Singalila Trek – 3: Amazing Meghma to Tumbling

It was just after we started the trek that we started to feel the thrill within. Our guide gave us two options to choose from: the easiest route, flat and pitched for vehicles (as we were starting our journey the roads were just like what we have in our cities, clear and neat); or across the mountains and valleys, which would shorten both time and distance. We chose the second, and it was pretty steep and fast to start with.

The weather was pretty clear. This shot was taken of our porters, who were always ahead of the team. Just to give you a glimpse of the traditional Chitrey roads, here is the shot:

IMAGE: Chitrey road

After walking on for a few miles we were feeling good, and slowly feeling the urge to quench our thirst as the sun was bright and high above our heads.

This is the right time to pause and give you an idea of our entire team. Our group divided due to speed, age and different photographic inclinations into two distinct groups. I was with two partners: Mr Chiradeep Chowdhury, an already trek-pro and a teacher at a renowned government school, and Mr Rupjit Ghosh, a 13-year-old lad, my friend’s son, still at school. To be honest, he was the most energetic soul throughout the trek. The other group contained Mr Pradip Ghosh and his wife Ms Sujata Ghosh, Mr Sujay Saha, Mr Suvojit Srimani and his wife Ms Rakti Srimany with their two-year-old daughter Saranya, and another couple, Mr S. Mondal and Ms P. Mondal.

After a short break we continued our journey and came to a valley of different flowers — rare, very rare, and rarest of the rare species: Magnolia, Goras and different types of Rhododendron. We were amazed to see them and started pulling out our cameras and apparatus one by one. Not only was the place full of the heavenly beauty of flowers, but also different types of orchids, plants and leaves, which one must spend a lifetime to witness unless luck is well worthy.

IMAGE: Chiradeep Da preparing the lenses

Read the next article for the continued journey: Singalila Trek – 4: Tumbling to Kala Pokhri