Darjeeling Hills – Paradise for Trekking

Darjeeling internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill resorts is also a veritable paradise for trekkers and adventure seekers. Trekking in Darjeeling is an experience which no lover of nature should miss. It takes one to places where nature is yet in her premival majesty. It brings one face to face with the sublime grandeur of the Himalayas.

The region abounds in rhododendrons,magnolias,primulas,orchids and ferns of numerous varities. About six hundred different species of birds inhabit the emerald green forests on the slopes of the mountains. The following is a brief description of some of the most popular and most rewarding treks in the region.

(a) Darjeeling-Maneybhanjyang-Tonglu-Sandakphu and return by the same route-118 km (4 days)
(b) Darjeeling-Maneybhanjyang-Tonglu-Sandakphu-Phalut and return-160 km. (6 days)

This trek is perhaps one of the best and certainly the most popular of all the treks in Darjeeling for those having a limited time at their disposal. It offers the travellers an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga and the Everest group of mountain peaks in Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.

It is advisable to start the trek early in the day and to cover ther distance from Darjeeling to Maneybhanjyang about 26 km. by jeep/buses. One can also go upto Sukhiapokhri, halfway from Darjeeling since transport to this point is easily available and from here to Maneybhanjyang either by jeep/buses or one can even trek from here to Maneybhanjyang(4 km). The drive from Darjeeling to Sukhiapokhri is about one hour and from there to Maneybhanjyang another half an hour.

Maneybhanjyang to Tonglu is a steep climb up to Meghma 7 km or 3.5 hrs. walk. There is a small tea house where tea and snacks are available at reasonable price(if necessary, accomodation is also available at Meghma Tea House). Meghma is a small hamlet with few houses & small Monastery & impressive Chorten(stupa). Meghma to Tonglu is anothere 2 kms. [Inset: Hot Stimulating Treks and Tours Rumba K. chatting with trekkers]

Tonglu or the local name Tumling is 3070 mt. high and is one of peaks of Singalila range, falls on the West of Darjeeling town. On a clear day one can get a fine view of the Nepalese valleys and of the plains of North Bengal with the snow fed Teesta on the east, the Koshi on the West and a number of smaller rivers between them. There is a Trekkers Hut at Tonglu.

The next day’s march from Tonglu to Gairibas 2621 mt. is downhill. The distance is 9 km and it is 2 hrs. walk. The route passes through the bamboo glades. Gairibas to Kalipokhri 3170 mt. is continuous climb through the rhododendron forest. Distance is 6 km and it takes 3 hrs. walk from Gairibas. Trekkers may stop here for a while for a tea break. There is a small pond at Kalipokhri which means ‘Blackpond’. The colour of the water is black and muddy and it never freezes. From Kalipokhri the road descends to Bikhaybhanjyang-valley of poison-(Aconites grow in abundance at this place). Bikhaybhanjyang to Sandakphu is a steep climb of 4 kms. and takes more than an hour to cover this trek. Accomodation is also available at Bikhaybhanjyang and Gairibas. There is a trekkers hut at Gairibas.

Sandakphu 3636 mtr. is 58 km. from Darjeeling and commands one of the most spectacular views. In the foreground is a great basin set in the midst of the hills, the slopes covered with rhododendrons and silver fir trees. In the background is continuous barrier of snowy mountains, the most prominent of which is Kanchenjunga-28156 ft. 8598 mts. towering up in gigantic height and breadth with its attendant peaks Kabru 7338 mts. 24,026 ft, Jano (Kumbhakarna) 7710 mts. 25,294 ft. and Pandim 6691 mts. 22,010 ft. clustering closely round it. Kabru is foreshortened and does not present the same graceful outline above the spectacle with its lofty peak standing up like a great icy horn. Far off to the west at a distance of 160 km. among a group of other snowy mountain rising from graceful peaks of Everest group can be seen,behind the crest of Mt. Makalu, which looks like a great armed chair of snow; and further to the west towards Nepal, there is a wonderful square mass of mountain looking like a wal of snow Chamlang 7317m-24006 ft. The contrast between Everest and Kanchenjunga is very marked. Kanchenjunga is remarkable for its imposing bulk and massive proportions while Everest soaring above a series of valleys and its ridges, is more graceful and majestic. The space between the two is occupied by snowy ranges. Three Sisters which cluster together if you look towards east beyond Kanchenjunga you will see Narsing and then the Dongkya and Chola ranges of the Tibetan frontier with Chumalhari lifting up to its heads in the rear. The whole snowy ranges of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal about 320 kms in length; is visible, but the panoroma is completely dominated by the Kanchenjunga and Everest group.

Long and Short Treks at Dzongri and Goechala

We offer short and long trek at Khangchendzonga (Dzongri and Goechala Trek)

SHORT TREK AT KHANGCHENDZONGA (DZONGRI AND GOECHALA TREK)

DURATION: 5 NIGHT / 6 DAYS

DAY 1: Darjeeling to Yuksum (By Land Rover/Jeep)

DAY 2: Yuksum to Tshoka (18 Km)

DAY 3: Tshoka to Dzongri (17 km)

DAY 4: SIDE TRIP: Dzongrila and Rathong Valley (Halt at Dzongri)

DAY 5: Dzongri to Bakhim (19 km)

DAY 6: Bakhim to Yuksum and back to Darjeeling / Gangtok / Probable Destination

LL

LONG TREK AT KHANGCHENDZONGA (DZONGRI AND GOECHALA TREK)

DURATION:

DAY 1: Darjeeling / Bagdogra / Siliguri to Yuksum

DAY 2: Yuksum to Tshoka

DAY 3: Tshoka to Dzongri

DAY 4: SIDE TRIP: Dzongrila and Rathong Valley (Halt at Dzongri)

DAY 5: Dzongri to Thangsing

DAY 6: Thangsing to Goechala and back to Kokchering

DAY 7: Kokchering to Bakhim

DAY 8: Bakhim to Yuksum, back to Darjeeling / Gangtok

LAND ROVER SAFARI TO SINGALILA

You can also enjoy the Land Rover Safari to the Singalila Ridge. Land Rover are the world famous four wheel drive vehicles left behind by the British people after the British Raj. Still after more than 60 years these cars are running and you will be a person to travel in these vintage adventure cars. Land Rover Drive from Maney Bhanjyang to Sandakphu is for 5 hours. You have to be back on the same route because there is no jeepable route from Phalut onwards.

SINGALILA TREK [SANDAKPHU, PHALUT]

It is said that trekking originated in India in Darjeeling, Darjeeling has one of the most spectacular treks to offer along with the beauty of the hills. The charms of the Himalaya along with its mysteries gradually unfold as trekkers transverse through the dense forests of rhododendron and verdant landscape, through the miles of green-carpeted meadows and sleepy hamlets lost in time. These trek is popularly known as “Singlalila Trek” and Sandakphu, Phalut Trek” and it is “will enable” trek to discover the sublime Himalayan interiors unmarred by mankind.

Singalila range is the main mountain range in Darjeeling (West Bengal, India). It runs through the border of India and Nepal and merges into the southern ridge of Mt. Kanchendzonga. Though most of the people, guide book, travel agents, say it as an easy trek as because most of the trek is done on the jeepable road. Indeed it was true till June 2000. But after 2001, onwards the Wildlife Division 1 (Department of Forest and Authority of the Singalila National Park), Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (Tourism Department) and local people had opened a new trekking route (about 80 percent on trek route) through the dense forest of Singalila National Park (SNP) to promote tourism and make this trek as an adventurous and beautiful in this range which became a boon to the nature lovers of the worlds. You will also enjoy the stunning views of the Mt. Everest (Nepal), Mt. Kanchenjunga (Sikkim, India), Mt. Lhotse (Nepal), Mt. Makalu (Nepal), Mt. Chomolari (Bhutan) and other mountains throughout the trek from these region. Most of the villages you will encounter on these trek will be Nepalese. Indeed at times you may believe that this trek would be more appropriate to say trekking in Nepal.

THE TREKS OFFERED BY OUR COMPANY

1. SHORT TREK AT SINGALILA RIDGE: [DURATION 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ]

1. 1. Day 1: Maney Bhanjyang – Tonglu / Tumling (11 km)
   2. Day 2: Tonglu / Tumling – Sandakphu (20 km)
   3. Day 3: Sandakphu – Phalut (21 km)
   4. Day 4: Phalut – Rammam (24 km)
   5. Day 5: Rammam – Rimbick (16 km) and back to Darjeeling by jeep

1. LONG TREK AT SINGALILA RIDGE AND PHALUT WITH HALT AT GORKHEY [DURATION 5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS]

1. 1. Day 1: Maney Bhanjyang – Tonglu / Tumling (11 km)
   2. Day 2: Tonglu / Tumling – Sandakphu (20 km)
   3. Day 3: Sandakphu – Phalut (21 km)
   4. Day 4: Phalut – Rammam (24 km)
   5. Day 5: Rammam – Rimbick (16 km) and back to Darjeeling by Jeep

1. LONG TREK AT SINGALILA RIDGE AND PHALUT, WITH HALT AT GORKHEY [DURATION 5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS]

1. 1. Day 1: Maney Bhanjyang – Tonglu / Tumling (11 km)
   2. Day 2: Tonglu / Tumling – Sandakphu (20 km)
   3. Day 3: Sandakphu – Phalut (21 km)
   4. Day 4: Phalut – Gorkhey (15 km)
   5. Day 5: Gorkhey – Srikhola (17 km)
   6. Day 6: Sri Khola – Rimbick and back to Darjeeling by Jeep

1. LONGEST TRE AT SINGALILA RIDGE AND PHALUT [DURATION: 6 NIGHT / 7 DAYS]

1. 1. Day 1: Maney Bhanjyang to Tonglu / tumbling (11 km)
   2. Day 2: Tonglu / Tumling to Kalipokhari (14 km)
   3. Day 3: Kalipokhari to Sandakphu (6 km)
   4. Day 4: Sandakphu to Phalut (21 km)
   5. Day 5: Phalut to Gorkhey (15 km)
   6. Day 6: Gorkhey to Sri Khola (17 km)
   7. Sri Khola to Rimbick, and back to Darjeeling by Jeep

1. VILLAGE TREK OFFERED BY OUR COMPANY IS AS FOLLOWS: [DURATION 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ]

1. 1. Day 1: Jaubari to Danga via Mazua (15 km)
   2. Day 2: Danga to Karni Farm via Khola Gaow (22 km)
   3. Day 3: Sight Seeing at Karni Farm (18 km)
   4. Day 4: Karni Farm to Darjeeling

1. VILLAGE TREK ALONG WITH SINGALILA TREK AND PHALUT TREK

1. 1. SHORT TREK: Village Trek [4 Nights] and Singalila Trek [4 Nights] in total [7 Nights / 8 Days Trek]
   2. LONG TREK: Village Trek [3 Nights] and Singalila trek [6 Nights] in total [9 Nights / 10 Days Trek]
2. LAND ROVER SAFARI:

1. 1. Land Rover Safari till Sandakphu and back i.e. 1 Nights 2 Days [Extra Night Halt is also possible]
   2. Land Rover Safari till Sandakphu, Phalut and back i.e. 2 Nights 3 Days [Extra Night Halt is also possible]
   3. Land Rover Safari and Trek to Phalut i.e. 3 Nights 4 Days. [Extra Night Halt is also possible

FACILITIES PROVIDE BY OUR COMPANY ON ALL OUR PACKAGES ARE (Ex Darjeeling)

1. Land Rover Fare from Darjeeling to Maney Bhanjyang and Land Rover fare from Rimbick to Darjeeling on returning.
2. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/coffee twice and two bottles of purified water every day.
3. Hotel/Lodging expenses throughout the trek
4. National Park Entrance fee.
5. Porter wages if porters were required.
6. Guide wages and usually there will be two guides i.e.
   1. One guide from the company who will be responsible for the trek. Company guides are professional guides with vast knowledge of the area, mountains, flora and fauna of the Singalila.
   2. According to the authority of the National Park, where trekking is permitted i.e. Wildlife Division 1 (Forest Department, government of India). It is mandatory to have a local trained guide from Maney Bhanjyang, guide office. These guides are trained by the Wildlife Division, National Park Authority). The advantage to have these guide is that they have great idea of the locality and the new trekking route which was opened by the Tourism Department, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, and Wildlife Division 1, Government of India
7. The facilities offered for a Land Rover Safari are as follows:
   1. Jeep fare from Darjeeling to Maney Bhanjyang and back to Darjeeling from Maney Bhanjyang
   2. Land Rover fare (usually it will be private and reserved exclusively for the entire group), its halt charges, food and accommodation for the driver.
   3. Guide wages for both company and local guide
   4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/coffee and purified water.
   5. Hotel/ Expenses in the trek/journey
   6. Park entrance Fee.

Please Note: The Day 1 charges have not been included in the trekking itinerary. So, the group / client themselves have to cost of Day 1.

One Day Treks offered by Hot Stimulating Treks N Tours

Average distance covered daily – 15 kilometers (10 miles)

Walking time excluding stops – 4 to 6 hours

Lowest elevation: 1500 metres

Highest: 3636 metres

The types of one day treks offered:

1. Organized Trek
2. Tent House Trek
3. Eco Trek – An Eco Tourism Package
4. Village Trek
5. Monastery Trek with lecturers on Buddhism

We also provide Airport Drop and Pick Up.

For a detailed package please contact us at hotstimulatincafe1@yahoo.com

Trekking in Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim

By Barun Roy

On the way from Bagdogra or Siliguri, the transport stops at Kurseong to give its occupants some relaxation. One can stretch ones limbs while looking around this little town known as a Sub-division of Darjeeling district. It commands a direct view of the plains nearly 5, 000 feet below.

The journey to Kalimpong, via Darjeeling, along the Peshok Road takes one through an almost virgin forest, interspersed occasionally by clearings where tea is grown and villages are to be found. Visitors will long remember the magnificient view that is seen from the View Point – half way down the Peshok Road. After traveling through a world bounded by gigantic trees, one rounds a bend and is presented suddenly with a glorious view of the valley and the towering mountains beyond. Far below, one can see the confluence of the Rangeet and Teesta Road Rivers, mingling together with a muffled roar in a swift flow of turbulent blue green water.

The town is centered around its large market square with the Deolo and Durbindara Hills to the North and South, respectively. The world knows St. Andrews’ Grahams Homes which is situated in the Deolo Hills. This School not only educates the children but also trains them up in all spheres of art and industry, so that when they leave school set out into the world, they are ready to take up any work without undergoing any further practical training.

Kalimpong has a feature of its own with its picturesque setting as it is the home in this district of Arts and Crafts Industry. During Haat (market) days, people from all surrounding bustees, villages and from the border of Sikkim are to be found holding stalls to sell their products such as vegetable, ghee (butter), foodgrains etc. After selling their products, they buy their requirements and prepare to return to their destinations after seeing a Cinema show and enjoying some Tibetan food and a glass of country liquor, Pachawal or Tongba, served in a hollowed bamboo container which refreshes them for their long tedious journey back.

Sikkim is situated to the North, forming a wedge between Bhutan to the East and Nepal to the West. The great Tibetan plateau lies to the north of Sikkim itself.

Although Sikkim is only 65 miles long and 45 miles broad, yet it contains some fo the finest mountain and ravine scenery in the world. The Kanchenjunga range is viewed in all its splendour, while the Everest massif can be seen from many advantageous points. The Teesta River with its tributaries drains Sikkim and the Teesta Valley is a magnificient gorge, wonderful and awe-inspiring when in flood. Sikkim has no low foot-hills when approached from the plains: the mountains descend abruptly on to the “Dooars” the famous tea district of Bengal and Assam.

Like Darjeeling District, Sikkim too was originally inhabited by the Lepchas. The Lepchas first settled in Sikkim in the 12^th Century, A. D. In 1641, most of them were converted to Buddhism by Lama Missionaries from Tibet, and they consecrated their Maharajah. Sikkim has weathered two foreign invasions and conquests. At present she is a state of the Indian Union.

Trekking in Sikkim presents no difficulties to the average trekker. Roads, bridle paths and Dak Bungalows are in evidence everywhere, and no fear need to entertained as to one’s personal safety or to their belongs. The best time for trekking is October and November.

A one day trip to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim should be on the itinerary of every visitor to Darjeeling. It is possible to trek it, taking advantage of the “Dak Bungalows” along the route, but most people do the 122 miles return trip by taxi. The first leg of the journey is done along the Peshok Road to Kalimpong and the Coronation Bridge over the Teesta River is reached. The road is narrow and tortuous, a marvel of engineering.

From the Coronation Bridge the road branches off towards Rangpoo, the border post between Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim. Another bridge is crossed-not as impressive as the Coronation Bridge – and one finds oneself in Sikkim.

Trekking in Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim

The Singalila Ridge

Plenty of trekking routes have been opened in the Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim to savour the breathtaking beauty of the Eastern Himalayas. In Darjeeling Hills, the summit of the trekking adventure culminates at Sandakphu – a summit at an altitude of 3, 658 metres (12, 000 ft) on the famous Singalila ridge. It is fit to make mention of a visionary and dream eyed Jesuit Rev. Fr. MacDonald, who pioneered trekking as an organized holiday and sport in Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim where multitude of trekkers now cluster for its joys. Trekkers have virtually, to just take themselves upon the mountains – the equipment, food etc, is shipped upon the climb site by the porters. In Darjeeling trekkers who are too old and don’t have the time to walk seven hours a day for the allotted time of five to ten days, can always trek upon Sandakphu by jeep or Land Rover. The journey is memorable and tests both the mettle of the driver and the intensity of the vehicle. The trek into the Darjeeling Hills can be undertaken by any casual walker.