Dafeybhir La Trek
- Wishlist
- Location
- Share
📷
Show all 6 photos
- Trip Duration: 9N / 10D
- Max altitude: 4,530 m / 14862 ft
- Grade: Moderate
- Start/End point: NJP
Dafeybhir La Trek — Where the Kanchenjunga Range Feels Close Enough to Hold.
There are Himalayan treks that offer beautiful mountain views—and then there are trails that make you feel completely surrounded by the mountains. Dafeybir La Trek belongs to the latter. Often described as a hidden gem of Sikkim, Dafeybir La is an offbeat, challenging and incredibly scenic trail that brings you remarkably close to the magnificent Kanchenjunga Range. Also known as Danphebir La, the name refers to the “mountain of the Himalayan Monals” in the local dialect.
A Hidden Trail for True Mountain Lovers
Unlike some of Sikkim’s more popular trekking routes, Dafeybir La remains relatively lesser-known. The trail follows one of the oldest routes in Sikkim, yet continues to retain its offbeat character. That means fewer crowds, a greater sense of wilderness and a trekking experience that feels much more intimate. If you’re an experienced trekker looking for a trail that combines challenge, solitude and spectacular Himalayan scenery, Dafeybir La deserves your attention.
The biggest attraction of the trek is undoubtedly the mountain panorama. Along the route, you can enjoy views of: Kanchenjunga • Kumbhakarna • Everest • Lhotse • Makalu • Sinochu And the adventure doesn’t stop at the mountain views. The trail takes you to Dafeybir La Pass at around 4,530 m, while also bringing together alpine lakes, dense forests, open grasslands and spectacular high-altitude campsites.
Overview
For seasoned trekkers searching for an offbeat Sikkim adventure, Dafeybir La may just be the mountain journey you've been waiting for.
Best Time to Visit: April, May and October, November
The Dafeybir La Trek can be done in the Spring (April, May) and Autumn (October, November) seasons. The weather conditions are excellent during both seasons with clear blue sky, breathtaking mountain views, and favourable temperatures. If you are doing this trek in the spring season, you will see the full bloom of the rhododendrons. During the autumn season, the foliage is a palette of yellow, orange, and red and the trail is covered with fallen leaves. In the spring season, the daytime temperature is between 12 °C and 15 °C and in the night it falls down between -5 °C and 2 °C. In the autumn season, the daytime temperature is between 8 °C and 12 °C and in the night it falls down between -10 °C and 0 °C. There won’t be any presence of snow.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
The Dafeybifr La Trek is a moderate-level trek. This trek should not be attempted by beginners but if you are an advanced beginner with excellent fitness then you can go for this trek. if you have previous trekking experience above 3500 – 4000 m, it will always be an added advantage. The maximum altitude attained is 4530 m which is quite high so if you are an advanced beginner also, you need to be comfortable in high altitude and freezing temperature.the total distance covered is 80 km in a span of 7 days, hence there will be long walking hours for which your body needs to be prepared. Moreover, the overall trail is full of several steep ascents and descents, walking through various terrains like snow, grass, and scree. The night temperature will go below 0°C so please make sure to carry proper winter gear for this trek.
Suitable Age Group: The Dafeybir La Trek can be done between 13 and 55 years. Since there will be long walking hours and numerous ascents and descents so make sure your fitness is at its best. For minors make sure they are accompanied by their parents or guardians during the trek. And if you are above 50 years it is better to consult a doctor before going for this trek.
Pick Up point- Njp (West Bengal)
Drop point- Njp (West Bengal)
Pick-Up and Drop Time: On the first day of our trek, our team will pick you up from NJP at 9 am. And on the last day, our team will drop you at NJP around 4 to 5 pm. So we advise you to make your further plans from there onwards.
How to Reach
Via Flight: Bagdogra International Airport is the nearest airport to New Jalpaiguri which is 14 km away and is connected to all major airports in India. We recommend taking early morning flights or reaching the day before the trek starts. From there you can book a cab or board a bus for NJP.
Via Train: The New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) has excellent train connectivity and there are several trains coming from Kolkata. Usually, the majority of the trains reach NJP by early morning. From Kolkata, you can board, Darjeeling mail, Padatik Express, Vande Bharat Express, and many more.
Via Road: NJP is well connected by roads and National Highways are built for smooth connectivity. You can easily reach NJP by road but you need to come a day before the trek starts from NJP. The distance from Kolkata to NJP is 587 km and it will take around 10 – 11 hours to reach.
Mobile Network Availability: There is no mobile network available in Dafeybir La trek after Darap. Darap is the last place where you will get mobile connectivity, hence you need to inform your family accordingly. After Darap there is zero connectivity.
Highlights
- The Ultimate Sleeping Buddha View: The close proximity to the entire Kanchenjunga Range from the top of Dafeybir La offers an unparalleled view of the "Sleeping Buddha"—arguably better than any other vantage point in the region.
- Virgin Alpine Lakes: Discover high-altitude, pristine alpine lakes untouched by commercial tourism.
- Indo-Nepal Border Thrills: Experience the adrenaline rush of trekking along the Indo-Nepal border, which rewards you with unobstructed views of Mt. Everest.
- Two Treks in One: Our exclusive itinerary includes Bajreydara, doubling the scenic rewards and vantage points.
Itinerary
-
On the first day of our trek, we will drive from NJP to Darap (1800 m). The distance travelled today is 139 km which will take 5 hours to reach. Darap is a small Himalayan hamlet located in the Gyalshing district in Sikkim. It is 6 km away from Pelling and is situated on the way to Yuksom. The village is inhabited by the Limboo Community and has extremely beautiful natural landscape. Night stay in a homestay at Darap.
-
On the 2nd day of our trek, we will drive from Darap (1800 m) to Sangkhola (1810 m) and then trek to Nayapatal (2536 m). The drive from Darap to Sangkhola will take around 2.5 hours to reach and the trek from Sangkhola to Nayapatal will take another 3.5 hours. Our first stop will be at Chongri village after 2 hours. We will take some rest here and then trek to Chenzom Khola. And then finally we will trek to our today’s campsite Nayapatal. Night stay at Nayapatal in tents.
-
On the 3rd day of our trek, we will trek from Nayapatal (2536 m) to Yambong (3790 m). The distance travelled today is 10 km which will take around 5 hours to reach. We will start our trek after breakfast and the trail begins through rhododendron forests. Yambong is located in the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. Our first stop will be at Saile Chok where we will take some rest. After that, we will trek to Dungdang SSB Camp. From here we will finally trek to Yambong. Yambong offers one of the best landscapes of the entire Singalila Range. From the top you can get excellent views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, and Sinolchu. If the beginning of the trek offers some breathtaking views then just imagine what’s in store the rest of the trek has for you. Night stay at Yambong in tents.
-
On the 4th day of our trek, we will trek from Yambong (3790 m) to Lampokhri (4340 m). The distance travelled today is 5 km which will take 4 hours to reach. We will start our trek after breakfast and will make our first stop at a ridge that offers unbeatable and excellent views of the high Himalayan mountains along with Kanchenjunga. Please do not forget to explore the neighbouring alpine lakes. Lampokhri is another beautiful campsite with excellent views. Night stay at Lampokhri in tents.
-
On the 5th day of our trek, we will trek from Lampokhri (4340 m) to Jomley Pokhri (4200 m) via Dafeybir La (4530 m). The distance travelled is 8 km which will take 6 hours to reach. Today is the most important day of the trek as we will finally be at the Dafeybir La. It will be the most rewarding and physically tiring day. Today we will start very early as we want to witness the sunrise at Dafeybir La. Apart from being at Dafeybir La, we will also visit 3 extremely alpine lakes along with the entire range of Kanchenjunga for the whole day. So today definitely the stakes are high but the rewards are even higher. Dafeybir La is at a distance of 1.5 km from Lampokhri. After walking for 1.5 hours you will see a U-shaped opening at the top of a mountain which is finally Dafeybir La. The view from the top of the pass is unbeatable and when the first rays of sunlight fall on the Kanchenjunga Range being speechless will be the only option for you. The entire surrounding vista is extremely beautiful from the top of the pass apart from the mountain views. From the top when you look back at the Lampokhri Lake, it looks like the lake is floating amidst the sea of clouds. The view of the Sleeping Buddha from the top of Dafeybir La will undoubtedly be the best view of Sleeping Buddha. Today the trail will be challenging and will involve multiple ascents and descents but the beauty of the trail is absolutely worth all the physical toil. After spending some quality time at the top of Dafeybir La we will head down to Lakshmi Pokhri Lake (4300 m) which is a pristine alpine lake in the heart of the Himalayas. The beauty around the lake is to die for and the breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Kok Tang, and Narsing are worth the climb. From here there is an ascent and descent to reach the twin lakes Jomley Pokhri (4200 m). The view of the Sleeping Buddha from the twin lakes will also not disappoint you and finally, you realise that all the hard work and challenges of the entire day are absolutely worth compared to the beauty of all the spots that we have covered today. After spending some quality time at the twin lakes finally, we will move up to our campsite. Night stay at Jomley Pokhri in tents.
-
On the 6th day of our trek, we will trek from Jomley Pokhri (4200 m) to Joktey Pokhri (3900 m). The distance travelled today is 6 km, which will take 7 to 8 hours to reach. We will start our trek after breakfast from Jomley Pokhri. The trail today is amidst rhododendron forests, hence, you will feel the bloom in abundance. Moreover, today, you will get to see many lakes on your way to Joktey Pokhri. For some time, you need to walk by the ridge of the mountain. Initially, the trail will be through dense forest and then enter to open grassland. Finally we will reach our campsite which is just beside the lake. Overnight stay at Joktey Pokhri in tents.
-
On the 7th day of our trek, we will trek from Joktey Pokhri (3900 m) to Bajredara (3400 m). The distance travelled today is 15 km, which will take 9 hours to reach. Today will be a long day, but the beautiful landscape and enchanting views of the mountains will make you forget everything. After Joktey Pokhri, there will be a steep downhill trek, and after quite a long time, you will reach a campsite beside the river. We will have our lunch here, and after that, we will start walking again. There will be a gradual ascent through the Bajredara hence the name of the place. Bajredara offers some excellent views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt Pandim, and Kabru. Do not miss the magical sunset with the panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. Our campsite will be the top of Bajredara. Night stay at Bajredara in tents.
-
On the 8th day of our trek, we will trek from Bajredara (3400 m) to Samthek (1700 m). The total distance travelled is 12 km which will take 7 hours. Wake up early in the morning and watch the most majestic sunrise from Bajredara. When the first sunlight falls on the Kanchenjunga Range, it seems like the entire landscape is painted in different hues of red and orange. Such is the beauty of the place. Today will also be a long day hence we start early after breakfast. Initially, there will be a steep downhill walk and after that through bamboo forest. Be very cautious here as you might get lucky to get the glimpse of the rare Himalayan Red Panda. Moreover, you will be delighted to hear the chirping sound of innumerable birds. Samthek is located near Khecheopalri Lake. Night stay at Samthek in tents.
-
On the 9th day of our trek, we will drive from Samthek (1700 m) to NJP. The total distance travelled is ---- which will take 7 hours to reach. You should reach NJP by 4 to 5 pm hence we advise you to make your return plans accordingly.
-
We advise to keep a buffer day in this trek for any unforeseen situations. Our trek leader will guide you properly in any adverse situation. Buffer day can be used anywhere in the trek as per expert’s decisions. Cost of the buffer day is excluded.
So let's go for once in a lifetime trek to Sikkim’s best kept secret only with Altitude Adventure Holidays!!!
What's Included
- Accommodation while trekking at Tents.
- Transportation to Samthek from NJP and to NJP from Samthek.
- All Meals while on trek (Veg & Non-Veg).
- Trek equipment like Sleeping bags (for those who don't have their own), Mattresses.
- Trekking permits.
- First aid medical kits.
- Experienced trek Leader, One local Guide
- Porters/Mules to carry Group Luggages and some personal items (Sleeping Bags, Mattresses, Utensils).
What's Not Included
- Porters/Mules to carry personal luggage (Available at an extra cost).
- Hotel Stay in NJP.
- Food during the transit.
- Insurance for clients.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
Frequently Asked Questions
The trek is graded as Moderate to Difficult. The trail involves steep ascents and descents over rugged terrain, long walking days of 6 to 9 hours, and multiple days of high-altitude camping above 4,000 meters. Excellent physical fitness, stamina, and mental endurance are essential.
Yes. Because of the challenging terrain, remote campsites, and high altitude, prior high-altitude Himalayan trekking experience is highly recommended. It is generally not considered suitable for beginners.
Yes. Since the trail traverses protected forest reserves, the Kanchenjunga National Park, and nears the international border, trekkers require local police permits, forest/sanctuary permits, and a campsite pass. Most registered trekking agencies will handle these as part of their package. Foreign nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) will also require additional Protected Area Permits (PAP) to enter and trek in Sikkim.
There are two primary trekking windows that offer the safest conditions and the best views:
• Spring (April to May): Ideal for pleasant weather and walking through vibrant, blooming rhododendron forests.
• Autumn (October to November): Offers the crispest, clearest skies for uninterrupted panoramic views of the Himalayan giants.
Note: The monsoon season (July to August) should be strictly avoided due to heavy rains, leeches, and a high risk of landslides.
Trekkers usually fly into Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or take a train to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) in West Bengal. From there, it is a scenic 6 to 8-hour drive (approx. 160 km) by shared or private cab to the base camp villages in West Sikkim.
Gear Checklist
Trekking pole
Water bottle
Head lamp
Sunglasses
Power bank
Rain cover for rucksack
Windproof jacket
Raincoat
Trekking shoes
Sunscreen lotions
Booking Form
Customize this
- Trip Duration: 6N/7D
- Max altitude:
- Grade:
- Start/End point: Kathgodam
₹23,500.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 6N / 7D
- Max altitude: 4,500 M (14,764 ft)
- Grade: Moderate
- Start/End point: Pokhara
₹17,000.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 8N / 9D
- Max altitude: 5,091m / 16,703 ft
- Best Time: June – October
- Start/End point: Srinagar
₹28,000.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 9N / 10D
- Max altitude: 5,359m / 17,582ft
- Best Time: June – October
- Start/End point: Leh
₹34,500.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 11D / 10N
- Max altitude: 4,587m /15,049 ft
- Best Time: Mid May to September
- Start/End point: Chandigarh
₹27,000.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 3N / 4D
- Max altitude: 3,636m / 11,900 ft
- Best Time: March – April & Oct – Nov
- Start/End point: NJP / Siliguri
₹11,000.00 +5% GST
