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Trekking in Sandakphu
/ Singalila Ridge - Darjeeling
The Sandakphu Trek was established by the British during
the Raj period. It was so popular that even the then
Nawab of Hyderabad wanted to visit Sandakphu and Phalut
to view the mountains. Since his physical condition was
such that he could neither walk nor ride a horse for
that distance, therefore, he paid the Public Works
Department of the then Darjeeling to build a motorable
road to Sandakphu and Phalut (21 km away from Sandakphu).
The first vehicle to reach Sandakphu was in 1947. It was
only after ten years, in 1957 to be precise, that the
vehicles started to go to Sandakphu. Trekking into
Sandakphu starts off from an altitude of 1,524 mtrs and
gradually climbs up through forests of rhododendron,
giant magnolias, spruce and other trees of sub-alpine
and not to mention, more than 600 varieties of orchids
the largest to be found in one geographical area in the
world. The view of mountains from Sandakphu is
unsurpassed by any other view anywhere.
Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrival Bhadrapur and transfer
to Darjeeling. O/N Hotel.
Day 02: Early morning excursion to Tiger
Hill to view sunrise over Mt.Kunechandzonga, the third
highest mountains in the world. En route visit Ghoom Monastery
and Batasia Railway loop. After breakfast full day guided
tour of Darjeeling on foot for acclimatization before
trekking. To you are being acclimatized at an apprx. altitude
of 2,300 mtr. O/N Hotel.
Day 03: After breakfast drive to Rimbhick
(alt. 2000 mtr) - the starting point of your Singalila
ridge/Sandakphu trek. The drive takes about 5 hrs. Rimbhick
is a small trading village near the Indo-Nepal border.
Meals and overnight at Shiva Pradhan Inn.
Day 04: Trek to Ramam (alt. 2600 mtrs).
Walking time apprx. 6 hrs. To-day from the very beginning
of trek you will be walking through the rich emerald forests
inhabited by hundreds of bird’s species and alpine vegetations.
All along the trek route, one can experience total peace
and tranquility and being close to the nature too. O/N
trekker's hut.
Day 05: Trek to Molley (3535 mtrs). Walking
time appx. 5 hrs. The day starts with three hour climb
to the highest point - the Singalila ridge. One can see
the gradual change in vegetation and altitude is to be
noted. The first glimpse of Mt.Everest and Mt.Kanchendzonga
ranges can be viewed from Molley to their most pristine
state. O/N Trekker's hut.
Day 06: The walk of 3 hrs to the northwest
point of the trek, not losing sight of the magnificent
peaks and the rich abundant vegetation trail leads you
to Phalut, the point of the trek, which forms the tri-junction
of Indian States of West Bengal, Sikkim and neighboring
country Nepal. O/N at trekker's hut.
Day 07: Trek to Sandakphu (alt. 4000
mtrs). The name Sandakphu implies the height of the poisonous
plant i.e. aconite plants which grow in abundance. The
place commands the finest view of the Himalayas and is
called "trekker's paradise". O/N trekker's hut.
Day 08: Trek to Tonglu (3000 mtrs) about
5 hrs down hill walking through evergreen forests with
abundant wild flowers. O/N trekker's hut.
Day 09: Trek to Maneybhanjyang. You will
be walking for 3 hrs through dense evergreen forests and
hillsides covered with wild flowers. En route you can
have spectacular views of Darjeeling hills and Mt.Kanchendzonga.
On arrival, you will be transferred to Darjeeling . O/N
Hotel.
Day 10: Drive to Bhadrapur flight to
Kathmandu.
More trips in Darjeeling:
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