The region where I am living, in the very northwest corner of Darjeeling District, in the Indian state of West Bengal, is well-known for trekking. The 'Singalila Ridge Trek,' which goes along the border with Nepal, and climaxes at Sandakpur (3,636 meters or nearly 12,000 feet), literally goes right outside of my house. I'd heard that this was a good season to do the trek, so while Sarah Didi was here, we decided to go for it. Our 'brother' Sobhit served as our guide (required for the trek).
DAY ONE (Kharka, Daragaon to Chitrey)
We walked from our house two hours to the nearest market, Rimbick, which is the usual ending point of the trek. Made multiple stops for tea along the way at various relatives' of Sobhit. From there, we took a jeep three hours to the town of Maney Bhanjyang, where we then walked for an hour up to Chitrey (2,400 m), where we spent our first night.
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| Leaving Maney Bhanjyang to go uphill |
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| Chitrey Tibetan Buddhist Monestery |
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| Chitrey Tibetan Buddhist Monestery |
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| Kind Words from the Monestery |
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| Loving the prayer flags |
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| Sarah Didi amidst the flags |
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| Our hotel, with the moon |
DAY TWO (Chitrey to Kalpokari)
An early start in Chitrey, views of Kachenzonga--little did we know, it would be our only snow-capped mountain view. Walked through a rather barren land to our first check post, where the Indian Army asked to take pictures of us, but refused to let us take photos of them.Continued on to the famous Tonglu (3,070 meters), and then downhill to Jaubari, a cute little village. Two hours later reached the army base at Garibas, where they were eager to take a photo with us.
We continued down a bit further before heading back up to our destination for the evening, Kalpokhari (3,185 meters). During the last hour before we made it, we walked together with the Indian army through light rain and hail. Shortly after arriving in Kalpokhari, it began to snow...
DAY THREE (Kalpokari to Sandakphu)
After a long, 22 kilometer day, we took it "easy" and walked for just six kilometeres, but gained more than five hundred meters in order to reach our destination, the pinnacle of Sandakphu! Unfortunately, the clouds weren't going anywhere...
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| Sandakphu, in all it's foggy glory |
DAY FOUR (Sandakphu to Phalut)
The next day, things looked slightly more alive...
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| With the Indian Army, also trekking. Check out the facial hair on the tall guy. |
We continued on to Phalut and hoped that it wouldn't rain along the way.
Arrived in Phalut and were welcomed by yaks which provided the milk for our tea (not bad).
Spent the evening gathered around the fire in the kitchen warming ourselves and chatting.
DAY FIVE (Phalut to Home!)
Woke up to lots of fresh snow...
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| Our accommodation |
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| Hitting it in the snow |
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| Me Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) - use your imagination |
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| Sobhit Daju and Sarah Didi |
I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the snow, even if I didn't have clothes appropriate for it. As we walked on towards Gorkey and home, the snow lessened...
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| River near Gorkey |
After Gorkey, it was just three more hours...
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| Civilization! Sammanden, just past Gorkey |
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| Tea stop at Sobhit's friend's in Sammanden |
I was very excited when I saw Rammam School (flags above), signalling that we were as good as home!
