| Sustainable Tourism Kanchenjunga
|
| The
Treasure of Mountains |
 Offering
some of the most spectacular Himalayan landscapes with thirteen
of the world’s highest mountain peaks rising above 7000m
including Mt. Kanchenjunga(8586m) the third highest peak in
the world; Kanchenjunga, the treasure of the mountains, also
plays host to the longest blue glacier in the world, the Yalung
and a high biodiversity rate. This area is also home to a diverse
range of ethnic groups like the Limbus, Tibetans, Sherpas, Rai,
Gurung, Magars, Newars and Tamangs.
The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in the eastern Himalaya
boasts of some of the most stunning scenery in all of Nepal.
Traditional farming practices are a way of life here and you
can encounter rich forests with more than 250 species of bird
and animal life. There are a number of high mountain lakes
in Olangchung Gola.
|
Mountaineering
& White Water Rafting
 This
area is specially suited for mountaineering and trekking and
these along with pilgrimage tours are the main tourist attractions.
Waterfalls, lakes and the Tamur River offer opportunities
for white water rafting. The Milke Jajale ridge forms the
border between Kanchenjunga and Terathum and this area is
known for its biological diversity including the world’s
largest natural rhododendron forest with the highest number
of rhododendron species for any place in the world.
Flora & Fauna
Juniper and Himalayan Larch can be found in the forests in
this area. With more than 1200 species of flowering plants,
Kanchenjunga is also rich in wildlife including the snow leopard,
red panda, Himalayan musk deer and the Himalayan black bear.
Ancient Gompas 
The richness of the cultural heritage of Kanchenjunga is
reflected in the Buddhist gompas such as the 400 year old
Diki Chhyoling gompa of Olangchung Gola which houses a life
size Avalokiteshwara and has a butter lamp continuously burning
since its construction. 12 prayer wheels outside the gompa
spin as a small stream flows by.
|
