Mountain Scenery and Trekking in sikkim

Many peaks in the fantastic mountain scenery of Sikkim reach heights of over 7000 m. Recently only, a few mountain peaks between 5500-6000 m have been opened to the ascent (authorizations are required) and the possible trekking routes enrich the experience of the mountain landscape of the Himalayas. Extremely impressive and towering over everything is of course the Kangchendzönga - engl. Mount Kangchenjunga - with 8586 m the third highest mountain on the planet. However, to climb to the summit is not allowed - partly because it is regarded by the natives as a sacred mountain and protected by the government to preserve its unspoiled state. This also applies to other sacred mountains, thereto count in Sikkim Mount Pandim, the Kabru Dom and Mount Siniolchu.

The most amazing fact about the mountain world of Sikkim is probably the surprising change of the vegetation from valley to valley - after crossing a mountain pass one sometimes appears to be in a completely different world. Up to an altitude of about 3700 m stretch the deciduous and coniferous forests, then there is the typical low altitude vegetation and screes left behind by glaciers. Yet even here, man has left his mark - small settlements, lonely mountain huts and Buddhist temples offer hospitable warmth. From about 5000 meters upwards then the Himalaya is covered by a full year layer of snow and ice, whose pristine silence and purity makes clear why a people can call a mountain sacred.

Physical challenge	Description and area of the trek	Maximum altitude	Duration	Type of accommodation	Remarks / Description
Hiking
moderate	Sikkim village and nature walksSikkim East, West, South and North	1800 – 4000 meters	1 – 6 hours	mountain cabin, farmhouse or homestay	Get a glimpse into the rural life of the Himalayas, take a walk through cardamom plantations and get acquainted with the farmers amidst the mountains of Sikkim.
TREKKING up to 3600 meters
easy to moderate	Lepcha Sacred Hill TendongSikkim South	2100 –2690 meters	5 hours	Homestay or mountain cabin	A trek through primeval jungle with a wide animal and plant diversity up to Tendong - the mountain of the raised horn. According to the legend, this mountaintop had risen during a major flood disaster and had saved so in a magical way the people's lives.For Buddhist hermits the site was a popular place for meditation. Enjoy an impressive view of the Mt. Khangchendzonga, the Chola summits, the Singelila mountain range and the plains of Bengal.
moderate	Sacred CaveSikkim South & West	1850 – 2900 meters	1 - 3 days	Tent, montain cabin or homestay	Whether you wish to practice Tibetan Buddhism, or you would like to visit the mystical, sacred caves of Sikkim for other reasons, do take advantage of our trekking experience in this area. In order to reach two of the four sacred caves, you need 2-3 days. On request accompanies us a Buddhist Lama.
easy to moderate	Maenam Wildlife SanctuarySikkim South	2200 - 3200 meters	7 – 8 hours	homestay or mountain cabin	With a little luck with the weather, you can enjoy a fantastic 360º panoramic view on the Himalayas of Sikkim during this trek - from Mt. Khangchendzonga across the eastern Himalayas from Tibet and Bhutan to the plains of West Bengal. Also, you might catch a glimpse of rare mammals and pheasants. On the summit of the Maenam a small temple has been built. A lush green canopy of pristine rhododendron and magnolia forests under which bamboo and countless orchids and other flowers spread; a carpet of moss, ferns and climbing plants make this trek an impressive experience.
easy to moderate	Rhododendron TrekkingSikkim West	2200 –3600 meters	2 – 5 days	tent	Discover the diversity of the rhododendrons on this jungle trek and enjoy a daily panoramic view of the Mt Khangchendzonga. Quite easy stretch with slight differences in height.
easy	Dzongu – TholungSikkim North	2900 meters	4 – 6 days	Tent or mountain cabin	In the homeland of the Lepchas, the native inhabitants of Sikkim: you traverse pristine jungle in all its living diversity, discover dozens of waterfalls, a remote monastery and several natural sanctuaries on this really easy trekking route. Various village visits can be integrated.
TREKKING up to 4800 meters
moderate	Alp DzongriSikkim West	4100 meters	4 – 5 days	mountain cabins and tent	Experience the Mt Khangchendzonga just below the tree line and the transition from the subtropical to the alpine vegetation zone.
moderate	Yumthang – Lachen Sikkim North	4750 meters	5 days	tent	Enjoy the views of the Tibetan high plateau and of some mighty mountain peaks in North Sikkim. Trek across remote areas with alpine vegetation.
TREKKING up to 5500 meters
moderate to demanding	Classic Mt. KhangchendzongaSikkim West	4950 meters	8 – 14 days	tent and mountain cabins	Classic trekking of Sikkim in the Khangchendzonga National Park with direct views of its summit. Discover the differences in the vegetation from the the subtropical to the alpine zone.
demanding	Singelela – Göchela Sikkim West	4950 meters	11 or 13 days	tent	Demanding trekking in remote highlands. Enjoy the pristine alpine vegetation and Himalayan landscapes, discover secluded lakes and the beauty of the views of the Himalayas of Sikkim and Nepal.
moderate	GreenlakeSikkim North	4950 meters	8 – 11 days	tent	A remote side valley in the alpine zone with fantastic views of the mountains and glaciers of North Sikkim.
EXPEDITIONS and MOUNTAINEERING above 5600 meters
moderate	Mt. ChogyalSikkim West	5830 meters	13 – 14 days	tent	Enjoy the views of the peaks of Kokrung and Rathong as well as the Malkau mountain range. The Mt Khangchendzonga is always in view. The climb to the summit itself can be very demanding due to snowfall and climbs of up to 35 ° on scree slopes. The trek must be registered six months in advance.
Demanding, only with technical support	Frey's PeakSikkim West	5830 meters	12 days	tent	The summit is rocky, steep and partly covered with ice, so that on this tour great physical challenges await. Some sections can be mastered only by experienced climbers
Demanding, only with technical support	Mt. ThinchenkhanSikkim West	6050 meters	12 days	tent	Experience in rock and ice climbing is required. Registration of this trip six months before the start.
moderate	Mt. BrumkhangtseSikkim North	5635 meters	7 – 9 days	tent	This peak in the remote North of Sikkim is one of the easier to conquer. Nevertheless, a permission must be applied for, six months before the start of the tour

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Mountain Scenery and trekking