages and the real trekking starts from here onwards. 

The Singilila trek route starting from both Uttarey and Nambu Village lies on the ridge defining the political boundary between India (Sikkim) and Nepal. One can see the different peaks of Mt. Khanchendzonga range, Chola range with Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu of Nepal. Some distant village of Nepal is also seen on the other side on a clear sunny day. In the Singalila trekking route, there are many high-altitude lakes on the way which is why this Trekking route is also famous for lakes Trek. The Kasturi Trek is another beautiful less explored trekking trail that lies exactly opposite the Singalaila range. 

Green Lake Trek in the north part of Sikkim is relatively less explored by trekkers and has its adventure to offer. It is a little harder than other trekking routes of Sikkim due to its difficult terrain and altitude gain which goes up to 5,250m. The scenic view of the Green Lake Trek is a lot similar to the Tibetan plateau. Mt. Khanchendzonga, Twins peak, Mt. Simvo, Chorten Nyima Range, and one of the world's most beautiful peaks Mt. Sinolchu is seen from Green Lake. The vegetation here is mostly alpine. It is categorized as an expedition trek hence the permission formalities for this trek are different than all other treks in Sikkim. 

High Altitude Trekking in Sikkim ranges from 5 days to 20 days and above.