The Phoktey Dara Trek

Arrive at NJP or Bagdogra and begin a scenic drive through tea gardens, river valleys, and terraced hillsides as you enter the quieter landscapes of West Sikkim. The road gently climbs toward Uttarey, a peaceful village surrounded by forests and ridgelines. Settle into your homestay, meet your trek leader, and explore the village's monasteries or pine-fragrant lanes to prepare for the journey ahead.

After a relaxed morning, begin your trek toward Barsey National Park along a forested trail alive with bird calls and soft sunlight filtering through oak and rhododendron canopies. The ascent is steady but achievable, making it ideal for beginners. Reach Achalley / Barsey in 3 - 4 hours and enjoy the serenity of your forest campsite, where clear skies and star - filled nights create the perfect Himalayan welcome.

Continue trekking through dense bamboo thickets, open grasslands, and mossy woodland stretches where mountain streams cross your path. Occasional clearings reveal glimpses of distant snow-capped peaks. By afternoon, reach Joributey or Deolinga Dhap, areas known for their spectacular ridge-top views. Set up camp amidst sweeping panoramas and unwind to the quiet rhythms of the forest at dusk.

Leave the lower forests behind as the trail climbs into higher alpine terrain with expanding views of the Singalila Ridge. This section offers some of the trek's most rewarding scenery, with waterfalls, sunlit slopes, and distant valleys opening below. After 5 - 6 hours of steady trekking, reach Kalijhar (3,400 m), your base for the famed Phoktey Dara sunrise. The campsite is beautifully placed for breathtaking early-morning views.

Begin an early pre - dawn climb to Phoktey Dara, reaching the ridge just as the sky ignites behind Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. This rare multi - peak panorama makes the trek truly unique. After enjoying the sunrise, walk toward Singalila Pass before descending to camp for breakfast. The remainder of the day is spent resting, hydrating, and enjoying the peaceful alpine surroundings.

Descend toward Uttarey through rhododendron - lined paths, bamboo groves, and cool forest sections filled with birdsong and the sound of flowing streams. The downhill route is gentle on the legs and offers refreshing views of valleys and ridges you crossed earlier. On arriving in Uttarey, enjoy a warm meal at your homestay or a local restaurant and settle in for a comfortable, well - earned night's rest.

After breakfast, drive back through Sikkim's foothills toward the plains. The return journey passes quiet villages, terraced farms, and river bends that offer a final glimpse of the region's untouched beauty. Reach NJP or Bagdogra with the satisfaction of completing one of West Sikkim's most scenic and peaceful Himalayan treks.