Name: West Sikkim
Rating: 4.0

Kanchenjunga National Park, West Sikkim Overview

Named after the third highest mountain peak in the world, and nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas in North of Sikkim is the Kanchenjunga National Park. Included recently in UNESCO's world heritage sites, it is a rare high altitude national park and the first "Mixed-Heritage" site of the country. Also spelt as Khangchendzonga National Park, at an elevation of 8586 meters, it lies partly in Nepal and partly in Sikkim. Unique in biodiversity, this place is a paradise for trekking with a diverse landscape and breathtaking views.

The park, situated in the beautiful state of Sikkim, is sprawled across a vast area of 850 sq km and is home to most endemic and rare species of flora and fauna including the Snow Leopard and Himalayan Tahr. With the varying elevation of 1,829 m to over 8,550 m, the Kanchenjunga National Park adjoins Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area in Nepal. There are numerous glaciers inside the national park with the Zemu glacier being the most significant one with an extravagant length of twenty-six kilometres.

1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is the most exciting trek as it is the world’s highest peak at an elevation of 8586 metres spread in the boundaries of India, Tibet and Nepal. It offers stunning view (Read More)s of valleys and landscapes where you will find nature at its best. The trail starts from Darjeeling from where you will walk through Yukhsang, Bakkhim, Phedang, Dzongri, Bikhbari to Chaurikhang and Rathong Glacier. The trek is a real adventure waiting for you to witness panoramic views of mountain ranges and pass through lush dense forests, varied flora and fauna, tribal villages and grazing yaks.

Flora and Fauna

Steeped with exquisite beauty all around, Kanchenjunga National Park is home to endangered species like Oaks, Birch, Willow, and Maple along with several rare medicinal plants. You will also spot Alpine grasses, shrubs inhabiting the region in this temperate and humid biome. Also about more than 550 species of birds alone inhabits this region including green pigeon, tragopan pheasant, blood pheasant, Tibetan snowcock, and Himalayan Griffon. A new species of bird named Himalayan Forst Thrush was discovered in 2016. It also houses several varieties of reptiles, mammals, and insects like Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Blue Sheep, wild dog, snow leopard, red panda, Tibetan wild ass, and sloth bear, etc.

Crimson Sunbird at Kanchenjunga National Park
Source

Khangchendzonga National Park Trek

There are a number of popular trekking options you at Kanchenjunga National Park. Permits for all the treks are obtained from Wildlife Education and Interpretation Center at Yuksum which is the starting point of most of these treks. The state government also organizes treks along with private agents. Some of the famous trekking routes are:

Yuksom - Tshoka - Dzongri
Bakim - Dzongri - Thangshing - Samuteng - Goechala
Dzongri Base Camp - Rathong - Khangerteng
Thangshing - Lam Pokhari - Kasturi
Orar - Labdang - Tashiding.
Lucanes Jakchen-Yabuk-Rest Camp (Marco Polo Camp) - Green Lake
Lachen-Thasngu (4,174 m) - Muguthang (4,900 m) - Thay La (5,200 m) - Khyoksa La (5,500 m) - Rest Camp - Green Lake.

Permission of the State Cheif Wildlife Warden is also a must before visiting the national park. Almost all the treks pass through the Kanchenjunga National Park.

History of Khangchendzonga National Park

The Kanchenjunga National Park gets its name from the third highest mountain in the world - Kanchenjunga. The word Kanchenjunga literally means 'Abode Of God'. The national park is juxtaposed against this massive mountain, which acts as a striking background at an imposing height of 8586 meters. This area was declared as a National Park in 1977. Initially, the area of the National Park was 850 km sq which was extended to 1784 km sq.

Surprisingly, Kanchenjunga National Park also holds religious significance. In Buddhism, Sikkim is presented as a sacred land and according to some scriptures, the area of the park is originally the sanctum sanctorum where the Buddhist masters had hidden the religious treaties and texts to be later discovered by the people. According to the officials, these hidden treasures are called "ters", destined to be discovered by "ter-tons" which literally means treasure revealers. This has ensured that the sacred places littered the park are not defiled, helping in sustained preservation.

Best Time to Visit

The best to visit the national park is from March to May and September to Mid-December. It receives snowfall for the most part of the year. The treks are also organised by the forest and state department in accordance with the prevailing weather conditions.

Accommodation at Kanchenjunga National Park

Range office at the National Park provides accommodation options with four houses containing twenty beds. Many people also prefer to stay in Gangtok which has plenty of accommodation options and travel to the Kanchenjunga National Park for a day trip.

Tips

1. Make sure you obtain all the required permissions and permits to trek in the region which is a must.
2. Avoid the use of firewood or kindling any kind of fire in the forest areas.
3. You are not allowed to play loud music or use loudspeakers.
4. Do not swim in the lakes and rivers located inside the national park and protected areas.

How To Reach Kanchenjunga National Park

Bagdogra, 222 kilometres away is the nearest airport with connectivity to Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati. A helicopter service also runs from Bagdogra to Gangtok.
Jalpaiguri, 221 kilometres away is the nearest railway station. The national park is well connected from Jalpaiguri via roads and you may book a taxi.
The park is also well connected to major cities and is accessible through roads through NH-31A via Gangtok-Sevlok Road. You'll find state and private buses to the national park at regular intervals.