Singalila Ridge Trek
The Singalila Ridge Trek is one of the finest ridge walks in the Indian Himalaya affording amazing views of some big mountain ranges including Khangchendzonga and Everest. The highlight is the Khangchendzonga and surrounding mountains including Janoo and Pandim which from this distance, resembles a man sleeping and is famously referred to as “The Sleeping Buddha”.
The Singalila ridge comes off one of the ridges from Khangchendzonga in Sikkim. Sandakphu at 3636m, the highest point on this trek is a classic vantage point to view the Himalayan ranges from. Right ahead is the Khangchendzonga range, to the left is Everest range and to the right are the mountains of Bhutan. Trekkers and tourists flock to Sandakphu all year round, to get a glimpse of the magnificent Sleeping Buddha and to rejoice in its cool climes. This short getaway of 7 days is sure to leave you completely energized and feeling light.
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₹50,000
Overview
Singalila Ridge Trek Overview
The Singalila Ridge Trek is one of the finest ridge walks in the Indian Himalaya affording amazing views of some big mountain ranges including Khangchendzonga and Everest. The highlight is the Khangchendzonga and surrounding mountains including Janoo and Pandim which from this distance, resembles a man sleeping and is famously referred to as “The Sleeping Buddha”.
The Singalila ridge comes off one of the ridges from Khangchendzonga in Sikkim. Sandakphu at 3636m, the highest point on this trek is a classic vantage point to view the Himalayan ranges from. Right ahead is the Khangchendzonga range, to the left is Everest range and to the right are the mountains of Bhutan. Trekkers and tourists flock to Sandakphu all year round, to get a glimpse of the magnificent Sleeping Buddha and to rejoice in its cool climes. This short getaway of 7 days is sure to leave you completely energized and feeling light.
And what’s more, we have some of the finest teas from the tea capital-Darjeeling and some sumptuous food to keep your palate all excited along the trek.
The Spring departure has the added advantage of blooming rhododendrons along the trail, while the fall departure assures clear skies and magnificent mountain views.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Enchanting views of Khanchendzonga range referred to as ‘Sleeping Buddha’
- Sandakphu, one of the finest vantage points in Himalaya
- Views of Everest, Makalu and Lhotse
- Rhododendron in full bloom during Spring time
- Local Tea-House stays and cultural immersion
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
7 days itinerary
Day 01:Arrive Bagdogra. Drive to Darjeeling(2050m)
Day 02: Drive to Dhodrey(2450m).Trek to Tumling(2970m)
Day 03: Trek to Kalapokhari(3110m)
Day 04: Trek to Sandakphu(3636m)
Day 05: Trek to Gurdum(2400m)
Day 06: Trek to Sirikhola(2280m).Drive to Darjeeling
Day 07: Drive to Bagdogra. Depart
9 days itinerary
Day 01:Arrive Bagdogra. Drive to Darjeeling(2050m)
Day 02: Darjeeling Sightseeing
Day 03: Drive to Dhodrey(2450m).Trek to Tumling(2970m)
Day 04: Trek to Kalapokhari(3110m)
Day 05: Trek to Sandakphu(3636m)
Day 06: Trek to Phalut(3595m)
Day 07: Trek to Samadeen(2480m)
Day 08: Trek to Sirikhola(2280m).Drive to Darjeeling
Day 09: Drive to Bagdogra.Depart
Cost Inclusions
Singalila Ridge Trek Cost Details
COST:
7 days : INR 42600 / USD 650 + 5% GST
9 days : INR 54600 / USD 800 + 5% GST
COST INCLUDES
- Accommodation:
- Entire Accommodation during the trip
- Food:
- All meals during the trip except lunches and dinners at Darjeeling
- Transportation:All Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Pick up from and drop to Bagdogra airport from Darjeeling
- Transfers to and from Trek start/end Points
- Experienced Trek Crew:
- Trip Leader, Assistant, Cook, Kitchen Helpers and Sherpas
- Porterage:
- Of ration, fuel, kitchen equipment, camping gear and personal luggage on trek over mules/horses
- Permits
- Permits to enter Singalila National Park
COST EXCLUDES
- Personal equipment and sleeping bags
- Any additional transport or activities apart from the trip itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses rising through unforeseen conditions like bad weather, natural calamities, flight cancellations, etc
- Rescue and evacuation services
- Expenses of any personal nature like phone calls, drinks, cigarettes, souvenirs, laundry, etc
- Tips
- 5% GST
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in Cost Includes
Itinerary
Singalila Ridge Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Bagdogra. Drive to Darjeeling(2050m)
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport and walk out looking for a placard that says ‘Adventure Sindbad’. Our representative will be waiting for you outside the airport. There might be a short waiting time till the rest of the group arrives. It is a 3 hour scenic drive from the hot plains of Bagdogra and Siliguri into the cool climes of Darjeeling town. It is remarkable how quickly the weather changes to a cool breeze in a matter of 30 mins, once we take the right at Darjeeling More. We will be passing through sprawling tea gardens, quaint hamlets, small eateries and toy train stations at Kurseong and Ghoom. From Kurseong, we are in the misty hills and enter the Gorkha hinterland.
Driving Time: 3 hrs
Meals:LD, Overnight Hotel
Day 2: Drive to Dhodrey(2450m).Trek to Tumling(2970m)
After an early breakfast we drive to Dhodrey. We meet our horsemen and rest of the staff here. Dhodrey, is a small hamlet with about 30 houses and is popular for being the start point for the trek upto Sandakphu. The trail is through dense rhododendron forest, with a well marked trail. An arch announces our arrival at Tonglu which has a goverment Guest house. We walk a little further down to Tumling, our halt for the night. Tonglu is in India while Tumling lies in Nepal.The Tea-Houses around have lovely gardens and flower pots which add great ambience for some lovely Darjeeling Tea.
Driving Time: 2.5 hrs ; Trekking Time: 3 hrs
Meals:BLD, Overnight Lodge
Day 3: Trek to Kalapokhari(3110m)
We wake up early to catch the sunrise and the sight of the Khangchendzonga Range being illuminated. On the trek we have 2 chances to view the entire range. Once at Tumling and once more at Sandakphu. If we are lucky and there is no cloud cover we will get to see the glorious view at both locations. After breakfast, we walk through the Nepalese side of the border and stop for tea at a small corner lodge in Joebari. From Joebari we descend to Gairibash which houses the Indian SSB Camp. From here, we walk on switchback trail upto Kaiyakatta, our lunch spot. Post lunch, we make our way gradually to Kalapokhari, a small settlement with a black Lake, which gives the place its name. Kalapokhari is also on the Nepalese side of the border.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hrs
Meals:BLD, Overnight Lodge
Day 4: Trek to Sandakphu(3636m)
It’s a steep climb to the highest point of the ridge on the trek at Sandakphu. The trail is on switchbacks surrounded by beautiful forests and great views of the valley below on both sides. We make our way at a slow pace with a stopover at Bikhey Bhanjang from where the steep ascent begins.
The mountains are generally cloud covered by the time we reach the top. There are many ancient land rovers plying tourists on the dirt tracks who prefer driving up to walking. Sandakphu houses a few Tea-houses on both Indian and Nepalese side. The Indian Army also has a camp here. Post-lunch at the tea-house we can spend time exploring the huge grounds around the area. We might just get lucky, if the cloud parts to give a sneak preview at the range.
Trekking Time: 3 hrs
Meals:BLD, Overnight Lodge
Day 5: Trek to Gurdum(2400m)
Early wakeup call to get a glimpse of the entire Khangchendzonga and Everest range sans cloud-cover and sunrise over these mountains. On a clear day we could be transfixed to this scenery for hours as the sun lights up the snow peaks in the distance. The Khangchendzonga range and surrounding peaks of Pandim and Janoo, resembles a man sleeping and is referred to as the “Sleeping Buddha”.
After a relaxed breakfast, we make our way down through dense jungle on a narrow hiking trail to our lovely lodge at Gurdum, our last night on the trek.
Trekking Time: 3-4 hrs
Meals:BLD, Overnight Lodge
Day 6: Trek to Sirikhola(2280m).Drive to Darjeeling
The last bit of walking is through the forest all the way down to Siri River. We have lunch just next to the huge hanging bridge over the Siri river and walk further to our waiting cars at Siri Khola. From here the drive takes us through Rimbik and past Dhodrey to reach Darjeeling by late evening. Dinner at the Hotel.
Trekking Time: 3 hrs; Driving Time: 5 hrs
Meals:BLD, Overnight Hotel
Day 7: Drive to Bagdogra.Depart
We wake up early to drive down to the airport at Bagdogra. Trip ends!
Driving Time: 3 hrs
Gallery
Singalila Ridge Trek Images
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- Khangchendzonga range as seen near Sandakphu
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- Everest Range from Sandakphu
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- Kalapokhari – Black lake on the trail, at the entrance of Kalapokhari Hamlet.
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- Kayya Katta – our lunch spot on the way to Kalapokhari
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- Gairibas. On the right is India, on the left Nepal
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- Singalila Ridge which forms the border between India and Nepal
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- Khangchendzonga Range as seen from Tumling
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- The Sleeping Buddha from ridge above Phalut
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- The Sleeping Buddha from Sandakphu
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- The lovely innkeeper at Kayyakatta – our lunch spot
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- Forest walk on the trail
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- On the way towards Phalut
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- Soaking in the morning views at Sandakphu
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- Tea House at Tonglu
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- Local market at Darjeeling town
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- The big black bear at the HMI Zoo in Darjeeling
Extended Gallery on Facebook
Singalila Ridge Trek – Dec 2018
Singalila Ridge Trek – Dec 2022
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Sheetal Chirimar – :
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