Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill?

EMM · Dec 17th, 2007, 12:36

I'll be in Darjeeling and Sikkim in mid January. I'm looking for some day hikes and have read about Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill. Tendong Hill (from Damthang) looks like an easy dayhike, but I'm having trouble understanding how long Maenam Hill would take/what it would look like?

Also, any recommendations for lodging in Namchi or Ravangla?

Big picture what it's looking like:
-- Fly into Bagdogra - arrive early-afternoon; drive to either Namchi/Damthang or Ravangla; stay in one of those places
-- Hike Tendong Hill or Maenam Hill; drive to Kurseong (stay at Cochrane Place)
-- Tiger Hill in morning; explore Darjeeling afternoon; back to Kurseoung (Cochrane Place)
-- relax in morning; head to Bagdogra for afternoon flight out

Thanks for any and all advice!

robin312007 · Dec 17th, 2007, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMM

I'll be in Darjeeling and Sikkim in mid January. I'm looking for some day hikes and have read about Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill. Tendong Hill (from Damthang) looks like an easy dayhike, but I'm having trouble understanding how long Maenam Hill would take/what it would look like?

Also, any recommendations for lodging in Namchi or Ravangla?

Big picture what it's looking like:
-- Fly into Bagdogra - arrive early-afternoon; drive to either Namchi/Damthang or Ravangla; stay in one of those places
-- Hike Tendong Hill or Maenam Hill; drive to Kurseong (stay at Cochrane Place)
-- Tiger Hill in morning; explore Darjeeling afternoon; back to Kurseoung (Cochrane Place)
-- relax in morning; head to Bagdogra for afternoon flight out

Thanks for any and all advice!

HI buddy

By the way how many days are you planing for this trip ?

EMM · Dec 17th, 2007, 13:59

Just 4 days - I know, WAY too short! That is why we're looking to do either Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill as a day hike, or looking for other day hike options. We know that we can't get a trek in (and may not be able to get in all of what I described above...)

robin312007 · Dec 17th, 2007, 16:36

hi EMM,

i dont know much about Maenam Hill or Tendong hill.....!
But I can add one more place in your plan and that's awesome.
Its a hike or rather a very short trek to Rishobh at 14000ft.!!
This Trek starts from Lava a small picturesque village. You can get an amazing view of Himalyan peaks including Kanchenjunga from Rishobh. This place is very remote rather peaceful and calm. You can do the round trip in a day !! I think it takes about 4 hrs maybe one way.

Regarding Tiger Hill, I would say its absurd staying in Karseoung and visiting tigerhill....!!!! Tiger HIll is famous for its Sunrise viewpoint and travelling from karseong....phew !!

Anyway, Hope all goes well...
Enjoy staying in india.

byeeee

EMM · Dec 17th, 2007, 17:29

Thanks Robin312007. I'll check out the Lava/Rishobh suggestion!

Re: Tiger Hill -- I had seen that as a (sunrise) trip out of Darjeeling 11 km south so thought it was therefore only 21km north of Kurseong. I realize that at 4 in the morning even 1 km will seem long, but is this a situation where the extra 11km makes an especially large difference time-wise e.g. is excessively curvy (forgive the rookie question, and I have a feeling that your answer will be "Yes!" based on your comments thus far)?

If so, then we will plan to stay in Darjeeling the night before...

robin312007 · Dec 17th, 2007, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMM

Thanks Robin312007. I'll check out the Lava/Rishobh suggestion!

Re: Tiger Hill -- I had seen that as a (sunrise) trip out of Darjeeling 11 km south so thought it was therefore only 21km north of Kurseong. I realize that at 4 in the morning even 1 km will seem long, but is this a situation where the extra 11km makes an especially large difference time-wise e.g. is excessively curvy (forgive the rookie question, and I have a feeling that your answer will be "Yes!" based on your comments thus far)?

If so, then we will plan to stay in Darjeeling the night before...

hi
By the way, what's your name ???

Well if I go through your trip plan, then I will end up with some pain killers......ha ha ha ! actually its a hurricane trip.
I would plan your trip like this :
Day 1 : Bagdogra to Lava (Night Stay)
Day 2 : Trek to Rishobh (Easy Trek) early morning, and back--
-(Night Stay)
Day 3 : Transfer to Darjeeling (after breakfast)

Enjoy the day in the heart of the Ever Charming-
-Darjeeling. Dont forget to carry good warm clothing.
Day 4 : Take a early morning ride to Tiger Hill and back.

Depending on your flight timing you can arrange your way back to bagdogra Airport. But dont forget to include the time taken to bagdogra from Darjeeling or ........Miss you flight !

But dont worry...You are welcome here at my place in Kolkata

ha ha ha...

Take care
Dont think much....just move on and on ...!

byeee

roy_supratim05 · Dec 19th, 2007, 15:37

Hi EMM,

I was to Menam La in Feb. 2007, it is a nice one day hike. I found lots of snow on the path, and hope you should find it also. You have to walk for 12km up - 3.5 hr and 12km down - 2.5 hr. Stay at Ravangla, it is a nice place, and Hotel Menam La is the right one. For more information and details you can check my blog - http://menamla.blogspot.com/

Happy Trekking.

EMM · Dec 28th, 2007, 01:49

Thanks so much for all the information - I really appreciate it! I think that we have a much more realistic adventure in Darjeeling/Sikkim planned now.

Elizabeth M.

joemondal · Dec 28th, 2007, 12:27

Hi Supratim,

You must be kidding! 12kms in 3.5 hrs ??? That too thru dense forest? The only difference is you encountered a bit of snow. Not enough to glissade which is not even possible on this heavily forested route.

I did this circuit upto Bhaley Dunga. And I did do it through the short cuts (off trail) and it was something like 6 hrs!
And mind you water is not available on this route but only at the ends on either start or finish. Sorry no bears and leopards for me - only birds although I spent the night in the open in a make shift shelter at Bhaley Dunga!
Cheers

roy_supratim05 · Dec 29th, 2007, 10:38

you took 6 hr. for 12 km !!?? that too on the trail like Menam !!?? I really amazed

. We started around 9:15 am and reached around 12:30 pm, sorry we could not make it more long.

Anyway, sill you are lucky than me, coz. u reached Valley Dunga, but we could not.

joemondal · Dec 29th, 2007, 13:43

Hi Supratim
Yeah...about 6hrs to Bhaley Dunga and not Maenam.
Still am amazed at how you covered the distance of 12 kms in 3 hrs 15 mins on an uphill forested trail. It roughly works out to 3.4 kms per hour. That's what we would manage on plain land walking real briskly.
Unless there's a new route...I did this in 2004.
A rough average for Indians would be somewhere around 20-30 mins per km for uphill trails.
One thing is that I had a backpack of 20kgs on my back. You probably walked without such load.

Oh! you didn't miss much by not going to Bhaley Dunga (apart from standing on the sheer cliff face going down - the so called head of a cock). The entire Maenam trail does not offer any scenic beauties as such. It's more like a jungle trek.
Cheers

roy_supratim05 · Dec 29th, 2007, 16:28

yah, u r right, we took only one day pack of 7-8 kilos and that also carried by sharing 3 of us. carrying 20 kilos on back it is feasible to take 6 hr up to Valley Dunga. I think menam offers a very good hike through dense jungle but I don't know whether there is any scenic beauty or not, coz. it was heavily clouded when we went and could not see anything. which month you went there?? I will try one more time to reach Valley Dunga, but of course in snow (Jan or Feb).

Dec 17th, 2007, 12:36	#1
EMM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California, United States Posts: 9	Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill? I'll be in Darjeeling and Sikkim in mid January. I'm looking for some day hikes and have read about Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill. Tendong Hill (from Damthang) looks like an easy dayhike, but I'm having trouble understanding how long Maenam Hill would take/what it would look like? Also, any recommendations for lodging in Namchi or Ravangla? Big picture what it's looking like: -- Fly into Bagdogra - arrive early-afternoon; drive to either Namchi/Damthang or Ravangla; stay in one of those places -- Hike Tendong Hill or Maenam Hill; drive to Kurseong (stay at Cochrane Place) -- Tiger Hill in morning; explore Darjeeling afternoon; back to Kurseoung (Cochrane Place) -- relax in morning; head to Bagdogra for afternoon flight out Thanks for any and all advice!

Dec 19th, 2007, 15:37	#7
roy_supratim05 Mountain is calling!! Dare to Challange . Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Bengal, Barrackpore Posts: 295	Hi EMM, I was to Menam La in Feb. 2007, it is a nice one day hike. I found lots of snow on the path, and hope you should find it also. You have to walk for 12km up - 3.5 hr and 12km down - 2.5 hr. Stay at Ravangla, it is a nice place, and Hotel Menam La is the right one. For more information and details you can check my blog - http://menamla.blogspot.com/ Happy Trekking. __________________ Supratim Please visit my Homepage

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Dec 17th, 2007, 13:59	#3
EMM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California, United States Posts: 9	Just 4 days - I know, WAY too short! That is why we're looking to do either Maenam Hill or Tendong Hill as a day hike, or looking for other day hike options. We know that we can't get a trek in (and may not be able to get in all of what I described above...)

Dec 17th, 2007, 16:36	#4
robin312007 Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: kolkata Posts: 96	hi EMM, i dont know much about Maenam Hill or Tendong hill.....! But I can add one more place in your plan and that's awesome. Its a hike or rather a very short trek to Rishobh at 14000ft.!! This Trek starts from Lava a small picturesque village. You can get an amazing view of Himalyan peaks including Kanchenjunga from Rishobh. This place is very remote rather peaceful and calm. You can do the round trip in a day !! I think it takes about 4 hrs maybe one way. Regarding Tiger Hill, I would say its absurd staying in Karseoung and visiting tigerhill....!!!! Tiger HIll is famous for its Sunrise viewpoint and travelling from karseong....phew !! Anyway, Hope all goes well... Enjoy staying in india. byeeee

Dec 17th, 2007, 17:29	#5
EMM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California, United States Posts: 9	Thanks Robin312007. I'll check out the Lava/Rishobh suggestion! Re: Tiger Hill -- I had seen that as a (sunrise) trip out of Darjeeling 11 km south so thought it was therefore only 21km north of Kurseong. I realize that at 4 in the morning even 1 km will seem long, but is this a situation where the extra 11km makes an especially large difference time-wise e.g. is excessively curvy (forgive the rookie question, and I have a feeling that your answer will be "Yes!" based on your comments thus far)? If so, then we will plan to stay in Darjeeling the night before...

Dec 28th, 2007, 01:49	#8
EMM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California, United States Posts: 9	Thanks so much for all the information - I really appreciate it! I think that we have a much more realistic adventure in Darjeeling/Sikkim planned now. Elizabeth M.

Dec 28th, 2007, 12:27	#9
joemondal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 44	Hi Supratim, You must be kidding! 12kms in 3.5 hrs ??? That too thru dense forest? The only difference is you encountered a bit of snow. Not enough to glissade which is not even possible on this heavily forested route. I did this circuit upto Bhaley Dunga. And I did do it through the short cuts (off trail) and it was something like 6 hrs! And mind you water is not available on this route but only at the ends on either start or finish. Sorry no bears and leopards for me - only birds although I spent the night in the open in a make shift shelter at Bhaley Dunga! Cheers

Dec 29th, 2007, 10:38	#10
roy_supratim05 Mountain is calling!! Dare to Challange . Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Bengal, Barrackpore Posts: 295	you took 6 hr. for 12 km !!?? that too on the trail like Menam !!?? I really amazed . We started around 9:15 am and reached around 12:30 pm, sorry we could not make it more long. Anyway, sill you are lucky than me, coz. u reached Valley Dunga, but we could not.

Dec 29th, 2007, 13:43	#11
joemondal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 44	Hi Supratim Yeah...about 6hrs to Bhaley Dunga and not Maenam. Still am amazed at how you covered the distance of 12 kms in 3 hrs 15 mins on an uphill forested trail. It roughly works out to 3.4 kms per hour. That's what we would manage on plain land walking real briskly. Unless there's a new route...I did this in 2004. A rough average for Indians would be somewhere around 20-30 mins per km for uphill trails. One thing is that I had a backpack of 20kgs on my back. You probably walked without such load. Oh! you didn't miss much by not going to Bhaley Dunga (apart from standing on the sheer cliff face going down - the so called head of a cock). The entire Maenam trail does not offer any scenic beauties as such. It's more like a jungle trek. Cheers

Dec 29th, 2007, 16:28	#12
roy_supratim05 Mountain is calling!! Dare to Challange . Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Bengal, Barrackpore Posts: 295	yah, u r right, we took only one day pack of 7-8 kilos and that also carried by sharing 3 of us. carrying 20 kilos on back it is feasible to take 6 hr up to Valley Dunga. I think menam offers a very good hike through dense jungle but I don't know whether there is any scenic beauty or not, coz. it was heavily clouded when we went and could not see anything. which month you went there?? I will try one more time to reach Valley Dunga, but of course in snow (Jan or Feb).

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