One of the most scenic treks in the Himalayas offering stunning views of Kangchenjunga (3rd highest peak in the world) and several other 7000m peaks

Duration: 22 days
Best time: mid April to mid May; mid October to mid November
Grade: Difficult - requires technical climbing

Formalities required:
1. Sikkim Inner Line Permit to be obtained at the respective Indian Embassy or in Darjeeling/Gangtok
2. Trek permit for entry to the Kangchenjunga National Park to be obtained at Gangtok
3. Climbing permit for Tingchingkhang Peak to be obtained at Gangtok
We require minimum three months to process the permissions. Please contact us for further details and booking.

Tingchinkhang has been previously conquered only once by the Indo-British Army Expedition in May 1999. Sonam Lepcha, our mountain guide was leading the expedition and along with him six people reached the top. There have been some more attempts on the peak, including a Discovery Journeys expedition in April 2003, but these were not successful.

During our last expedition in April, we had adhered to the following itinerary; due to paucity of time (the clients had to board their flight in Delhi) this was not successful!

April 19: Climb to ABC at (roughly) 15,000 ft
April 20: Climb to Camp I at (roughly) 18,300 ft
April 21: Summit
April 22: Extra climbing day
April 23: Extra climbing day
April 24: Extra Climbing day

We had kept 4 days just for the climb but due to inclement weather had to turn back from Camp II as we had no extra time to wait and sit out the bad weather. Taking this factor into account, we recommend at least 5 to 6 days for the climb, to make it a success this time!!

The description of the peak
From Advance Base Camp (ABC) to Camp I there is a face where ropes will have to be fixed; it is therefore advisable to spend a night at ABC to enable fixing of ropes from early morning the next day, and this also gives some more time for acclimatisation. There are seracs en route and probably a few crevasses may be open depending on the time of the year. Technical climbing is needed up to half way above Camp II. There are stretches where it involves just walking up the mountain. From the steep ramp the summit is about 3hrs away

Expeditions Route

DAY 01:
Arrive Delhi / Kolkata.

DAY 02:
Fly to Bagdogra and then drive to Darjeeling.

DAY 03:
Sightseeing and acclimatisation.

DAY 04:
Drive to Yoksum; evening stroll to the monastery.

DAY 05:
Trek to Bakhim. Overnight in tents.

DAY 06:
Trek to Dzongri. Overnight in tents.

DAY 07:
Trek to Thangshing. Overnight in tents.

DAY 08:
Trek to Samity Lake. Overnight in tents.

DAY 09:
Trek to Goecha La Pass and trek back to Thangshing. Overnight in tents.

DAY 10:
Thangshing to ABC 3hrs. Steep walk up to ABC camp.

DAY 11:
ABC. Day reserved for clearing up the route and rope fixing. Approximately 1400 metres of fixed ropes are required.

DAY 12:
Ferrying up load to Camp I by the Sherpas.

DAY 13:
Ferrying up load to Camp I by the Sherpas.

DAY 14:
ABC to Camp I with full equipment: harnesses, slings, jumars, screws carabiners, plain carabiners, descenders, ice axes, crampons, plastic boots etc. Most of the route requires technical rock climbing with fixed ropes. Further up the ridge there are a few stretches enabling upright walking. Some areas are exposed and all have to be roped up; may encounter both soft snow as well as hard and packed snow. Approximately 5 hours till the camp.

DAY 15:
Camp I to Camp II. Load Ferrying and move up to Camp II.

DAY 16:
Camp II to Summit and return to Camp I. One hour gradual glacier walk up to the base of the mountain then roping up; approx 3 hours of technical climbing on fixed ropes till the final ridge. Approx 3 hours walk roped up, to reach the summit.

DAY 17:
From Camp I down to ABC and trek to Thangshing.

DAY 18:
Trek back to Bakhim.

DAY 19:
Trek back to Yoksum and then short drive to Pemayangste. Overnight in a delightful hotel with distant view of the mountains.

DAY 20:
Drive to Gangtok. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 21:
Visit monastery and drive to Bagdogra; flight to Delhi / Kolkata.

DAY 22:
Return flight to home Country.

THIS IS THE REGULAR ITINERARY BUT PLEASE KEEP A FEW EXTRA DAYS AVAILABLE IN CASE THE WEATHER TURNS NASTY.

NOTE: DISCOVERY JOURNEYS SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENT, MISHAP, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ETC.