Golden sunrise over the Kanchendzonga range.

If i had to pick one magical moment from all my travels then this would be it. The Golden sunrise over the Kanchendzonga range. This was the culmination of the 8 day Dzongri - Gochela trek in Sikkim. I was in awe of my surroundings even before the sunrise began. Just to be surrounded by 7500m+ peaks was magical enough. But then the first light of the day hit the south face of the barren Kanchendzonga peak. The mountain had a pink glow at first, and the light slowly spread down the mountain, and on top of the other 'lower' peaks. These snowcapped peaks reflected the sunlight back with such an dazzling brilliance that they literally shone like gold. All around me the peaks appeared as if they'd been set on fire, the show lasted little less then 10 minutes. But it was 10 of the most amazing minutes of my life. Kanchendzonga, at 8600m, is the 3'rd highest mountain in the world. After Everest and K2.

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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.

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

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

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Sages

Yumthang

Thansing Campsite and Trekkers Hut

Yumthang

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Tshoka Village

Tshoka Village

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

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

An Ethnic House

Bakhim Forest Rest House

Bakhim Forest Rest House

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Kokchurong Trekkers Hut

Kokchurong Trekkers Hut

Innocent Sikkim

Lamune Campsite with a sweeping view of the Prek Chu valley

Two Kids

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The Jump

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

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Dzongri Trekkers Hut

Dzongri Trekkers Hut

Gangtok Hills

Blue Clouds

The steep trail from Tshoka to Pedhang..

Perspective

Banjhakri Falls - Garden

The Man Made Nest

Lingdum Monastery

Mon Lepcha Pass

Mon Lepcha Pass

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Yumthang

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

Yumthang

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Dipping Sun

Pack horse for the Yuksom GoChela trek

Pack horse for the Yuksom GoChela trek

Yantram

Prayer

Framed

Play

Beauty

Bells

Early Morning Hug

Senses