• Difficulty: Strenuous

• Max Elevation:

• Duration: 10 days

• Start/end point: Yuksom village, 5 hours from the Bagdogra airport

• Accommodation: Camping

For those who want a taste of the Himalaya away from the crowds, Goecha La is your answer. This is also the best trek to get up close with India’s highest peak that it shares with its neighbour Nepal, Kangchenjunga, also the third highest mountain in the world. I wouldn’t call the Goecha La trek offbeat anymore, but it is still a surprisingly underrated trek, filled with surprises ranging from glacial lakes that reflect peaks around, rhododendron forests, captivating sunrises, monasteries, and views of several other mountains. It’s not for beginners since it involves a summit at the end (for that is where you get the closest view of the mighty Kangchenjunga), and there are several routes to get here but the one via Yuksom village is my favourite one.

Need to know

If you are pressed for time and want to get a taste of the Eastern Himalaya, the Sandakphu trail is a great pick. The five-day trek takes you to West Bengal’s highest point, and while it may not be very high at 3,637 metres, it shows you a stunning view of four of the world’s highest peaks, strung in the horizon across the border in Nepal. This mini trek can also serve as an add-on to Goecha La, a warm up to your big adventure, since it has the same base airport as the starting point. The Sandakphu viewpoint is also accessible via a 4x4 drive, with basic accommodation available.