7th October Sandakphu to Molley

7th October Sandakphu

We got up early at 4.15 AM. 

DK (Guide) reached us at 4.30 AM. He got my phone full charged. 

I could feel it very cold out side. The wooden lodge kept was warm compared to outside temperature. So ready to see the full view of kanchenjunga range.

Waiting to see the sun raising

Sunrise

Early sunrise from Sandakphu height

Frosted grass, to sense how cold it was

Can see from where we trekked the earlier day!

Sandakphu Hamlet with aback drop of Kanchanjunga range

Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. It rises with an elevation of 8,586 m (28,169 ft) in a section of the Himalayas called Kangchenjunga Himal that is limited in the west by the Tamur River and in the east by the Teesta River.The Kangchenjunga Himal is located in eastern Nepal and Sikkim, India.

The main peak of Kangchenjunga is the second highest mountain in Nepal after Mount Everest. Three of the five peaks – Main, Central and South – are on the border between North Sikkim and Nepal. Two peaks are in the Taplejung District, Nepal.

Kanchenjunga Range in the form of sleeping Budha.

Kangchenjunga Main is the highest mountain in India, and the easternmost of the mountains higher than 8,000 m (26,000 ft). It is called Five Treasures of Snow after its five high peaks, and has always been worshipped by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga shot with tele lens

Can get a glimpse of Mount everest along with Kanchenjunga range

6th October, Kalapokhri to Sandakphu

6th October, Kalapokhri to Sandakphu

I woke up checking the pain in the ribs and it was better this morning.

I got phone full charged overnight paying Rs.30/-. 

Each was getting only less than half a bucket of water to freshen up at Chewang lodge. The place was much colder to Tumling. So i could somehow manage to get my self ready using the available water.

Breakfast was ready by 7.30 AM. We had roti, daal and Potato for the breakfast and a tea.
By 8 AM we were ready to start our teckking.

If you are staying overnight at Kalapokhri, start very early in the morning next day. You will not like to miss out on the panoramic view of the snow peaks from Sandakphu, which is best seen early in the morning. An early start from here will give you a chance to view the snow peaks twice, once as soon as you reach Sandakphu and again next morning before you start your return or onward trek. We were little late to view snow peaks by the time we reached Sandakphu.

Starting the trekking by 8AM from Kalapokhri

Heading to Bikheybanjung

Reaching Bikheybhanjang

Bikheybhanjung Hamlet, Overview from the trekking track

We walked 2 kms to reach Bikheybhanjang which was almost straight and easy. i can see Sandakphu from Bikheybhanjang which is quite on top about 4 kms high. I know how hard it is going to be to reach there. But for today it is just other 4 kilometers to reach our destination and I wanted to finish it fast. I am going to get a half day rest which is very exiting. We had tea at Bikheybhanjung immediately started hiking towards Sandakphu.

Starting steps to Sandakphu

5th October, Tumling to Kalapokhri

5th October, Tumling to Kalapokhri

I could wake up early by 4.30 AM after a sound sleep for almost 9 hours. It was less cold compared to earlier night. The water in the bathroom was very cold. I could fresh up myself and get ready for the day's preparation.

DK ( Guide) knocked the door at 5 AM to show us the early sunrise and magnificent views of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks.

Kanchanjunga snow peaks from Tumling

Early Sunrise

After Sunrise

Sun taking its stand by 5.45PM

A small puppy which accompanied me to look at the Knachanjunga range from the highest peak of Tumling

From there we went to Tonglu which is 2 kms away from Tumling.

Tonglu

Tonglu is a small hamlet located at an altitude of 10,130ft. From Tonglu you can get lovely views of Darjeeling and Kurseong town areas. Down below you can see the great valleys and the plains of North Bengal with rivers like Teesta and Koshi flowing. Tonglu also offers a fine view of Kanchenjunga snow peaks. 

Tonglu Rest Houses

Sleeping Budha, A view from Tonglu

From some time we got back to our room at Tumling to have bath and eat breakfast.

" Lily" is the place where we stayed in Tumling.

Lily- Interior

Surprise- Tibetian Bread served as morning breakfast was very tasty as it is. We tried eating it with Allu Curry and Jam.

Kitchen and Dining hall

Neela, the Owner of Sikhar Lodge; An Hand Embroidered T- Shirt available in 4 colours sold at the place. Each cost Rs. 400/-

Trekking started at 8 AM. from Tumling

Towards Singalila National park

SINGALILA National Park, Gate

Singalila National Park is a national park of India located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The park was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1986, and was made an Indian National Park in 1992. The region had long been used as the trekking route from Manebhanjang to Sandakphu (the highest peak of West Bengal).

Way leading to the forest

Far way to go

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A Monastery on our way

Stupa as a mark or enlightenment

Jhaubari, A small village on the way to Gairibans

Jhaubari (6kms from Tumling)

A small village further along the way to Sandakphu at an altitude of 9,186 ft. This place may not be important from trekking perspective. But I always combine trekking with exploration of life in the mountains.

DK (guide) told me about a local drink called Roxy which is only made and available in Jhaubari. The drink is made of prepared from some flowering plants known as Guras that grow quite abundantly in this part of the mountains. I was very upset to learn that the drink is not available as the hut was closed. Unlucky....!

A man, his horse and daily routine

Can see where we are going to trek for the next few hours 

I was very happy to see Gairabans from the top of the mountain as i know this is the place where we are going have tea and 15 min break 

Gairibas (1km from Jhaubari)

From Jhaubari one has to take a right turn towards Gairibas. It is further 1km ahead and located at an altitude of 8,600 ft. From Tonglu or Tumling, up to Gairibas is a continuous descend and a relatively easy trek. 

From here it is little difficult to trek for the next 3.5 kms as it is really steep upwards. So at Gairibas it is important to take a break and recharged.

Solu Restaurant, where u get all the things in the list along with hot tea

Army Camp at Gairibas,  Steep route to Kaiyakatta starts from here.

After 200 mts and 500 mts, getting on to the top of the mountain peak.

It was great pleasure walking through dreamy Landscapes after all the hard work for 2 hours.

Hoping we reached Kaiyakatta as we could not make out what is after this landscape, This milestone was a relief confirming that we are nearby. 

Kaiyakatta Restaurant

Kaiyakatta is a small hamlet where we get fresh hot tea and some snacks. They make things by order and provide to the tourists. 3/4 th way for the day is completed and feeling very tired. We had hot maggi and tea as our lunch. 

Restaurant Interior, Hot Maggi 

From Kaiyakatta there are two ways to Kalapokhri. The one going to the top is a shortcut 0.7 kms less than the other one

Heading towards Kaiyakatta

A small stream of water fall 

Being tired , we were hurry in reaching the destination

Looking back from where we could trek

Can anybody make out the time? it is just 3PM. 

A landscape which look surreal and i have to stop for a while and enjoy the scenic transition.

A camp equipped with Solar power

We could see a clear sky by the time we were about to reach Kalapokhri

"Kala-pokhri"- Black- waterpond

Kalipokhri (6kms from Gairibas) 

From Gairibas, you will need to trek for about four hours to reach a place called Kalapokhri (or Kalepokhri) at an altitude of 10,400 ft. Initially you will trek uphill through forests of oak, rhododendrons and bamboo and reach a place call Kaiyakatta in about 1.5 hours. The trail starts descending from here. In another 2.5 hours or so you will reach Kalipokhri. 

The place is so named because of a pond or a water tank filled with black water. The word Kali means black and pokhri stands for water area. However the black color is not due to pollution, it's muddy and the water never freezes. Due to all-time water availability, a small village settlement has taken place in this area. The pond is considered very sacred by the village people.

You will pass through forest of rhododendron, Singalila Sanctuary and then by the pond to reach the Kalapokhri village area. This is where most of the trekkers stay for the second night. There are several private lodges here including Pandim Lodge, Chewang Lodge, and Himchuli Lodge. There is no GTA lodge here, but the private ones also offer similar accommodations at reasonable rates. Drinking water is available at both Kaiyakatta and Kalapokhri villages. 

Kalapokhri- Hamlet

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Landscape on the right side of the trekking road to Kalapokhri, and a small Shrine welcoming you before the village

A Silastupa at Kalapokhri,  and a small hotel where we had tea at the very beginning of the hamlet

We have to wait for half an hour to see the beautiful sun setting without going to the hotel 

Chewang Lodge is where we stayed for the night

Chewang Lodge interior, slogan, reputation and rules stuck on the walls

Chewang Lodge; Dining Hall and Kitchen

Was very lucky to see a women making cheese in a long wooden container

Cheese Strips for sale

I think i have explored a lot on this day. After the trekking from Garibans to Kaiyakatta i was exhausted. Then I took of the weight on me and lay down to rest and in next 10 mins my body became so tight that it was very difficult to move. After having my lunch when i started moving again it was not so easy as it was in the morning and could feel pain in the ribs.  Though the route was easy to trek, the weight on my back was getting heavier. I had no option left other than to move forward to reach the destination. 

Two things are learnt from the day's experience 1. knowing our physical body and science involved with it and muscle functioning; 2. weight to carry on back by being very selective what to carry and what not to (deleting all the unnecessary things). 

I am very tired now. I could still fell pain in the ribs when i am gulping or swallowing something. I could not eat much in my dinner and I want to sleep at the earliest to get rid of the pain.

Expecting the pain would disappear by the next day morning. 

Good Night.