Left: Marigold seller Photo: Andrew Skeats Right: Trekking to Green Lake Photo: Andy Skeats Kangchenjunga, the Goecha La and Singalila Ridge Combination The Goecha La was the first trek that Himalayan Kingdoms ever ran. Years ago we thought it would be fun to add part of the Singalila Ridge trek to give a longer, more varied trek. We also fly into Calcutta and enjoy an Indian train journey to reach Sikkim. This has proved very popular and both our spring and autumn departures since then have been well-subscribed. Sikkim’s appeal lies in the fact that the kingdom is restricted, making it a little-known destination, combined with an excellent trekking objective – a hike to within 8 miles of the world’s third highest peak. A stay at the British Raj hill station of Darjeeling adds to that appeal. Reaching the Goecha La pass 4,900m/16,000ft is the high point of the trek. Kangchenjunga towers another 3,660m/12,000ft above the pass dwarfing everything. 22 Download detailed itineraries from www.himalayankingdoms.com e: info@himalayankingdoms.com The Kingdom of Sikkim Green Lake and the Zemu Glacier Northern Sikkim has remained a sensitive border area ever since the Chinese invaded Tibet and Sikkim in the turbulent days of the Cultural Revolution. Prior to that only a handful of foreigners managed to climb a few esoteric peaks such as Siniolchu (6,888m/22,598ft) near the Tibetan border. The early Everest expeditions travelled through Northern Sikkim in the 1920s, and the Dalai Lama, fleeing from the Chinese in 1959, also trekked through the north. Northern Sikkim is home to the original Sikkimese people, the Lepchas, and we expect to meet many on trek and visit their villages. Our main focus, however, is to trek up to Green Lake and the Zemu Glacier. Not surprisingly, our first three trips met no other Europeans, and everyone waxed lyrical about the fantastic mountain scenery and remoteness. £2,595* £2,155* *Price excl. permit Dates: Sat 27 Sep – Sun 19 Oct land only Grade: Strenuous On Trek: 12 days European Leader: tbc Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 7 Camping: 11 Train: 1 Lodges: 2 Optional: Single Room £260 Single Tent £50 Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 23 days 1–3 Fly to Calcutta, sightseeing, overnight train to Siliguri 4–5 Drive to Kalimpong, sightseeing, drive to Gangtok –6 Travel to Lachen, via Chungthang 7–18 Trek to Green Lake and Zemu Glacier 19–20 Drive to Darjeeling via Gangtok 21–23 Sightseeing, fly to Calcutta, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of6clients The Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim is a remote mountainous region bordering Tibet to the north and wedged between the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan. It is a beautiful lush country, often referred to as the ‘Garden Kingdom of the Himalaya’, and the world’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga (8,586m/28,168ft), straddles the border with Nepal. After its annexation by India in 1975, Sikkim became a Restricted Area, requiring special entry permits, and as a result has retained its original Buddhist charm. £2,095 £1,535 Thu 27 Mar – Fri 18 Apr £1,995 £1,535 Thu 25 Sep – Fri 17 Oct Thu 16 Oct – Fri 07 Nov Price TBC: 2009 dates: Thu 26 Mar ’09 – Fri 17 Apr ’09 land only land only Grade: Vigorous/Strenuous On Trek: 14 days Indian Sirdar Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 7 Camping: 13 Train: 1 Optional: Single Room £250 Single Tent £70 Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 23 days 1–2 Fly to Calcutta, at leisure –3 Sightseeing and board sleeper train –4 Arrive Siliguri, drive to Darjeeling 5–19 Trek to Goecha La and return 20–21 Drive to Darjeeling, at leisure 22–23 Fly to Calcutta, at leisure, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Himalayan Kingdoms’ FIRST EVER trek in 1988 Another Kangchenjunga trek – see page 25 2 Capital City Town Airport Major peak International Border Road Railway Pass ] [

23 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com The Kangchenjunga Goecha La Trek, which took place April 1988, was led for us by Steve Findlay. The clients were Albert Chapman, Paul Crowther, Timothy Smith and John Findlay. Over the years they have all kindly printed their own testimonial in this box. Therefore, this year we thought it would be interesting to see up-todate testimonies from people who went on this trek last year. Spring ‘I can't praise your ground handlers too highly. Everything ran smoothly… The Sirdar spoke excellent English and organised everything very efficiently. He had an air of authority, but at the same time was friendly with his crew, and obviously got on well with them. The cook, Norbu, was first class. all agreed we had never had better food on a trek. All Sherpas were helpful and friendly. All in all, a wonderful crew. Many thanks for a memorable holiday.’ Autumn ‘My friend and I have been going on treks for the past years. This trek led by Uden Sherpa was the best led organised trek we have been on. “A great team” and “nothing was too much trouble.” Super service.’ Gentle Trekking in Sikkim and Darjeeling A thorough exploration of Sikkim. Each day trek ends at a good quality lodge rather than under canvas. Arriving in India is quite a cultural transition! Calcutta, one time capital of the British Raj, is a fascinating experience in its own right. After some pleasant sightseeing, a very Indian rail journey takes us across the plains of India to the foothills of the Himalaya. We will visit the old British Raj Hill Station of Darjeeling, and from there move on into Sikkim to go trekking in a number of different beautiful locations. This will include a visit to Tukvar Tea Gardens, Pemayangtse Monastery and Sangachoeling Monastery, passing on to Rumtek Monastery, the home base for the controversial Karmapa Lama, who recently fled from Tibet. We will visit the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, where we have allowed a further day to soak up the atmosphere of this hill station retreat. Christmas in Darjeeling What better place could there be to enjoy Christmas than at the old colonial-style hotel in Darjeeling, world-famous Windamere? Steeped in history and owned by a Tibetan family, its walls are hung with faded black and white photos from the days of the British Raj, furniture is antique and the service old-fashioned; staff light a coal fire in your room, cucumber sandwiches served at tea and the piano is played at dinner time. The trek on the Singalila Ridge is widely acclaimed as of the classic walks of the Himalayan foothills, giving panoramic views of Kangchenjunga, her satellites, and on clear day, Everest herself. The walk essentially follows a welldefined ridge that is more elevated than the others that between it and the main Himalayan range. Sunrises sunsets are particularly spectacular. £1,795 £1,375 Thu 03 Apr – Fri 18 Apr Thu 02 Oct – Fri 17 Oct Price TBC: 2009 dates: Thu 02 Apr ’09 – Fri 17 Apr ’09 land only Grade: Gentle Day Walks: 7 days Indian Sirdar Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 8 Lodges: 5 Train: 1 Optional: Single Room £285 Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 16 days 1–3 Fly to Calcutta, at leisure, overnight train to Siliguri, drive to Darjeeling –4 Sightseeing in Darjeeling 5–10 Day treks to Tumling, Garibas, Tukvar Tea Gardens, Barsey, Dentam and Pemayangtse –11 Drive to Gangtok 12–13 Sightseeing and visit Rumtek monastery 14–16 Drive to Bagdogra, fly to Calcutta. At leisure. Fly to London. Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Improved itinerary Singalila Ridge Top Walk The most popular trek from Darjeeling is the Singalila Ridge which offers magnificent panoramic views of the eastern Himalaya, including on a clear day, Everest itself. In the spring particularly there is a wealth of rhododendron in bloom and the approach trek to the ridge through luxuriant forest is a botanical delight. The maximum height on trek is 3,636m/11,929ft and thus acclimatisation to altitude is not an issue. By staying at the three ‘Heritage Houses’ of the Windamere in Darjeeling, the Himalaya View Hotel in Kalimpong, and Netuk House in Gangtok we aim to provide an insight into the style of the British Raj. Each in its own way is rather oldfashioned, hung with faded photographs of Tibetan nobles, visiting Viceroys and famous explorers. We include a ride on the narrow gauge mountain railway and sunrise over Kangchenjunga from Tiger Hill to round off our stay in Darjeeling. £1,695 £1,295 Dates: Sat 29 Mar – Sun 13 Apr, Sat 27 Sep – Sun 12 Oct, Sat 04 Apr ’09 – Sun 19 Apr’ 09 land only Grade: Moderate On Trek: 6 days Indian Sirdar Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 6 Camping: 6 Train: 1 Lodge: 1 Optional: Single Room £295 Single Tent £30 Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 16 days 1–2 Fly to Calcutta, night train to Siliguri 3–4 Drive to Kalimpong, sightseeing 5–6 Sightseeing Gangtok, visit Rumtek 7–13 Trekking on the Singalila Ridge –14 Sightseeing in Darjeeling, Toy Train 15–16 Fly to Calcutta, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients 2 2 £2,495 £1,805 Dates: Sun 21 Dec ’08 – Mon 05 Jan ’09 land only Grade: Moderate On Trek: 8 days Indian Sirdar Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 8 Camping: 6 Optional: Single Room £295 Single Tent £40 Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 16 days 1–3 Fly to Delhi, fly to Bagdogra, drive to Darjeeling 4–5 Sightseeing in Darjeeling, toy train and Tiger Hill 6–13 Trekking Singalila Ridge 14–16 Fly to Delhi, at leisure, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of2clients Sneaking a peek Photo: Steve Harbert Other Christmas treks – see pages 21, 28, 29, 32, 34, 53, 55, 56, 58 & First HK Trek