The Singalila Trek In West Bengal
Darjeeling is a place where tea plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. Singalila Range is amongst the rare spots on the face of the earth where you can see more than one summit exceeding the height of 8,000m. On this 19th century English Lords trail, you will trek on comfortable routes covering the boundary between Sikkim and Nepal.
Ideal season to trek Singalila
It is from October to mid of December and from April to late May.
Location of Singalila
It is located in Darjeeling, North Bengal.
Trekking Singalila
- Day 1
- Manebhanjan-Jaubari
The trail from Manebhanjan moves down the main road, there is a hill; cutting short the trail. Take this short cut and climb to Manebhanjan. After 1 and half hours, you reach the monastery of Chitre. The path passes the monastery and continues up the hill. A meticulous walking will bring you to Megma. Now the path climbs to Jaubari. Tread on till the end of Jaubari village. Food and frugal accommodation is available at Jaubari.
- Day 2
- Jaubari-Sandakphu
The path passes through the Jaubari village and moves to a place where you will find an arrow marking' Sandakphu'. Take the right hand fork at the crossing which precedes north-east. The trail drops to Gairibash where there are Trekker's Huts and lodges. The trail then climbs and drops to Kala Pokhari (2,950m).It has a black water lake, thus the name is so. From here, march to Bhikey Bhanjan (3,350m). Now move up to Sandakphu, you can easily see the hills of Nepal shimmering in the sunlight. On reaching Sandakphu, you see many Trekker's Huts and bungalows. If you don't want to proceed to Phalut, take route from Sandakphu to Rimbik.
- Day 3
- Rest day at Sandakphu
Here you see Lhotse (8,501m), Everest (8,848m), Makalu (8,475m), Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m) and other peaks of Nepal Himalayas. Along the ridge there are Kokthang (6,147m), Rathong (6,679m), Kabru South (7,317m), Talung (7,349m), Janu (7,710m) and Kangchendzonga (8,586m). Pandim, Simvu and Jobonu peaks are also visible.
- Day 4
- Sandakphu-Phalut
Walk a distance of 21 kms. from Sandakphu to Phalut along the Singalila Ridge. The trail brings you to Sabarkum. To the east, Molley is there. Here you'll find Trekker's Hut if you want a night stay or else, follow the trail northwards for Phalut. Phalut (3,600m) is the tri-junction of Sikkim, West Bengal and Nepal. Here Kangchendzonga Range looks very close.
- Day 5
- Phalut-Raman
From Phalut, the path drops the ridge to meet the confluence of two streams called Gorkhey Khola-a tributary of Ramam River. Climb ahead to Samandin. From here, the trail takes you to Ramam Trekker's Hut.
- >Trekking option
An alternate route from Phalut to Ramam goes via Sabarkum on the Singalila Ridge.This path drops to Ramam. After late noon don't take this route. The route usually preferred is via Gorkhey and Samandin.
- Day 6
- Ramam-Rimbik
The first 2 and a half hours walk is leveled then it drops downhill and crosses the Sri Khola stream. From here, the path climbs and takes you to Rimbik. Stay this night or if you have reached early, move back to Darjeeling or to Siliguri.
The Singalila trek gives you an exotic experience of trekking in the great Himalayan heights. You can also complete it in less time if you don't have ample time in hand. In a nutshell, this trek gives you immense pleasure and of course, fabulous sights of nature and monasteries which you will savor long through the snaps you have taken.