Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu Trek
People in the mountaineering/ trekking circle have surely heard of the Sandakphu trek
along the Singalila Range. Those getting introduced to trekking/ mountain adventure
activities are often asked to start along this route before venturing on something bigger
and higher. It, however, is to be noted that no mountain should be termed as easy or
unchallenging, irrespective of its height.
It was a long term plan to do the Sandakphu route, which normally is done in two-three
days, in one day. Before starting off on the 32 km stretch from Maneybhanjan to
Sandakphu, we thought of taking up a conditioning walk before the day of our trek. For
the conditioning walk we started off at around 9-00 am on 13th April from Maneybhanjan
and reached Meghma, 9 km away, at 11-50 am. After a bowl of noodle-soup and some
rest we came back to our nest and rested our legs for the long walk the next day.
On 14th April, the day of the trek to Sandakphu, we started off early at 5-45 am
and reached Chitrey at 6-30 am, where we sipped our hot morning tea. We
reached Meghma at 8-20 am and had our breakfast, which again was a bowl of
piping hot noodle-soup. After passing Tumling, Gairibas and Kalapokhri we
reached Bhikeybhanjan at 14-10 pm, where we stopped for a much needed lunch
before we started off the final steep 4 km of our trek. Our legs were hardly
moving for the last couple of km. When we finally reached Sandakphu at 15-55
pm we were greeted by a blanket of clouds and fog and chilling winds. We felt
lucky to be inside the Sherpa Chalet as it soon started raining and the weather
would not clear up till we reached Phalut on 16th April.
We gave ourselves a much needed rest on 15th April and went to Phalut the next
day, 23 km stretch from Sandakphu. We had planned to move ahead and set camp
at the base of the Singalila Pass but good sense prevailed and we settled for the
Trekkers’ Hut at Phalut.
It turned out to be a sensible thing to do as it had rained heavily that night with
strong winds blowing accompanied by hailstorms. The next day the weather
cleared and we went to the Phalut top to take snaps of the mighty Himalayan
range from Khanchengdzonga to Mount Everest on the far north-west.
After a quick breakfast of cornflakes and milk we started off for Singalila Pass at
around 6-45 am. The thin sheet of hail made walking a bit difficult for the early
part of the trek. We finally crossed Singalila Pass at 9-05 am and reached
Chiyabhanjan at 10-40 am. From Chiyabhanjan it was a painful descent all the
way to Uttarey.
People reading this article might be perplexed to see that I am calling a descent
painful. But those into trekking/ mountaineering would know that steep long
descents take a toll on your knees and thumbs.
When we finally reached Uttarey,(26 km stretch from Phalu) it was 13-45 pm by our
watch. We checked into a hotel and took a hot shower and treated ourselves to
momo, noodle-soup and cups of hot tea.
The four days of holidays, away from work and pollution, was well spent in the
mountains.
Way to Meghma
From Maneybhanjan to Meghma it is a 8.5 km route. We took
hot noodles & took an half an hour rest.
HIMALAYAN RODODENDRAN
We saw this flower throughout the whole route. Generally it
can be seen in the time of April-May
Sunrise from Phalut Top
Sunrise, it is nice to see from here,
Majestic Khanchengdzonga form the top of Singalila pass
Khanchengdzonga, third highest peak in the world & first in
India
Looking towards Phalut trekkers’ Hut
Here trekkers huts are easily available, so no need to
worry
about night stay.
Sleeping Buddha
From here the mountains are look like sleeping Budha.
Watch carefully
Few steps remain from Singalila pass
By this trail we went to Singalila pass, by through we
entered into Sikkim.
Indo Nepal demarcation
Viewing in Large scale
Large view of
Khanchengdzonga, one of the most beautiful
mountains in the World.
Way to Cheyabhanjan
Cheyabhanjan is a rest point of this trekking route. A SSB
base is there,
Himalayan queen
Khanchengdzonga behind a Rodo tree.
More few steps to go to end our trek at Uttray
Dreams comes true
Yes, at last after 4 days of trekking. This is look like a
heaven. This is Uttrya We enjoyed so much throughout the
whole trekking program.
Looking towards Mt Kabru North
From Uttarya Mt Kabru North can be seen
After taking a cup of tea we starts our journey from Chitre
This the best photo in the total Sandakphu trekking