Singalila Ridge

May 4, 2021

Nature's beauty and adventure always fascinated me towards Himalayan regions. This time I planned for north-south Himalayan ridge named as ‘Singalila ridge’ which is commonly famous as Sandakphu trek which is highest peak point in West Bengal.

This trek is quite famous as it falls in India-Nepal border, in-fact 2 of the higher camps located in Nepal region. As difficulty level is moderate for this trek even beginners with good physical fitness can opt for this trek. The highest peak point ‘Sandakphu’ is at height of 3,636 m (11,929 ft) whereas ‘Phalut’ is at 3,600 m (11,800 ft). So this trek is together named Sandakphu- Phalut.

I have to reach Darjeeling before starting the actual trek. To reach Darjeeling, railways and airways are quite convenient. Bagdogra is nearest airport whereas Siliguri or New Jaipalguri Junction (NJP) are the nearest railway stations. Bus facility is not available here may be due to hilly regions. Travellers have to depend on local transportation with small vehicles. You can hire your own vehicle or take a vehicle on sharing basis.

In Darjeeling people can visit various places like Japanese temple- Pagoda, Steam engine trains, Himalayan zoo park, Ghum Monastery etc, but what attracts trekkers more is Himalayan Mountaineering institute. It is one of the best schools for Mountaineering training which was established to commemorate the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa & Sir Edmund Hillary. To encourage and promote mountaineering amongst youths of the country is the main objective of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Tourists can visit this institute at minimal fees.

After orientation at Darjeeling hostel, our group was transported by Jeep to Dhotrey village. Dhotrey is situated at 8550 ft. from where our trekking journey started. This trail goes through Singalila National park. This park is very rich in its flora and fauna but unfortunately could not see any animals like red panda. Rhododendron and Magnolia are very common flowers which blossomed throughout the ridge. These colourful flowers are very attractive. As weather is very much suitable so one can see wide varieties of flowers in the villages which falls in trail. Local people makes wine from Rhododendron flowers which is sold at local hotels and restaurant either in water bottles or empty old wine bottles.

First day of trekking we halted at Tumbling where apart from trekkers many tourists were also seen. Next day we started for Kala pokari where we were greeted by Nepal authority board. Kala means dark and pokari means lake in Nepali. This village is named Kala Pokari due to this lake. This lake is surrounded by prayer flags which makes it more attractive. After a night halt at Kala Pokari next day we headed towards our peak point Sandakphu. Even though on some days trail was quite long like 21 km, trek was not tiring. Off course your back starts complaining due to back pack weight, but again colourful flowers and bird chirping makes you forget your pain.

From Sandakphu one can witness Kanchenjunga mountain trails towards right side which are commonly known as Sleeping Buddha. Local people believe that it looks like so. It is third highest mountain in the world. Luckily, we could witness sleeping Buddha but were unfortunate to see Mt. Everest ranges which falls on the left side. Here weather changes very drastically so trekkers have to be always ready with rain coat, wind sheet etc.

Our batch was really luck that we did not face any rain. At day time temperature was quite pleasant but at night use to fall around 5 degree, which was quite challenging for person like me from costal Karnataka.

After covering the first summit point at Sandakphu we headed towards another peak point called Phalut which is the second highest peak in West Bengal. On the way to Phalut we could witness many yaks. After covering Phalut we started back towards our base camp. On the way we halted at Gorkhey which falls in Sikkim. Definitely any one will love this place where beauty is abundant. All area is surrounded by pine trees and a small river called Gorkhey. This village has very small population which mainly depends on agriculture and tourism of course most of trekkers. Last day we headed towards Rimbick a steep descent which was our base camp before saying bye-bye to Singalila ridge with a plan of another trek in mind.

 

 

 

 

By Revati Shendure
Revati Shendure is a Software Quality Analyst by profession. She loves adventure activities like trekking, athletics sports and is also passionate about photography and singing.
To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

  • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
  • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
  • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
  • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
  • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
  • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
  • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
  • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

Comment on this article

  • TSHERING SHERPA, Gorkhey

    Sat, May 15 2021

    Very good articles Di for the new comers to enjoy the silent plateau of Singalila park.. Gorkhey is fall in Darjeeling District of North Bengal not in Sikkim but it lies adjacent to the Sikkim rivers

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, May 07 2021

    Thank you for sharing your experience and the beutiful fotos with us.What a beutiful scenery.When you said wine out of Rhododendron flowers,which I never heard can imagine it must be good one.What a nice scenery.Hope to see the next one soon.God bless you .

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, May 07 2021

    Thank you for sharing your experience and the beutiful fotos with us.What a beutiful scenery.When you said wine out of Rhododendron flowers,which I never heard can imagine it must be good one.What a nice scenery.Hope to see the next one soon.God bless you .

  • Bhushan, Twinsburg ohio USA

    Wed, May 05 2021

    I was there 2020 reading your blog took back to Darjiling . Well done article and great snapshots . Keen on traveling 😊😊

  • Bhushan, Twinsburg ohio USA

    Wed, May 05 2021

    I was there 2020 reading your blog took back to Darjiling . Well done article and great snapshots . Keen on traveling 😊😊

  • Dr Poonam, Hupari

    Tue, May 04 2021

    Superb di.... informative and beautiful article....

  • Virendra Racharla, Solapur, Maharashtra

    Tue, May 04 2021

    Revati nicely and concisely described. Very good snaps.

  • Madhavi, Bangalore

    Tue, May 04 2021

    Hello Revati, read you travel blog it's too good. Beautiful captures of trees and flowers. The sunrise looks amazing. Thankyou for sharing this blog with us in detail so that we can also plan.

  • Aditi Surana, Mangalore

    Tue, May 04 2021

    Wow, would love it visit this place!! Well written.

  • Florine Roche, Mangalore/karwar

    Tue, May 04 2021

    Wow. Ravathi Brilliant photographs and write up. Nice to know you enjoyed trekking in this beautiful place. I really miss all the adventure these day. Since you say you have another one in mind let us plan together.

  • PriyaS, Mangalore

    Tue, May 04 2021

    A descriptive article about one of India's many treasures. Keep up your travel!

  • Nilesh Yadav, Mumbai

    Tue, May 04 2021

    Very Informative Article. Thanks For Sharing.


Leave a Comment

Title: Singalila Ridge



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.