From Darjeeling hills where tea plantations stretch as far as the eye can see, to Sikkim, an ancient Himalayan kingdom of Tibetan culture, this trek offers breath-taking views of the Himalayan range from Cho Oyo to Kanchenjunga. The Singalila range is one of the rare spots on earth where the view embraces five summits rising above 8000m, amongst them Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. On these 19th century English Lords trails, you will trek on easy narrow paths along the Indo-Nepali border, sometimes at the edge of the jungle, sometimes through rhododendron forests. The visit of the main Sikkim monasteries (Pemayangtse, Tashiding, and Rumtek) provides a touch of culture and makes of this journey a rare venture.
Duration: 16 nights/17 days
Destination: Delhi-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Manav-Bhanjang-Tonglu-Garibas-Sandakphu-Phalut-Raman-Rimbik-Pelling-Yuksam-Tashiding-Martam-Gangtok-Bagdogra-Delhi
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive Delhi and later transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Bagdogra (by plane) - Darjeeling (2130m) by car.
Next morning catch your flight to Bagdogra and later continue your charming 4-hour journey, through Assam tea plantations and tiny villages takes us to Darjeeling. Built on top of a ridge, Darjeeling faces the Himalaya and is a popular destination for Westerners and Bengalis alike.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Darjeeling
Early morning takes an early trip to Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise. Later visit the famous Ghoom monastery that enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha (the coming Buddha). Later on, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and tea plantations.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Darjeeling - Manay Bhanjang (2134m.) by car - Tonglu (3070m.)
Early morning drive from Darjeeling to trek point. The trail overlooks the Bengali plain south, and we have tantalizing glimpses of Kanchenjunga ahead, as we zigzag through rhododendrons.
Overnight camp.
Day 5: Tonglu - Garibas (2620m)
We take a mossy paved path that snakes through a succession of forests and hamlets, giving way, from time to time, to spectacular mountain sceneries.
Overnight camp.
Day 6: Garibas - Sandakphu (3640m)
We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhari. Afterwards we start a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge that leads us to Sandakphu. A remarkable 360 ° view from the top.
Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Sandakphu - Phalut (3600m)
We walk to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise over the Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyo. Throughout the day, there are ever-changing views: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the background.
Overnight camp.
Day 8: Phalut - Raman (2560m)
A pleasant descent through the woods takes us to Gorkhey (2500m) then we climb up towards Raman.
Overnight camp.
Day 9: Raman - Rimbik (2280m)
We pass through numerous villages and cross the Sri Khola over a remarkable suspension bridge.
Day 10: Rimbik - Pelling
Drive by car to Pelling.
Day 11: Pelling - Pemayangtse - Yuksam by car
2.5 km from Pelling, we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery. Perched at 2800m, it is one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 12: Yuksam - Tashiding - Martam by car
En route, we visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 13: Martam - Gangtok by car
Today go back to Gangtok by car, enroute visiting Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 14: Gangtok
Take a full day city tour of Gangtok, visiting one of the amazing Orchid Sanctuary, where we can see a few of the 454 orchid species listed in Sikkim. To complete the day we will visit the Enchey and Do Drul monasteries, and the Tibetology Institute, which houses one of the richest collections of thankas and religious works in the world.
Day 15: Gangtok - Bagdogra (by car) - Delhi (by plane)
Early morning drive towards Bagdogra and later catch your flight to Delhi.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 16: Delhi
Day free for leisure activities.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 17: Delhi
Catch your flight towards your onward destination.
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