Trek to Sandakphu 2015

A trek to Sandakphu had always been on my wishlist. However, Sandakphu being in my own backyard, it was never a priority until recently when I started to seriously contemplate it. While on a trip to Dharan during Gai Jatra, I talked about my plans among a bunch of old friends. One among them immediately jumped up and asked if he could join. And, the plan got finalized.

Day 1: Darjeeling. Sameer took the early morning bus heading towards Pashupatinagar from Dharan. I joined him midway. After reaching Pashupatinagar, we exchanged our currencies and had a light breakfast of sukuti thukpa. We walked for half a kilometer and went across the border in search of a cab to take us to Darjeeling. We couldn't find any direct vehicle so decided to hop in a vehicle heading to Sukhia Pokhari. From Sukhia, we got into another vehicle heading to Darjeeling. Upon reaching Darjeeling, we booked a room and settled down for a smoke. Bimal, a friend of mine from West Point days, came up to meet us. We went for lunch at the famed Taipo place. After stuffing ourselves, the rest of the day was spent loitering around Chowrasta and drinking some booze. We called it an early day and went to bed early.

Taipo
Catching up with an old friend.

Chowrasta
With Bimal in front of  Benis.
Day 2: Darjeeling – Maney Bhanjyang – Jaubari. The excitement woke us up early. Since, early morning cabs to Maney Bhanjyang were not available, we took a cab to Sukhia Pokhari. In Sukhia, we took another cab to Maney bhanjyang. Here, we had a plate each of Beef Momos for breakfast and started hiking. After a few minutess walk, we came across a checkpost. We entered our details and paid 200 Inr each (for foreigners, Indians pay half). And, so began our trek officially.

Dist. 15 kms. started: 9 am
Reached: 4:30 pm
Lunch @ Lameydhura
Route: Maney Bhanjyang – Chitre – Lameydhura – Meghma – Tumling – Jaubari
Chitre Monastery
Prayer flags on the backdrop of Chitre monastery

Such border stones flank the entire route
Skyline of Chitre adorned by prayer flags

Vintage British era Land Rover
Trail leading to Meghma

Meghma
Tumling
Day 3: Jaubari – Sandakphu
Dist. 16 kms. started: 7:30 am
Reached: 3:30 pm
Lunch @ Kalipokhari
Route: Jaubari – Gairibas – Kaiyakatta – Kalipokhari – Bikhey Bhanjyang – Sandakhpu

Kalipokhari with Sameer
Black pond or Kalipokhari


Day 4: Sandakphu – Phalut
Dist. 21 kms. started: 8 am
Reached: 3:30 pm
Lunch @ Sabargram
Route: Sandakphu – Sabargram – Phalut

Experienced my 1st snowfall in Sandakphu
Snowfall as seen from our room

Snowfall didn't deter us from our journey
Yak


Enroute to Phalut
Traveller's lodge, Phalut

Day 5: Phalut – Sepi
Dist.: 32 kms. Started: 7:15am
Reached: 4 pm
Lunch @ Gorkhey
Route: Phalut – Gorkhey – Samanden – Rammam – Sirikhola – Sepi
Somewhere between Phalut and Gorkhey
Yak sukuti and rum

Mighty Kanchenjunga
Kanchenjunga

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