Mountaineering
Sikkim is blessed with world famous Himalayas and offers plethora of
scope for adventure sports like mountaineering. Among the variety of
adventure sports, mountaineering in Sikkim is gaining immense popularity
year-by-year. Jopuno, Tinchenkhang, Frey’s Peak, Lamo Angden and
Byrmkhangse are the popular peaks of Sikkim where mountaineering is
allowed. One can undertake mountaineering in these peaks with special
permits from the concerned authority.
May to October is the ideal season for mountaineering in Sikkim.
I. As per the notification of the Government of Sikkim, Home
Department, the following peaks have been declared open for Alpine
Expedition with effect from 17th September, 2005.
| |
Name of the Peak |
Location |
Grade |
| 1. |
Frey’s Peak (5830 meters) |
Chaurigang, West Sikkim |
AD+ |
| 2. |
Lama Wangden (5868 meters) |
Lachen, North Sikkim |
AD |
| 3. |
Brumkhangse (5635 meters) |
Yumthang, North Sikkim |
D |
II. The permit for these Alpine Expeditions is issued by the Home
Department. The royalty shall be paid under the Revenue Head of Forest,
Environment and Wildlife Management Department.
III. The following royalty shall be levied for the expedition
(a) For foreign expedition team: US $350 per team of up to four members,
US $500 per team of up to eight members and US $75 for every additional
member.
(b) For domestic expedition team: Rs. 15,000/- per team of up to
eight members and Rs. 1,500/- for every additional member.
(c) For local expedition team: Rs. 3,000/- per team of up to eight
members and Rs. 300/- for every additional member.
IV. The tour operator shall be responsible for rescue operation, if any.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, however, shall render all legitimate assistance
to the tour operators including coordination with different agencies.
V. The tour operator conducting expedition shall scrupulously adhere
to the code of conduct for eco-tourism in Sikkim and abide by all the
terms and conditions laid down by the State Government for conducting
the expedition. The code of conduct and terms and conditions will be
enclosed with the permit for Alpine Expedition. The violation of any of
the conditions and code of conduct shall debar the tour operator from
conducting further expedition/s.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department will be responsible for ensuring that the
trekking/expedition routes are kept litter free and conduct periodical
cleaning operations, if necessary.
VI. The following minimum insurance coverage is compulsory. (a)
Expedition members : Rs. 3 lakhs per member.
(b) Camp crews : Rs. 1 lakh per person.
(c) Porters : Rs. 50,000/- per person.
(d) Animals : Rs. 20,000/- per animal.
VII. A total of 10 expeditions (6 foreign and 4 domestic) shall be
permitted per year. However, the State Government may permit expedition,
if such situation arises.
To download the government notification for Alpine Expedition
click on the link below.
Click on a heading to view/ download this file.
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Alpine Expedition