Singalila Sandakphu Trek
If you ask any trekker about the best trek in the Eastern Himalaya, which is a complete package of everything good and beautiful, then their obvious answer will be Singalila Sandakphu trek. With the mountains decorated with green alpine trees, magnificent monasteries soaked up in rich cultural history, hues of flowers, verdant paddy valley, and emerald forest, Singalila Sandakphu trek is ideal for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The trek also offers breath-taking views of the Himalayan range from Cho Yo to Kanchenjunga.
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Day 1 -Arrive Bagdogra - Darjeeling (124 km / 3-4 hrs)
Board an early morning flight to Bagdogra airport. After arriving in Gangtok, meet our guide who will help transfer you to Darjeeling and check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the Darjeeling hotel.
Day 2 - Darjeeling - Maneybhanjang (2134m/1h 30) - Tonglu (3070m) in 4h.
IRise and shine, today before breakfast you will visit Tiger Hill to chase the dawn. While going back to the hotel from the tiger hill, visit the sacred Ghoom Monastery, which features one of the largest Maitreya Buddha-“the future Buddha” statue. After breakfast, get ready for a drive to the starting point of the trek, Tonglu. Your journey till Tonglu will be picturesque as you will come across the tiny settlements located on the edges of the Indo-Nepal border, chattering waterfall, rhododendron, giant magnolias, spruce and other forests of Maneybhanjang. At Tonglu, you will be rewarded with the picturesque view of the Mt Kanchenjunga and its neighbouring peaks. Overnight stay in Tonglu cam/rest house.
Day 3 - Tonglu - Garibas (2620m) in 4h.
Early morning, after watching the sun rays dancing on the Kanchenjunga mountains, trekkers will embark on a downhill expedition towards Garibas. This trek will be a downward trek and after descending 3 hours from Tonglu, you will arrive in Gairibas. Dinner and overnight stay in Garibas camp.
Day 4 - Garibas - Sandakphu (3640m) in 4.5 hr.
Today in Singalila Sandakphu Trek, you will trek uphill towards Kalpokhari. And the trail is a gradual climb onto the Singalila ridge that leads us to Sandakphu, the final destination of the trek. A remarkable 360° view of the Singalila National Park and nearby landscapes awaits once you reach the Sandakphu. Overnight stay in Sandakphu camp/hotel.
Day 5 - Sandakphu - Phalut (3600m) in 6h.
An early morning trek to Phalut will offer you the astounding sunrise views over Mt Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Mt Jannu (7,710 m), Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,481 m) and Cho Oyo (8,201 m). On a journey to Phalut, you will notice a drastic change in its geographical conditions: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the background. Sprawling fir and rhododendron forests add radiance to this trekking route. Overnight stay in Phalut camp or hotel.
Day 6 - Phalut - Raman (2560m) in 5h.
Post breakfast, a lovely trek through Chestnut, Pine and Hemlock forests, will take you to the confluence point of the Gorkhey and Khola, two of the vicious streams flowing through this region. After walking for 8 km, you will land at Rammam, a village enriched with picturesque settings and is known for its agricultural richness.
Day 7 - Raman - Rimbik (2280m) in 4h - Bagdogra
After a delicious breakfast in the Raman camp, you will start your journey to Sri Khola, after descending downhill, while pass through the dense forest, and exotic orchid plantations. Don’t forget to pick up binoculars, as you might spot colourful, unique bird species. An easy trek from Sri Khola will finally take you Rimbik. With the advent in Rimbik, this incredible Singalila Sandakphu Trek will come to an end.