Trekking is a healer, physically and mentally. What about trekking and summiting a mountain top? Impossible? Physically demanding? No, there is Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak for you. Even an asthma patient can easily trek and summit this peak. Here is a guide to Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak.
About Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak
Mt. Tumjang or Seilkal / Selkal Peak is in Borail Range, Dima Hasao district of Assam. Borail range forms the boundary between Assam and Manipur. In the border areas of Assam and Manipur lies Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak. Standing at a height of 1860 meters, Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak is the highest peak of Assam. The peak is named after the village Tumjang (the nearest village to the peak) which derives its name from ‘Tum’ (in Kuki dialect) a rare tree found in the village.
Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak? Are they Different?
People, mainly outsiders, often get confused with two names : Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak. Sometimes locals are also confused. Actually, the Selkal peak is located in Tumjang village. So, people confuse the name of the village with name of the peak. Let’s assume both as same peak.
Another confusion regarding the location of Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak is that there are two or three peaks in that range. The Sielkal / Selkal Peak, which is around 1550 meters high is the smaller one. There is another peak beyond it, which is called the Tumjang Peak and is the highest in Assam at 1860 meters.
However, people are still confused about the name of those peaks and village administration has not come up with an idea to name the peaks separately. Hope this blog clears up the fact about Mt. Tumjang and Sielkal Peak.
Planning Your Trip to Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak
The peak is located at the remotest corner of the Assam-Manipur border. The nearest village to Mt. Tunjang is P. Leikul or Purana Leikul. If you are visiting from outside of Assam, you must take a flight or train to Guwahati; from Guwahati, you have to reach Haflong (district headquarter of Dima Hasao), which is 330 km from Guwahati. Guwahati and Haflong are well connected by train and bus.
From Haflong, you must head to P. Leikul village via Mahur. The distance between Haflong town and P. Leikul village is 43 km and it will take one and a half hour by car. You can easily book a taxi from Haflong.
If you carry your own vehicle, you will park your vehicle at P. Leikul village at Rs. 100 (per four-wheeler) and Rs. 50 (per two-wheeler)
Starting Your Trek to Mt. Tumjang
It is advisable that you reach P. Leikul village early in the morning. There is no point starting your trek after 2 PM. Be ready as early as possible. If you start at 5 AM, you will have the opportunity to see the morning sun through foggy forest. Then take a rest at the campsite up on the hills, relax your body and enjoy with fellow trekkers. Then, start your descent while you watch the setting sun. However, people do visit the peak in the afternoon hours just to watch the setting sun on the horizon.
Booking Your Trek to Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak
In P. Leikul village, there is a registration office to book your trek. From there, you are supposed to take a guide for ₹600. Hiring a guide is mandatory as per the forest protection policy of the village. You may get relaxation if you are visiting with a local.
Details of the Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak Trek
The trek starts from a village called P Leikul and one must go on foot to Tumjang village which is 3 km from P Leikul village. It would take about 45 minutes of trekking. There is an entrance gate near Tumjang village where “Welcome to Tumjang” is written. Once you reach there, you are on the right track. Routes are not properly demarcated with signage. So, it is better to go with a local guide. In Tumjang village, you have to register again and pay a fee of Rs. 100 per person.
There are two routes from Tunjang village to Seilkal peak. The one that goes through the village is the shortest. Hint: Look for the church within the village and you will find the shortest route. Seilkal Peak is 2 km from from the Tumjang village.
Duration of the trek: 2 hours (from P. Leikul village to Seilkal Peak). If you want to climb further up to Mt. Tumjang, you will not another 45 mins.
Here is a blog about step by step guide to Tumjang peak
Topography and Climate
The terrain surrounding the peak is hilly, and covered with dense forests. Rainfall is a common phenomenon in this part of the region and the valley is covered with vegetation similar to sub-tropical evergreen forests. That means if you are visiting during monsoon months (June-September), expect rainfall any time. During the winter season (December-January), the area is covered with fog.
In the summer months, temperatures soar to a peak of 36 degrees Celsius and lowest being 22 degrres Celsius. However, you won’t feel much of heat beaucause of chill breeze atop the mountain and foggy monsoon conditions. Contrastingly, winter brings cooler conditions, with the mercury dropping to a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius, offering a chilly atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sielkal Peak is during the post-monsoon months, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant, and the skies are clear. However, if you love rain, no one can stop you from visiting it during monsoon. Just carry a pair of waterproof shoes.
Accomodation Facility near Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak
If you are a luxury traveller, then there is no luxury stay near the peak or in P. Leikul village. The campsite at the village offers camping and it is arranged on first come first serve basis. The cost per tent is 400 rupees.
However, there are pretty good hotels and resorts near Haflong to make stay luxuries. There are budget hotels to stay starting from Rs. 800 per day. From Haflong, you can also explore other beautiful tourist places of Haflong and Dima Hasao.
The Journey and The View From The Top
At the summit, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of the Barail Range, the Mahur River, and the verdant valleys below.
FAQs Regarding Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak
Where is Mt. Tumjang and Sielkal Peak?
Mt. Tumjang or Sielkal Peak is situated at Dima Hasao district of Assam.
Why Mt. Tumjang is famous for?
Mt. Tumjang is the highest peak of Assam. It is famous for being a excellent trekking destination.
Which is the second highest peak in Assam?
Mt. Tumjang is the highest peak of Assam.
Which is the highest peak in Assam?
Laike peak is the highest peak of Assam (1959m height). It is located in South Side of borail range in dima hasao district.
What is the height of Mt. Tumjang?
The height of Mt. Tumjang is 1860 meters.
Is it safe to travel to Dima Hasao?
Dima Hasao is safe compared to other parts of North-east India. Insurgency has decresed, there is political stability and no law and order issue at present.
How to reach Mt. Tumjang?
Guwahati > Hafting > Mahur > P. Leikul Village > 5 Km Trekking > Mt. Tumjang
Beautiful Photos of Mount Tumjang (Sourced from Instagram)
