4th October, Manebhanjan to Tumbling

4th October Manebhanjan to Tumbling

After having early Breakfast in Manebhanjan we started our trekking to Tumbling.

Trekking route to be covered on 4th October

Signage at Trekkers Hut to be read and strictly followed while trekking

Two roads; one leading to Tumling and other leading to Rimbick, Milestone at the start of Gateway of trekking at Manebhanjan

Slowly getting towards Chitray Monastery

After 3 Kms of the steep walkway we reached Chitray Retreat Centre

Monastery Gateway 

Chitray 

Chitray (2530 m; 8,340 ft), a tiny Buddhist settlement, about 3km from Manebhanjang en route to Sandakphu trekking trail with a beautiful Buddhist monastery and the grand view of the Kanchenjunga range. The route up to Chitre passes quite steeply uphill on a good stoned path through lush greenery of evergreen coniferous pine, fir, birch forests, bamboo glades and wonderful rock vegetation. This part of the trek route is quite steep and really warms you up. It takes about 1.5 hours to trek up to Chitrey. You will get drinking water here. 

There is an old Buddhist Monastery (Gompa) at Chitrey, a make shift lodging for trekkers, a tea stall and few village huts. You will pass by the monastery.

Chitray Monastery (Gompa)

Silamantra

Prayer Wheels or Mani Wheels

A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal. Traditionally, the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. 

Budha 2

Budha 1

Stupa of enlightenment at the Monastery

Prayer Flags

Prayer Flags

3 kinds of Prayer Flags noticed at the time of trekking

There are two kinds of prayer flags: horizontal ones, called Lung ta (Wylie: rlung-rta, meaning "Wind Horse") in Tibetan, and vertical ones, called Darchor (Wylie: dar-lcog, meaning "flagstaff").

Lung ta (horizontal) prayer flags are of square or rectangular shape, and are connected along their top edges to a long string or thread. They are commonly hung on a diagonal line from high to low between two objects (e.g., a rock and the top of a pole) in high places such as the tops of temples, monasteries, stupas, and mountain passes.

Darchor (vertical) prayer flags are usually large single rectangles attached to poles along their vertical edge. Darchor are commonly planted in the ground, mountains, cairns, and on rooftops, and are iconographically and symbolically related to the Dhvaja.

Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five: one in each of five colors. The five colors are arranged from left to right in a specific order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. The five colors represent the five elements and the Five Pure Lights. Different elements are associated with different colors for specific traditions, purposes and sadhana. Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth.

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.

Leading towards Lameydhura

SilaMantra on the way to Lameydhura

Stupa on the way to Tumbling

Eight Great Stupas

Jupable road with Landscape

Landscape in cloud fog

Shortcut walk way to Lamaydhura

Jung Jung Lamaydhura

Milestone, a Kilometer away from Lameydhura

Lamaydhura (further 3kms)

(A Beautiful place probably won't figure on any map)

Lamaydhura is a hamlet inhabited only by five Tibetan families. This part of the trek is more comfortable than the earlier stretch up to Chitre. It's a steady but gradual incline from Chitre and takes over an hour of trek. You will get drinking water here. 

A young lady Cheki runs a small tea stall here. Other than tea and biscuits, you get Masala Noodles ( Maggi) if one like to have a simple lunch.

Lamaydhura Tea & Snacks stall

More people stop at Tea Shop, Lamaydhura for a break as well as refreshment 

Mammals are also getting some rest along with their Guardians.

Afternoon dew

The ambience of the landscape changes with in no time

Way towards Meghma

Meghma or Megma 

(further 3kms, 9kms from Manebhanjan)

This is another small village located at the border of India and Nepal, and about 3kms from Lamaydhura. Meghma is at an altitude of 9,514 ft. There is a small hut at the center of the village which is a tea house and serves tea & light meals.

Meghma Hamlet

Border Check Post, India- Nepal Border

Army Nursery

Street leading to Tumbling, Red texture on the walls of the old houses

Silamantra in between Meghma and Tumbling

2.5 Kms more to Tumbling

Waterfall

Still a Kilometer to go, DK (guide) resting

Silamantra on the rocks

A small Sanctum on the way to Tumbling

Gloomy ambience making us very lazy 

Goat, cattle group 

Thirsty Calf

Country Hen

Bamboo Houses with an outer coating of fine clay will keep the stay warm

Colour, textures and layouts of the walls and pathways found while trekking

Bins installed across the trekking path for non-biodegradable waste (plastic, metal, and glass) that can be recycled.) 

Very tired for the day. Though very cold around 3 degrees C, I am wet with sweat. I can see the Tumbling hamlet, yet it was very painful psychologically to walk the last steep 300 meters. I was looking for a place where i can lay down in piece. No distractions in between, The time is going slow and the distance look the same even after some hard work. Frustrating! It is just the will which is helping me to move forward. Ultimately i could reach Tumbling by 5.35 PM  on 4th evening. 

Tumbling hamlet, Sikhar Lodge



Tumling ( 4 kms from Meghma)

Tumbling is a tiny village or a hamlet in the eastern Himalayas, located at an altitude of 9,600 ft and on the way to the popular trekkers' destination Sandakphu. 

From Manebhanjan where the trek or the Jeep safari starts, Tumling is at a distance of about 13- 14kms. As you approach Tumling, you will notice small cottages and huts from a distance. There are probably only 10 to 12 Nepali families who live here. There are also few private lodges and huts that have come up here to cater to tourists & trekkers heading towards Sandakphu. 

One of the best lodges here is owned by Neela, a middle aged Nepali women. It's known as Shikhar Lodge and is the first one visible as you approach Tumling from Meghma or Tonglu. It has colorful cottages with pink tinned roofs and surrounded by majestic mountain landscapes. Shikhar Lodge accommodation is been meticulously maintained by Neela all by herself and her small family.Right at the center of Tumling, there is a lovely view point which is more like an open field. From the edge of this area you get a magnificent views of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks. 

It becomes very cold from Meghma onwards. So one should take adequate measures to counter the cold (like heavy woolens, caps, gloves etc). 

Flower Nursery at Sikhar Lodge

After being very tired and the climate getting colder, I was looking for very early dinner before 7 PM and go to bed. Freshly made dall, papad, potato fry, Omlette with hot served rice was heaven. I could not wait anymore to go back to my room and sleep with 2 thick razais. 

GOOD NIGHT!