Kangchenjunga Sunrise
Kangchenjunga Sunrise. Wide angle view from the highest point at Sandakphu, West Bengal, India. looking towards the imposing Kangchenjunga range (8586 m).
Sandakhphu:
Singalila is well known for the steep rocky trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through it. Sandakphu is an incredible place to watch sunrises and sets, Sandakhphu summit is situated within Singalila National Park and is the highest peak in West Bengal. Sandakphu offers incredible views of four of the worlds five highest mountains; Mt Everest (8848 m) Kangchenjunga (8586 m), Lhotse (8516 m) and Makalu (8485 m).
About Singalila National Park:
Singalila National Park is located in the Eastern Himalayan Region of India, in the state of West Bengal. It was declared a National Park in 1992 and is one of the best places to observe wild red pandas in India. This temperate cloud forest of fir, deciduous hardwoods, Rhododendron and dense bamboo is located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of 7000 ft to 12000 ft above sea level.
The area gets considerable seasonal monsoon rains, meaning it is perfect for a variety of weird and wonderful plants. Over 600 varieties of orchids bloom in Singalia, the largest concentration of any geographical area in the world. It is one of the most remote national parks in India, only access by foot or by the the trusty old Land Rovers left over from the British era.
Over the border in Nepal, the same cloud forest habitat continues as Tinchule Forest. Tinchule-Singalila is one of the best places to see the elusive red panda in the world. There are an estimated 30+ red pandas in Singalila National Park. Apart from the red panda, other mammals in Singalila National park include the clouded leopard, leopard, leopard cat, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan serow, barking deer, yellow-throated marten, wild boar, pangolin, pika and much more.
More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in Singalila. Colourful Himalayan specialists include satyr tragopan, blood pheasants, kalij pheasants, fire-tailed myzornis, yellow-billed blue magpie, golden-breasted fulvetta, Himalayan bluetail and many more.