Singalila Trek

Important Note for Trekking in Darjeeling
The accommodation in Sandakphu or Phalut route that runs through Singalila National Park, are arranged in Privet Lodges or Trekkers’ Huts. These lodges or huts are run and maintained by the hospitable and friendly local Nepalese or Tibetan people. They offer very basic facilities with room, bed and blankets. However, you may still carry your personal sleeping bags although it is not mandatory. In most of the places the rooms are privet but the toilets are not. You will get hot water in bucket for a limited quantity. Bathing is not advised in Sandakphu and Phalut. Room does not have any heater but we provide hot bag and arrange fire in the lobby or dining room. Food is available in those lodges but we carry our own cook and food staff to ensure a better quality and variety.

To avoid littering in the National Park bottled water is not carried and drinking water is boiled instead. Electricity or telephone connection is not available in most of the places. Some of the lodges however, use generator for a specific time. Cell phone connection is available in Sandakphu and also in some other few stops on the way but not throughout. Although Sandakphu is regarded as one of the best trekking routes in the Eastern Himalayas but the Top is accessible by 4W Jeep also. You may come across few vehicles riding up the hills while you are trekking. National Park authority restricts open fire, carrying weapons or explosives, or collecting/killing any flora or faunal specimen in and around the park territory.

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Day 01: Arrive Bagdogra – Kurseong (45 kms / 1.5-2 hrs drive)
On Arrival at Bagdogra Airport after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at airport & transfer to Kurseong.

The name ‘Kurseong’ comes from the Lepcha word, Kharsang - “Land of the White Orchids”, chosen by the first settlers, the Lepcha people, to describe their new home because of the little white orchids dotting the valleys. Kurseong is home to the costliest teas in the world. World famous Castleton, Ambotia and Makaibari tea gardens produce the most delicate aromas of all black teas known to mankind.

Arrive Kurseong and check-in at the hotel.
You can go for a short walk to the Eagle"s Crag Viewpoint is near Kurseong railway station. A short walk is helpful before the next morning trek that goes to Singalila National Park for 4 days.
Evening free at leisure to relax.

Overnight Hotel- Kurseong

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Day 02: Kurseong – Manebhanjan
Post breakfast drive to Manebhanjan, follows the Hill Cart Road connecting Darjeeling with the plains. At Ghoom (The highest rail station in India) you leave the Hill Cart Road and it takes another hour from Ghoom to reach Manybhanjan.

Trek Starts from Maneybhanjan in the morning. Trek to Tonglu (10070ft / 3070 mt,) through dense, (11 km). Reach Tonglu in the afternoon.
Overnight - Tonglu / Tumling.

Day 03: Tumling – Sandakphu (Alt 11929ft / 3636 mt,)
Wake up early in the morning for a rare and beautiful view of the mountains around. Post breakfast start trekking. Trek for 3 hrs covering 9 kilometres to reach Gairibans at 2621 meters, Trails leads one through bamboo glades and farmlands.
Lunch at Gairibans. Post lunch trek ofr another 3 hrs covering the dixtance of 6 kms to reach Kalipokhari 3170 meters.

From Kalipokhari the trek route descends to Bikhebhangang. Trek from Bikhebhanjang to Sandakphu is a steep climb of 4 kms and takes more then an hour. Sandakphu at 3636 meter, is the highest mountain in West Bengal and commands one of the most spectacular views of the mountain ranges of Kunchenjunga and Everest. The mountain slopes are covered with rhododendrons and silver fir trees.

Overnight- Sandakphu

Day 04: Sandakphu – Falut ( Alt 11811ft / 3595 mt,)
Wake up early in the morning for beautiful view of Kanchenjunga and Everest range.

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Trek to Phalut. The trek from Sandakphu to Phalut covering 21 kilometers is one of the most spectacular. The silver fir and rhododendron forests comprises the most beautiful sight. The trek takes you through the top of a ridge and is relatively easy. Phalut is one of the loftiest peaks (3600 mt) in the Singalila Range.

Overnight- Phulat

Day 05: Phalut – Ramam (Alt  2560 mt,)
From Phalut the trail descends through the virgin forest of chestnut, pines, hemlock etc. till the trail reaches the stream known as Gorkhey Khola. One can enjoy the bath and savor midday meal. Resume trekking via Samandin to Ramam Trekkers Hut.
On this day you will be trekking for 5 hrs covering the distance of 15kms.

Overnight- Ramam

Day 06: Ramam – Rimbik (Alt  2280 mt,) – Darjeeling (54 kms Drive)
From Ramam the road is almost level. walk for the first 9 km and again it descends to Srikhola. The road rises steeply for about 1 km where it levels out again till it reaches Rimbik.

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Reach Rimbik and drive to Darjeeling. Reach Darjeeling and check-in at the hotel.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight Hotel- Darjeeling

Day 07: Darjeeling
Early morning START your DAY with the visit of Tiger Hill, famous for its magnificent view of Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest & other eastern Himalayan peaks especially at the time of sunrise.

Later enjoy the toy train ride of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ghoom, as the name suggests it is gloomy & clammy with perpetual fog. A Tibetan village, one can hear the foghorn-like sounds of Buddhist monks blowing their giant Gyeling pipes from the rooftops of the nearby Yiga-Choling ' Yellow Hat' Buddhist Temple.
Also visit the Mountaineering Institute, created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary. A display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights..

Post lunch visit the two Buddhist monasteries Chholing & Darli.

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Continue visit the Tibet Handicraft Centre & the beautiful Tea gardens.

Evening visit the Observatory Hill known locally as Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan. According to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalese destroyed it in the 19th century, now the Shivas & Buddhists share the temple that stands there today. 

Overnight Hotel – Darjeeling (B, D)

Day 08: Darjeeling – Bagdogra  (75 kms / 3 hrs drive)
Post breakfast checkout from the hotel and leave for Bagdogra airport to board the flight for onward destination taking back a wonderful HOLIDAY Memory…..

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.