The Joys of the Sandakphu Trek

Kanchenjunga and Singalila Ridge as seen from Sandakphu. Photo by Anirban Biswas

Trekking into Sandakphu starts off from an altitude of 1, 524 metres (5,000 ft) and gradually climbs up through forests of rhododendron, giant magnolias, spruce and other trees of sub-alpine region and not to mention, more than 600 varieties of orchids – the largest to be found in one geographical area in the world. For flora worshippers, the months of April and May are the best time of the year for the trek while for those who have an insatiable thirst for a view of the mountains, the best months are in autumn. The view from Sandakphu is unsurpassed by any other view anywhere. Where else can be seen 180 degrees of snowcapped mountains which includes Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Kumbhakarna, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari in one single stretch of snows – an ethereal beauty. It is easy to understand why people leave hearth and home, traveling, some times, thousands of miles to walk through ripples of terraced fields of maize, rice, millet and barley, leaving the last traces of civilization far behind.

Hiking/Trekking – What is it all about?

Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in rural or wilderness areas. [Photo (above): Sun rays striking the peaks of Mount Everest and Makalu as seen from Sandakphu]

The word ‘hiking’ is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are differences in usage. In some places, off-trail hiking is called ‘cross-country hiking’, ‘bushwalking’, or ‘bushbashing’. In the United Kingdom, hiking is a slightly old-fashioned word, with a flavor more of heartiness and exercise than of enjoying the outdoors. Australians use the term ‘bushwalking’ for both on- and off-trail hiking. New Zealanders use ‘tramping’ (particularly for overnight and longer trips), ‘walking’ or ‘bushwalking’. Hiking in the mountainous regions of India and Nepal is called ‘trekking’. Overnight hiking is called ‘backpacking’ in some parts of the world. Hiking a long-distance trail from end to end is referred to as ‘thru-hiking’ in some places. Since we are based in Darjeeling Hills and offer Hiking Packages in Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim henceforth, we will only used the word Trekking.

Trekking is one of the fundamental outdoor activities on which many others are based. Many beautiful places can only be reached overland by trekking, and enthusiasts regard treking as the best way to see nature. It is seen as better than a tour in a vehicle of any kind (or on an animal; see horseback riding) because the trekker’s senses are not intruded upon by distractions such as windows, engine noise, airborne dust and fellow passengers. Trekking over long distances or over difficult terrain does require some degree of physical ability and knowledge. [Inset: Trekkers making their way through the Mist]

Trekkers often seek beautiful natural environments in which to trek. Ironically, these environments are often fragile: trekkers may accidentally destroy the environment that they enjoy. The action of an individual may not strongly affect the environment. However, the mass effect of a large number of trekkers can degrade the environment. For example, gathering wood in an Himalayan Ecological Area to start a fire may be harmless once (except for wildfire risk). Years of gathering wood, however, can strip a Himalayan area of valuable nutrients.