Sankhuwasabha District is one of 14 districts in eastern Nepal's Province No. 1. The district covers 3,480 km2 and had 159,203 residents in 2001 and 158,742 in 2011. Khandbari is the administrative base.
Bhojpur, Terhathum, and Dhankuta are in the Koshi Zone; Solukhumbu is in the Sagarmatha Zone; and Taplejung is in the Mechi Zone. Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China, borders the Sankhuwasabha district to the north.
Geography and Climate of Samhkuwasabha District
The Arun River enters the district from Tibet at an elevation of around 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). It flows south, creating one of the world's deepest valleys in relation to Makalu (8,481 meters) to the west and Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters) to the east.
The climate of Sankhuwasabha is divided into seven climatic zones. They are:
- Lower Tropical
- Upper Tropical
- Subtropical
- Temperate
- Subalpine
- Alpine
- Nival
Underrated Places of Sankhuwasabha
Tehrathum, an area with verdant pastures, breathtaking mountain views, scintillating sunrises and sunsets, and peaceful Limbu residents, provides an ideal escape from the city's noise and tension. From terraced hillsides to the terai plains' vast plains, the varied scenery is shrouded in lush green grass, providing a welcome respite from the city's concrete jungle.
Yangle Kharke: Rustic Serenity Captured
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Tehrathum's Basantapur (2,200 m) is on the trekking route to Taplejung and the Kanchenjunga district. Before undertaking the long trek in the eastern part of Nepal, trekkers arrive in the small Basantapur Bazaar, which is surrounded by greenery and offers mountain views.
Basantapur is excellent to visit at any time of year because the weather is mild and temperate for the majority of the year. Spring and fall, in February-April or October-December, are the perfect times to visit. Summers are fun, but winters are bitterly cold.
The most underrated tourist destinations of Sankhuwasabha district are:
- Tin Jure
- Gupha Pokhari
- Milke Danda
- Pattek
- Marg Pokhari
- Panchakanya Pokhari
- Shivadhara
- Chhyankuti
- Sabha Pokhari
- Manakamana
- Makalu Barun National Park and Conservayion Area
Tin Jure
One can enjoy stunning sunrise and sunset views, as well as admire the Makalu massif and other Himalayan peaks from Tin Jure Danda (3,066 m). The thirty-four varieties of rhododendron found in this area are famous. Basantapur is just a half-hour walk from Tin Jure Danda.
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The Rhododendron Trail, also known as the Tin Jure Milke Jaljale Trail, runs through Taplejung, Terathum, and Sankhuwasabha districts. The town of Hile, located north of Dharan, is an excellent place to start. Alternatively, you can begin your journey from Phidim, near the Indian border, at the end of a newly constructed dry-season dirt road that passes through Ilam's tea plantations.
The trail climbs steadily northeast of Hile, passing through settlements of recent migrants from the northern Olangchung district and trans-Himalayan yak herders who survive for months on tsampa (roasted barley flour), dried yak meat, and cheese.
Gupha Pokhari
Gupha Pokhari is a tranquil lake perched on a hill with views of the Kanchenjunga massif to the east and Makalu and the Khumbu Himal to the west (mountain). A short trek from here follows the Milke Danda ridge north, ascending to 4,700 m and leading to Jaljale Himal, a remote region with a smattering of lakes and inhabited by Tibetan mountain people.
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After that, you can descend east to the Mewa Khola (stream) and carry on to Taplejung's airfield and the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
Milke Danda
Another ridge on the road to Taplejung is Milke Danda (2,905m), which is noted for its rhododendron forest. When the weather is right, this ridge offers a closer look at the Kanchenjunga and Kumbhakarna ranges, as well as some spectacular sunrise and sunset views.
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It is located halfway between Taplejung and Basantapur Bazaar on the Taplejung-Basantapur Bazaar trekking road.
Pattek
Pattek Danda (2,500 m), which provides a panoramic view of the Himalayas from Mt. Everest to Kanchanjungha, is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset viewing. Pattek Danda is a great place to go for a short hike or have a picnic.
Basantapur Bazaar is a 2-hour walk west of the famous Goddess Kali temple. After a 15-minute drive, Pattek Danda, about 3 km from Basantapur, can also be reached via Chitre. Pattek Danda is a 30-minute hike from here.
Marg Pokhari
Another natural pond on the outskirts of the hills is Marg Pokhari (2,600 m). The pond has religious importance and is located in a beautiful location. The pond has assured that the environment is still lush. The Marg Pokhari watershed is a natural pond located on the Basantapur-Taplejung trekking trail.
From here, you can enjoy beautiful mountain views as well as spectacular sunrise and sunset views.
The Marg Pokhari watershed has a thick forest with some common rhododendron species and other valuable plants. Marg Pokhari is located 5 kilometres from Basantapur Bazaar on the road to Basantapur from Sindhuwa.
Panchakanya Pokhari
Another famous tourist destination is Panchakanya Pokhari. It is about a 2-hour walk downhill from Sukrabare Bazaar and is also known as Chhathar Pokhari. Panchakanya is the largest of the many ponds in the district.
Every Friday in the Hammarjung district, a fair known as Sukrabare Bazaar (Sukrabar means Friday) is held, showcasing the diverse culture of the settlements. Since the bulk of the residents are Limbu, this is an excellent place to read about and witness Limbu culture.
The village is known for its khadi (cotton) cloth and can be reached via Sindhuwa Bazaar, another popular tourist destination near Basantapur with beautiful views.
Shivadhara
Shiva Dhara is one of Sankhuwasabha's most famous pilgrimage locations, situated on the way to Mt. Makalu Base Camp in Makalu VDC ward no 5 of Sankhuwasabha. Every year, on the August full moon, a large fair is held there. Many tourists from all across the globe world visit the holy site to take a sacred bath. Shivadhara is named after Shiva and Parbati.
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Because of its high elevation, the place is snow-covered for around 8-9 months of the year. As a result, no one goes there on those occasions. The region where the tap falls by pushing and wets the pilgrims is approximately 10 – 25 meters. It's strange to learn that it discriminates between immoral and conscientious pilgrims.
Chhyankuti
One of the most beautiful places near Khandbari bazaar is Chhyankuti, which is situated 10 kilometres north of Sankhuwasabha District Headquarter Khandbari on the road to Mt. Makalu Base Camp.
The snow-capped Mt. Makalu and other Himalayan Peaks, the green forests and the Arun Valley location, and the lovely scene of the Arun River can all be seen and photographed from there. You will admire the breathtaking landscape of the neighbouring Bhojpur district from there.
Sabha Pokhari
Sabha Pokhari is a natural lake of spiritual significance that is located at an altitude of 4,240m at the bottom of the Lumba Sumba Himal in the district.
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According to Hindu legend, a wise ascetic called Byasa (the creator of the Hindu holy scripts, the Vedas) once convened an assembly of all 88 thousand sages, saints, and ascetics. It delivered a speech about how humans should achieve harmony throughout their lifespan and reach heaven after death.
The lake's location is a rare example of natural beauty and vegetation and a good spot for hiking.
Manakamana
Manakamana Devi's temple is situated on the eastern side of the Arun River, north of Tumlingtar. The temple houses an old stone image of Manakamana Devi Nava Durga Bhagawati (Durga in her original form) and pictures of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, and other deities.
On the occasion of Thuli Ekadasi, a prominent religious fair is held, and people from all over the village come to participate in the fair and festival.
Makalu Barun National Park and Conservayion Area
This national park and protected area is a must-see destination not only in Sankhuwasabha but also in Nepal. The national park is home to some of the country's most diverse and unusual plant and animal species and flora plants and vegetations.