Note: This is a rough itinerary provided by Treksntales, a capable and well-reputed trekking organisation. To journey along with them please dm @Treksntales or contact Meghna: +91 8277363890 or Gautam: 7830950653. For any details, please contact them. I am sure you will enjoy the journey that you embark on along with them and experience the joy of the mountains, as much as I have!
Nestled between the Indo-Nepal border lies one of the most culturally steeped treks, beginning from the chilly hills of Darjeeling and ending in a quaint little village in West Bengal. It’s wondrous how this trek leads you to cross over the land of Nepal as well!
Being the highest peak in West Bengal, 4 out of the 5 highest peaks in the world can be seen from this mesmerising summit! (Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu).
Once one reaches the top of Sandakphu, he has the pleasure and beauty of seeing the most unique view of the legendary Kanchenjunga mountain. The peaks are placed in such a manner as if Shiva himself was sleeping. (In the Tibetan culture, it is known as the sleeping buddha)
Day 1: From the Bagdogra airport/NJP railway station to Jaubari.
The journey towards the majestic summit begins from one of the most beautiful villages you might have seen, Jaubhari. As you glide through this ancient village, you will notice primaeval-like coloured flags, joined together to form the shape of a beautiful necklace.
These flags are on most doors and walls of this village. You see, these are ‘Buddhist prayer flags’ called ‘Panch Dhatu’ (the 5 elements).
Upon these flags are ancient prayers, hymns and chants that the Buddhists used at one point to call upon the 5 elements: Water, fire, sir, earth and ether.
The modern world has convinced you that you are the mind, however, the ancient Buddhist practices clearly stated that the mind and your body are not separate from nature, in fact, you are made up of these 5 elements and purifying these will prevent you from mental and physical diseases.
To read further about it, Visit: https://www.yogabasics.com/learn/energy-anatomy/5-elements-of-nature/
Day 2: Jaubari to Tumling. (Let The Trek Begin.)
They say that silence is a luxury that few can afford, if so, the village of Tumling is the currency.
Snuggled between the two borders of India and Nepal lies a hamlet of a village that has not more than 20-25 families living in this space.
Tumling has no restrictions for visitors or tourists. Anyone who wishes to enjoy the view of the magisterial Kanchenjunga can visit this place, spend a few days at the humble homes of the locals (guest houses, homestay) and experience the life of the Himalayas in its glory.
To check out a place, visit https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_0000b1.htm
Day 3: Tumling to Kalpokhri (Kala Pokhri)
Kala Pohkri is one such story.
Kala means “Black” and Pokhri means “lake”. The village is named after a local lake with dark waters. Villagers advise the trekkers not to immerse their feet in these waters since this is a lake used by the locals to perform esoteric rituals for the wellbeing of the village.
Sip on some hot soup and enjoy the anecdotes presented to you by the villagers and guides. It certainly gets chilly up here.
Places in the Himalayas get cold and dark by 5, no wonder your day starts rather early.
Snuggle into the mellow, warmth of your blankets and let yourself dream of the adventure that awaits you.
Note:
Kalpokhri is an enchanting place that attracts tourists from all over the world. Its mist and innocence before the sun takes its place in the early dew cannot go unmissed by the world. Waking up to pure, melodious Nepali songs by the locals in and around the village is bound to reveal to you, a space far from the noise of the metropolitans.
As you pass through the village of Kalpokhri, you will also come across several private lodges such as the Pandim lodge, Chewang lodge and Himchuli lodge.
If you do plan a stay in this world of magic.
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/Pandimkalapokhari/
Day 4: D Day. Kalpokhri to Sandakphu
Whilst your feet take you to an altitude of 11,292 feet, you can view the palatial structure of Sandakphu from Kalpokhri itself, but that isn’t the point is it?
For every limb stretched, every breathe exhaled, for every cell of your being that struggled, lies a reward in the form of an old rust board that says
“Welcome to Sandakphu.”
You are now hovering at an altitude of 11,292 feet on the summit of the Singhalia range. Literally amidst paradise.
Exhale a breath of victory for you deserve it.
Sandakphu. You are there. Experience it.
Feel the purity of the winds against your face, this artistic view is almost impossible to find in the streets of Mumbai or Bangalore I am certain.
The feeling of accomplishment would engulf your heart, encourage your mind to dream bigger, to be ambitious enough to seize such moments filled with adventure and adrenaline.
Day 5: Sandakphu to Sabaragram/Molley trek
After an empowering walk for the body and mind, it's time to visit the wide-open grasslands of Sabargram for some active relaxation.
Time flows slowly in this space that houses different species of ‘fir’ and ‘rhododendron’ trees and thorny, prickly bushes that make this space come alive!
Molley is rated as one of the least visited places in Darjeeling even though it has one of the most spectacular views from the several lodges it houses for tourists! For nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers particularly, this location is a gold mine. It is inhabited by several birds and species of animals such as the red panda, leopard cat, barking deer, yellow-throated marten, wild boar, pangolin and pika. Larger mammals include the Himalayan black bear, leopard, clouded leopard, serow and takin.
The list of birds includes some rare and exotic species like the scarlet minivet, kalij pheasant, blood pheasant, satyr tragopan, brown and fulvous parrotbills, rufous-vented tit, and Old World babblers like the fire-tailed myzornis and the golden-breasted fulvetta.
Day 6: Gorkhey Trek
Gorkhey is a village in Darjeeling that is not on the popular-tourist radar. Surrounded by thick pine forests and a serene little lake flowing through the village called ‘Gorkhey Khola’ (which is also a boundary between Sikkhim and West Bengal)
Stay tuned as more will be mentioned once I write about this pristine little village in my next post!
Day 7: Gorkhey to Srikhola trek
Srikhola which is popularly known as sirikhola is a graceful, unsullied mountain village in the Darjeeling district located at an altitude of 6,900 feet.
Srikhola has a river named after itself; ’Khola’ in Nepali in streams. Just as several villages in the south of India and Maharashtra are spirited by train tracks, in such terrains, they are separated by sterling waters. These mark the boundaries between several villages!
From the Sandakphu trek, it is at this point where you all will be driving to Darjeeling/Siliguri and thus marking the end of this great adventure.
Sandakphu trek
Treksntales
Indo-Nepal border
Darjeeling
West Bengal
Kanchenjunga mountain
Panch Dhatu
Buddhist prayer flags
Tumling village
Kala Pokhri
Kalpokhri village
Himalayas
Trekking organization
Guest houses
Homestay
Nepali songs
Private lodges
Altitude
Snow peaks
Mountain trek.
: A trek revealing the mystery of the 5 elements.){kind=link}
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