The Goechala Trek: An Excursion to the Third Highest Peak
Discovering the Lost Secret of Sikkim
The Indian Himalayas provide an ice and stone refuge to anybody who heeds the mountain call. Out of the plethora of trails one is free to choose, the Goechala trek stands out as an epic one. This is more than just a hiking trail; and sits in the lush Sikkim state, this trail is more of an entry to the very core of the Kanchenjunga National Park. This expedition has the main goal of traveling to the Goechala pass which is a gate to Goechala, a high altitude, located 16,200 feet above the ground. It is a place where one can get as near to the summit of Mount Kanchenjunga as possible without having to organize a full-scale climbing trip. The expedition is one of the main attractions of every adventurer all over the world, because of the chance to be in the foot of the third highest mountain on Earth.
The scenery of this place is steep and wild. The pathway leads tourists through a UNESCO world heritage site that is renowned due to ecological diversity. It is a descent, on the various climatic zones, beginning with the damp and oxygen-saturated valleys, to the gasping and frosty air of the high alpine country. It is this diversity that makes the trek an exciting affair because the terrain changes drastically every single day.
The Path that History Took to High Altitude
It all starts with the city tour of Yuksom, a historical town of Sikkim as its initial capital. This quiet village is used as the ladder towards the adventure and the luxuries of civilization are abandoned to the harsh realities of the wild. The first days of the Goechala trek show hikers ancient deep forests. The path follows the raging Prek Chu which is traversed by suspension bridges flowing softly over the cold waters. The river and the chirping of exotic birds give a sound symphony which walks trekkers up the higher up.
A Canvas of Rhododendrons
Among the most scenic features of this route one will see during the spring season. The forest between the Tshoka and the Phedang campsites is transformed with magic. In the month of April and May, rhododendrons cover the slopes with their colorful flowers. These flowers cover the mountains with fires of red, tender pink and white. The sense of walking into these tunnels full of color is a sense of pleasure that is completely contrasted with the grey and white of the peaks that are awaiting. It serves as a reminder of the fragile existence, which is alive even in the extreme conditions in the Himalayas.
The High Camp Experience
The vegetation thins out as the trail grows up over the Dzongri campsite and disappears to reveal the bare exuberance of the alpine meadows and the rocky moraines. The air is cool and dry, and requires a slow pace and deep breathing. The trail takes the trekkers into the Thansing valley, which is a flat land entirely encircled by large mountains such as Mount Pandim. This part of the walk feels as though one is walking on the roof of the world and the sky seems to be nearer and the mountains seem bigger than life.
The Sunrise over Kanchenjunga
The uppermost point of the Goechala trek is the summit push. This last stage of the trip starts in the graveyard. Trekkers get up hours before the sunrise to hike through the rugged and rocky landscapes in the headlamps. It is very cold, but the expectation heats the blood. It is the aim to arrive at View point 1 when the sun is rising. It is worth all the effort to see the spectacle. The first rays of the sun hit the snowy Kanchenjunga face as the sun rises above the horizon. The mountain changes into a spectral figure into a blazing golden and crimson light. It is a religious kind of experience that makes the spectators marvel at the beauty of nature.
Conclusion
The Goechala hike is an intensive experience, which tests the body and feeds the soul. It provides a unique blend of history of cultures, environmental beauty, and adventure in the highlands. The magnificent Himalayas are reflected in every minute on the trail, in the flowering woods of the lower valleys, and in the gold of sunrise on the face of Kanchenjunga. It is not only about the destination but also a journey to find a strength within one by walking through the giants of the earth.
