Basantapur

Basantapur

BASANTAPUR (2,200 m) is a town set amidst enchanting scenery of mountains, lakes and greenery in eastern Nepal. Pastures, hills covered with rhododendron and jasmine flowers, stunning sunrise and sunset views, friendly people and a rich Limbu culture make Basantapur appealing. Basantapur hosts trekkers on the way to Taplejung and Mt. Kanchenjunga.People: Limbu culture is predominant in Basantapur and surrounding areas. Other ethnic groups that reside in the area are the Gurung, Rai, Tamang, Brahmin and Chhettri. Tharu, Newar and Marwadi people also live in the area. Most of the people are farmers by occupation

ExperienceTINJURE ,a ridge at 3,066 m offers, magnificent views of the sunrise and sunset, and the mountains. Tinjure Danda is about half-hour walk from Basantapur Bazaar and is famous for its rhododendrons – a stunning 34 varieties.The TINJURE MILKE JALJALE TRAIL, also known as the RHODODENDRON TRAIL, leads you through Taplejung, Tehrathum and Sankhuwasabha districts.Heading northeast out of Hile - to the north of Dharan - the trail climbs gradually through settle-ments of recent migrants from the northern Olangchung region - trans-Himalayan yak drivers. On the way lies Gupha Pokhari, a serene lake set on a ridge that looks east at the Kanchenjunga massif and west at Makalu and Khumbu Himal. From here, a shorter trek follows the Milke Danda ridge (2,905 m) - a rhododendron forest - due north, climbing to 4,700 m into the Jaljale Himal, a remote area spotted with lakes and inhabited by mountain people from Tibet. You can then descend east to the Mewa Khola (stream) and continue to Taplejung's airfield and further to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.Alternately, you can start from Phidim at the end of a newly com¬pleted dry season dirt road that trav¬erses Ilam's young tea estates.PATTEK DANDA (2,500 m) is famous for the sunrise, sunset views over the Himalayas including Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga. Pattek Danda is ideal for short treks and is also a good area for picnics. It lies about 3 km from Basantapur. Pattek Danda can also be reached via Chitre that is a 15-minute drive away. From here, Pattek Danda is a 30-minute trek.


Other Attractions
MARG POKHARI (2,600 m) is a natural pond on the lap of the hills on the way to Basantapur from Sindhuwa, which is 5 km from Basantapur Bazaar. The pond holds religious significance as well as scenic beauty surrounded as it is by a dense rhododendron forest.PANCHAKANYA POKHARI, also known as Chhathar Pokhari, is the largest pond in the area. It is approximately 2 hours’ walk further down from Sukrabare Bazaar, an ideal place to experience the rich Limbu culture. The village can be reached via Sindhuwa Bazaar.HILE is a hill station to the north of Dharan, formerly a recruiting center for British Gurkha soldiers, that provides stunning views of the eastern Himalaya. Hile lies 13 km north of Dhankuta, a charming hill town of cobbled streets and white-washed houses. Bhedetar, the gateway to the Arun Valley, is another popular hill station in the area.

CLIMATE
The weather here is cool and temperate most times of the year, making Basantapur ideal to visit anytime. But the best times to visit are autumn and spring, from October to December or from February to April. Summers are pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, while winters are mild.

ACCESS / ACCOMMODATION
Basantapur can be reached via Hile to the north of Dhankuta, which is 50 km north of Dharan. Buses leave for Dhankuta from the Central Bus Station at Gongabu, Kathmandu. Another option is to fly to Biratnagar and drive to Hile Bazaar, from where buses are available to Basantapur.Budget hotels and moderate accommodation facilities are available in Basantapur Bazaar. Camping sites are also available for trekkers.