Sandakphu Singalila Trek |
| A long but more interesting
approach to Goechala, usual route to Goechala is the steep &
short ascent from Yuksom via Dzongri. Since this trek begins
in Sikkim & leads us along to Sikkim & Nepal border
over Singalila to Darjeeling. The steep path from Uttarey to the border
check-point-pass. Chewabhanjyang leads us through Sikkim’s lush
tropical mountain jungles. A variety of orchids & rare herbs
grow here & the region is home to many colorful birds &
wildlife. Up on the ridge a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest in the
West, Khanchendzonga in the North & the Chola mountain group in
the East greet us. On our trek along the Singalila ridge we sometimes
come across grazing yaks. The forests of this remote region are home to
a variety of wildlife including leopard cat, wolves, red pandas
& even bears. For the spectacular blooming season March through
May are best, for great views October to November are ideal. Name of Program :Sandakphu Singalila Trek Places Visit : Delhi or Kolkata-Martam-Gangtok-Yuksom- Tsoka-Dzongr-Thanshing-Sumethang-Goecha-La-sumethang-Thanshing-Kalimpong-Darjeeling-Bagdogra. Duration Best Time : March-May OR October-November. Day 01: Arrive Delhi OR Kolkata : Upon arrival meet to our representative, meet and greet, than transfer to hotel. Day 02: Sightseeing : After breakfast, full day city sightseeing, overnight at hotel, (Delhi visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chadani Chowk, Raj Ghat, Governmnet Buildings, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and Lotus Temple. Kolkata visit Maidan, BBD Square, Vitoria Memoral, Saheed Minar, Writer's Building, Flower Market, Ghat, Howrha Bridge, Kumartuli, Jain Temple, India Museum & Mother Teresa House) Overnight at hotel. Day 03: Delhi OR Kolkata– Bagdogra (Flight) – Darjeeling (2130m) By road, 4 hrs drive: Departure transfer to the domestic airport for the flight Bagdogra and on arrival transfer to Darjeeling. At first we drive through flat rice field and tea plantation, before the road ascends to the foothill of the Himalayan. We drive through more tea plantation, where the famous Darjeeling teas are grown. The main attraction is the steam toy train whose track zig zags through the main road all the way to Darjeeling just crossing over Ghoom at an altitude of 2440 mts. Darjeeling itself is at 2134 mts with a majestic background of the third highest peak in the world. Mt Kanchanjunga.Overnight at hotel. Day 04: Darjeeling : Very early drive to Tiger Hill (16 km from Darjeeling) to see the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga and Everest (depend to weather). On the way back to the hotel we visit Yinga Choling (Ghoom) Monastery. After breakfast we visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Zoo and the Tibetan refugee Center. Afternoon free to relax and look around the color full bazaars Chowrasta. Overnight at hotel. Day 05: Darjeeling – Manay Bhanjang (2134m. 1h 30) by car – Tonglu (3070m) It is a 26-Km drive to Maneybhanjang at 2134 meters, the starting place for our trek on the Singalila ridge. After an early breakfast and interesting drive into the Himalayan foothills, we set off on the first part of our walk, the relatively short, hike upto Tonglu. It is an unavoidable fact of trekking in the Himalayas that we must get up high to find the best views. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp. Day 06: Tonglu – Gairibas (2620m) in 4h We take a mossy paved path, that snakes through a succession of forests and hamlets, giving way, from time to time, to spectacular mountain scenarios. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp. Day 07: Gairibas – Sandakphu (3640m) in 4h30. We steadily climb to join the ridge trail towards Kalpokhri. Afterwards we start a long and steep climb onto the Singalila ridge that leads us to Sandakphu. A remarkable 360 ° view from the top. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp. Day 08:Sandakphu – Phalut (3600m) in 6h We walk to a prominent viewpoint for the magnificent sunrise over the Kanchenjunga, Jannu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyo. Throughout the Day, there are ever-changing views: yak herds, silvery pine forests, tiny lakes ringed with grass, and the snow-capped Himalayan range in the background. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp. Day 09: Phalut – Raman (2560m) in 5h. Leaving Phalut, we are temporarily saying goodbye to the views of Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalayas, as we descend for most of the Day through forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias with isolated patches of farmland to Ramam. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp. Day 10: Raman – Rimbik (2280m) in 4h Downhill again toDay to the crossing of the Siri Khola passing through farmland and scattered villages. Then it’s uphill through largely forested terrain to the village of Rimbick. Overnight at Trekker's hut/Camp. Day 11: Rimbik – Pelling (9h). : Early morning commence drive to Pelling, on arrival check in hotel rest of the time leisure for relax. Overnight at hotel. Day 12: Pelling – Pemayangtse – Yuksam by car (2h) 2.5 km from Pelling, we will visit the Pemayangtse monastery. Perched at 2800m, it is one of the oldest and most impressive gompas in Sikkim. Overnight at Hotel. Day 13: Yuksam – Tsoka (3030m) in 6h. The trail leads up the Rathong valley, through thick, semi-tropical forests. Afterwards a steep climb takes us to the tiny Tibetan village of Tsoka. The landscape has now changed into pine, rhododendron and magnolia forests. We get excellent views of the entire Himalayan range and Kanchenjunga. Day 14: Tsoka – Dzongri (4020m) in 5h. The Day begins with a steep start and the trail zigzags up through the mixed temperate forest and large stands of Rhododendrons to the large clearing at phedang, where we stop for Picnic lunch. The view of Pandim, Narshing and Joponu is fantastic. Another hour and half of steep climb takes you to Deorali and a ridge walk of up and down for 45 mins. Takes you to Dzongri (13320ft), set in a natural bowl on the ridge. O/n Camping /hut. Day 15: Dzongri – Thangshing (3930m) in 4h. We descend through rhododendron forest towards the the glacial Prek river. We establish our campsite on the grassy pastures of Thangshing. The southern ridge of Kanchenjunga and the Onglakthing glacier are visible directly ahead and there are close-up views of Pandim. Day 16: Thangshing – Samity Lake (4200m) in 3h. A pleasant walk below the west side of Pandim, through dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons to Zemathang. We take our first footsteps on the Onglakthing glacier, and climb up to the shores of the Samity lake, reputed to be the sacred source of the Prek river. Ringed by prayer flags, the lake reflects Forked Peak, Kabru North, Gocha Peak and other snow-capped peaks. Day 17: Samity Lake – Gocha La (4940m) – Thangshing in 7h We have to leave quite early this morning, as fog and clouds descend on the pass shortly after sunrise. The track to Gocha La climbs steeply through moraines. From the pass, ringed with colorful prayer flags, we can see Kanchenjunga and beyond that, the Talung glacier. Day 18: Thangshing – Lam Pokhari (4230m) in 5h After a steep descent, we climb through alpine areas and pass by tiny lakes. Day 19: Labdang – Tashiding (1740m) in 5h. An easy walk, in an atmosphere becoming more humid and heavier as we descend. Day 20: Tashiding – Martam by car (4h). We visit the Tashiding monastery, one of the most isolated in Sikkim, perched on the top of a hill set between two rivers. Day 21: Martam – Gangtok by car (1h). En route we visit Rumtek monastery, reputed for its religious Tibetan art. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers. Afternoon at leisure in Gangtok. Day 22: Gangtok – Bagdogra (by car) – Delhi OR Kolkata : Morning drive to Bagdogra later flight to Delhi or Kolkata. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight. Day 23: Full day leisure for individual activities, in time departure transfer to airport and fly back home. |
|
|
