kanchenjunga, Gangatok

Kanchenjunga, Gangatok | History, Timing, Best time to visit

The magnificent Kanchenjunga, sometimes spelled Kangchenjunga, is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world and the third highest peak in the globe. Mount Kanchenjunga, which is encircled by Tibet, Sikkim, and Nepal, was first climbed in 1955 but has since been deemed sacred. ‘The Five Treasures of the High Snow’ is the Tibetan name for Kanchenjunga. The five stores of God—gold, silver, gems, grain, and sacred texts—are symbolized by the riches. In and around Kanchenjunga, there are numerous trekking paths that will lead you through peaceful rural areas and wooded forests.

With a peak elevation of 8,586 meters, Kangchenjunga Mountain, which lies close to Darjeeling, is the third-highest peak in the world. The mountain is considered extremely sacred in Sikkim’s Kirat religion, and it is also known as Sewa Lungma in the indigenous Limbu language. Four of Kanchenjunga’s five peaks are visible from various locations in Gangtok and Darjeeling. Tiger Hill is one of the best places to get a breathtaking glimpse of the peak among the several locations in Darjeeling. The Goecha La trek in Sikkim is the typical base camp for trekking up the range if you’re in Gangtok.

History of Kunchenjenga, Gangtok

According to the history of Kunchenjunga, the peak was regarded as the tallest in the world until 1852. Based on a variety of measures and readings, Mount Everest was proclaimed the highest mountain in India following the Great Trigonometric Survey in 1849. In 1856, Kanchenjunga was formally relegated to third place. Locals view the mountain as a holy site, the home of the gods, and some even think that a yeti, or Himalayan demon, known as Nee-gued, still prowls its slopes. Since 2000, climbers have been prohibited from accessing the mountain.

Kanchenjunga National Park, Gangtok

The most recent addition to India’s list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is this National Park and Biosphere Reserve, which is situated in Sikkim and includes the Zemu glacier and Kanchenjunga Peak. Covering 850 square kilometers, it is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including 550 different species of birds. The snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan wild ass, wild dog, Himalayan blue sheep, civet, serow, sloth bear, goral, red panda, takin, and snakes like Russell’s viper are among the significant animals discovered.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Gangtok

The most thrilling journey is the Kanchenjunga Base Camp journey, which crosses the borders of India, Tibet, and Nepal and is the highest peak in the world at 8586 meters. It provides breathtaking vistas of valleys and other settings where you can see nature at its most exquisite. Beginning in Darjeeling, the trail leads through Yukhsang, Bakkhim, Phedang, Dzongri, and Bikhbari before arriving at Chaurikhang and Rathong Glacier. The journey is a true adventure, offering you sweeping views of mountain ranges, dense forests, a diverse array of plants and animals, tribal villages, and grazing yaks.

Kanchenjunga Trek Information:

Base Camp: Yuksom
Difficulty: Difficult Gradient
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra
Nearest Railhead: 150 km
Region: Sikkim Himalaya, Sikkim
Snow: During the winter months, the park receives heavy snowfall making everything around full of mystery and magic. Heavy showers of rain also commences from May and continue on and off till mid October.
Starting point of trek: Yuksom

Etymology of Kanchenjunga, Gangtok

Kangchendzönga, Khangchendzonga, and Kanchenjunga are some of the several other spellings. Nonetheless, the officially accepted spelling is Kangchenjunga. Referring to its five summits, the native name Kanchinjínga means the “five treasures of the high snow.” It is known as Senjelungma or Seseylungma in the Limbu language because it is thought to be the home of the deity Yuma Sammang. It is called Gangchhendzonga in Tibet.

Best Time to Visit Kanchenjunga, Gangtok

December to January is the best time to visit the Kunchenjenga peak.

Protected Areas in Kanchenjunga, Gangtok

The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, the Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows, and the eastern Himalayan broad-leaved and coniferous forests make up the three separate ecoregions that make up the Kanchenjunga complex. Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal share the Kanchenjunga landscape boundary, which is made up of 14 protected areas totaling 6032 square kilometers. Rhododendrons, orchids, and other endangered species including snow leopards, Asian black bears, red pandas, and others are among the many important plant species.

Kangchenjunga Demon 

It is thought that a mountain deity known as Dzo-Nga or the Kangchenjunga Demon, a kind of yeti or rakshasa, resides in the vicinity of Kangchenjunga. The “Kangchenjunga Demon” was the name given by locals to the bipedal creature that a British geological expedition saw in 1925.

How to reach Kanchenjunga, Gangtok

Rail: The closest train station to Yuksom is New Jalpaiguri, which is roughly 150 kilometers distant.

Road: Yuksom, the Goecha La base camp, is conveniently reachable by road from Siliguri and other important cities. It is almost 140 kilometers away and acts as a gateway to both Sikkim and Gangtok, the state capital.