4 Days Trekking to Singalila National Park

• Please stay at a hotel in Darjeeling Town or a hostel in a tea plantation in the valley the day before your 4-day trekking trip to Singalila National Park.

• You are advised to hire an experienced guide who are familiar with local routes in the town of Darjeeling, and several travel agencies around Chowrasta Square could offer the service. Usually, the quotation of the travel agencies includes the guide fee, round trip transport fare, and accommodation and meal costs along the way. If you need a porter, you can hire one at the starting point of your trekking.

• The trip lasts for four days. If you have 5 days, it is recommended that you start with Manebhanjang and go through Tumbling - Sandakaphu - Phalut - Rammam - Rimbhik before finally returning to Darjeeling. You can discuss the trails and details with your travel agent in advance.

• This trekking is along the India-Nepal border, so be sure to bring your passport as you will have to register with the Indian army wherever you go.

• The best hiking time is in April and May, when you will see azaleas in full bloom all over the mountains. The scenery after typhoons in October and November is also good. The chances of seeing snow mountains in other months are very small.

You are advised to start early this morning, like 07:00 to Darjeeling Town to meet the guide at the appointed place. At the corner, overlook Kangchenjunga, known locally as Sleeping Buddha.

After meeting, the guide will help you store your unnecessary luggage and start light with only the essentials. It is about 2 hours' drive from Darjeeling Town to Dhotry, the starting point of this hike. On the way, you need to register at the gate of Singalila Park and pay the admission fee of Rs 200, plus Rs 100 for bringing the camera. The travel agent's car will drop you off at Dhotry and leave. If needed, the guide can help you find a porter here. Then your 4 days hiking trip will begin.

You'll walk on a path through the woods, first through an open land, then into the temple of Meghma, where you can have a rest. After trekking for another 2 km or so, you may arrive at Tumbling to have lunch, which is close to Nepal. After Tumbling, trek along the Jeep trail and stop for a tea break in the village of Joubari before arriving at Garibus before dinner. Garibus is very small, with a small shop next to it that also provides food and accommodation.

After breakfast, continue your way over lakes and hills until you reach Kalpokhari at noon. There's a military outpost near the village so you'll need to register with your passport when you pass by. After lunch, climb 7 km to reach Sandakphu which is 3636 m above sea level. This is the furthest point jeeps can reach, so some trekkers arrive by jeep and start trekking there. Go to bed early tonight so you can wake up at 04:00-05:00 tomorrow to enjoy the sunrise in Kangchenjunga.

One of the best spots to view the sunrise is the open space in front of Sandakphu, which is also the highest point on this hiking trail. After, continue to Phalut, which is close to the snow mountains, but offers no wide views along the way. Stay overnight in Phalut. There is only one lodge in Phalut, and those who arrive first can choose a better room with independent toilet, so try to walk fast.

If you miss the sunrise the day before. Seize the last chance to admire it today. The lodge in Phalut is surrounded by mountains, so you'll need to hike a short distance to stand higher to see the glorious sunrises of Kangchenjunga. Rolling and towering snow-capped mountains and brilliant clouds are the best gifts to humen from nature. Return to the lodge, pack your bags, have breakfast and then start your way back.

Walk down a little bit faster so you can get back to Srikhola earlier to find a car back to Darjeeling more easily. The way back is rarely visited, and you can see lots of abandoned pastures and deserted trails. After arriving at the beautiful little village of Srikhola, the guide will help you find the vehicle to return to Darjeeling. This is the end of the 4-day trekking tour. If you are interested, you may extend your trip in Darjeeling or Kolkata.