Blogs from Kangchendzonga, Sikkim, India, Asia

Another retro blog - Dec 23, 2003 I am not even sure why we decided to visit Sikkim and base camp of the 3rd tallest mountain in the world. But, I am pretty sure we did not even know where Sikkim was before we started planning. Having climbed Kili 2 yrs earlier, obviously that memory had softened! After spending 2+ wks in Darjeeing and Gangktok, which is another blog, we arrived in Yuksom to begin our trek. Yuksom is a very small village, pleasant and very quiet. We meet a couple from the US, that have just completed the trek today. They had some great views, but said it was very cold at night, and they did get snowed on. They used their lighter sleeping bags with silk liners, down jackets and still froze. We brought ... read more

Planning The Trip A tradition in the family, each year we plan a trip to a new destination and all cousins from all over the globe join in. So in 2007, in the month of September we decided to head out to Sikkim and attempt to trek up to the Goecha La pass - a pass in the mountains of Sikkim. Goecha La pass is famed for rewarding trekkers with a splendid view of the southeast face of the Kanchendzong peak, the world's third highest mountain. After considerable research and survey, we identified a local team of guides who would help us in achieving our goal. ... read more

Himalayan range is abode of many of world’s high altitude lakes, many of these high altitude glacial lakes fall in India. World’s 14th highest lake and India’s highest lake is Cholamu lake.A mighty elevation of 18000 feet from the sea level takes Cholamu lake to the top of the “highest lakes” list . While coming down the slope around 300 feet from Donkiala pass ( 18300 feet ) , one gets the first glimpses of this rather moderately sized , almost frozen lake. Donkiala pass is the north most Sikkim route which leads to Tibet border, which is just 5 kms from Donkiala pass. This special geographical location of Cholamu lake makes it special and also makes it a very sensitive army area with Chinese army always putting pressure on international borders. Cholamu lake being just ... read more

November 2006, I made my first big solo trip. All my savings and years of scheming were directed at one thing; to see...no to walk in the Himalayas. I chose to do it the grand way by joining the Himalayas Institute of Mountaineering. A 28 day course with lodging, food and the best guides possible and 10 days of roughing it out in the real mountains for Rs. 5000 (500USD for foreigners) is a deal hard to find. It was this trip that set the course to where I am now. I wrote a long piece about it for friends and family shortly after completing the piece but never posted it. So here it is now. Dug up from old dusty forgotten files. Nice to look back at my rather juvenile scribbles. Dali's been giving me ... read more

Sikkim Village Tours With GLOBALHOP TRAVELS www.globalhoptravels.com . We raced on to West Sikkim for Runchenbong village. Entire journey was along fairyland Sikkim with ever present Mt. Kanchenjunga, Kobrus, Pandim and lesser peaks. We reached Soreng Bazzar at a height of 5576 ft. and then walked 20 minutes for the village. Sikkim State Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department have put thrust on Eco-tourism in this area. At Runchenbong Village, Dushan Rai and his wonderful family ran the home-stay. Mr. Rai explained that we could undertake many long and short treks, numerous village walks and village experience. All these were part of the trip. Charming hospitality overwhelmed us and ethnic food was sumptuous. Since we were hop skipping and jumping village to village we did not undertake treks to either Pemyangtse or Barshey but undertook a trek ... read more