Mt. Kanchenjunga is the third-highest peak on the planet. It is beautiful, and its essence can generally be felt in India and Nepal. When the sun rises over the mountain range, it looks like glittering gold. The sunrise views are splendid, and people from around the world generally come to view the panorama. You may also have seen pictures of it in newspapers, online, and in various travel blogs and journals.
Mt. Kanchenjunga means the five jewels of snow.
Travelers often visit Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim in India, and Nepal, to see Kanchenjunga’s snow-covered peaks. The view is even more rewarding for anyone trekking to the base camp. The view is generally rewarding at sunrise. Sometimes, the ranges are visible throughout the day if the sky remains clear.
Here are seven places to witness splendid sunrise views of the mighty Kanchenjunga massif.
1.Rachela Peak, Lava: Rachela Peak is one of the few places in India where you can enjoy spectacular sunrise views over the Kanchenjunga massif. The peak sits at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level. It is situated in Lava in the district of Kalimpong. It is a 12 kms uphill road to Rachela Peak from Lava. The road is difficult to traverse and requires cautious driving. The sunrise view is truly breathtaking. Looking a bit further, the entire mountain massif comes into view as the sun’s reflection falls on the snow-clad peaks.
2. Lungtung Valley, Sikkim – Lungtung Valley in Sikkim is one of the most magical places in Eastern India. Lungtung Valley lies on the way to Zuluk on the Silk Route. You can also witness a mesmerising sunrise over the mountains from Lungtung. If the weather holds, you can also see other neighbouring peaks of the mountain giant. Lungtung Valley sits at around 12,500 ft and offers enchanting views of the entire Kanchenjunga range. Travelers can easily reach Lungtung Valley from Gangtok by road.
3. Nathang Valley, Sikkim – Nathang Valley is one of the destinations on the Old Silk Route that offers intriguing views of the Kanchenjunga massif. Nathang Valley is a few km from Zuluk and can be reached by car or a safari jeep. The view is generally rewarding for any passionate mountain lover, provided they schedule the trip for the right time of year. However, the road to Nathang Valley from Lungtung is short and accessible by land transport.
4. Tiger Hills, Darjeeling – Tiger Hills remains one of the oldest and most popular places to view sunrise over the Kanchenjunga massif. A few kilometres from Darjeeling town, Tiger Hills offers enthralling views of the world’s third-highest mountain. The early sunrise creates a beautiful halo across the sky, making Kanchenjunga one of the world’s most iconic mountains. Tiger Hill is generally crowded because travelers from around the world come to watch the sunrise over the mountains.
5. Tashi Viewpoint, Gangtok – Tashi Viewpoint remains a significant place to catch sight of the enigmatic peak from the capital city of Gangtok. If you open a one-hundred-rupee note, you will find a picture of the mountain on the back. The image is of Kanchenjunga, taken from Tashi Viewpoint in Gangtok. Travelers can easily reach Tashi Viewpoint from Gangtok by availing local cabs.
6. Tiffin Dara -Tiffin Dara, located in Rishyap, is one of the highest summits in the Kalimpong district and offers astonishing views of the mighty Kanchenjunga Peak. The word ‘Rishyap’ comes from Tibetan and means ‘tall trees’ and ‘mountain peaks’. Rishyap is a small, wonderful hamlet offering enchanting views of the Eastern Himalayas. However, travelers must climb 2.5 km uphill from Rishyap to reach Tiffin Dara, where they can witness a glorious sunrise.
7. Sandakphu and Phalut – Sandakphu is the highest point in West Bengal and offers one of the best views of the mighty Kanchenjunga massif. Adventure seekers can reach Sandakphu from Maneybhanjang by trekking 32 kms. A Land Rover route is also available to reach Sandakphu from Maneybhanjang. A few kilometres further into Phalut, tourists can also enjoy beautiful landscapes and glorious sunrise views. Sandakphu and Phalut are in the Eastern Himalayas. They generally offer spectacular views of Mount Pandim, Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, Mount Everest, and Mount Kanchenjunga.
What is so special about Kanchenjunga?
Mt. Kanchenjunga is the only mountain peak in India on the list of the world’s 10 highest peaks. It is widely recognized as India’s hidden gem, though part of it lies in Nepal. Eastern India remains a hidden place to experience Mt. Kanchenjunga and its complete range. The villages around Kanchenjunga look special, and you can spot a lot of biodiversity. The entire area around Kanchenjunga and the national park looks surprisingly wonderful, and people from around the world come to trek and experience its charm.
How to reach Kanchenjunga base camp?
- Yuksom is the focal point for the 14-day Kanchenjunga base camp trek. However, the trek is challenging considering its length and the other hazards along the route. The trek starts from Yuksom, Sikkim, and covers Bakhim and Dzongri, crossing Lakshmi Pokhari and Chaurikhang.
- Another route from Nepal requires trekkers to drive to Taplejung, then cross Ghunsa and Lhonak to reach the base camp.
How did Kanchenjunga get its name?
- Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain peak in the world.
According to the latest data and studies, Kanchenjunga is the world’s third-highest mountain, standing at 28,169 feet.
- The word Kanchenjunga means ‘Five Treasures of Snow’.
Kanchenjunga has five distinct peaks believed to contain gold, silver, scriptures, unique stones and grains. It got its name from the Tibetan words Kang, Chen, dzo and nga.
- Kanchenjunga is located partly in India and Nepal.
The mountain giant lies partly in India and Nepal, and adventurers come to pay their respects at the base camp.
Many mountaineers have reached the summit of Kanchenjunga.
Mountaineers have climbed Mt. Kanchenjunga, setting new records. Many trekking and mountaineering expeditions have also made a significant mark in the mountain dictionary. George Band and Joe Brown were the first to climb this peak, creating history. After that, there were other expeditions in which Indians, Nepalese descendants, and Britishers took an active part and reached the summit.
KANCHENJUNFA FAQ
Rishyap offers the best views of Kanchenjunga in Kalimpong. Tiffin Dara, Rishyap, is the highest summit in the Kalimpong district and offers enchanting sunrise views over Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Peling offers the best views of Kanchenjunga in Sikkim. Peling, in West Sikkim, offers intriguing views of the Eastern Himalayas. There are, however, other places, such as Tashi Viewpoint, Kaluk, and Naku Village, from where travelers can witness the glorious peak.
Tiger Hills offers the best sunrise views over Kanchenjunga in Darjeeling. You can also see it from Batasia Loop. Both Tiger Hills and Batasia Loop are located in different zones within the Darjeeling district.
Sandakphu offers offbeat views of the mountain giant. Sandakphu, also known as the Sleeping Buddha, is the highest point in West Bengal, from which you can see Mount Pandim, Lhotse, Makalu, Everest, and Kanchenjunga.
India and Nepal offer views of the mighty Kanchenjunga massif.
The mountain massif is also visible from the Deolo hills, Charkhole and Jhandi Dara, small hamlets in Kalimpong district. It is also sometimes visible from Lepchajagat and Ghoom in the Darjeeling district.
CONCLUSION
Seeing Mt. Kanchenjunga at sunrise has been on the wish list of many travelers. They generally come from different corners of the world and pay tribute to the mountain giant. Tourists can usually get the best views when the weather is clear and cloudless. Trekkers and adventure seekers embark on extended trips to reach Mt. Kanchenjunga’s base camp, creating memories that last for a decade.