Sandakphu - The Sleeping Buddha

Manebhanjan-Sandakphu-Phalut-Gorkey-Ramman-Srikola-Darjeeling

The 'only' place at an altitude of 3636 mtrs/11,941ft from where all the 4 highest peaks in the world Mt.Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse are visible. And the Kanchenjunga range has the best and full view in the form of 'Sleeping Buddha'. From any other part of the Himalayan range we will be unable to see the face part of the Buddha we get to view from here!

This was an itenary prepared by ourselves and we two girls decided to do it on our own instead of going with a group or a package. A bit of Homework to visit such a heavenly place was all worth the efforts! Manebhanjan, was the base for the trek and this is situated in the North West Bengal where we also get to see the border of Nepal rather one side of it was India and the other side of the road was Nepal. 

This trail is blessed with variety of colorful Rhododendrons and Magnolia flowers in bloom this season which makes it special.

While trekking, the unique landscapes with flowers, dried trunks of the trees, Yaks, furry Sheep, Cows, Beautiful villages, the houses built with bamboos with bright flowering plants in their balconies, friendly locals and exciting closer views of the Himalayan range was a bonus! 

Rhododendrons Flowers

Phalut: We were not lucky to view Mt. Everest or Lohtse from here which actually is visible however too much of fog did not allow us to view. However, this place was breathtakingly beautiful with an amazing landscape!

 The Map of the trek route:

 Magnolia:

Sharing the border with Nepal and Sikkim, the North West Bengal with the adjacent Singalila forest through which we trekked to different places like Phalut, Gorkey, Rammam, Srikola were beautiful.

Srikola was a paradise for bird lovers. Our stay here next to the river was simply superb. We happened to see varieties of birds.

Fell in love with the Singalila forest; as while trekking we were continuously accompanied by the music of varied birds chirping throughout. It certainly can be named as a Birds' Paradise.

They weren’t easy to capture for me as usual! However, I remembered and wished my expert friends were here to capture their images! Yet another most beautifu place one must visit :)