About Green Lake Trek
Much of the Sikkim Himalaya remains largely unexplored. The journey
to this part of the Himalayas has been taken up by only few who are
aware of this haven. The Green Lake Trek in Sikkim takes you to the base
of Kanchenjunga, a sprawling green landscape, dotted with few alpine
trees and a serene lake. The vicinity allows you to hold the beautiful
horizon firmly, parted by the Kanchenjunga at 8,586 meters, Kanchenjunga
West, also known as Yalung Kang at 8,505 meters, Kanchenjunga Central
at 8,482 meters, Kanchenjunga South at 8,494 meters and Kangbachen at
7,903 meters. All these part courters a silver line parallel to the
spotless blue sky and spanning over the boundaries of Nepal, Tibet and
the Indian state of Sikkim. The Green Lake Trek in Sikkim is amongst the
tricky and unexplored treks in the Sikkim Himalayan belt that traverses
through some of the secluded tribal villages perched at a lofty height
of the mountains. Other than the vast forest of rhododendrons and other
flowering plants, alpine trees, and wildlife, it's the culture that
reverberates in the mind of several explorers comes in contact with this
alpine trek. Further, the trekkers will get a rewarding view of the
lush green surrounding, encircling the lake at an altitude of 5,000
meters.
Area : Sikkim Himalayas
Duration : 16 Days (4 days travel/12 days trekking)
Best Season : April and October
Grade :Tough
Altitude : 4935mts/16186ft
Total Trekking : 92 K.M
The Sikkim Green Lake Trek commences from Lachen, which is at an
altitude of 2,730 meters and approximately 135 kilometers from Gangtok.
The trail leads to Tallem at 3,240 meters via Zema. From Tallem, the
route winds and gently climbs to Jakthang at 3,430 meters. Here is a day
of acclimatization before you continue further on Sikkim Green Lake
Trek. From Jakthang, the route snakes through a gorgeous alpine forest
and cuts through several small and gushing streams to Yabuk at 4,040
meters and after that to the rest camp at 4,725 meters. From the rest
camp, the journey to Green Lake vicinity faces several uphill and
downhill trek till it expunges into the sprawling green landscape. From
Green Lake, the downhill journey to Lachen follows the same route and
later wheels to Gangtok.
Green Lake Trekking Tour Highlights
- Enjoy the majestic view of the snow-clad Kanchenjunga and other peaks
- Pay a visit and pray for solace and peace at the monasteries in Sikkim. Also preserved here are ancient Tibetan manuscripts, exquisitely carved wood work and icons of silver and gold. Perched on a hill top above Gangtok, these monasteries are rare sites.
- Camp on the green lake and soak yourself into the vibrant colours of nature
Best Time to Visit Green Lake Trek
April and October
April and October is the best time to go for trekking as wildflowers
and rhododendron are in its fullest bloom. Snow start melting, thus, you
can enjoy the panoramic view of the nearby mountains.
Where is the Green Lake Trek?
Green Lake, located at the base of Mt. Khangchendzonga on the Zemu
glacier in North Sikkim can be reached by transversing a strenuous yet
picturesque trek from Lachen. View of the Mt. Khanchendzonga from the
green lake is a treat for the eyes. Rugged even zigzag trail lit up by
the colourful orchids on the edges and panoramic views are the main
attraction of the trekking trail.
How to Reach Green Lake Trek?
By jeep or taxi : Reach here in 2 hours from Gangtok using shared or private jeeps.
By train : The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP).
By plane : The nearest airport is the Bagdogra airport, which is around 12 km away from Siliguri.
Green Lake Trek (Detailed Itinerary)
Day 01: Bagdogra - Gangtok
Board an early morning flight to Bagdogra airport. After arriving in Gangtok, meet our guide who will help transfer you to a hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the Gangtok Hotel.Day 02: Gangtok - Lachen (2730 meters/8950 feet) (135 kilometers/6-7 hours drive)
Today we will drive to Lachen in North Sikkim, which will be the base of our trek. Dinner and overnight stay at guesthouse/hotel/tents.Day 03: Lachen- Tallem (3240 meters/ 10620 feet) (12 kilometers/ 5-6 hours)
Rise and shine! Start your day with a breakfast and start trekking towards Zema, which is 20 minutes from Lachen. It will be a slow walk as you will cross many bridges and can expect boulders and rhododendron thickets. After few metres, you will come across a bridge, cross it and start following the left bank of Zemu Chu up to the Tallem. Take enough time to explore the region and spend the night among nature in the camping tent.Day 04: Tallem - Jakthang (3430 meters/11250 feet) (12 kilometers/ 5-6 hours)
Today is going to an easy day as you will be trekking on smooth trails till Shobuk. Then, the trek will move steeply to reach Jakthang, where you will spend overnight in tents. The trek will be fascinated by more twenty exotic varieties of colourful rhododendrons.Day 05: Jakthang (3430 meters/11250 feet) Green-lake-trek
Today, you are free to whatever you want. You can either choose to acclimatize yourself to the cold condition by staying in a tent or can explore the region. Overnight stay in Jakthang base camp.Day 06: Jakthang - Yabuk (4040 meters/13250 feet) (8 kilometers/ 4-5 hours)
After breakfast, start your trek to Yabuk through forest and streams. Later, you will come across a bridge over Thombak Chu, traverse it and then start trekking downhill till the bank of the Zemu Chu. Trek further through several ascends and descends, reach the Yabuk campsite and get freshened up with a pleasant excursion within the surroundings of the camp; overnight stay in the camp.Day 07: Yabuk - Rest camp (4725 meters/15500 feet) (8 kilometers/ 3-4 hours)
Gear yourself up for a stressful day as today you will be walking on the pebbles, boulders, and rough stones to reach the rest camp. Though the trek will be difficult, the view will be extremely rewarding. Stunning view of Mt Siniolchu (6891.528 m) and Mt Simvo (6811m) will accompany you throughout the trek. Upon reaching the Rest Camp, retire for the day and settle down in the camping tents.Day 08: Rest Camp - Green Lake (4935 meters/16190 feet) (6 kilometers/ 3-4 hours)
With the completion of breakfast, you will be embarking on a fascinating part of the trek, Green Lake. When you start trekking uphill, the terrains will get tricky, challenging. Also, you will see changes in the landscapes and topography. Throughout the journey, the view of the neighboring mountains like Siniolchu, Simvo, Twin Peaks, Nepal Peaks and Kanchenjunga will enthrall you till Green Lake. Overnight stay in Green Lake camp.Day 09: Green Lake (4935 meters/16190 feet)
Spend a day on the lakeside, savour the view of majestic mountains and lush green meadows, click photographs or revive your tired body. Overnight stay and dinner in Green Lake camp.Day 10: Green Lake - Rest Camp (4725 meters/15500 feet) (6 kilometers/ 2-3 hours)
After breakfast, follow the trails that you have traced since last few days and trek downhill to the reach the rest camp for an overnight stay.Day 11: Rest Camp - Yabuk (4040 meters/ 13250 feet) (8 kilometers/ 3-4 hours)
After breakfast, embark on a downhill trek towards Yabuk for overnight stay and dinner.Day12: Yabuk - Jakthang (3430 meters/11250 feet) (8 kilometers/ 3-4 hours)
Today as well, you will trek downhill till Jakthang. Overnight stay in Jakthang camp.Day 13: Jakthang - Tallem (3240 meters/ 10620 feet) (12 kilometers/ 4-5 hours)
We continue to trek downhill towards Tallem, which is a very easy trail. Overnight stay in tents.Day14: Tallem - Lachen (2730 meters/8950 feet) (12 kilometers/ 4-5 hours)
We continue to trek downhill towards Tallem. Dinner will be served in Tallem tent.Day 15: Lachen - Gangtok (135 kilometers/5-6 hours)
After having breakfast in the hotel, take a drive through the scenic routes that are bordered with brightly coloured rhododendrons and advance towards Gangtok. Overnight stay and dinner in Gangtok hotel.Day 16: Gangtok - Bagdogra
Wake up in the morning, pack bags and get ready for the Bagdogra airport to board a flight to your respective cities. With the transfer to airport, this incredible Green lake trek will come to an end.Tour & Services End.
Fixed Departure Dates 2018
| 20 April, 2018 | 12 October, 2018 |
