Singalila Trek

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Sikkim's most admired trek which takes us to the foot of Mt. Kangchenjunga, the 3rd highest peak in the world. The Singalila Trek in Sikkim is said to cover the political boundary between Nepal and Sikkim. Singalila trek has a barren landscape, which is devoid of any trees and boasts of rocky hills. The folds and grassy meadow of Singalila adds delight to trekking at Singalila. It offers majestic view of the Himalayan Treks. It is also said that the Singalila trek of Sikkim houses a “blissful environment”. The lakes of the Singalila add a perfect charm to the ambience of this trek.

This journey begins in Darjeeling, which is a friendly and relaxed town with an interesting mixture of the days of the Raj and a vibrant Tibetan Buddhist culture. We will visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Snow Leopard Breeding Centre and a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery, we will also have the chance to take a ride on the famous 'Toy Train' and wander round the busy bazaar area.

We will find this trek amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls, fast flowing rivers, beautiful monasteries and terraced hills; Sikkim offers its visitors a rare and exotic experience.

Most of the dwellings in Sikkim are rustic, consisting of a bamboo frame, woven with pliable bamboo and coated with cow dung, providing a warm interior. In the higher elevations, houses are made of wood. Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall.

It is interesting to note that various ethnic groups of Sikkim have their own classification for Sikkim – the Nepalese call it Sukhim or new home, while Tibetans refer to it as Denzong or the valley of rice and to the Lepchas, Sikkim is Nye-al-Ale or heaven.

Day 01:

Bagdogra airport to Hotel Marina

Reach at Bagdora airport. Transfer to hotel Marina for lunch. After lunch transfer to Darjeeling (2134m) which is about 4 hrs drive. Take halt for tea at Kurseong. From here, proceed to Darjeeling. On arrival, check into hotel. Take dinner at hotel. Overnight stay is at the hotel.

 

Day 02:

Darjeeling Sightseeing

After breakfast, go for sightseeing and visit of Yigacholing Monastery. This day is occupied to visit the famous Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoo and then Tibetan refugee settlement where they fabric the carpets and handicrafts for self help and then free for shopping after lunch. Stay at night in hotel there.

 

Day 03:

Gangtok via Lopchu and Peshok Tea Garden

About 4 hrs drive will bring us to Gangtok via Lopachu and Peshok Tea Garden. While entering in Sikkim through Rongpo (Sikkim-West Bengal Border) we will stop at Rongpo Tourist Lodge for permit formalities and then proceed to Gangtok. In noon, we have free time to explore the market. Take hot lunch and dinner at hotel. Overnight stay follows in Home stay or hotel

 

Day 04:

Gangtok sightseeing.

After breakfast, we will visit Rumtek Monastery the head quater of the Kagyugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism 24 km about 45 minutes drive; on the way back we will visit Institute of Tibetology and Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa). Then after, drive back to hotel for lunch. After hot lunch, we will visit Government Institute of Cottage Industry, Enchey Monastery and market place. Have dinner at hotel. Overnight stay at Home Stay or hotel

 

Day 05:

Yuksam (1780m) 150 km about 6 hrs drive

After having light food, we will travel to Yuksom via Temi Tea estate, the only Tea Estate in Sikkim. We will stop for lunch at Ravangla. Yuksam is the first capital of Sikkim where the first king, Chogyal Phontshok Namgyal was crowned in 1641 AD. Overnight halt follows at hotel

 

Day 06:

Trek to Bakhim (2700m) about 6 hrs walk.

This trek starts at Yuksom. The trail undulates through moss laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, firs, magnolia and rhododendron. It is a botanist’s paradise. There are hundreds of varieties of wild orchids here. Also the place has a similar number of different kinds of birds and butterflies. Some of the animals that are found at various altitudes on this trail are the Himalayan brown bear, black bear, barking and musk deer, sambar, marble cat, Tibetan antelope, wild goats and red pandas. The trail crosses 2 side streams over sturdy wooden bridges and then we will go to Sachen for lunch. After lunch, get down slowly through the dense forest and cross the Prekchu River. From the Prek Chu River we will walk for an hour or two to reach the steep ascents up the opposite bank. Throughout the whole trek, trails are with plenty of switchbacks. En route to Bakhim you are likely to encounter herders with their yaks and cows. Upon arrival at Bakhim, we will check into campsite. Overnight stay in camp

 

Day 07:

Trek to Phedang (3550m) about 4-5 hrs walk.

On this day, we will walk for about an hour or so to reach Tshoka. Tsokha is the last Tibetan village passed on this trail. It has the local habitants which are only about 17-20 Tibetan people. This settlement was donated by the late Chogyal Palden Thendup Namgyal in 1967. After Tshoka the hike is nothing short of magical. From here the trail climbs to a striking spot, Phedang Meadow, passing through dense rhododendron forest. Lunch will be served at Phedang. Stay overnight at camp side.

 

Day 08:

Trek to Thangsing (3850m) about 5-6 hrs.

This day we will take a gradual trek till Kokchurung with plenty of minor ups and downs, passing through small streams, dense Rhododendron and silver fir forest. Say after about 3-4 hrs walk we will reach Kokchurung. Then we will cross the Prekchu River and the trail is a gradual climb till Thangsing which takes about 1.5 hrs walk. Overnight stay follows at camp.

 

Day 09:

Trek to Lamini (4100m) about 3 hrs.

The trail is a slight climb which passes along the right banks of the Prekchu River. On the way we will see the herds of Yaks grazing on the meadows. In noon, after lunch, we will visit the Samiti Lake and return back. Take halt at night in the camp.

 

Day 10:

Trek Lamini – Samiti Lake (4250m) – Goechala (4950m) Lamini – Thangsing.

On this day, wake-up early in the morning at around 3:30am and take tea, after this we will walk up to Goechala. There will be packed breakfast. The trail is steep and passes through the morains of Mt. Pandim. From this point we will climb down and walk through the flat and sandy area of Zemathang and then will slowly climb up to Goechala pass which takes about 4 hrs. From here, you can get the close view of the gigantic Mt. Kangchendzonga 8585m. Thereafter, trek back to Samiti and then to Lamini which takes around 2 hrs. After lunch trek back to Thangsing. Overnight stay follows at camp.

 

Day 11:

Trek to Dzongri (4030m) 4-5 hrs.

Here we will follow the same route till Kokchurung and from there we will take a steep climb which takes about 3 hrs walk till Dzongri. Set up a camp at Dzoring, a beautiful wide meadow at the foot hill of Black Kabur peak. Overnight halt is at the camp.

 

Day 12:

A day at Dzongri.

Wake-up tea at 4 am and climb Dzongri peak (one hour) gaining 200m for an unforgettable close up view of the Kangchenjunga massif and other Himalayan peaks like Kabru Dome, Kabru North, Kabru South, Pandim, Talung, Kokthang, Narsing, etc. Walk back to the camp for breakfast. Take rest for the whole day or explore the surroundings. Stay overnight at the camp.

 

Day 13:

Trek to Bikbari (3600m) about 4 hrs walk.

The trail is gradual and it slides down mostly passing through the rhododendron bushes. Take hot lunch at campsite. Overnight halt is at the camp.

 

Day 14:

Trek to Pangding (about 4340m) 3-4 hrs walk.

After crossing the Bikbari River, there is a steep climb. This passes through the dense rhododendron bushes. Take lunch at camp site. Stay at night is in the camp.

 

Day 15:

Trek to Gomathang (3725m) about 5-6 hrs walk.

The trail descends for about 4.5 hrs passing through the thick rhododendron shrubs. Put up with camp by the river called Gomathang River. Overnight stay at camp.

 

Day 16:

Dafey Bhir pass (about 5000m) and the trek to Sikkim Megu (4100m)

While crossing Dafey Bhir pass, we will trek to Sikkim Megu which is about 7-8 hrs walk. Take a night halt at the camp.

 

Day 17:

Trek to Yambung (about 3500m) 5 hrs walk

A trek to Yambung brings us downhill. It passes through mixed forest. Overnight halt follows at camp.

 

Day 18:

Trek Naya Patal (about 3000m) 4-5 hrs walk.

Trek at Naya Patal is downhill passes through mixed forest and scattered villages. Stay at night in camp.

 

Day 19:

Trek Sang Khola (about 2600m) 4-5 walk

A walk of 4 -5 hrs downhill will take us to Sang Khola. It passes through mixed forest. Stay at night at camp

 

Day 20:

Trek Neytham (about 2400m) 5 hrs walk.

This trek passes through the agricultural field and scattered villages. Take an overnight halt at camp.

 

Day 21:

Trek Nambu (about 1850m) 4 hrs walk.

A trek to Nambu, a walk of 4 hrs, passes through the agricultural field and dispersed villages. Stay at night at camp side.

 

Day 22:

Trek to Darap about 1.5 hrs and then transfer to Pelling

A trek of 1.5 hrs will bring us to Darap. From here we will walk about 6 kms. In noon, we will visit Sangacholling Monastery. Overnight stay follows in hotel.

 

Day 23:

Pelling to Kalimpong

After breakfast, we would explore Pemayangtse Monastery, which is one of the most important and oldest Monasteries in Sikkim belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism, inside the Monastery there is a wooden structure depicting the Maha Guru’s heavenly palace a masterpiece created by Late Dungzin Rinpoche and then transfer to Kalimpong (1243m) 96 km 3/4 hrs drive. After lunch visit the Durpin Monastery (Sandokpalri Monastery) and market place. Take dinner at hotel.

 

Day 24:

Bagdogra airport

After about 3.5 hrs drive, we will be back to Bagdora airport.

Package Includes:

 

- Pick up from the Airport / Railway Station

- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners

- Airport transfers

- Group medical kit

- Good quality accommodation

- Trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fiber filled jacket and insulated mat

- Private transportation

- All park entrance fees and trekking permits

- Porters to carry all personal and group equipment

Coming soon