Sikkim shares a mountainous border with Nepal in the west, with China in the north and the east. All the early (pre-war) expeditions passed through Sikkim to cross over to Tibet on their way to attempt Everest. Francis Younghusband’s famous mission of 1904 to Tibet also passed through Sikkim. Doug Freshfield was one of the early mountaineers to visit this area. His book “Round Khangchendzonga” is a classic record of all the areas in North Sikkim. In West Sikkim, peaks like Kabru (7338m) were climbed in 1935 by C.R. Cook. Others like Kokthang and Rathong were climber much later. Even now some peaks have not been climbed from Sikkim side, though ascents have been made from Nepal. Northern Sikkim consists of Zemu glacier and valleys from which rises the third highest mountain of the world – Khangchendzonga. Pual Baur and his German team repeatedly attempted to climb it via its eastern approaches before the Second World War. Ultimately the Indian Army Team made subsequent repeat ascents. There are many peaks around Khanchendzonga like Simvo and Siniolchu, which are tempting and an open invitation to climbers.

Further North is Pyramid peak, the last 7000er climbed by the Himalayan Association of Japan (HAJ) in 1993. In the vicinity are peaks like Jongsanng and Chorten Nyima. Pauhunri with the pinnacle of Donkhya Ri is one of the chief attractions on the eastern side. There is a lot climbers can do in the Sikkim Himalayas.

Trekking Peaks

Mt. Thingchinkhang (5603Mts ) and Mt.Jopunu (6010m) are situated in western Sikkim and falls under Khangchendzonga National Park which is window to natural beauties, bio- diversity, sacred lakes and snow capped mountains. One can see this peak from Okhlathang Valley while trekking to Gochala (pass ). These two peaks have been declared by Sikkim Govt. as trekking peaks only recently. Since then it had caught the eyes of many mountaineers, but it has only been appreciated much then climbed. Yak and Yeti Travels has successfully climbed this peak in October 2000 and has been promoting successfully since then. Mt. Thingchinkhang and Mt. Jopuno can prove just more than a trekking peak for many mountain climbers. From the summit of these peaks one can enjoy a breath taking view of some of the most beautiful mountains of Sikkim Himalayas. Mt. Pandim (6691 mts) stands to the towering heights just in the same range where these trekking peaks rises. Just across Okhlathang Valley one can see peaks like Gocha, Rathong, Kabru sisters, Siniolchu and the mighty Khangchendzonga. Mt. Makalu in Nepal is also seen from here. The approach trek is one of the most beautiful trail in the Himalayas and takes you through Rhododendron bushes and alpine meadows. Yak and Yeti's base camp is ideally established in Okhlathang Valley or above on the ridge. To the adventure lovers these peaks provide an ultimate thrill combined with gentle trekking and will be an experience of a lifetime.