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The Singalila Trek

Trek : Singalila
Trek Duration	Pre Trek	Post Trek	Max. Altitude	Grade	Best Season
7 Days	2 Days	1 Day	12000 Ft.	Moderate	April - June & October - December

From the picturesque mountain town of Darjeeling, we trek through enchanting forests, ascending gradually to the Singalila ridge, with close views of the third highest mountain in the world (Kanchenjunga 8491 Mts.) throughout the trek. The ridge provides panoramic views of Nepal/Bhutan and Sikkim Himalayas on 3 sides and Mt. Everest preside in the distance.

PRE TREK

Day 01: Arrive Bagdogra - Darjeeling: Met upon arrival and transfer to the picturesque town of Darjeeling, (2134mts), with Kanchenjunga presiding over it. A 3 hr drive into the mountains. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 02: Darjeeling (2134mts): Early morning visit Tiger Hill for fabulous sun rise views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world at 7409m. Mt. Everest and a host of other Himalayan giants are also seen on the horizon. On our drive back to the hotel we will stop at Ghoom, a Tibetan- Buddhist monastery. After breakfast we shall visit the old botanical gardens to see the collection of rare orchids and other plants. After lunch visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Tibetan Refugee Camp and the local market.

The mighty Kanchenjunga towers above this charming town like a gigantic ship floating upon a sea of clouds. In the distance, Mt. Everest retains its aloofness. The town itself is a typical Indian “hill-station”, catering mainly to a large influx of plains people escaping the summer heat. There is “the mall” of course, a promenade with fashionable stores alongside and Kanchenjunga playing hide and seek above. The lower regions of the town are teeming with colourful tribesmen working or trading on seasonal basis. All around the town are picturesque tea-plantations and visit to them is a must.  

ACTUAL TREK PART

Day 03: Darjeeling - Manebhanjang - Tonglu (3070mts.): After breakfast drive to Manebhanjang for two hours. Manebhanjang to Tonglu is a steep climb up to Megma 7 km or 3 ½ hours walk. Megma is a small hamlet with few houses and small monastery and impressive Chorten (stupa). Megma to Tonglu is another 2 kms, which faces Darjeeling and Kurseong and commands excellent views of Kanchenjunga. Overnight in Trekker’s Hut/Tent.




Day 04: Tonglu -Sandakphu - (12000 ft.): From Tonglu to Sandakphu, the next days halt is characterised by many ascent and descents. From Tonglu to Gairibas (2621 mts.), a distance of about 9 km is 2 hrs walk, where the track is more or less flat. The route passes through the bamboo glades. From here a steep climb of 4 kms through the rhododendron forest takes us to Kalphokri (3170 mts.) which is a beautiful lake and as its name suggests has dark water and never freezes. An ascent and descent of about 4 kms takes us to Bikhebhanjyang - valley of poison - (Aconite’s grow in abundance at this place). From here another steep climb of about 4 kms takes us to Sandakphu at an altitude of about 3636 Mts. and is situated at the beginning of the Singelila ridge. Sandakphu perhaps offers the best simultaneous view of the Everest and the Kanchenjunga ranges. Overnight in Trekker’s Hut/Tent.

Day 05: Sandakphu:  Wake up before dawn to watch the sun rise over the entire eastern Nepal Himalayas and the Sikkim Himalayas, from Everest in Nepal and Kanchenjunga in Sikkim to Chomolhari in Bhutan. Sandakphu is a Great Basin set in the midst of the hills; the slopes covered with rhododendron and silver fir trees. Full day at leisure to explore the surrounding areas. Overnight in Trekker’s Hut/Tent.

Day 06: Sandakphu - Phalut: The trek from Sandakphu to Phalut is comparatively easy going as one does not encounter many ascents and the track is more or less flat on the Singelila ridge. The 21 kms trek is an easy amble under the watchful gaze of the snowy peaks. Everything is so silent here that even a whisper sounds high-pitched. The landscape is lifeless yet so beautiful. Phalut is near the tri junction of Sikkim, Nepal and West Bengal. Overnight in Trekker’s Hut/Tent. 

Day 07: Phalut - Gorkhey: From Phalut the trail descends the ridge through the virgin forest of chestnut, pines, hemlock etc. till the trail reaches the meeting of two streams called Gorkhay Khola which is a tributary of Ramam river where we can enjoy the bath in the river after a long 15 km walk. Overnight in Trekker’s Hut/Tent.

Day 08: Gorkhey - Rammam -Sirikhola: The trek is now on flat land and a further easy walk of 6 kms takes us to the village of Samadeen, which means the Lost Valley. From Samadeen to Rammam is another 2 kms of an easy amble along the river Rammam that defines the boundary between Sikkim and West Bengal. From Ramam the road is almost level walk for about first 9 km and again it descends to Sirikhola. Overnight in Trekker’s Hut/Tent.

Day 09: Sirikhola - Rimbik-Darjeeling: The road rises steep, for about 1 km where it levels out again till we reach Rimbik. PM: Half-day drive to Darjeeling. Overnight at a hotel.

POST TREK

Day 10: Darjeeling -Bagdogra: Transfer to Bagdogra airport to connect flight for onward destination.