Tholung Valley Trek located in the remote upper Dzongu Region of North Sikkim is an off the grid trek not known by many. A trek to the ancient and hidden Tholung Monastery (3200m) and the Holy Kishong Lake (4500m), crystal clear water surrounded by the Rhododendron and Pine Trees, revered by the Lepcha Tribes of North Sikkim, who believe that their Ancestors came from this lake, and also this lake is the route to Heaven.
Tholung Monastery, Sikkim’s sacred Monastery which still follows the 233 year old Kamsel tradition. Khamsel is a triennial exhibition of ancient Buddhist and Tibetan relics dating back to as early as 7th century AD. when clothes and belongings of Lhatsun Chenpo (founder Monk of Sikkim) are exhibited.
Also, the Tholung Monastery trek is also a hike among the ethnic lepcha tribes who live in small villages amongst the dense forested slopes high above the Tholung Valley.
Group Departures 2022
No Group Departures are available. Only Private Treks for a minimum of two persons on date of your choice can be arranged.
Christi Masi December 5, 2013 near Seattle, WA, United States If you are considering a trek to Sikkim Darjeeling Nepal or Bhutan you need to go with Farouttrek (Fabian Tamang). He goes above and beyond your wildest dreams to make your vacation perfect. Not only is he fun, personable, and an all around great guy - he also has a superb staff, provides excellent food and will make sure your trip exceeds all of your expectations. Scott and I have trekked all over the world, and this trip- the 18Days Sikkim Singalila Ridge Trek by far - was the best service we have ever experienced - anywhere.
Hello Fabian, From May 8 to May 16 2014 my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Darjeelig and the Singalila national park under the guidance of Mr Fabian Tamang. We went on a six-day Sandakphu Phalut Trek with the mountain views at Sandakphu as the main attraction. With Fabian as a guide nothing is impossible. He chooses the best co-workers, arranges Everything to the best and is very responsive to both visible and not so visible requests from his guests. We warmly recommend anyone thinking of visiting this area to use the services of Farouttrek and especially of Fabian. Many thanks from Anette and Torbjörn from Sweden!
Mar 28, 2014 Hi Fabian...Just a short message to say that we had a fabulous Langtang Gosaikunda trek which i am totally satisfied of...and to say that i have particularly appreciated the team we trekked with...The guide, Kuman GURUNG, and the porter, Lapa SHERPA, are really nice people and were extremely helpful for both of us, especially for my wife, who got some difficulties in altitude and to cross the gosaikund pass..They were extremely professionnal from the first to the last minute, and it would really be a pleasure to do another trek with them..By the way, Fabian, can you send me some details for Manaslu Circuit Trek ? Thanks a lot for the job you and your staff did for us Fabian... and have an excellent day. Best regards... Christophe
Dec 30, 2012 Hello Fabian, thank you for your email. We found the Dzongri Trek difficult in parts, but the joy was being with you and the rest of the crew - you are a very special group of people and we were so fortunate to be able to meet you all. Once again, Fabian, thank you for all your efforts. We had a wonderful time trekking in Sikkim and very much appreciate all your efforts to ensure that we had the best of experiences. Please keep in touch. We hope 2013 brings you happiness, laughter and sunshine. Kind regards, Marilyn and Michael.
Thanks to Farout Trek (Fabian and the team) for a very enjoyable and successful trek in the Singalila National Park. The pace was good, the views of the Himalayas obviously stunning, and the support and help was always professional and thoughtful. The trekkers huts were very basic with little heat, so Fabian providing hot water bottles at night was always appreciated. He also had a few extra goodies in his pack that were produced at exactly the right time. I picked Farout Trek because after sending e-mails to them and 7 other places, their reply was prompt (next day), was addressed it to me personally, and most important, it answered my questions, so I knew someone (Fabian) had actually read the e-mail, rather than just sending a standard response. Would recommend Farout Trek to any one planning to visit Sikkim, Darjeeling Nepal or Bhutan Himalayas. Cheers and all the best for 2018 Mark & Maureen
Amazing company and great experience! Our guide Kuman was more than we could ever expect! Full of knowledge, friendly and an absolute pleasure to spend 10 days doing the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with. We had the treat of having his son Ohm come along with us too! Fantastic porters and well organized trek. We will be coming back and definitely using them!"
27 October 2014 Today we returned from India to Hamburg! Thank you so much for the excellent organisation of our Sandakphu Phalut Trek and Darjeeling Tour ! These were amazing holidays we will never forget! Everything was perfectly organized and Fabian was the perfect guide, he is such a hearty and lovely person! He did an amazing job and has an excellent knowledge! He took very good care of us! We felt very safe with him! We already recommended Fabian a lot, because it was really excellent and an unforgetable experience ! And we are also thinking about an other tour with Fabian! Thank you so much! Kidest regards Kathi and Bart
Jean Pierre 5 Jan 2020 Thinchenkhang Expedition (6010m) summited on 2 Nov. 2019 The eleven days expedition organized by Farout Trek based in Kalimpong was composed by nine members. On top of Fabian Tamang, head of Farout Trek, there were two Sherpas, one cook, two cook assistants and two poney-men. The group started off from Yuksom on 23 October and reached the base camp at Toriphuley (Thinchenkhanh Base Camp) on 28 October. A C1 just below 5000m and a C2 at 5500m were set up. The summit was reached on 2 November at 4.30 AM by Sherpas Tashi and Richung and myself. The Thinchenkhang expedition proved a success thanks to the professional breath of Fabian's Farout Trek team
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Why Trek with us
Farouttrek is a local company, Registered & recognized by Govt. of India, Tourism Deptt. Govt. of Sikkim. Also registered and Recognized by Govt. of Nepal, employing a small number of local Guides, Cooks & Porters.
Therefore, when you book your trip with us, you contribute to the local economy directly. This in turn helps the local economy grow & at the same time help a number of households maintain a healthy lifestyle
With more than 25 Years of experience travelling the Himalayas, we have an intimate knowledge about the places we travel to. So, give us an opportunity to serve you with our vast experience in handling Trekking, Expedition & Tour Activities in Sikkim, Darjeeling & Nepal Himalayas. Come Join us for a lifetime of Adventure.
Tholung Valley Trek – A trek to little visited Tholung Monastery & Kishong Lake
Crossing the rickety Bamboo Bridge enroute to Tholung Monastery
Tholung Valley Trek to Kishong Lake located in Dzongu Region of North Sikkim leads to the ancient Tholung Monastery and to the holy Kishong Lake (4500m). With altitude varying between 7000feet to 14,800feet above mean sea level, the Tholung Valley Kishong Lake trek can be graded as Moderate to Strenuous trek and can be completed within five days for an average trekker.
Tholung valley in North Sikkim is the stronghod of the ethnic Lepcha tribes, who live in small villages amongst the dense forested slopes high above and around the Tholung Monastery, which also forms a buffer zone for the Kanchenjunga National Park. Tholung Valley Trek to Tholung Monastery and to the holy Kishong Lake in North Sikkim is amongst the lesser known treks in Sikkim and not as popular as the Goechala Trek, as it is an off beat trek route in North Sikkim. Moreover, Tholung Monastery Trek is also less frequented by outsiders due to the permit formalities as Tholung Valley and Kishong Lake area falls in the restricted area of North Sikkim.
Highlights of the Trek
Highlights of the Tholung Valley Trek in North Sikkim is the Tholung Monastery nestled cozily at an altitude of 8000 feet, surrounded on all side by the high mountains, secluded and remote. Tholung Monastery houses rich artifacts and relics brought in from other monasteries from all over Sikkim for safe keeping, during the invasion by the Nepalese Army in the late seventeenth century and the early nineteenth century.
Tholung Monastery
This ancient Monastery was built in the beginning of the 18th Century by Chogyal Phuntshok Namgyal II, the then King of Sikkim. Once in three years these artifacts are displayed to the general public during the festival of Kamsil which falls in the month of April.
Trekking in the Kishong Valley
The other significance of the Thoulng Valley Trek is hike up this beautifully forested valley that leads to the higher alpine valleys where yaks graze below the snow capped mountains of the Kanchenjunga range and to the Holy Kishong Lake. At an altitude of 4500m above mean sea level and surrounded by the white snow capped mountains of the Kanchenjunga Range, a trek to this lake is a pilgrimage that trekkers look forward to. Alaos, Kishong Lake is of immense religious value to the Lepcha Tribe of North Sikkim, they believe that Kishong Lake shows the way to heaven, and also their ancestors originated from this lake.
Kishong Lake at 4550m on the Tholung Valley Trek
Getting there and away
Singhik & Lingshya about four hours drive and 68Km from the Capital of Sikkim , Gangtok is the trek head for the Tholung valley trek that leads to the secluded Tholung Monastery and to the high altitude Holu Kishong Lake. Singhik and Lingshya are two small villages situated on the slopes of the Tholung Valley copmrising of a few houses belonging to the ethnic Lepcha Tribe of North Sikkim. Few Home stays have sprung up now as more people are seeking secluded trekking destinations.
Best Time to Trek in North Sikkim
March to April is recomended for Tholung Valley Trek in North Sikkim. Not only for the wonderful views and the Kamsil Festival is held here on the grounds of the Tholung Monastery, but also for the different colors of the Rhododendrons and the wild flowers that bloom here during Spring.
Sikkim is Blessed with natural beauty and the Himalayas. Therefore, October to December is a good time to trek here for the wonderful views, and as well for an experience to trek and live among the ethnic tribes of North Sikkim.
TRIP FACTS :
Trek Grading: Moderate to Strenuous
Type of Trek : Camping/Tents.
Duration: 9 Nights/10 Days
Maximum Altitude: 4500m
Best Season: March-June and October-November.
Starting Point : Bagdogra Airport/NJP Railway Station/Nepal Border.
Ending Point : Bagdogra Airport/NJP Railway Station/Nepal Border.
Tour Availability: Only private treks are available on request for minimum of 2 persons.
Minimum 4 participants required for treks to operate for Indian Nationals
Note: Three months notice required to process permits for North Sikkim.
THOLUNG VALLEY TREK ITINERARY Day 1 : Arrive Bagdogra Airport/NJP Railway Station/Nepal Border. Drive to Bagdogra to Gangtok. Hotel(B/B).
Day 2 : Full day sightseeing around Gangtok including Rumtek Monastery. Hotel (B/B).
Day 3 : Drive north of Gangtok to Mangan and on to Singhik (63Km/3Hrs). Enroute visit Podong Monastery. Overnight Home stay.
Day 4 : Enjoy early morning views of Kanchenjunga range from Singhik. Drive from Singhik to the road-head at Lingsha. Start trek to Tholung valley. Trek to Tholung Gompa (3200m/12Km/6Hrs). Camping.
Day 5 : Trek Tholung Gumpa to Gikithang ( 3800m/6Hrs). Camping
Day 6 : Trek Gikithang to Kishong Lake (4500m/6Hrs). Camping
Day 7 : Trek Kishong Lake to Tholung (5Hrs). Camping
Day 8 : Trek Tholung to Lingthem (4Hrs). Overnight Home Stay
Day 9 : Drive Lingthem to Gangtok ( 68Km/3Hrs). Overnight Hotel
Day 10 : Drive to Bagdogra Airport/NJP Rail Station/Nepal Border for Final Departure. End of the Trek.
Tholung Valley Trek Cost :US$1800 per Person
Tholung Valley Trek Cost for Indian Nationals : Please request quote in Indian Rupee
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 participants’ safety, comfort and general well being.
Recommendations: The trek is strenuous and demands good physical form. A physical fitness check-up is recomended.
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