Trek to Singalila Pass and Phalut

Arrive at the pick-up spot at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport by 08:00 hrs. Board private, shared vehicles and travel to the trek starting point at Hilley. The route will take you through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the evergreen forests of the Himalayan foothills. In Hilley, you will get your first glimpse of the Sikkim mountain ranges. Overnight at Hilley in lodges.

Overnight stay at Hilley in lodge.

You will be accommodated in comfortable dorm-style tourist lodges at Hilley. En route, stop at the town of Jorethang to pick up any last minute essentials or withdraw cash from the ATM. Hilley does not have any shops or banking services. Meals for the day are not included in the meal package. You may stop at local restaurants and eateries to have lunch and dinner.

Your trek to Singalila Pass begins today on a trail leading through the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Walk at a leisurely pace through the sanctuary with brightly coloured flowers blossoming around the trail. If you are lucky, you may cross paths with rare birds like the sunbird, scarlet minivet, blood pheasant and many more that frequent the sanctuary. You will pass vantage points offering first views of Kanchenjunga mountain peaks. Overnight at Barsey in tents.

Overnight stay at Barsey in tents.

Drift into a restful night's sleep amid the chirping of small birds that nest near the campiste. You will be accommodated in alpine tents on multi-sharing basis and will be provided sleeping bags and camping mattresses to keep you warm. Your campsite is also equipped with kitchen/dining and toilet tents.

After breakfast, continue trekking across the hills and move towards the Singalila mountain range. On a slightly downhill trail, you will walk through dense forests of magnolia and bamboo. After trekking for a total of about 6 hours, you will reach Joributey. Overnight at Joributey in tents.

Overnight stay at Joributey in tents.

In the evening, sit outside the tent and enjoy the peaceful silence of the jungle. An occasional alarm call of a barking deer is common. You will be accommodated in alpine tents on multi-sharing basis and will be provided sleeping bags and camping mattresses to keep you warm. Your campsite is also equipped with kitchen/dining and toilet tents.

Today's route will take you to Kharka Dara. On the way, pass a small lake called Hans Pokhri and look out for red pandas that have been sighted around the area. A cloudless day on the trail will offer clear views of the Kanchenjunga mountain peaks. Continue trekking along a winding path flanked by forests of rhododendron, birch and fir. You will reach the Kharka Dara campsite located at an altitude of 11,000 ft. Overnight at Kharka Dara in tents.

Overnight stay at Kharka Dara in tents.

The campsite at Kharka Dara is situated in an open windy area facing the high Himalayas. You will be accommodated in alpine tents on multi-sharing basis and will be provided sleeping bags and camping mattresses to keep you warm. Your campsite is also equipped with kitchen/dining and toilet tents.

After a restful night's sleep inside tents at Kharka Dara, catch a glorious sunrise as you begin the long trek for the day. The 45-minute trek to the base of Singalila Pass is alive with the chirping of morning birds. Continue trekking uphill to the pass where you can look across the border into Nepal. Spend some time admiring the lofty mountains and resume trekking downhill to Phalut. The trail follows the border between Nepal and India. Overnight at Phalut in tents or lodges.

Overnight stay at Phalut in tents or lodge.

The campsite at Phalut is known to face hurling winds at night. You will be accommodated either in alpine tents or dorm-style tourist lodges on multi-sharing basis. If you spend the night in tents, you will be provided with sleeping bags and camping mattresses to keep you warm. Your campsite is also equipped with kitchen/dining and toilet tents.

Wake up before sunrise and hike up to a vantage point in Phalut to see the sunrise. Multiple mountain peaks of the Himalayas are clearly visible on a cloudless day. Continue trekking downhill through a thick bamboo forest to reach Gorkhey, a quaint village of about 30 families. You will see rows of houses engaged in terrace farming as well as two river streams that converge near the village. Overnight at Gorkhey in tents or lodges.

Overnight stay at Gorkhey in tents or lodge.

You will be accommodated either in alpine tents or dorm-style tourist lodges on multi-sharing basis. If you spend the night in tents, you will be provided with sleeping bags and camping mattresses to keep you warm. Your campsite is also equipped with kitchen/dining and toilet tents.

Today, you will trek through multiple small rural communities such as Samadin and Rammam to reach today's destination of Srikhola. The trail leads you through narrow paths cobbled with rocks and wooden bridges over river streams. Reach Srikhola after a 6-hour trek. Overnight at Srikhola in lodges.

Overnight stay at Srikhola in lodge.

The lodges are located in a narrow valley besides the Rammam river. You will be accommodated in comfortable dorm-style tourist lodges at Srikhola.

After breakfast, move out for a small hike to the suspension bridge that connects the campsite to a motorable roads. Your trekking adventure ends as you board vehicles that will drive you back to the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Your trip ends here.

Your trip ends before nightfall.

You reach New Jalpaiguri railway station or Bagdogra Airport by 18:00 hrs. Your trip ends here.