Trekking India's top mountains

Sandakphu: Bengal's highest peak

Sleeping Buddha from Sandakphu

Trekking is not everyone's cup of tea.Trekking is meant for those who love to see and feel nature up close and ready to undertake any amount of hardship to pursue the dream.Trekking demands a body which should be at prime of its fitness.For those who can overcome the difficulty of maintaining a fit body and wants to view nature at it's element what awaits is mind boggling and once in a lifetime experience.There's no doubt about it.

To start with last year I trekked to Sandakphu in the month of December when the temperature was extreme.I along with five of my friends were planning long for this trip.Finally we managed to go there in December.We are very prompt when it comes to planning and believe in resolving jobs in hand as quickly as possible.According to plan we took 12 days leave and started our journey on 26th December,2013.

At New Jalpaiguri Railway Station

Though irrelevant I would like to mention an adventurous Bengali film which was released on 25th December was an additional boost to our excitement.We on board Padatik Express at around 10 pm on 26th December.The journey was more or less comfortable as we reached New Jalpaiguri Junc. at 9.30am the following day.

Padatik Express

A car waiting for us outside the railway station which was booked prior.We had our breakfast, bought 20Litres of drinking water for the trekking purpose and left for Mirik where we had our lunch. We had to negotiate with severe cold temperature at Mirik.After having lunch with momo's and chicken soup we left for our base camp Manebhanjan.

At base camp :Manebhanjan

Day 1:(Manebhanjan to Tumbling)
We started from Manebhanjan at around 10 am for Chitrey which was 3 kms of uphill trek. The route towards Chitrey was stiff and energy swapping so we were into minimum clothing within 30mins of our journey.We reached Chitrey at around 11.30 am and after a refresher left for Megma which was another 3 kms approx from Chitrey.Temperature was chilling cold but it was good fun.Finally we left for Tumbling(3.5 Kms) to call it a day though in between we halted in a small hamlet of Tonglu.

Tumbling

Photography was definitely the order of the day in that picturesque surrounding and mind boggling environment.

Our most enthusiastic team member @Sagnik Bhattacherjee

What more one can ask for!!!

Day 2:(Tumbling -Gairibash)
We started little late form Tumbling as we were still recovering form the exertion of our first day trek and the distance from Tumbling to Gairibash is merely 6 kms.Our guide insisted us to leave early as we had to cover most of our journey through dense forest of Singalila National Park.Finally we left at around 10.30am.By now as you know(Check earlier blogs) I am an enthusiastic jungle lover and I was excited as Singalila is the highest altitude national park in West Bengal.

It was a dream coming true experience for me.As usual I fired several questions to my guide Mr. Hem Kumar Tamang (Hemji).He was a humble personality and tried to answer my queries with utmost care.Standing in-front of Singalila National Park is one of the ever green memories in my life.

Living my dreams

 Most of our trek through Singalila was downhill,we walked slowly to enjoy the offering of mother nature.I was in search of illusive Himalayan red Panda,though luck was not in our side.We halted for 45 mins inside the park to feel the ambiance.

Exhausted like hell

Trekking inside Singalila

Finally we reached Gairibash at around 2.30 pm, which was supposed to be 2 hrs trek we took much longer.Gairibash is a small hamlet which is basically Indian Army Base Camp protecting Indo-Nepal border.The hamlet merely consists of 5-6 villagers hut.We had a prior booking so we got West Bengal Governments bungalow.

Govt. Lodge at Gairibash

 Day 3:(Gairibash-Kalapokhari)

The night that we spend at Gairibash was beyond words,though it was extremely cold we had to compromise to see milky way galaxy for our lodge itself, unbelievable.As per plan we started from Gairibash at around 9.30am towards Kalapokhari which was actually in Nepal.The name Kalapokhri mean black water pond.

Way to Kalapokhari

From Gairibash the terrain was treacherous and exhausting, we had to halt several times for fluid intake as the air was very thin.Finally we could see our destination.Kalapokhari which is situated in Nepal so we had to cross Indo-Nepal borderline,amazing experience altogether.

Amazed by mother nature's beauty: Kalapokhari

The beauty and serenity that we experienced at Kalpokhari was beyond words.It was our final halt before climbing Sandakphu. Yaks are plenty in these region and their meat is very popular.

Sunset from Kalapokhari

The sunset that we experienced that day will stay in my mind as long as I live.It seemed that we are above the clouds and whole of Bengal is beneath our feet,mind blowing.

Day-4:(Kalapokhari-Sandakphu)

Sandakphu was our final destination and we all were super excited to reach the glory.As per plan we set out early from Kalapokhari as the terrain was stiff and troublesome.It was one and half hours of stiff climb before we reached Bikeybhanjan, our final halt before Sandakphu.Finally we reached Sandakphu at around 1.30pm. I along with all my friends set foot at the summit together, that was one moment that I will treasure for my life.

It was chilling cold up there and the cold winds added to the discomfort.The view was breathe taking as we can see Mt. Everest, Three Sisters, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kumbhakarna,Mt Kumayon and Mt. Pandim all in a 360 degree view. It cannot be described in words.We were just spellbound.For lunch we ate rice, dal and mixed vegetables, I was surprised to see the menu at this altitude.Just after evening, winds started blowing heavily and no one can step out side the trekkers hut.At night I stepped outside to see the milky way galaxy.
 

Mt. Kanchenjunga from Sandakphu top

 Day-5: (Sandakphu-Gurdum)

After witnessing the sunrise on Mt. Kanchenjunga we left Sandakphu with an ever green memory and a promise to come back at any given opportunity. We descended through Singalila National Park and this part of the trek I liked most being a jungle lover,as it cut's through the dense forest of Singalila range.I was excited to catch a glimpse of illusive Red Panda but luck was not in our side once again.We came to know about a wild yak that roam in this region and kills human being at every given chance, so we had to rush. I was in the rear to catch a glimpse of any wild animal but couldn't see one.

Dense forest of Singalila National Park

A lone walker

Even if I close my eye I can still feel that jungle inside me,the silence and serenity of that place still mesmerizes me.Walking through the game trails,instinct that says wild games are nearby still explodes an emotion within me that I really can't describe.I can go on and on throughout my life with that feelings.

Mountains and jungles are two side of a same coin

Finally our jungle trek ended at Gurdum.I was quiet disappointed though to be honest I was exhausted.In the outskirt of the jungle we halted for a breather and refreshment.Laying in elephant grass I felt like Shankar of Chader Pahar(Novel by Bibhuthi Bhusan Bandhopadhya).

Living life on the edge

 We reached Gurdum top at around 12.30pm as most of our journey was downhill but nature threw a surprise as we had to negotiate with the most difficult terrain of our trek.From Gurdum top to the hamlet below it was a stiff down hill path.It was so stiff that our calf muscles were under tremendous pressure and which apparently seems to be half a kilometer walk took us 1.30 hrs to negotiate,Mother Nature what can you say more.We halted for the day on a trekkers hut full of livestocks though the hospitality was amazing.


Day-6: (Gurdum-Srikhola)

The journey from Gurdum to Srikhola was a pleasant and easy one compared to terrain we managed earlier, so we started at around 10.30 am and reached within 1 pm.When we were still few kms away we could hear roaring sound of the Srikhola river. We crossed several over hanging bridges and finally reached Srikhola government lodge which was by the edge of the river.

Srikhola river 

 After having a quick brunch and ordering lunch we went near Srikhola river, majestic was indeed the word to describe its force.It was a beautiful place and the silence was overwhelming except the sound of the river.One can spend hours sitting in that place finding the inner soul and reflecting back on the memory lane,amazing.Time just flew.

We had an amazing night celebrating with our Sherpa friends and reflecting on ups and downs of our trek,bonfire and etc,etc,etc.Next day we left Srikhola to reach Rimbik from there we borrowed a car to reach Darjeeling,Queen of hills.

We reached home with ever green memories that will last forever.We learned to value our life and to say the least it strengthen our friendship bond even tighter.Its been long since we returned from our trek but still I can recall each and every moment with pinpoint accuracy. In deepest of night hours I still relives the peace,serenity and tranquility that we felt in those mountains.There's something magical in those mountains that connects nature lovers all round the world.So I must really say,"Mountains are calling , I must go."

(# Pictures courtesy: Mr. Sandipan Mandol and Mr. Sourav Karmokar)

Dhanaulti : A hidden paradise of Uttrakhand

Dhanaulti is a famous hill station of Mussoorie and Chamba region.It is situated at an altitude of 2286 meters.This place is known for quiet environment amidst the alpine forest of Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak. One can get a 360 degree view of Gharwal Himalaya from Dhanaulti.

The easiest route to go Dhanaulti is by hiring a car from Haridwar.Its a 3.30-4 hrs drive through breathtaking beauty of Tehri Gharwal district.Refreshment available on roadside dhaba's or else one can prepare their breakfast from hotels. It is must to carry water and proper dry food as there is not much shop available in Dhanaulti.

Picture Courtesy : Piangshuk Mukherjee

During winter season there is a probability of snowfall and chilly cold winds blow every time, so it's better to take precaution.The driver should be experienced as the terrain you cover is treacherous.It's better to descend from Dhanaulti well before the sunset.

Picture Courtesy: Piangshuk Mukherjee

If one can withstand cold and loves nature Dhanaulti is the right place to visit from Haridwar.

360 degree view of Gharwal Himalaya

Sharing my experience after visiting National Parks in India

                 

Gorumara National Park

Each and every time I sit to write my experience after visiting a national park, I ran out of words. The beauty and mesmerizing environment makes me spell bound. To start with I always had fascination about the national parks of West Bengal, according to the plan we made it to Gorumara National park(Mal Bazar subdivision,Jalpaiguri district) this time. I always prefer to visit a national park when there is not much commotion of tourists,that's the off season. The reason is a simple but an effective one because the chance of viewing animals increases 10 times. I visited the park during evening hours. First thing that touched my heart was the silence and grandeur of the forest. It symbolises how small we are in front of the mother nature but it was just a beginning, after that many times I felt the same way, a experience I will share next time (#Trekking India's top mountains). We borrowed a safari vehicle and a guide which was mandatory, but according to me it was not a good ploy to sell man power. According to me a driver is good enough to guide people thoroughly, though it's entirely  my personal view.

We started off around 3.30 pm and the trails were scintillating. That day only 12 safari vehicles entered the forest. I was on vigilance from the word go and the atmosphere inside the vehicle was calm and quite, though everybody was sweating in excitement. Our first destination was "Chandrachur Watch Tower" also renowned as "Old Kunia Watch Tower". The river that cut's the national park in and out is Murti River and it's also the prime source of drinking water for the games inside the park. Gorumara National Park covers a vast area of 80 sq kms. The forest consist mainly of Sal tree though other tree like Rain tree and Bombax also can be found inside the forest. Gorumara National Park is famous for one horn Indian Rhinoceros though I could not find a single one inside the forest. I was upset but not surprised as viewing a wild animal in it's own habitat is not a child's play. I have been to numerous forest's and in many of them I didn't see a single animal but this time luck was in our favour. As we were patrolling through the trails we saw a huge male Gaur (Indian Bison) it was so monstrous that one of my friend shouted saying elephant. It was standing on the forest road blocking our path. We waited there in pin drop silence and followed it's movement carefully. Our guide warned us not to step out of the vehicle out of excitement. Suddenly we noticed the forest on the left hand side of the vehicle and our jaw dropped. There were a group of 25 Gaur standing inside the lush Savana staring at us. If one of them decides to attack, we would been dead meat. Thankfully that was not the case.

Picture courtesy: Sourav Karmokar

The funny part of the situation was our guide got to much excited and jumped shouting that you all are super lucky to view Gaur and that distracted the animals tranquillity,as it left the scene.Then we took the upper hand of the situation and guided other tourists to the spot.Then we spotted few elephants though from far distance as they were deep inside the jungle canopy.We left the park around 5.45 pm to visit the local tribal dance,that was an awesome experience in the middle of the forest far from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Next day we were preparing ourselves for a morning patrol inside the forest when a local forest guard advised us to visit " Jatra Proshad Watch Tower " and believe me that was the wisest decision we took at that stage to follow his advise otherwise we had to regret throughout our life. It was a spellbound moment for me and all other members in our group.So according to the plan we all set off towards Jatra Proshad. We had to rush because only 35 ticket's are issued per day, fortunately for us we grabbed the ticket's, courtesy to a local boy, who became a good friend later, named Riju. I have never imagined that there can be such a place inside the jungle and a watch tower of such grandeur demands respect.

Picture Courtesy : Sourav Karmokar

Our heart was filled with satisfaction and joy after viewing this heaven on earth, that would stay with us for long. We returned back to Dooars and from there back to Kolkata. Then slowly and gradually we all became busy in the buzz of city life but still sometimes in the darkest hours our mind flies to the serenity and tranquillity of jungle life that we experienced in Gorumara National Park. I would tell all those who love to travel, explore and live life outdoor to pack your bags and visit Gorumara National Park, West Bengal's hidden paradise. I am quite sure that after visiting all these places your experiences are most likely to be the same as of mine.

I am waiting are you next?????????