DAY 21 : INDIA : Singalila Ridge Trek : Stage 2

Weather : sunny to foggy - 2-12o

Today we walked from Tumbling to Sandakphu. 21 kms.

 

 

 

We woke up to a clear morning and there were cries of joy from others in the other tea houses around at the sight of the Himalayas - the Sikkim range (with Mount Kangchenjunga the prominent one).

The mountain range that looks like a sleeping Buddha.

 

 

Breakfast of banana porridge and curried potato, Tibetan bread and delicious tomato chili jam.

 

 

The wonderful cook. The family consists of 2 sisters and a brother, who all work in the operation of the tea house. They also have several young boys staying with them to attend school in their little village. They have a small vegetable plot, cows and chickens but much depends on the weather for their food supply and small local markets.

 

 

The path stretched out before us - forever going up and up.

 

 

We passed a pony team, that transport people and all manner of supplies to farmhouses in this isolated area of the country.

 

 

Newer homes are made from corrugated iron but many are woven bamboo constructions - uninsulated and not very durable.

 

 

Our first yak. Herds of which have been known to force walkers into the abyss if they are walking on the wrong side of the track.

 

 

Then the afternoon fog rolled in. Dawa encourages me along the way. Where is my supportive husband you may well ask.

 

 

We arrived in Sandakphu - 21 kms - 8 hours. Totally and utterly exhausted after climbing rocky paths and endless stairways, seemingly to heaven. We stayed at a very social lodge with lots of activity, particularly groups of Indian students and families on holidays with all the hiking gear but in Land Rovers.

 

 

Our room was comfortable with a double bed.

 

 

And ensuite. Cold water bucket showers the go.

 

 

Dinner in the dining area - dhal, vegetables, rice...and the obligatory cups of tea.

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au