Yuksom

The Tshoka campsite and trekkers hut..

The first stop for most trekkers on the Yuksom - Gochela trek. Tshoka is a small settlement of the Lepacha people using it as their base to herd their yaks and other livestock up in the mountains. The Tshoka campsite is perched on a small hillock overlooking the valley. The trekkers hut has a couple of large dormitories and space to pitch about 10 tents. There are a few other guesthouses here at Tshoka (mostly run by the trekking agencies to host their guests) and a restaurant or two. For a solo a trekker like me, this is a great place to stuff yourself and stockup on food before heading towards Dzongri and further where the amenities are much more basic.

..and then the mountains shone like gold.

One of the peaks in the Kanchendzonga range lit up by the morning sunlight and shining like gold.

Kanchendzonga Bathed in warm morning sunlight..

The sunlit mountains of Kanchendzonga peeking through the cloud cover. Photo taken from the Lamune campsite on the Yuksom-Gochela trek. © Kettik Images. All Rights Reserved. 10-Nov-2007 4:45pm

The sunlit south face of Kanchendzonga and the GoeCha La pass as seen from the Zemathang View point.

Thansing Campsite and Trekkers Hut

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Samiti Lake Trekkers Hut and the Climp upto Zemathang and beyond.

Samiti Lake Trekkers Hut and the Climp upto Zemathang and beyond.

Tshoka Village

Tshoka Village

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Kokchurong Trekkers Hut

Kokchurong Trekkers Hut

Lamune Campsite with a sweeping view of the Prek Chu valley

And it disappeared as fast as it arrived..

The whole show lasted less than 10 minutes. The light turned from white, to yellow to gold and finally orange as it faded out. Photo taken from the Lamune campsite on the Yuksom-Gochela trek. © Kettik Images. All Rights Reserved. 10-Nov-2007 4:45pm

Dzongri Trekkers Hut

Dzongri Trekkers Hut

The steep trail from Tshoka to Pedhang..

Mon Lepcha Pass

Mon Lepcha Pass

A 'peek' of gold.

The sunlit peak of Kanchendzonga peeking through the cloud cover. As time went on the light shone more intensely on the peak making it glow brighter. This picture is exactly how it was over there in that magical moment. Photo taken from the Lamune campsite on the Yuksom-Gochela trek. 4:44pm

Pack horse for the Yuksom GoChela trek

Pack horse for the Yuksom GoChela trek