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

After 300 meters of trekking from Bikheybanjang

A shortcut that misguided me to other place and i have to walk another 350 meters back to find the actual one

Tree landscape

Getting closer to the target

Landscape

A beautiful view from the trekking track

Looking back at the route we could trek on this day

Only 200 meters more

Anybody can make out how difficult it would be to trek Sandakphu by seeing the number of photos i clicked. There were only 23 photos which were clicked trekking 4 kms range. Though difficult i could reach Sandakphu in just 2.40 hours from KalaPokhri. It may be because i could see the the target to get motivated and walk faster. 

Last final steps to reach Sandakphu

Sandakphu (further 4kms from Bikheybhanjang) 

One could actually see the Sandakphu Peak from Kalapokhri itself. But like all great things in life, this won't come easy. From Bikhheybhanjang the climb up to Sandakphu is the steepest. The 4kms route can easily take about 2.5 hours. There are stretches where the gradient is so steep that you will think your nose is about to touch the ground. Actually there are two trek routes from Bikheybhanjang, one through Nepal and the other through India. One through India is shorter and more popular although the two routes do merge at places. 

As always, the final rewards are awesome. All your strains will simply disappear as you see the board saying "Welcome to Sandakphu". You are at an altitude of 11,929ft, on the summit of Singalila range and at the paradise of trekking... Wow, i could make it !!! 

If one love snow peaks, then you will feel privileged that you made it up to this point and joined the group of few who have witnessed an end-to-end panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. Sandakphu is the place from where you get a 180 degree panoramic vista of some of the highest and most beautiful peaks of the world, right from Nepal all the way up to Arunachal. Some of the greatest peaks include the Mt Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Chomolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna etc.

Sandakphu, Road leading to the Hotel

Sandakphu, Residential area

Whole Kanchanjunga range was covered by clouds

SunRise Lodge, Kitchen, is the place where we stayed for the half and overnight.

Sunrise Lodge Interior, Room No 3 where we stayed

Sunrise Restaurant and lodge is a wooden structure run by a old couple. After 4 days we got to eat our lunch over here. The food is served hot and is very tasty. The place being at a heigh altitude the climate is very cold. I was feeling very lazy  to walk around and look into the surroundings. By the time i got up for tea it became dark leaving no other option than to rest. We had our dinner at 8.30 PM and was trying to sleep back. 

DK (Guide) came to our room to remind us that we have to get up little early by 4AM to see the snow peaks. 

When i was sleeping i didnot know what i will get to see the next day morning. 

As i slept in the afternoon it was difficult to sleep back at night early. So i just started to relax and rest. i know in sometime i will shift into sleep mode.

GOOD NIGHT!

"Kanchanjunga"