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 visits of the main Sikkim monasteries (Pemayangtse, Tashiding, and Rumtek) provide a touch of culture and make of this journey a rare venture.
Duration: 22 nights/23 days
Destination: Delhi-Bagdogra-Darjeeling-Manav-Bhanjang-Tonglu-Gairibas-Sandhakpu-Phalut-Raman-Rimbik-Pelling-Pemayangtse-Yuksam-Tasoka-Dzongri-Thangshing-Samity-Lake-Labdang-Tashiding-Martam-Gangtok-Bagdogra-Delhi
Day 1: Delhi
Arrival in Delhi and later transfer to the 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 take 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)
Take on a 26-Km drive to Manay Bhanjang at 2134 meters, the starting place for our trek on the Singalila ridge. After an early breakfast and interesting drive into the Himalayan foothills, we set off on the first part of our walk, the relatively short, hike up to Tonglu. It is an unavoidable fact of trekking in the Himalayas that we must get up high to find the best views.
Overnight Camp.
Day 5: Tonglu - Gairibas (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: Gairibas - Sandakphu (3640m)
We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhri. 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 Camp.
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)
Leaving Phalut, we are temporarily saying goodbye to the views of Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalayas, as we descend for most of the day through forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias with isolated patches of farmland to Ramam.
Overnight Camp.
Day 9: Raman - Rimbik (2280m)
Downhill again today to the crossing of the Siri Khola passing through farmland and scattered villages. Then it is uphill through largely forested terrain to the village of Rimbick.
Overnight Camp.
Day 10: Rimbik - Pelling
Drive by car to Pelling.
Day 11: Pelling - Pemayangtse - Yuksam
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 - Tsoka (3030m)
The trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan village of Tsoka. The landscape has now changed into pine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get excellent views of the entire Himalayan range and Kanchenjunga.
Day 13: Tsoka - Dzongri (4020m)
The day begins with a steep start and the trail zigzags up through the mixed temperate forest and large stands of Rhododendrons to the large clearing at phedang, where we stop for Picnic lunch. The view of Pandim, Narshing and Joponu is fantastic. Another hour and half of steep climb takes you to Deorali and a ridge walk of up and down for 45 mins. Takes you to Dzongri (13320ft), set in a natural bowl on the ridge.
Overnight camp.
Day 14: Dzongri - Thangshing (3930m)
We descend through rhododendron forest towards the glacial Prek river. We establish our campsite on the grassy pastures of Thangshing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakthing glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views of Pandim.
Day 15: Thangshing - Samity Lake (4200m)
A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakthing glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samity lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek River. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other snow-capped peaks.
Overnight camp.
Day 16: Samity Lake - Gocha La (4940m) - Thangshing
We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier.
Overnight camp.
Day 17: Thangshing - Lam Pokhari (4230m)
After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes.
Overnight camp.
Day 18: Labdang - Tashiding (1740m)
An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we descend.
Overnight camp.
Day 19: 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 camp.
Day 20: 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 21: 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 22: Gangtok - Bagdogra (by car) - Delhi (by plane)
Early morning drive towards Bagdogra and later catch your flight to Delhi.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 23: Delhi
Catch your flight towards your onward destination.
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