Bajre Dara Trek

Bajre Dara Trek: The Great Himalayan Lake Trek in Sikkim

Bajre Dara Trek is a great Himalayan trail in Sikkim with a stupendous view of the iconic Everest and the majestic Kanchenjunga Range from Dafebhir Pass, Bajre Dara, and Choktey Pokhari. But the most favourite section of the 65-kilometer-long and seven-day trek is the hike from Lam Pokhari to Choktey Pokhri, where one gets to trek through dozens of alpine lakes, reflecting the mighty Himalayan range on it’s crystal-clear waters.

Highlights of the Trek

For four consecutive days, you get to trek above the timber line with the Everest and Kanchenjunga Ranges ever in the Horizon and the clear alpine lakes splattered all over the high meadows. This is what makes the Bajre Dara Trek so unique and thrilling—that there is an element of surprise every day. It is absolutely an amazing encounter. Littered with alpine lakes along the trekking trail, because of which this is also known as the Great Alpine Lake Trek in Sikkim.

Starting and Ending Points of the Trek

Sangkhola, a small, laid-back Hamlet some 25 km and an hour’s drive from Pelling in West Sikkim, is the trek head for the Bajre Dara Trek, while Khecheperli Lake is the finishing point.

Best Time to Trek

During the spring season, March to May are the months that favor trekking in Sikkim. During these months, the weather will be clear, and the rhododendrons and primulas will make the hillside look beautiful. The horizon may have a little bit of haze, but the colourful mountainside will make up for the loss of mountain views.

During autumn, October to November is the best time to trek the Bajrey Dara trail when the horizon is clear of clouds and the mountain views are ever present to charm the onlooker.

Accommodation and Food on the Trek

Bajre Dara Trek is a camping trek in Sikkim; therefore, accommodation on a twin-share basis with three-inch mattresses will be provided to each hiker. Besides, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, and a toilet tent will also be provided. These tents will also be used as sleeping tents by all the support team members.

Local Indian food will be provided during the entire period of the Bajre Dara Trek.

Breakfasts will include porridge & honey, eggs, pan cakes, chapatis, or puris (flour bread fried in oil), bread, butter, and cheese, or jam, with tea or coffee.

Lunch will either be Macaroni, Pasta, or Vegetable Chowmein; Phaley (Tibetan bread stuffed with vegetables and deep-fried in oil); Noddle Soup; or Plain Soup with Tea or Coffee to top it up.

Things to Carry

A large duffle bag or a haversack (50 l) should contain all your clothes, sleeping bag, and essential items that you will require during the week-long Bajre Dara Trek in Sikkim, while at the same time it will also be easy for the pony to carry it too.

Carry a day pack with all your personal items in it. Your day pack should have a water bottle, a raincoat or umbrella, and a light fleece jacket for day use.

Also, include in your day pack a personal medical kit with tablets for fever & dysentery. Water purifying tablets, anti-acid tablets, electral powder, crepe bandages for sprains, antiseptic ointment for cuts and bruises, plasters for small cuts and toe blisters, and sun screen lotions should also be included in the kit.

Clothing for the Trek

The temperature during the day will hover between 6 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius. Therefore, carry with you loose trekking pants and quick-dry t-shirts for day use.

The temperature from evening to morning on the Dafey Bhir Trek will fluctuate between 5 degrees Celsius and 0 degrees Celsius. During the month of November, temperatures in the higher reaches at night can drop to below 0 degrees Celsius. Therefore, bring along a warm woolen or thick fleece jacket, a down jacket, gloves, woolen caps, and thermal inner wear for evening, morning, and nighttime use.

TRIP FACTS

BAJREY DARA TREK ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Bagdogra Airport. Drive Bagdogra to Gangtok. Overnight : Hotel. (B/B only).                                    Driving Time : 4-5 Hrs.   Altitude: 1622 m.

Day 2: Gangtok Sight seeing.

After Breakfast we take a local Taxi & drive to Rumtek Monastery,23 Km from Gangtok. The monastery built in 1959 by the 16^th.Gyalwa Karmapa is the replica of the Tsurpu Monastery in Kham in Tibet & is the biggest Monastery in Sikkim. This is the seat of the Kagyu sect or the Black Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery also houses the School for the going to be monks. On the drive back to Gangtok after we finish visiting Rumtek  monastery we visit The Institute of Tibetology. This institute houses some of the ancient scriptures and artifact relating to Buddhism. While we are visiting our staff  will process the Trekking permits. While we head back to the Hotel for lunch. Overnight :  Hotel ( B/B only).

Day 3: Drive Gangtok  to Pelling. Overnight Hotel (B/B only)

After breakfast  start the 5 hours drive to Pelling. Stop for  lunch at Ravangla a small  Town on the side of  a Hill situated at an Altitude of  2300 m.

Driving Time : 4-5 Hrs.  Altitude: Pelling -1770 m.

Day 4: Half Day Acclimitazation Walk around Pelling. After lunch Drive to Sangkholathe trek Head. Overnight  Homestay (All Meals included).

Day 5: Bajre Dara Trek  Starts. Trek Sangkhola to Nayapatal (2765 m/10 Km/6 Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 6: Trek Nayapatal to Upper Yambong (3750 m/10 Km/5 Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 7: Trek  Upper Yambong to Lam Pokhari (4200 m/8 Km/4 Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 8: Trek Lam Pokhari to Choktey  Pokhari (4300 m/12 Km/6 Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 9: Trek Choktey Pokhari to Kasturi (4280 m/10 Km/5 Hrs).  Overnight Tents.

Day 10: Trek  Kasturi to Bajrey Dada (4300 m/6 Km/3 Hrs). Overnight Tents.

Day 11 : Trek Bajre Dada  to  Kchepherli  Lake (1700 m/8 Km/4 Hrs). End of Bajrey Dara Trek. Overnight Home Stay.

Day 12 : Drive to Kalimpong ( 124 Km/5 Hrs). Overnight Hotel ( B/B only).

Day 13 : Drive to Bagdogra Airport for Final Departure.

Extension can be made to Darjeeling /  Bhutan & Nepal.

How much does this Trek Cost ?

• Bajre Dara Trek Cost:US$1120 / Person.
• Bajre Dara Trek Cost for Indian Nationals : Request a Quote in Indian Rupee

What does the Cost Include and Exclude ?

BAJRE DARA  TREK COST INCLUDES :

• Hotel accommodation – twin share including breakfasts.
• Twin share tent with mattress during camping/trekking.
• Fully organized trek services with guide, porters, camping equipment.
• All fixed three meals everyday during trekking/Camping.
• All road transport as per itinerary by car/jeep.
• Service of an English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees to monuments visited.
• All Permits for Darjeeling and Sikkim.

DOES NOT INCLUDE :

• personal clothing/equipment.
• Lunches and dinners during hotel stays.
• Bottled or alcoholic drinks.
• Tips, client insurance, evacuation costs.
• Any expenses of personal nature.

NOTE:  The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the 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 Terms & Conditions apply).