Highlights:
“Darjeeling the queen of scenic green hills, where pines touches the sky
Tour of scenic Tiger Hill facing stunning sunrise over Himalayan peaks
Visit the fascinating Zoological Park and witness rare endangered mammals
Trek to Sandakphu Hill for striking sunrise over array of snow mountain range
Hike to scenic Singali-La ridges covered with rhododendron and pine trees”
Overview
Darjeeling Tour & Singali-La Ridge Trekking, one of the most beautiful hill countries in the whole eastern Himalaya range. The charm and beauty of Darjeeling also known famously as Queen of Hills, covered with pine forest and vast Tea-Gardens
Darjeeling is famous for three T’s is famous Darjeeling Tea, Timber, and Tourism, located North Eastern Himalaya range of India. Close to the border of Nepal and the state of Sikkim, the people of Darjeeling like to be known as Gorkhali. More than 80 % are dominated by Nepalese origin people and speak Nepali as mother language with similar culture as Nepal.
Located in the close shadow of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s 3rd highest peaks at 8,586 m / 28, 169 feet high.
Darjeeling Tour & Singali-La Ridge Trekking begins on arrival in Kathmandu with an exciting tour at places of great interest. The tour of Kathmandu a familiarization, helps you to understand and experience local Nepali culture and custom. After a wonderful time in Kathmandu, a scenic short flight takes you to the Nepal Far East Terai belt. Around the border town of India and Nepal, where the drive takes you from low warm sub-tropical to cooler alpine hills.
Drive follows famous Toy Train tracks through a sea of Tea Garden and love forest lined with pines and rhododendron trees. On arrival in Darjeeling staying in the best hotels, the environment still retains a touch of old British Raj heritage days.
Enjoy the exciting tour visiting the main highlights that Darjeeling has to offer, tour of its famous Zoological Garden. Witness the rare near-extinct mammals like Snow-Leopards, Himalayan Black Bear, the Red Panda, and much more with exotic birds. Tour extends to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute the first of its kind around Asia, and drive to famous Tiger Hill. From Tiger Hill reaching before dawn to catch striking sunrise views over a chain of Himalayan peaks.
After a glorious time in and around Darjeeling, the drive takes you to near Nepal border, for an exciting trek to Sandakphu. An interesting walk along the rims of both countries India and Nepal, a steep climb past Tonglu and Kalpokhari. Then reaching at scenic high green hills at Sandakphu, enjoy the morning striking sunrise over an array of Himalayan peaks.
From the Sandakphu panorama of Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu with a series of peaks, then head for a return journey on an alternative route.
Walk from Sandakphu takes you further North-East right at the border of Darjeeling, Nepal, and Sikkim at Phalut.
Amazing views on walks through enchanting woodland, then on a downhill to a road-head at Rimbick nice hill village. Next morning drive back to another hill town of Darjeeling at Kalimpong, gateway to Sikkim, Bhutan, and towards lower plains. From Kalimpong on the road to India and Nepal border reaching at Bhadrapur town airport for a scenic flight to Kathmandu.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu received by Unique Holidays staff.
Day 02: In Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation for the trip.
Day 03: Fly to Bhadrapur 340 m and drive to Darjeeling 2,042 m – 05 hrs.
Day 04: Full day sightseeing tour of Darjeeling.
Day 05: Morning tour of Tiger Hill 2,590 m visit famous Ghum monastery.
Day 06: Drive to Mane Bhanjyang and trek to Tonglu 3,020 m – 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Kal Pokhari 3,340 m – 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Sandakphu 3,636 m – 04 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Phalut 3,540 m -06 hrs.
Day 10: Trek Raman 2,330 meters – 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Rimbick 1,900 m -05 hrs.
Day 12: Drive to Kalimpong 1,247 m – 04 hrs.
Day 13: Drive to Nepal border for the flight to Kathmandu.
Day 14: International departure for homeward bound.
Best seasons for Darjeeling Tour & Singali-La Ridge Trekking:
The best time for this wonderful tour and adventure is from the mid-spring and autumn seasons, mid-spring from March to May, and autumn/fall begins from September to November months.
Springtime from March to May will be much lively with wildflowers in seasonal bloom, especially the magnolia and rhododendrons the national flower of Nepal.
March to May fine clear day most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes on high altitude areas as well on passes. Autumn / Falls another best time for this trek with a fine clear day for views and walks.
But days are shorter with sun-light hours can be freezing cold at Sandakphu and Tiger Hill, especially in the morning, and night times will be clear with bright starry nights. Chances of snow above 1,800 m higher.
Religion and Culture:
District of Darjeeling, located within the state of West Bengal-India North East Himalaya range. In the close shadow of massive Kanchenjunga range, listed as world 3rd highest peaks. The hill station of Darjeeling with about 80 % Nepali origin, migrated more than 500 years ago. A mixture of both Hindu and Buddhism religions, which makes the local culture more impressive and fascinating to experience. Darjeeling with both Hindu temples and Buddhism monasteries is a blend of both traditional customs of Nepalese heritage.