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Milke
Danda is a 25 km long ridge lying in between the
altitudes of 2580 m and 3580m - described as an eastern
counterpart of Khaptad Plateau of Far Western Nepal. The
ridge has great ecological variation ranging from the
Sal Forests of the Tamur and Arun river valleys to
alpine vegetation at its highest point. Milke Danda is
renowned for for having the highest diversity of
Nepalese Rhododendron species (29 out of 32 species
reported from Nepal). It has beautiful Midhills forest
landscapes including the sacred lakes of Gufa Pokhari
and Lam Pokhari. It also has a rich ethnic diversity.
The area is notable for its core area of dense virgin
Rhododendron forest
There
is a long, high forested ridge that divides the Arun
& Tamur Valleys, We start trek from Basantapur (see
the Kanchenjunga North trek) and make a trek of several
days up this ridge that offers views of Makalu to the
west and Kanchenjunga to the east. The Milke Danda ridge
eventually ends in some high peaks, so you must retrace
your route back down, perhaps dropping off the west side
through Chainpur and ending the trek at Tumlingtar.
There are huge forests of rhododendrons along the ridge,
making a spring trek an attractive prospect. You may
have seen mountain views if we schedule to trek in April
to see the rhododendrons in bloom |
