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From the picturesque town of Darjeeling,
situated at an altitude of 7,042 ft (2,134 m),
trek up through enchanting forests, ascending
gradually to the Singalila ridge, with close
views of Kanchenjunga (28,630 ft/8,598 m) the
third highest mountain in the world. The ridge
provides panoramic views of Nepal, Bhutan,
Sikkim, Himalayas on three sides with Mt.
Everest in the distance, fine view of the
Nepalese valleys and of the plains of North
Bengal with the snow fed Teesta on the east,
Koshi on the west and a number of smaller rivers
between them. A sunrise from Sandakpur is simply
astonishing with clouds blanketing the valley,
rising above is continuous barrier of snowy
mountains, the most prominent which is
Kanchenjunga (8598 m) towering up in gigantic
height and breadth with it's attendant peaks
Kabru (7338 m), Jano (Khumbhakarna - 7710 m) and
Pandim (6691 m) clustering closely round it. Far
of to the west among a group of other snowy
mountain rising from graceful peaks of Everest
group can be seen, behind the crest of Mt.
Makalu. The contrast between Everest and
Kanchanjunga is very marked. |
