Red pandas and tragopans
Khangchendzonga National Park holds red panda, snow leopard, clouded leopard and about 550 bird species, including the satyr tragopan.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Dzongri is the shorter cousin of Goechala: the same forest and the same giant, without the pass.
8,586m
Kangchenjunga, in view
4,170m
Dzongri Top
57.7km
Walking, over 6 days
2016
UNESCO World Heritage
💪 Moderate–hard🌸 Mar–May🍂 Oct–Nov🧭 Guide required
Day by day
Seven days, step by step
This is Explurger's plan. Totals range from 45 to 58 km; OpenStreetMap measures about 38.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1NJP/Bagdogra → YuksomVia Jorethang and Legship~150 km · 6–8 h🛏️ Yuksom · 1,780 m
- Day 2Yuksom → BakhimVia Sachen12 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Hut · 2,750 m
- Day 3Bakhim → TshokaInto the park6 km · 3–4 h🛏️ Hut · 3,000 m
- Day 4Tshoka → PhedangRhododendron forest5 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Tents · 3,700 m
- Day 5Phedang → DzongriOver Deorali5 km · 3–4 h🛏️ Tents · 4,020 m
- Day 6Dzongri Top → TshokaSunrise, then down8–9 h🛏️ Hut at Tshoka
- Day 7Tshoka → YuksomThe long descent18 km · 6–7 h
Stories and nature
Under the five treasuries
Best trekking circuit
Sikkim's forest department announced that the Goecha La–Dzongri circuit won the Outlook Traveller Awards 2025 Gold for Best Trekking Circuit in India.
A mountaineers' base
Yuksom is a base of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute; from Gingay Dara, near Dzongri, you can see its training base camp.
When to go
Spring and autumn
The trek closes in the monsoon.
March–May
Rhododendrons; April is best.
Oct–Nov
The clearest views of Kangchenjunga.
Monsoon
Closed.
Winter
Heavy snow and down to −10 °C: for seasoned trekkers only.
Plan your trip
Getting to Yuksom
Yuksom is the last road village, a long drive from the plains.
- NJP / Bagdogra🚙 ~150 km via Jorethang and Legship, 6–8 h
- Yuksom
Gangtok is 4–5 hours from Yuksom.
Cost
Himalaya Shelter charges ₹28,000 + 5% GST for 8 days. Explurger estimates ₹12,000–18,000 for standard packages.
Permits
A park permit (₹300 for Indians per Holidify), a route permit and police registration at Yuksom. Foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit.
Guide
A registered local guide is mandatory; solo trekking is not allowed.
Altitude sickness
The Tshoka–Dzongri climb gains over 1,000 m. Sleep at Phedang and go slowly.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
The nearest ATMs are in Yuksom, Pelling and Gangtok. There are none on the trail. Bikat Adventures (Goechala trek)
Little phone signal
Yuksom is the last place with reliable signal. Jio, Airtel and Vodafone work in spots up to Tshoka, and at Tshoka and Phedang in good weather. Mountain Tours & Treks
No electricity
There is no electricity on the trek. Carry a head torch with spare batteries. Mountain Tours & Treks
Water
Carry about 2 litres from Yuksom and refill at streams. There is no water between Phedang and Deorali. Purify with iodine tablets. Ashmita Trek
Huts and toilets
Trekkers' huts at Tshoka and Dzongri, or twin tents. Toilets are a tent over a dry pit with a portable seat. Himalaya Trekker
Weather up high
In autumn, from Phedang up: days 2 to 14 °C, nights −15 to 2 °C. Mountain Tours & Treks
Fitness certificate
A medical fitness certificate is mandatory. It can be arranged in Yuksom. Indians also need original ID and 4 passport photos. Mountain Tours & Treks
Nearest hospital
Primary Health Centre in Yuksom. District Hospital, Gyalshing, is about 5 hours by road: +91 3595 250648. Trekup India (Goechala trek)
Offloading
A horse carries your rucksack for ₹3,500 + 5% GST for the whole trek. Keep it under 10 kg. Himalaya Trekker
Jeep to Yuksom
Shared jeeps run Siliguri to Jorethang (about 4 h), then on to Yuksom (about 3 h). Seats aren't guaranteed. A private Sumo costs ₹5,500–7,000 one way. Himalaya Trekker
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trek in Sikkim: Dzongri trek, things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Siliguri before you leave
DecathlonBuy · trek shoes, jackets, thermals, socks, torches, polesA Block, 3rd Floor, City Centre Mall, Matigara, Siliguri 734010 · +91 90197 35251 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 7 operators with a Dzongri page in October 2026. Prices vary widely, because many quote private trips rather than group departures, and only Ashmita Trek lists dates for this season.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.