Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge

Flights usually depart London in the evening.

Day 2

The group flight will arrive into Delhi in the morning and we will transfer
to our hotel. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us
at the hotel during the day. You are free today to explore Delhi or rest
after your flight; rooms may not be available until noon but it is often
earlier than this. Your leader will do a trip briefing today and you will
need 10 passport photographs for the various permits and check posts.

*Comfortable Hotel - Hotel Jaypee Siddharth *(or similar)

Day 3

Transfer to the domestic airport terminal for the flight to Bagdogra. On
arrival at Bagdogra, we join our vehicles and drive to Gangtok. The road soon
leaves the plains behind and at Sevoke we cross the Teesta River and start to
climb into the Doar Hills. At Rangpo we take a break as we enter Sikkim.
Border formalities take time and you will need your passport and one
photograph. Climbing further, we finally reach Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim
set at an elevation of  1,680m. The drive will take about 5 hours (125km).

*Standard Hotel*

Day 4

Gangtok is set amongst the hills and on a clear day we can see Kanchenjunga
from the hotel. We have the morning for exploration. The Mall Road is the
centre of Gangtok and the close by indoor vegetable market makes for an
interesting wander. You can either explore Gangtok on your own or your leader
will take you to see some of the sights. About an hour’s walk from the
hotel on a quiet road there is the small Enchey monastery. Overlooking the
whole town, Enchey was founded in 1840 by Lama Drubthob Karpo and was rebuilt
in 1908 by the 10th Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. From the monastery you can walk
back to town via the Flower Show, a small exhibition of orchids and other
local flowers. There is a Handicraft Centre close by which is a government
enterprise offering community training in traditional handicrafts such as
carpet weaving and wood carving.

After lunch we have an hour’s drive to Rumtek monastery. Founded in the mid
1700’s by the 12th Karmapa it fell into ruins. When the 16th Karmapa came
from Tibet he rebuilt the monastery as the main seat in exile of the Karmapa
sect. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and contains a Golden Stupa with
the remains of the 16th Karmapa. A half hours’ drive brings us to Martam, a
scenic Himalayan village located in a quiet corner of East Sikkim.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 5

We spend today in the pretty village of Martam which was known for producing
butter and other dairy products (‘mar’ means butter and ‘tem’ means
spread). The population of Martam is about 10,000 made up of the Bhutia and
Nepali communities. In the morning we go for a hike around the village. We
can visit the interesting Nyingma Institute, which provides education in
higher Buddhist studies and philosophy to many monks. The Nyingma sect of
Tibetan Buddhism was the first Tibetan Buddhist sect founded in the 8th
century. There is also another small monastery and a Krishna Mandir in the
village. We return to our hotel for lunch and the afternoon is free.  

*Standard Hotel*

*Distance covered:* 6 km / 4 miles

*Activity (hours):*  4-5 

Day 6

Leaving Sikkim we drive on to Darjeeling. The road winds all the way to the
Testa River, where we enter the state of West Bengal. It then weaves back up
into the hills to Darjeeling.  We arrive by lunchtime and this afternoon we
explore one of the most famous hill stations of the British Raj.  Originally
belonging to the Chogyals (Kings) of Sikkim, then annexed by the Gurkhas, the
British East India Company gained control of the region in the early 1800's
and returned it to Sikkim rule.  Stumbling across Dorje Ling Monastery,
situated on a quiet forested ridge, two British soldiers thought it would
make a great location for a sanatorium and with the permission of the King of
Sikkim a hill station was born. Today Darjeeling is a bustling town but the
Mall still retains its Victorian era charm.  Our stay will include a visit
to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute founded by Tenzing Norgay and where
many of famous Sherpa climbers trained in mountaineering skills. There are
interesting displays and photographs from some of the early Mount Everest
climbs. 

Today’s drive is 80km and will take approximately 4 hours. 

*Standard Hotel*

* *

Day 7

On a clear day its worth getting up early for the beautiful sunrise views of
Kanchenjunga from the roof of our hotel. After breakfast we have a 40 minute
ride on the famous Toy Train to Ghoom (Subject to running. See day 13 for
another opportunity if not running today) The train chugs its way out of
Darjeeling, stopping on the way to take on water and to allow passengers to
photograph the famous Batasia Loop.  At Ghoom we meet our cars and drive for
around 4 hours to Rimbik, the trailhead of our trek at 2,286m. We have a
short (45 minute) gentle uphill walk through magnificent rhododendron forests
(a blaze of reds in spring) to our camp at Manedara, where we spend our first
night under canvas. As we approach the village we have stunning views of
Kabru Dome and Kabru South peaks.

*Full-service camp* (sleeping altitude 2,450m)

Day 8

Today we start our trek with an easy trail passing small houses and fields.
It is about 2hrs gradual walk through beautiful forest to Shepi village. We
then descend to the Gurdum Khola, which we cross by bridge and after a steep
1 hour climb to Gurdum village we will arrriv at our camp for the evening.  

*Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 2,400m)

Day 9

A fairly tough but rewarding day as we finish our ascent to the Singalila
Ridge. The trail climbs steeply in places until we emerge at a forest
clearing. From here it undulates through rhododendron forest to the ridgetop
at Sandakhphu (3,636m), the highest point of our trek. On a clear day the
climb is well worth the effort as we are rewarded with a magnificent
Himalayan panorama. The views from here are truly amazing – the towering
slopes of Kanchenjunga lie ahead and Everest, Lhotse and Makalu now come into
view in the distance. After lunch at Sandakhphu it is a gradual walk on a
rough jeep track to our camp at Chandu.

*Full-Service Camping *(sleeping altitude 3,570m)

Day 10

 We are now on the Singalila Ridge, the border between Nepal and India which
means at times we are walking in each country. This is a great day to enjoy
the views. The trail undulates following the ridge through chestnut, oak and
silver fir trees with commanding panoramic views of the Himalaya all day.
Dwarf rhododendrons and primulas colour the landscape in spring. Tonight we
have a spectacular wild camp at Sabargam. The views from here are sublime and
we hope to see a magnificent sunset and sunrise over Kanchenjunga, Everest,
Lhotse and Makalu and a whole host of other Himalayan peaks.  

*Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 3,536m)

Day 11

A full day trekking along an undulating trail to the end of the ridge at
Phalut where we descend to Samaden. On a clear day we get breathtaking views
of Kanchenjunga as we continue along the ridge. The Everest range is further
away but Kanchenjunga rears up over us. Phalut is at 3,600m and just behind
the lodge there is a viewpoint where we are surrounded by Himalayan giants.
The trail down to Samaden is glorious and takes us through forests of oak,
conifers, pine and rhododendrons, an explosion of colour in spring. We camp
tonight in the village of Samaden (2,480m), a beautiful spot in a small
settlement with excellent views.

*Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 2,480m)

Day 12

Our final trek winds through a collection of small settlements inhabited by
Rais, Sherpas and Tamangs to Ramman, where terraced fields and villages dot
the landscape. We descend along a jeep track to Sri khola for lunch after
which we cross a suspension bridge and continue for another 2.5 hours along a
road, passing through more villages en route to Rimbik (2,286m), a large
Sherpa village set amongst the forest landscapes of the Singalila National
Park. We stay in a small lodge with great views across the valley.

*Basic Hotel* (sleeping altitude 2,286m)*
*

Day 13

Today we drive back to Darjeeling  along a road that winds up and down
ridges through picturesque landscape. En route we stop to visit a tea estate
and learn how this most famous of drinks is grown and processed. We will
arrive in Darjeeling mid afternoon and the rest of the day is free to further
explore this historic hill station. Our hotel is close to the Mall, which is
a great place to wander in the evening.

*Standard Hotel*

* *

Day 14

We have the morning to explore further. If we missed the ride on the famous
Toy Train and Ghoom monastery, there is time this morning. In the afternoon
we set off for the drive to Siliguri (2-3 hrs) where we board the overnight
train to Calcutta (Kolkata). Train times in India change regularly, although
it usually departs at around 8pm or 9pm.
Overnight Sleeper Train

*Overnight Sleeper Train*

Day 15

We arrive in Calcutta (Kolkata) in the early hours of the morning and have
the day to explore this fascinating city. Once the capital of British India,
Calcutta has had a turbulent past. It was central to the struggle for Indian
independence and thousands of Bengalis refugees came here at the start of the
1900’s. It is a city of striking contrasts and the unusual sights, pungent
smells and the cacophony of sounds of the country’s second largest city are
an experience unique to India.
If you would rather not navigate Calcutta alone, your leader can usually
arrange a short (1/2hr) guided city tour for you (pay locally).
*Standard Hotel*

Day 16

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for
the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after
check-out from the hotel.