---- A NOSTALGIC LOOK BEHIND
…………………………………………….October 2010
People in the mountaineering/ trekking circle have surely heard of the Sandakphu trek along the Singalila Range.Usually the Sandakphu trek starts from Maneybhanjyang Maneybhanjyang to Tonglu (3070 mts) is a steep climb up to Meghma 7 km or 3.5 hrs. walk.
BUDDHIST STUPA AT MANEYBHANJAN
NARSING & SOME OTHER PEAKS FROM MANEYBHANJAN
But unlike last time we did, we thought off starting from Dhotrey. It is 4 km steep climb upto Tonglu.
AN EXCELLENT TREKKING ROUTE THROUGH DHOTREY FOREST
Tonglu is 3070 mt. high and is one of peaks of Singalila range, falls on the West of Darjeeling town. On a clear day one can get a fine view of the Nepalese valleys and of the plains of North Bengal with the snow fed Teesta on the east, the Koshi on the West and a number of smaller rivers between them.
TONGLU TREKKERS’ HUT (3070 MT.)
TONGLU FAMOUS FOR VIEW OF THE SNOW – CAPPED PEAKS OF THE SINGALILA RANGE & THE Khanchengdzonga RANGE
Next morning at dawn, we got a magnificient view of Kanchenjunga correctly spelt as Khangchendzonga and Mt. PAndim.
BREATHTAKING VIEW OF Khanchengdzonga
Khanchengdzonga also called sewalungma in limbu language is THE THIRD HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN THE WORLD And the guardian deity of sikkimese.
Mt.pandim (5591 mt.) -- an attendant peak of Khanchengdzonga
Khanchengdzonga (8585 MT.) --- one of the
most beautiful mountains in the World.
ON THE EVE OF SUN SET
The next day we marched from Tonglu to Gairibas (2621 mt). The route is downhill. The distance is 9 km and it is 2 hrs. walk. The route passes through the bamboo glades. There is a trekkers hut at Gairibas.
Gifts of god
Gairibas to Kalipokhri (3170 mt) is continuous climb through the rhododendron forest. Distance is 6 km and it takes 3 hrs. walk from Gairibas. Trekkers may stop here for a while for a tea break. There is a small pond at Kalipokhri which means 'Blackpond'. The colour of the water is black and muddy and it never freezes.Last time (20 years ago), we saw that unique tree which is no more this time.
BikeybhanjyangNext day we started from Kalipokhri at 7:30 am. The road descends to Bikhaybhanjyang-valley of poison-(Aconites grow in abundance at this place). Bikhaybhanjyang to Sandakphu is a steep climb of 4 kms. and we took more than 2 hours to cover this trek.
The weather of Sandakphu unexpectedly turned bad and foggy . It turned out to be a sensible thing to do as it had rained heavily that night with strong winds blowing accompanied by hailstorms. So we decided not to march further to Phalut.
Sandakphu (3636 mt.) Covered with a Veil of fog.
Next morning We started for Gurdum. It is a steep down hill trek through the virgin forests of chestnut, pines, hemlock etc.
Sandakphi to Gurdum is 12 kms and there is a trekker’s hut and some other hotels at Gurdum. We took rest and had some food at the canteen of the trekker’s hut. And we finally reached Srikhola in the afternoon when it had already started raining. We stayed that night at Srikhola in a lodge.
Sirikhola – a nature’s gift in the forest.
After reaching Rimbick bazaar, we hired a car and went to Siliguri Bus Terminus where from we returned to Kolkata by Rocket Bus Service .
But Khangchengdzongha still remains in our mind we are still mesmerized by its dazzling, compelling and irresitible appeal.
