WHERE CAN YOU see Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu mountains in one sweeping perspective? The answer is Sandakphu in West Bengal. Bordering Nepal in the Eastern Himalayas, this is the place where you can see four of the highest mountains in the world at close quarters and in all their pristine beauty, while embarking on a trek amid natural vistas. A popular joke that runs among the locals here is that this is the place where you can have breakfast in India, lunch in Nepal, and dinner in China. Needless to say, Sandakphu promises a Himalayan adventure like no other.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other… again, and again, and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit.” This anonymous quote is probably the best way to describe Sandakphu. Located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, it is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge on the West Bengal-Nepal Border. If you are a nature lover, there is little doubt that the Sandakphu trek, which takes about three days and is considered one of the easier treks to do, will appeal to you. The trek begins at an altitude of 2,286 metres and ascends to a staggering 3,636 metres at Sandakphu, taking you through several beautiful landscapes along the way. The word Sandakphu translates to ‘height of the poison plants’, after the poisonous aconite plants that grow here. You can recognise the plant from its small purple-blue flowers; its roots however, are used in medicine.
NUANCES OF NATURE
Denne historien er fra March - April 2020-utgaven av Discover India.
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Denne historien er fra March - April 2020-utgaven av Discover India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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