Hilley->Barsey Trek(2009)

In may 2009 I went to Sikkim again.But this time my destination was mostly the West region.This time we were four families combining a team of 14 people.We reached Shiliguri by Kanchankanya Express.Then as booked in advance we took two sumos.Our first destnation was OKHREY.We have booked the only available accomodation there.The place was quite remote.After having breakfast we started our journey for HILLEY which is 12 Km away from OKHREY.The altitude of this place is 9000 ft.After a 30 mins drive we reached Hilley.This is the end of the road.We quickly registered our group in the office and started our trek.We entered the BARSEY RHODODENDRON SANCTUARY. Our whole trek was through this sanctuary.That was quite a thrilling experience for me.We had a very special person with us who was only 1.5 years old and was the most energetic among us.That was my nephew.After 3-4 hours walk we reached BARSEY situated at the top of the sanctuary and having a altitude of 10000 ft.It was a 5 Km trek.There was a trekkers hut named GORUS KUNJ which was leased by the same person who owned the hotel OKHREY.So it was easy to book the accomodation there in advance.The weather was very foggy and chilly.The guys who runs the hut were very supportive.We had a great time staying there.Next day morning we all woke up early to see the mighty KANCHADZONGA.Although the sky was quite cloudy but we did get a chance to see the third highest peak in the world with his full familly.After breakfast its the time for our return journey.Coming down from a mountain was not an easy thing.It was quite strenous for our legs.We finally reached Hilley.From there we traveled back to OKHREY to have lunch.After having lunch we started our journey.This time our destination was RINCHENPONG.After a 3 hour drive we reached RINCHENPONG.

We stayed at hotel called NEST which we booked in advance.Next day we went to see UTTAREY.But the weather was not with us.It was raining quite heavily and we lost one of the tire of our car also.So we didn't took the risk as there were kids with us.So we returned to our hotel and spend the day doing nothing.Next day we went to the best place of the trip.We went to BORONG.We stayed at the WILD FLOWER RETREAT.We booked 4 cottages there.From there all I cane see is only flowers and flowers.I never seen so many flowers blooming together in life before.It was just something else for me which I couldn't explain.The food was also very good.I heard that from there one will have a very good view of Mt PANDIM.So I woke up early in the morning but the sky was totally covered with clouds and it was also raining little there.So I didn't wasted my time in getting into the bed again.Unfortunately we didn't had much time, so we have to move to our next destination which is a tea banglow in Jalpaiguri.It was the house of the Asst. Manager of the tea garden.He is a relative to one of the family in our group.So he invited us to stay in his house for a day.He showed us the tea factory.We went to see the Neora dam and the hydral project there.That was a very good experience for me to get inside of a hydral project and actually see the mechanism there.Finally we reached the end of our journey.So in the evening we went to NJP and boarded train.Next day morning we reached Kolkata.

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