This trek is very popular trek for the trekkers.This treks beginning and ending in Darjeeling takes you along the famed "Singalila range" to Sandakphu (12,000) and Phalut (11,800). On the way you will pass through spectacular forests of silver fir, rhododendrons, chestnuts, oaks, magnolias and hemlock. A springtime trek reveals not only stunning views of the mountains but whole hillsides covered with rhododendron and magnolia flowers. A post monsoon trek reveals the mountains in crispier glory when the rains have washed away the haze. The trail from Sandakphu to Phalut is an exhilarating experience and one can see four of the world's highest mountains: Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and Kanchenjunga in one glance.
Itinerary:
Day 01 : Arrive in Delhi
Arrive at the airport in Delhi. Loben Expeditions representative will meet you at the airport to transfer to your hotel.
Day 02: Delhi to Darjeeling (7,500')
Transfer to airport for a flight to Bagdogra takes 1 ½ hours. Up on arrival at Bagdogra you will be picked up by Loben Expedtions trek leader for a beautiful 3 hours drive to Dajeeling town through lovely forests,. passing tea garden and following the route of famous “Toy Train,” of Darjeeling. Check in Traveller’s INN, the balcony of hotel offers full views of Darjeeling town, Himalayas & tea gardens.
Day 03: Darjeeling
A full day of guided sightseeing around Darjeeling- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. After visiting HMI we will visit tea gardens, monasteries, Lloyd's botanical garden which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora & Japanese Pagoda. Evening we will stroll around Mall Road for a leisurely stroll amidst peaceful surroundings and splendid views. The Road starting and finishing at Chowrasta. Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants.
Day 04: Drive Darjeeling to Mandebhyang, trek to Tonglu (3070 m)
We start early in the day to cover the distance form Darjeeling to Manebhanjang about 26 km. The drive takes about an hour and a half. After some break here . We commence our walk from Manebhanjang to Tonglu. A steep climb up to Meghma (7 km - 3 1/2 hr. walk). Meghma is a small hamlet with few houses and a small monastery and impressive Chorten (stupa). Meghma to Tonglu is another 2 kms.
Day 05: Trek to Kalapokhari (3170 m)
The next days march from Tonglu to Gairibas (2621 m) and to Kalapokhari (3170 m). The firt let is downhill. With a distance of 9 km and it is a 3 hrs. walk. Gairibas to Kalapokhri is continuous climb through rhododendron forest - 6 km, 3 hrs.. There is a small pond at Kalapokhri (Black pond). The colour of the water is black and the amazing thing is that it never freezes.
Day 06: Trek to Sandakpur- (3,618 m)
From Kalapokhri the road decends to Bikhaybhanyang - Valley of Poison (Aconites grow here) and from Bikaybhanyang to Sandakphu with steep climbs, narrow turns and views of Darjeeling town and Mt. Kanchenjunga can be seen along the way. Sandakpur is situated at the beginning of the Singilala ridge and offers very good view of Mt. Everest and the Kanchenjunga range. The trek from Kalapokhari though steep, is short distance to bestow the clients with ample time of appreciate the views.
Day 07: Trek to Phalut - (3,600 m)
The trek from Sandkpur to Phalut is comparatively easy going there are not many ascent. The trail is up and down with less degree of ascent and descent. The trail basically runs of the ridge of Singilala with beautiful views of valleys, rolling hills and snowy peaks through out the walk through the sparse vegetation of silver fur and rhododendron. Phalut is a tri-junction of Sikkim, Nepal and West Bengal. The landscape is lifeless yet beautiful.
Day 08: Trek to Ramam – (2,453 m)
After a hike to Phalut height in the morning. We will descend down steeply into the Ramman valley till to the twin village of Gorkhey and Samaden at the edge of Sikkim border. After exploring these small but interesting twin villages we will walk further 3 hours up till we reach Rammam village through the dense temperate forest. Ramman small forest village has one of the old monastery offers with beautiful valleys of Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Day 09: Trek to Rimbick
The trail to Rimbick is around 19 km. Rimbick is small village and is still an important trading point among hilly of Nepal and people of Darjeeling. The first track is downhill, where we will have our last lunch of trip nearby a Sri Khola river. After lunch a trek is more or less flat, meanders past meadows and small villages.
Day 10: Rimbick to Tiger Hill
We will jump in to a jeep very next morning for 3 hours ride to Darjeeling via Bijanbari and Ramman hydroelectric project. Instead of going in to Darjeeling town – before turning off to Darjeeling town we will drive up to Tiger hill with open green pasture on the ridge – here we will camp tonight and enjoy the beauty of Darjeeling town and plains of India on other side with panorama of Himalaya rising above the valley in background
Day 11: In Darjeeling
After enjoying the sunrise from Tiger hill & breakfast we will walk back to Darjeeling via back door, takes about 2 hrs. Check in hotel. Evening stroll around Chowrastra.
Day 12: Bagdogra Airport
Early morning transfer to Bagdogra airport. Fly to Delhi and home onward.
Trekking through Sandakphu - Phalut you will enjoy magnificent views of the Kanchenjuna, Makalu and Everest peaks, spring rhododendrons and clear autumn views. Visit the Raj time hill resort town of Darjeeling and the famous tea plantations first started by the British. Move to the Singalila range, one of the rare spots on earth where the view embraces five summits, being Everest, Makalu and Lhotse amongst them. Singalila trek as its popularly called will enable you to discover the Sublime Himalayan interiors unmarred by mankind. Trek through the Singalila National Park.
Cost will be provided on request and also depending on number of Pax
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