Reason why Expedition to Mt.Thinchenkhang in Sikkim is the most popular.
Mt. Thinchenkhang in Sikkim Himalayas with an altitude of 6010m is a popular peak for climbing for a very simple reason that, as compared other similiar expeditions in Nepal, one gets to experience the workings of an expedition in the Himalayas at a nominal cost. Secondly, Climbing Thinchenkhang invloves all the techinal aspects of climbing an eight thousand metre peak. Third reason being, Thinchenkhang expedition in Sikkim Himalayas is perfect for a first time climber aspiring to promote oneself to climb higher peaks in the near future.
Thinchenkhang Expedition in Sikkim starts with a drive to Yuksom(1760m), a small hamlet in West Sikkim. Yuksom was the original and the old capital of Sikkim. Yuksom is also the trek head for Expeditions in Sikkim to Thinchenkhang, Jopuno and Frey’s Peak which lies in Rathong valley and as well for the popular Goechala Pass Trek in Sikkim. A two days trek from Yuksom through dense forests of the Kanchenjunga National Park takes you to the alpine vegetation at Dzongri Ridge. A rest day or an acclimitization day for a side trek to Dzongrilla Pass helps you in preparing for the summit to Mt.Thinchenkhang.
Trek from Dzongri through alpine meadows to Thansing valley and set up camp at Lamunee. Trek upto Goechala Pass for views of the mountain range and take a look at Mt.Thinchenkhang as you set up Base Camp below the summit at Toriphule(4304m). Trek upto the Advance Base Camp I (5404m) below the peak and then after a day of acclimitization trek upto the Advance Base Camp II for the final ascent to Mt.Thinchenkhang which falls to the South of Thansing Valley inside the Kanchenjunga National Park. One can view this Peak from Dzongri Ridge and also while trekking to the Onglathang valley on the trek to Goechala Pass.
Permits and Formalities for Thinchenkhang Expedition.
Mountaineering in Sikkim to some of the virgin Himalayan peaks was opened for mountaineering activities to the outside world only in the year 1990. Mt.Thinchenkhang (6010m) graded in the “D”category was one of the peaks declared open for Alpine Expedition and Mountaineering in Sikkim that same year. All expeditions in Sikkim has to go through an agency registered and recognized by the Government of India and approved by the Tourism Department, Government of Sikkim. Permits for expeditions in Sikkim will be issued for a minimum of two persons after paying the peak fees as prescribed by the Tourism Department with the approval from the Indian Mountaineering Association.
Permits for all Expeditions in Sikkim has to be applied atleast three months in advance and all relevant fees with regard to climbing peaks in Sikkim has to be paid before applying for the permit.
What are the Documents needed for applying for the Climbing Permit ?
The following documents has to be attached with the duly signed forms while applying for the permit for all climbing and expedition in Sikkim Himalayas.
- Photocopy of Passport
- Four Passport Photos
- Indian Visa
- Medical Certificate from a registered practioner stating the participant fit for expedition in Sikkim
- Indemnity Bond duly signed
- Personal Insurance for Mountaineering
When is the best time to Climb Thinchenkhang ?
There are basically two seasons that is recommended for all activities related to climbing and Trekking in Sikkim. Spring season which starts from March to May is an appropriate time for climbing and expedition in Sikkim when the Temperature is very pleasant. October to November is another season recommended for expeditions in Sikkim Himalayas when the weather is very pleasant and the skies are all clear because of the just concluded monsoon rain. Having said that it is necessary to keep in mind that we do get an occasional rainfall especially in the afternoon in the Himalayas. The lower reaches gets rainfall whereas the upper reaches gets snowfall.
Clothing and Personal Equipment List for Thinchenkhag Expedition to be brought by the participant
- Summit pack with at least 65 litre capacity which can also be used as day pack while on the trek.
- Large robust canvas bag/holdall or kit bag (for transporting gear on trail)
- Small duffle bag with lock (for storing excess gear & travel clothes in hotel)
- Good four season sleeping bag (0Degrees to -10Degrees Celcius)
- 1 set of Windproof/waterproof Jacket
- 1 Down jacket with hood
- 1 Mid to heavy weight Fleece Jacket
- 1 Fleece vest
- 1 Mid layer fleece
- 1 Mid weight Fleece pants
- 2 Thermal underwear tops & bottoms
- A Pair of insulated mitts
- A Pair of thermal gloves
- 1 Pair overmitts
- 4 pairs of thick woollen socks
- 4 pairs of thin polypropylene socks/liners
- Climbing Boots
- Good quality one Pair gaiters
- Trekking Boots
- Crampons
- A pair of lightweight sandals (Keen )
- Trekking pole(s)
- Climbing harness
- Ice Axe
- Karabiners ( Locking)
- Ascender
- Descender
- Jumar
- Climbing Helmet
- 1 Warm wool/fleece Hat
- 1 Balaclava (wool/fleece)
- Glacier goggles with side covers
- 1 Sun hat
- 2 One litre water bottles
- 1 Whistle
- 1 Head lamp with spare batterieis
- Trekking clothes (e.g., 2 shorts, 2 T-shirts, 1 trousers/synthetic pants, etc.)
- 2 tubes Suncreen (minimum 40 SPF)
- Vaseline / Petroleum Jelly for chaffed lips
- Personal first aid kit
- Hand sanitizer, etc.
- 2 Bottles water purification tabs
Climbing Leader: Mr.Tashi Sherpa – Has the following to his credentials :
- Everest – Three Times (2013, 2018 & 2019)
- K2 (Pakistan) – 1Time (2014)
- Kanchenjunga – 2Times (2011 & 2014)
- Dhaulagiri – 1 Time(2016)
- Lhotse – 2 Times(2012 & 2013)
- Manaslu – 2Times ( 2016 & 2017)
- Makalu – 2Times (2016 & 2017)
- annapurna – 2019
- Cho-oyu – 2014
- Yalungkhang – 2014
- Baruntse – 5Times
- Mera Peak – 7 Times
- Nanga Parvat ( India )– 1 Time
- Thinchenkhang (Sikkim – India) – 4Times
TRIP FACTS
- Type of Trek : Moderate to Rigorous.
- Minimum No. of Participants : 2 Pax.
- Total No. of Days : 17 Days.
- Style of Trek: Camping/Expedition.
- Starting & Ending Point: Bagdogra Airport/NJP Rail Station/Nepal Border.
- Best Season : April – June & September to December.
- Availibility : Only private Expedition can be arranged for a minimum of two persons on request on a date of your choice.
THINCHENKHANG EXPEDITION IN SIKKIM ITINERARY
Day 01 : Arrive at Bagdogra Airport/NJP Rail Station. meet Guide and Drive to Gangtok. Overnight Hotel. Driving Time : 4Hrs. Altitude :1760m
Day 02 : Around Gangtok. Acclimitization Day. Overnight Hotel(B/B only).
Day 03 : Drive to Yuksom (Trek Head/1760m/5Hrs Drive). Overnight Lodge/Hotel.
Day 04 : Trek Starts. Trek to Bakhim/Tchoka (2970m/13Km/5-6Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 05 : Trek to Dzongri (4030m/9Km/5-6Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 06 : Rest Day/Acclimitization Day in Dzongri. Take a side trek to Dzongrilla Pass. Overnight Tent Day 07: Trek to Lamunee (4164m/11Km/5-6Hrs). Overnight Tents.
Day 08 : Trek to Goechala Pass and trek back to Lamunee. After Lunch trek up to Toriphuley(4304m). Overnight Tents.
Day 09 : Acclimatization Day. Trek up to Thinchinkhang Base Camp(5400m/3Km) with the Sherpas & set up Camp. Return to Toriphuley. Overnight Tents.
Day 10 : Ferry Goods & climbing equipments & food to Advance Base Camp. Overnight Tents.
Day 11 : Keep an Extra Day for climbing just in case the weather does not permit summiting the peak.
Day 12 : Keep an Extra day just in case weather does not permit Summiting the peak.
Day 13 : Advance Base Camp to Summit & Back to ABC to Toriphuley. Overnight Tents.
Day 14 : Trek Toriphulae to Kookrochoong. Overnight Tents.
Day 15 : Trek Kookrochoong to Tchoka. Overnight Tents.
Day 16 : Trek Tchoka to Yuksom. Overnight Lodge / Hotel.
Day 17 : Drive to Bagdogra Airport / NJP Rail Station for Final Departure. End of Mt.Thinchenkhang Expedition in Sikkim.
Extension can be made to Darjeeling/ Nepal / Bhutan.
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- Mt. Thinchenkhang Expedition Cost : US$4250 per person.
- Peak Fees (Included in the Cost) : US$500 (for a group of two pax).
- Thereafter US$75 per additional member
- Kanchenjunga National Park Fees(Included in the Cost) : US$250.
- Fees for Liason Officer US$200 ( Included in the Cost).
- Insurance for Pack Animals and Support Team (Included in the Cost).
- Indian National kindly enquire within for costs & other informations.
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The following minimum Insurance Coverage is compulsary for Mt.Thinchenkhang Expedition in Sikkim
- Expedition members – IRs.3,00,000 per person
- Camp Crews – IRs.1,00,000 per person
- Porters – IRs.50,000 per person
- Pack Animals – IRs.20,000 per animal
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TOUR COST INCLUDES :
- Twin Share Hotel Accommodation in Gangtok in Standard Hotel including Breakfast.
- Lodge accommodation – twin share in Yuksom with common washroom & Rest room including breakfasts.
- Kanchenjunga National Park Fees (US$250 )
- 2 Sherpa Climbing Guide
- Twin share tent with mattress during camping/trekking/Expedition.
- Fully organized trek services with guide, porters, camping equipment.
- All fixed three meals everyday during trekking/Camping/Expedition.
- All road transport as per itinerary by jeep.
- Service of an English speaking guide.
- Entrance fees to monuments visited.
- Trekking Permit & Inner Line Permits for
Climbing Equipments- Included in the Cost
- a). Climbing Rope – 100m.
- b). Fixed Rope – 200m.
- c). Carabiner -35Nos.
- d). Plain Carabiner – 16 Nos.
- e). Rock Pitons – 8 Nos.
- f). Ice Pitons – 15Nos.
- g). Snow Bar – 4 Nos.
- i). Jumar.
Insurance for Porters, Pack Animals, Cook, Guide & other support Team.
- 1). Camp Crews –IRs.1,00,000 per person
- 2). Porters –IRs.50,000 per person
- 3). Pack Animals –IRs.20,000 per animals
DOES NOT INCLUDE :
- Insurance for Climbing Member
- Sleeping bag; personal clothing/equipment.
- Lunches and dinners during hotel stays.
- Bottled or alcoholic drinks.
- Tips, client insurance, evacuation costs.
- Any expenses of personal nature.
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Note: The above itinerary for mountaineering in Sikkim Himalayas is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail.We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety,comfort and general well being.
(All relevant Trems and conditions apply).
