Eternal India Encyclopedia

ETERNAL INDIA encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

SIKKIM Framed by many lofty snow-clad mountains including Kanch- enjunga (28156 ft.)the third highest mountain peak in the world, Sikkim's diversity makes it home to a large variety of flora and fauna with 600 identified species of birds and an equal variety of butterflies. Gangtok is the take - off point for all trekking in the state and may be reached by road from Bagdogra, the nearest airport in West Bengal. Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the railway terminals in West Bengal. Trekking is restricted to West Sikkim. Foreigners require an inner-line permit. Best trekking season is mid-February - late-May, and October-early December. Yuksam, connected by a motorable road to Gangtok, is the base camp for most treks in western Sikkim. The most popular is the 10- day trek Zemathang (15,000 ft.) viaBakhim (12km, 9000 ft), Tsoka, Dzongri (13, 800 ft.) and Thargshing (13200 ft.). The region is the natural habitat of bharal (blue sheep) and the snow leopard. Zemathang is the base camp for mountain expedi- tions to Mount Tolung and Gocha peak. WEST BENGAL Darjeeling: 7000ft high and located on the spur projecting north- wards from the Ghoom - Sendral ridge, almost the entire northern horizon is framed by snow - capped peaks: Kabru (24,015 ft), Janu (25,300ft), Simolehu (32,600ft) and Kanchenjunga (28,156ft). Best trekking season is April-May and October to November. One-day treks are available around Darjeeling to Tiger Hill. (8482 ft). An overnight halt can be made by those who want to witness the fabulous spectacle of sunrise over Kanchenjunga. The longer 160km Darjeeling - Manaybhanjang - Tonglu - Sandakphu - Phalut trek offers an excellent yiew of the mountain peaks in Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan on a clear day. Sandakphu offers a fantastic view of the world's highest peaks: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse. For a more exciting trek an add-on from Phalut on a 149 km trek can be to Ramam-Rimbik- Jhepi, returning to Darjeeling via Bizan- bari. The trekker goes through a dense forest of rhododendron, silver fir, chestnut, oak and magnolia. On the march to Rimbik (7500 ft) the next day flowering orchids growing wild can be seen. The trekker spots jungle-fowl, kaleej and monal pheasants.

(1,829m, 20 km)- Khaji (2,210m, 25 km) - Dwali (2,576m, 11 km) - Phurkia (3,261 m, 5 km)- Pindari Glacier (3,353 m, 8 km).‘ The Pindari Glacier trek is popular, for it allows strenous trekking with fabulous views of the Himalayas, and is challenging both for the first-timer as well as more experienced trekkers. Base : Joshimath - Route (1) Joshimath (2,100 m) - Gov- indghat (2,000 m, 18 km) - Ghangaria (3,000 m, 12.5 km) - Valley of flowers (3,300 m, 3.5 km) Kumaon The hills of Kumaon are not as rugged as Garhwal but there are some spectacular mountain diops. The 12-day trek to the Pindari glacier is a great experience. Base Nainital : It has equable weather with the maximum and minimum temperature being 27°C and 19°C in summer and 15°C and 0°C in winter. April to June before the monsoon sets in, is the season for flowers while the second season from September to mid-November is ideal for post-monsoon freshness. Route (1) : Nainital (1938m) - Snow View (2270m) - Bhowali (1707 m) - Bhimtal - Naukuchiya Tal (approximately 1800 m). Route (2): Nainital (1938m)- Kilbury (2528 m) - Paogot - Bi- nayak -Badhanthali - Kunjkharak. 10 km from Nainital. This continues along the Cheena Peak range to Binayak and Kunjkharak through oak and deodar forests. Base Kausani : Unrivalled for its location, Kausani is 40 km from Almora enabling an unforgettable look at a 350 km stretch of the high Himalayas. Routes : Kausani - Garur - Baijnath - Bageshwar (2 days) Base Chowkori : Chowkori is 112 km from Pithoragarh and is uniquely beautiful with balmy weather and fine views. Routes : Chowkori - Berinag - Patalbhuwaneshwar - Gangolihat (3 days) Base : Chowkori - Kotbaniya - Dharmghar - Kotgari (2 days)". The three trek routes keep to a mean altitude of about 1900 m and are the jump-off points for the high grounds of upper Kumaon with Pithoragarh being on this route to the Lipulekh Pass on the pilgrim trail. Base Song : At 1400 m, Song is at the bus terminus of the two routes branching towards the Pindari, Katri, Namih and Sun- dadhunga glaciers. Route (1) : Song - Loharkhet - Dhakuri - Khati - Dwali-Phurkia- Pindari Glacier (7 days) Route (2) : Song - Loharkhet-Dhakuri-Khati-Jautila- Dhungiyadhung-Sundardhunga Glacier (8 days). Route (3) : Song - Loharkhet-Dhakuri-Khati-Dwali-Katri Gla- cier (7days) Base Dharchula : Dharchula - Tawaghat - Khela - Chhipalakot Lake. Kausani - Garur- Baijnath - Gwaldam (2 days) Kausani - Chhota Pinath - Bara - Pinath (2 days)