Singalila Ridge Trek, Darjeeling

Gopaldhara Tea estate is one of the most picturesque Tea gardens in Darjeeling hills. We can stop here for a tea break and admire its beauty.

On a clear day one can see the iconic "Sleeping Buddha" formation of Mt. Kanchenjunga massif from here.

Mirik is a small town in Darjeeling district known for Sumendu Lake.

After breakfast we start exploring the small village. This is a unique village where half of the village is in India and other half falls in Nepal. We visit a Buddhist stupa from where one can get a birds eye view of the village. Then we walk through small forest area to reach neighbouring Jaubari village where most of the villagers are associated with farming. We will have hot lunch at a villagers house and interact with them. We return back to our homestay and spend the rest at leisure.

After breakfast we start our terk. At first the trail climbs up steeply through deep forest. After walking for 45 mins you can see some Buddhist prayer flags and a big Chorten -this is Chitrey. The beautiful Sleeping Buddha formation of Kanchenjunga and another group of mountains can be seen from here. After Chitrey we take a small trail into dense malingo (Small bamboo) forest up to Lamaydhura, a small hamlet. The interesting part of this trek is that sometimes you walk in Indian side and sometimes in Nepal side. There is no border fencing here just some area pillar for marking. After Lamaydhura the walk becomes more beautiful as you see the view of Kanchenjunga on your right side. After 1 hr of the walk, we will reach a small settlement – Meghma. Tonglu is just 45 mins walk from here. This final stretch will be steep but once you reach Tonglu, you will be amazed to see the view of Kanchenjunga.

We cross beautiful hamlet name Tumling

We will wake up in the early morning for the sunrise view. After breakfast we will start our trek for Sandakphu. It will be all downhill walk till Gairibas, a small village in Indo-Nepal border then the trails goes up to Kaiyakata. From Kaiyakata to Kalapokhri the trail is gradual and it goes through the dense forest. You will enjoy this forest walk. In this portion of the forest, the chance of sighting Red panda is high. Kalapokhri is distinguished with a small pond in the beginning of this small hamlet. After Kalapokhri the initial 2 km, up to Bikeybhanjan will be a gradient walk. After Bikeybhanjan it will be steep climbing of 4 km until we reach Sandakphu.

Sandakphu is the highest peak of West Bengal state and offers grand view of the Himalayas.

Today we wake up early to see the sunrise from here. Not only Kanchenjunga, the first sunlight on the Mt. Everest also looks fantastic. After breakfast we start our journey to Phalut. Today we will cover 21 Km and it will be the longest walk of this trek. But the best part is that most of the time it will be like a ridge walk and you will walk on the meadow. The panoramic view of Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu and other peaks will continuously will you up to Thakung. After Thakung we walk through dense Rhododendron forest up to Sabargram where the area is marked with a forest check post. During spring time when Rhododendrons bloom this area looks really spectacular. From Sabargram Phalut is just 6 km away and it takes around 2.5 hr to reach there. The view from Phalut is also very nice and during the sunset, the landscape looks dramatic.

Phalut top will be just 20 min of walk from the place you are staying. To watch the sunrise we have to start early. We will come back to our place and get ready for our journey. Today our stop will be at Gorkhey, a picturesque village in this National park. Another exciting part of today’s journey is that we will walk through the dense forest of Malingo (a kind of small bamboo) most of the time. You will love this walk today. Once you reach Gorkhey you will fall in love seeing the beauty of the village. For the first time in this trek, you will see two beautiful streams – Gorkhey Khola and Rammam Khola. In the afternoon go for a village walk or relax yourself sitting on a rock beside any river.

One of the most picturesque villages in this vicinity.

Your wake up in the morning with the gurgling sound of two rivers – Gorkhey Khola and Rammam khola. After breakfast, we will start for Sepi. We will pass through the picturesque Samanden village. After the village, the trek route descends to a stream and then it goes uphill to reach a beautiful village name Rammam. After Rammam the route becomes flat and then descends to Srikhola, a beautiful river in this vicinity.

Your wake up in the morning with the gurgling sound of two rivers – Gorkhey Khola and Rammam khola. After breakfast, we will start for Sepi. We will pass through the picturesque Samanden village. After the village, the trek route descends to a stream and then it goes uphill to reach a beautiful village name Rammam. After Rammam the route becomes flat and then descends to Srikhola, a beautiful river in this vicinity.

After breakfast we start our trek to Rimbik. After walking for 30 mins we cross a river bridge and reach the vehicle road. Rimbik is just one hour walk from here. Upon arrival our trek comes to a smiling end.

The queen of hill, Darjeeling, requires no introduction. One can spend an easy three nights here and explore its various local attractions.