Charity trek and rhino tracking in India
| country: | India |
| location: | Indian Himalayas, Sikkim |
| departures: | 2008: 13 Nov |
| price: | £300 registration fee + £3500 sponsorship inc £1167 donation to the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (18 days) including flights from the UK. Self funders pay £300 registration fee + £1750 operator fee + £500 donation to charity. This trip can also be booked without flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Bordered by Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, the Indian state of Sikkim is one of the least known ancient Himalayan kingdoms. Due to its proximity to politically sensitive Tibet, (whose culture Sikkim shares) the area has only been open for tourism since 2000. Combined with the remoteness of the area, this means that there are few other trekking groups and the area remains pristine and unspoilt.
The start point for the trek is the wonderful city of Darjeeling, where tea plantations stretch in all directions and, looming over the city, one of the most famous mountain views: Kanchenjunga.
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. This trek is not for the faint hearted. Participants must be capable of walking for up to 8 hrs a day, at altitude, in challenging conditions. However, the altitude gain is gradual and there is time to acclimatise. And the rewards are great with spectacular early morning views of the Himalayas.
The trek route starts in dense cloud forest, continues through open forests, meadows and lakes, before reaching the rocky plains and high points. After the trek, the adventure continues at Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary with the opportunity for seeing Indian rhino and tiger from the vantage point of an elephant: an unforgettable experience, and one that allows you to get very close to the wildlife.
Proceeds from this Rhino trek in India will go towards Indian Rhino Vision 2020.
The start point for the trek is the wonderful city of Darjeeling, where tea plantations stretch in all directions and, looming over the city, one of the most famous mountain views: Kanchenjunga.
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. This trek is not for the faint hearted. Participants must be capable of walking for up to 8 hrs a day, at altitude, in challenging conditions. However, the altitude gain is gradual and there is time to acclimatise. And the rewards are great with spectacular early morning views of the Himalayas.
The trek route starts in dense cloud forest, continues through open forests, meadows and lakes, before reaching the rocky plains and high points. After the trek, the adventure continues at Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary with the opportunity for seeing Indian rhino and tiger from the vantage point of an elephant: an unforgettable experience, and one that allows you to get very close to the wildlife. Proceeds from this Rhino trek in India will go towards Indian Rhino Vision 2020.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | London - Kolkata. Depart London Heathrow with British Airways. |
| Day 2: | Kolkata. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Optional city tour of Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta. Visit Victoria Memorial, Dakshineswar Temple and Mother Teresa's home. Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 3: | Kolkata – Bagdogra - Darjeeling. Morning flight to Bagdogra at the base of the Darjeeling hills. The 2-hr flight path runs parallel to the main Himalayan range and in good weather allows excellent views of Himalayan giants such as Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and the massive bulk of Kangchenjunga, before descending into Bagdogra. From the airport, Darjeeling is a 3-hr drive on roads that soon leave the rice fields and coconut palms of the plains for the tea garden-covered slopes of the lower hills. Accommodation will be at the classic colonial New Elgin Hotel. |
| Day 4: | Darjeeling. A free day in Darjeeling to acclimatise, relax of the journey and prepare for the trek. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 5: | Darjeeling – Yuksum (1785m / 6-7hrs by road) After breakfast, drive to Yoksum. En route, visit the Dubdi Gompa, an hour’s uphill walk from the road. This was the first capital of Sikkim, where the first monarch of Sikkim was crowned in 1641. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 6: | Yuksum – Bakhim - Tshoka (2950 m / 7-8 hrs walking). The longest trek day on a steadily rising trail through dense semi-tropical forests of silver fir and cypress, to the ridge top village of Tsokha. On a clear day, the distant lights of Darjeeling can be seen to the south while the summit of Pandim (6770m) rises behind a ridge towards the north. Tsokha is a growing village with a mixed population of Lepcha yak herders and the more recently arrived Tibetan refugees. Overnight Camp. |
| Day 7: | Tskhoka - Dzongri (4030m / 5-6 hrs walking). An early start on a switch-back trail through rhododendron forests. After 2-3 hrs, the trail breaks in a large clearing at Phedang where lunch will be taken while admiring the peaks of Pandim, Narsingh and Joponu, now distinctly nearer. Another 2-3 hrs of trekking and the group will reach a ridge trail that undulates for 2kms to the Dzongri campsite at 3990m. Dzongri, situated in a natural depression, can be cold and is often shrouded in mist in the afternoon and evening. Overnight Camp. |
| Day 8: | Dzongri - Thangshing (3900m / 5 hours walking). A pre-dawn climb to the top of the nearby ridge rewards early risers with spectacular sunrise views of Kangchenjunga and its surrounding peaks. A day of steady ascent through dwarf rhododendron and scrub juniper with increasingly close views of the Pandim peak and the Onglathang glacier, which forms the head of the valley and the southern ridge of Kangchenjunga. Overnight Camp. |
| Day 9: | Thangsing - Samiti Lake (4500m / 2-3 hrs walking). A short day the preparation for the final ascent. Climb up to Samiti Lake, which is holy to the Sikkimese, hence the prayer flags on poles near the shore, before descending to sleep at Lamoni. Afternoon at rest. Overnight Camp. |
| Day 10: | Goecha La - Kokchurung (4900m / 7-8 hrs walking). A highlight of the trek is the close view of the massive eastern wall of Kangchenjunga, rising 4000 metres above the Talung glacier, as seen from the Goecha La pass. An early start brings spectacular views Kangchenjunga. After reaching the summit, a rapid decent down the valley to the riverside hut of Kokchurung. Overnight Camp. |
| Day 11: | Kokchurung - Tshoka (2950m / 4-5 hrs walking). Continue down the valley to Tsokha. Overnight Camp. |
| Day 12: | Tshoka - Yuksum (1785m / 5-6 hrs walking). The route weaves through dense rhododendron forests on a quiet trail with excellent opportunities for seeing speciality bird species. Yuksum village is the end of the trek and where there will be a farewell dinner with the porters, cooks and crew. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 13: | Yoksum - Darjeeling (5 hrs by road). After breakfast, a 5-hr drive to Darjeeling entering West Bengal from Jorethang. The last part of the drive is through picturesque tea gardens. Afternoon and evening free to rest and explore this fantastic city. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 14: | Darjeeling. A full day to rest after the trek in the comfort of the New Elgin hotel. The energetic will have the opportunity to visit a local tea estate. |
| Day 15: | Darjeeling - Jaldapara (5-6 hrs by road). After breakfast, transfer to Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, stopping for lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the Madarihat resort on the park boundary. |
| Day 16: | Jaldapara. Early morning drive to Holong for a sunrise elephant ride. Rest of morning free to relax. After lunch take a jeep safari in the sanctuary. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 17: | Jaldapara - Kolkata. After breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport. Fly to Kolkata. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 18: | Kolkata - London. After breakfast transfer to Kolkata airport for return flight to London. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Our Trust has one aim: we save rhinos throughout the world. With funds raised via our fundraising we are currently supporting field projects in Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Sumatra, and raising public awareness of the need for rhino conservation. The money raised pays for:
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