India 09

Kangchenjunga – Third Highest Mountain in the World

While the rain in the morning did dampen our spirit a little, the clear blue sky and bright sunshine in the afternoon brought cheers to us. We were very lucky indeed to have a good and clear view of Kangchenjunga (8,598m), the world’s third highest mountain and India’s highest peak.

The spectacular view of Kangchenjunga (above and below)

Enjoying a cuppa in the garden of
a quaint old hotel (above and below 2)

Sunrise at Tiger Hill

Woke up at 3:15am and left hotel at 4:00am to head for Tiger Hill (2,585m) located 11km south of Darjeeling to view the spectacular sunrise.

To encounter traffic jam in Kolkata is nothing surprising, but traffic jam on the way to the hill at 4:30am in the morning! That was something which I could not quite comprehend but it happened! And the crowd at the summit was just as mind-boggling! And if one wants to have a special ‘gallery’ view, or the heated lounge, then one has to pay a small fee for it.

From the Tiger Hill, one is supposed to be able to view the spectacular stretch of the Himalayan range, including Mt Everest, Kangchenjunga, etc. We were not so lucky this time, the early morning mist shrouded the mountain range.

Traffic jam on the way to Tiger Hill

‘Gallery’ viewing area (behind the railing) and the lounge (background)

The 'hidden' mountain range

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – the Toy Train

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as Toy Train, and listed as a World Heritage site, is one of the few hill railways still operating in India.

The train travels at such slow speed that passengers can hop on and off even as the train is moving! It runs twice a day between Darjeeling and Siliguri (located about 80km south east of Darjeeling).

Darjeeling Railway Station

Steam engine – still in working condition

‘Human’ train?

Notice how close the track is to the building!? (above and below)

Entering Sikkim and Beyond

A little note about Sikkim
Tucked along the north-eastern side of India, and sandwiched among Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet is the state of Sikkim. It is a small state of 7,096 sq km (only slightly bigger than the state of Negeri Sembilan).

The state prides itself on ‘housing’ the world’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga. And couple with the beautiful and spectacular sceneries and awe inspiring mountainous views, Sikkim has become a popular destination among intrepid travellers and trekkers.

While permit is required to enter Sikkim, it is not difficult to obtain and extension is allowed. Some areas are out of bound to tourists and it is a serious offence to venture off beyond the limit the permits allow. Check posts are located at strategic locations and all vehicles are stopped for inspection and permits checked.

Sikkim is still a relatively ‘enclosed’ and remote area. However, slowly but surely more and more places are being open up to foreigners and tourists, though permit is something that one can’t go without. In some areas, tourists have to travel in group of two or more.

The conditions of some of the mountain roads are not very good and landslides / landslips do occur now and then. We were also told that some of these roads are being upgraded – widening and ‘straightening’. So in time to come, it will cut short the travelling time and travellers will have a better and smoother ride. I hope, amidst the changes and the ‘influx’ of tourists, the region will not lose its charm and pristine state.

Buddhism was introduced by the Tibetan lamas in the 15th century and having Tibet as its immediate neighbour, Sikkim exhibits a strong Tibetan influence and there are many monasteries around.

It is also interesting to note that Sikkim is the second place in India (after Manali in Himachal Pradesh) which I have come across where plastic bags are banned. It would appear that the 'law' is very successfully enforced. Perhaps there are many other places in the country practising that too.
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After the ‘extreme-early’ morning traffic jam and the spectacular sunrise, we left Darjeeling for Gantok (1,547m), located about 115km north east of Darjeeling. Gantok is the capital of Sikkim.

We were travelling alongside Teesta River for about a quarter of the journey and on the way, we visited Rumtek Monastery, the biggest monastery in Sikkim.

Roads are winding and at times bumpy. It was also a very hot day. Along the journey, we passed by many tea plantations, rice fields, orchards – mainly guava and oranges.

Teesta River (above and below)

Entering the Sikkim Region

Security check post

At the Sikkim border. Stopped here for
tea / coffee break while waiting for our
Sikkim permits to be processed. Quite a long wait.

Rumtek Monastery (above and below few)

Gantok

Gantok town – view from above (above and below 2)

Gantok town area (above and below few)

Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Road) – or more popularly
known as MG Marg – is the main shopping street of Gantok

Dinner at a local restaurant. Sharing table
with the locals. (A very small restaurant,
only two tables!) Small in size, yummy in taste!

On the way to school. Some of these
school children have to walk for…

…more than 2 km to get to school – and
on hilly road! Tough life but good for health.

On the Way to Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo (Changu) Lake (3,780m) is about 40km east of Gantok and it is regarded as a sacred lake among the locals.

It is a highly restricted area and tourists require a permit to visit the lake. The saying ‘rules are made to be broken’ does not apply here – no permit, no entry.