Yesterday we went to the Black Forest trail to see if the Black Forest is really black. So yesterday we found that yes the Black Forest is black but wherever the sunlight comes, it is not black at all. So after hiking 16.6 km yesterday, both of our legs were not quite ready for today's hike. But as soon as we woke up comfortably and had breakfast, our body got ready for another new adventure. And today we will go to “Gurdum Village”.
Gurdum village comes under Shingalila National Park and the total population of this village is only 40 people. This village plays an important role in Sandaphu trek. Almost all the trekkers stopping here while going to Sandaphu and coming down from the top. There is a very small and beautiful home stay here named “Mingma Home Stay”. I have probably visited Gurdum village more than 10 times. To reach here from Rimbik village, we have to cover 6 km road and 4 km climb.
Today after breakfast we thought of going to Gurdum village via Sheppey and Black Forest. We did this last year also. So at 10 o'clock we leave towards our destination. Moving from Rimbik we cross Manedara Monastery. If we move ahead from here, we cross Shano, the last village on this side and soon enter the Black Forest where we had come yesterday also. But today we enter the Black Forest only for a short time and after walking about 800 meters we come out to Timbure village.
Of course, we walked only 800 meters in the Black Forest, but in this short distance we saw small waterfalls running at various places, saw a river and crossed the river over a bridge. Today the weather is clear, sunny at some places and cloudy at some places. Walking alone in the forest gives great pleasure. There is no noise of vehicles and people here at all. Whenever I want to listen, I hear the chirping of birds, the sound of wind passing through the trees, the songs of the flowing river. I want to carry this feeling of peace and forest with me in my pockets.
Nowadays, peas, potatoes and cabbage are cultivated in Timbure village. Water sprinklers are running in the fields so that the crops can get water. There are tea plantations along with the fields from where the locals pick tea leaves and make their own tea. I have drank this tea and believe me I liked it very much. This small village, situated at an altitude of 1900 meters, has a population of only 25 people. All the people here are Buddhists and farming and animal husbandry are their only occupations from which they earn some money for their living.
The view of the valley visible from Timbure village is very beautiful, the mountains of Sikkim are also visible from here. We don't feel like going further from here but still we say bye and leave for Gurdum from Timbure village. Gurdum village is just 2 km away from here. We walk comfortably and reach our destination. After reaching here we come to know that the entire village has gone to another village for a wedding. Our plan was to have lunch here...all desires are shattered. We stay here for some time and return.
From Gurdum, come directly to Shrikhola Bridge and from here, take a lift in a car and reach Rimbik village. After taking bath, we eat food and get busy in our other work. Let's see tomorrow where we will go for a hike. Well, I have a place in mind that we saw in the Black Forest. I really feel like going there...let's see what happens tomorrow and where I feel like going. Now I am leaving, take care and see you in the next post.
Disclaimer: This post is originally written in Hindi and I have used Google Translator to tranlate the Hindi text in English. All the photos have been clicked by me from android poco f1 and edited in Lightroom/photoshop.
