GREEN LAKE TREK
Green Lake Trek is mainly known for the stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges and beautiful sightings of different natural land-forms. Green Lake base camp is nestled at an elevation of 4935 meter (16200 feet) dotted with Alpine meadows and a serene lake. On this route trekkers will come across different species of Rhododendrons forests, Himalayan streams and many unknown waterfalls. Before the Second World War the mountaineers of Kanchenjunga expedition use this route for their campaign. Green Lake trek route is still one of the unexplored and unknown trek routes of Sikkim. During this trek route trekkers will come across some of the spanning mountain boundaries of Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. Apart from the vast stretches of forests and wide meadows, one will also traverse along some of the secluded tribal villages perched high on the lofty mountain valleys. The whole span of Green Lake Trek can continues from 12 to 13 days.
Day 01: NJP railway station / Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok:
Arrivals at either NJP railway station the nearest rail head/ Bagdogra Airport the nearest and known airport. From NJP railway station or Bagdogra Airport by hired vehicle trekkers need to reach at Gangtok located around 130 km away. Gangtok is located at East Sikkim and is the capital of Sikkim perched at an altitude of 1700 meter (5600 feet). On reaching Gangtok check in to your hotel. Evening will remain free for leisure timing. Overnight stay at Gangtok.
Day 02: Gangtok to Lachen:
On this day after breakfast checkout from Gangtok and proceed further towards Lachen, located at Northern part of Sikkim. On the way from Gangtok to Lachen trekkers will come across some of the notable tourist spots namely Tashi View Point, Phodong Monastery, Kabi Longstok, Mangan and Chungthang. Lachen is located around 135 km away from Gangtok and is nestled at an elevation of 2730 meter (9000 feet) high. Lachen is regarded as the base for Green Lake trek. On reaching Lachen check in to your hotel. Evening will remain free for leisure time. Overnight stay at Lachen.
Day 03: Lachen to Tallem:
On this day check out from Lachen and start your trek towards Tallem perched at an altitude of 3240 meter (10700 feet) via Zema. From Lachen trekkers need to reach Zema by vehicle and from there start their trek onto Tallem. At some places the road is steep uphill. This route is of 12 km long. On reaching Tallem check in to your homestay/ camp. Evening will remain free for leisure. Overnight stay at Tallem.
Day 04: Tallem to Jakthang:
On this day trekkers will leave Tallem and proceed further towards Jakthang perched at an altitude of 3430 meter (11300 feet). The route from Tallem to Jakthang is of 12 km long. From Tallem before reach Jakthang trekkers need to cross river Lhonak Chu and after a certain steep uphill one need to cross the wide meadows of Subuk valley. On reaching Jakthang check in to your tents. Overnight stay at Jakthang.
Day 05: Stay at Jakthang:
On this day trekkers are advised to make a night halt at Jakthang, as it is very important to get acclimatize with the rising altitudes and change in climate. Overnight stay at Jakthang.
Day 06: Jakthang to Yakub:
On this day trekkers will leave Jakthang and start their trek towards Yakub. From Jakthang through a steep uphill trek by the dense wilderness after crossing a bridge the route approaches towards Thumbuk. From Thumbuk after steep uphill and downhill route trekkers will reach near river Zemu-Chu. From here one can reach at Yabuk camping ground. Yabuk is nestled close to the Zemu glacier. Yabuk is nestled at an elevation of 4040 meter (13250 feet) and this route is of 08 km long. On reaching Yabuk check in to your tent. Overnight stay in tents at Yabuk.
Day 07: Yabuk to Rest Camp:
On this day after breakfast trekkers will leave Yabuk and start their trek to Rest Camp which is located near Zemu glacier and the trail is paved with boulders. The route is steep and indistinct. The route to Rest Camp is of 08 km and the valley is dominated by some of the giant Himalayan peaks like Mt. Siniolchu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Simvo, Twin Peak and Nepal Peak guarding the distant horizon. Rest Camp is nestled at an elevation of 4725 meter (15500 feet). On reaching Rest Camp check in to your tent. Overnight stay in tents at Rest Camp.
Day 08: Rest Camp to Green Lake:
On this day trekkers will start their trek towards Green Lake. The route to Green Lake from Rest Camp is by a ridge and is gently up the valleys. The route from Rest Camp to Green Lake is of 06 km. On this route to Green Lake trekkers can witness the admiring view of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks of Mt. Siniolchu, Mt. Simvo, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Nepal Peak and Twin Peaks. On reaching Green Lake trekkers will be amazed by its magical beauty and surrounding landscapes. Green Lake is nestled at an elevation of (4935 meter) 16200 feet and trekkers will also get to witness the reflection of the Himalayan peaks on the water of Green Lake. Overnight stay in tents near Green Lake.
Day 09: Hiking near Green Lake and stay:
On this day trekkers are advised to make another night stay at Green Lake. Trekkers can spend the day witnessing the great mountains of Sikkim. From Green Lake trekkers can opt to climb a hill behind Green Lake camp which is about an hour and reach at a high point that offers majestic view of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga and others along with Mt. Chomolhari in Bhutan. This high point also offers the view of the gap that links Zemu valley to Talung valley. Overnight stay in tents near Green Lake.
Day 10: Green Lake to Yabuk:
On this day trekkers will leave Green Lake campsite and trek the same way back to Yabuk via Rest Camp. On reaching Yabuk check in to your tent. Overnight stay in tents at Yabuk.
Day 11: Yabuk to Tallem/ Jakthang:
On this day after breakfast trekkers will leave Yabuk and trek the same way back to Tallem. If trekkers find it difficult to get back to Tallem directly, one can also opt to make a night halt and Jakthang. From Jakthang the next day trekkers can get back to Tallem. Overnight stay in tents at Tallem.
Day 12: Tallem to Lachen:
On this day trekkers will leave from Tallem and trek back by the same route to Lachen. This day is the last day of trekking of Green Lake trek. On reaching Lachen check in to your hotel. Evening will remain free for leisure time. Overnight stay at Lachen.
Day 13: Lachen to Gangtok:
On this day trekkers will leave from Lachen and travel back to Gangtok by hired vehicle. On reaching Gangtok check in to your hotel. Evening will remain free for leisure time. Overnight stay at Gangtok.
Day 14: Gangtok to NJP/ Bagdogra Back:
On this day trekkers can opt to leave Gangtok and proceed for their journey way back to NJP railway station or Bagdogra Airport.
How to reach:
By Air: As Green Lake trek starts from Gangtok, hence trekkers need to start their journey from Gangtok. Pakyong Airport is the nearest airport to Gangtok located around 26.9 km away via NH 717A and NH 10. The second nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport located 125 km away. Though Pakyong is the nearest airport but it is not well connected by regular flight service with other major cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Guwahati, Bangalore and Mumbai. But Bagdogra is very well connected with these Indian cities by regular flight services. From Bagdogra trekkers will get both reserved and shared vehicles to reach Gangtok.
By Train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station is the nearest rail head to Gangtok located at a distance of 130 km away. NJP railway station is very well connected by regular train services with rest of India. From NJP railway station either by hired vehicles trekkers can reach upto Gangtok.
By Road: Gangtok is well connected by good roadway networks with the nearest city of Siliguri (114 km) away. From Gangtok tourists will get hired vehicles to reach at Lachen.
Best time to visit:
There are two different times of the year ideal for Green Lake trek. One is April to May is the best time to witness the blooming Rhododendrons along with other Himalayan flowers. October to November is another fitting time to trek Green Lake as during this time the climate remains clear and trekkers will get easy access to the higher altitudes.
Things to know about Green Lake Trek:
- Green Lake trek is an advance trek and hence trekkers should be well advanced in trekking in the higher altitudes.
- Trekkers should be fit enough both physically and mentally in order to proceed for Green Lake trek as it is quite a long trek route.
- Guides and porters are must for Green Lake trek, which is available from Gangtok/ Lachen.
- Trekkers are also advised to carry adequate ration and tents (for camps). As during this whole trek of Green Lake, one will hardly find any shops or market area after the trek route starts.
- Trekkers are also advised not to litter or throw any plastic bottles and any such things during this whole trek route.
- Trekkers are also advised to carry required medicines (if any) during this trek route.
- Carrying sleeping bags along with tents is also mandatory.
- In order to proceed towards Green Lake trek, one needs to obtain the required permits from Sikkim Government, which is available from Gangtok and Mangan.
- Trekkers also advised to carry adequate drinking water during their entire trek route, as it is very important.
- Trekkers are advised to carry their first aid box along with them during the whole trek as it is mandatory.
- For photographers should carry their sufficient batteries as it may get impossible to charge their camera batteries after gaining a certain altitudes or after leaving the human settlements.
- Trekkers should carry their all sorts of trekking equipment along their trek to Green Lake.