Sleeping Buddha Part II

Day 4 Sandakphu to Sabargram Altitude Change from 11,950 ft (3,642 m) to 11,807 ft (3,599 m) Distance 12-13 km

Terrain was completely different on the trail to Sabargram. Open field with no big trees and grassland covering huge area. There was no tea break today and we packed our lunch in our own boxes.

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After about 3 hours of trek, we halted at this typical location with flat grassland and enjoyed our packed lunch under the blue sky.

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Trail to Sabargram after lunch was a mix of uphill and downhill with gravel road. Sabargram had 2 houses and pond in front. There were no guesthouses and we needed to pitch our tents on a hillock.

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Day 5 Sabargram to Gorkhey Altitude Change from 11,807 ft (3,599 m) to 7,546 ft (2,300 m) Distance 16-17 km

Before we started towards Grokhey, majority of us decided to skip Phalut and directly head towards Gorkhey. Gorkhey via Phalut sums up to 22 km, which is pretty tiring. This day was really challenging for me as we were descending 4000 ft and my toe nails were severely bruised and excruciating. We were told that the trail through thick forest was really unique, owing to dense cover of Bamboo trees.

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Non stop downhill had exhausted a lot of us. I was eagerly waiting for a glimpse of Gorkhey as I had painted some picture of this village. I had read earlier that this was one of the beautiful villages of Sandakphu trek.

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Gorkhey was soothing. It reminded me of the scenery I tried to draw in school. Cascaded mountains, flowing river, shotgun and farm houses, farm animals. In Grokhey many of us calmed ourselves on the boulders near the flowing Ramam river. Evening in Gorkhey was quite emotional as we shared notes of gratitude to each other, no tabs were kept on the clock. Two of our trek mates had birthday and a very cute cake was baked with best possible ingredients available. It had been a long time I had felt so good among so many people. The speeches from each one of us will always remain with me forever.

Day 6 : Gorkhey to Sepi Altitude Change from 7,546 ft (2,300 m) to 6,234 ft(1,900 m) Distance 11-12 km

Last day of the trek and we were again in to the thick green lush downhill towards Sepi. 11-12 km seemed to be nothing after coming from higher altitude.

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Alas we were in Sepi around 1 PM. I never ran any marathon, but I clearly lived the similar experience. The joy of finishing the trek which began few days back. Starting the trek with unknown people and effortlessly making a special bond over the course of only 6 days, that is something!!!!

After lunch, we departed our ways and I was heading to Siliguri, West Bengal, India. As I was approaching the big city, I was leaving behind blue sky and was entering clamour. At 8 PM I was in my hotel room, re packing for the early flight next day to Pune.

I took so much from this trek, which I will cherish life long. I felt the luckiest to expiernce perfect weather, perfect views and amazing trek mates. Such wishes rarely come true!

Almost all photos are my clicks, except few which I give credit to the local guide and trek mates.

Summary:

• My trek period 26.10.2019 – 01.11.2019

• Moderate Trek

• Camping + Guest house expierence

• Best Period – October – April