Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge
Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge
15 Days Starting in Delhi and ending in Calcutta
Visiting: Delhi, Bagdogra, Gangtok, Martam, Darjeeling, Manedara, Gurdum, Sandakphu, Singalila Ridge, Phalut, Rimbick, Kolkata
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TBS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$3448
$3300 (USD)
Operator discount: -$148
Tour Overview
Tucked away in a corner of the beautiful Indian Himalayan mountains are Sikkim and Darjeeling. In recent years Sikkim has become more accessible for those looking to explore its unique beauty. Journey from the plains of India to Gantok, the capital of Sikkim and on to the delightful Martam village. From here we travel through beautiful tea plantations to Darjeeling, with its colonial hill station and UNESCO World Heritage 'toy train'. Trekking up to and along the Singalila ridge, which divides India and Nepal, we move through thick forests of rhododendron and are rewarded with views of the great Himalayan peaks. Kanchenjunga the third highest peak in the world dominates the horizon, and on a clear day we will see the majesty of Makalu, Lhotse and Everest.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Delhi
Location: Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Deventure (or similar)
Meals Included: No Meals
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 passport photographs for the various permits and check posts so please ensure you pack 4 photographs.
Comfortable Hotel - Hotel Jaypee Siddharth (or similar)
Day 2 : Fly To Bagdogra; Drive To Gangtok
Location: Bagdogra, Gangtok
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Netuk House, Gangtok (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
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 3 : Drive To Martam Village Visiting Rumtek Monastery En Route(1,400 M)
Location: Martam
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Martam Resorts (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
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 4 : Sightseeing In Martam
Location: Martam
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Martam Resorts (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
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:Â 6 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours):Â 4-5
Day 5 : Drive To Darjeeling And Visit The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Location: Darjeeling
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sinclairs Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastdinner
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 6 : Ride The Toy Train; Drive To Rimbik And Trek To Manedara
Location: Manedara
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Full-service camp – sleeping altitude
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
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 7 : Trek Through Forest And Villages To Gurdum (2,400M)
Location: Gurdum
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Full-service camp – sleeping altitude
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
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 8 : Trek Through Forest Ascending Through Sandakhphu (3,636 M) To Chandu (3,570 M)
Location: Sandakphu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Full-service camp – sleeping altitude
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
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 9 : Trekking Along The Singalila Ridge To Sabargam Taking In The Stunning Himalayan Views
Location: Singalila Ridge
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Full-service camp – sleeping altitude
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
 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 10 : Trek To The End Of The Singalila Ridge At Phalut Then Descend To Samaden
Location: Phalut
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Full-service camp – sleeping altitude
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
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 11 : Trek Through Small Settlements To Rimbik
Location: Rimbick
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rimbick Lodge (guest house)– sleeping altitude
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
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 12 : Drive To Darjeeling, Visiting A Tea Estate En Route
Location: Darjeeling
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sinclairs Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
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 13 : Morning To Explore Darjeeling, Drive To Siliguri, Overnight Train To Calcutta
Location: Kolkata
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight sleeper train
Meals Included: breakfast
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 14 : Arrive Calcutta; Free Time To Explore
Location: Kolkata
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Peerless Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
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 15 : End Calcutta
Location: Kolkata
Meals Included: breakfast
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.
What's Included
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Meals
14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 10 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 10 dinners
* All accommodationÂ
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* Sikkim & trekking permits
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request), excludes sleeper train
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request), excludes sleeper trainVisas or vaccinations
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— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request), excludes sleeper train — Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 10 dinners are included.
You should allow around INR5000 (approx. £60/US$75) for the additional meals and drinks. Mineral water, soft and alcoholic drinks are not included and are widely available. Soft drinks are generally cheap, but beers can approach Western prices.
Whilst camping we have a cook and assistants who will prepare simple but plentiful nutritious food. Breakfasts will be porridge, cereals, eggs and toast with plenty of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Lunches will usually be a picnic lunch with soup, various kinds of local breads, cheese, eggs, tinned fish and meat and fruit where available. There will be afternoon tea and biscuits on arrival at camp followed later by dinner which is usually soup, a pasta, rice or potato based main course with fresh vegetables, followed by dessert, tea, coffee or hot chocolate. You will be provided with safe boiled drinking water whilst on trek.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity. We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in India
During the trek the cooks will collect and boil drinking water from the mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification treatment as well.
We also suggest that you may like to bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat any non-boiled water. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Models which take lithium batteries are best as they last longer, especially in cold conditions. Using a SteriPEN means you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – and you can keep it for future trips.
Accommodation
We experience a mixture of accommodations on this trip, including hotels, full-service wild camping, a simple local lodge (in Rimbick) and the sleeper train from Siliguri to Kolkata. We choose hotels that are conveniently located (close to villages and attractions) or with good transport connections. We aim to use smaller, locally owned properties wherever possible. These are typically two to three-star (local rating) and with a mix of heritage and modern styles.
While the accommodations typically used on this trip are on the day-to-day itinerary, below are some of the notable stays.
Gangtok: Netuk House (night 2)
Built in the 1950s, this boutique hotel offers history and tradition from the days when the Tibet Road was a well trodden route for silk traders to and from Tibet. It has a home-from-home feel with a comfortable sitting area, in which you can relax, read, or meet together, plus there's a garden terrace, restaurant and bar.
Darjeeling: Sinclairs (night 5)
With echoes of the Victorian era but the amenities of modern living, Sinclairs is a great place to stay. But it's the stunning views of mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world, that really set it apart. There's also a multi-cuisine restaurant, games room, and bar to keep you entertained.
Full-service camping: (nights 6-10)
The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning our camp staff put up and dismantle the tents, cook, and do the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day. Most of the camping on this trek is wild camping. We stay in two-person tents, which have enough room inside for your kitbags. Single-occupancy tents are smaller to avoid too much empty space, which loses warmth. Sleeping mats and sleeping bags are not provided – please see the packing section.
We also have a dining tent with table and folding chairs, and at least one toilet tent (usually two) for use during the evenings. Please note, the toilets are based on "wild camping" principles – a hole in the ground with excess dirt used to cover waste (no flushing here). There is no running water available while camping; however, we camp close to a water source and the camp staff provide bowls of warm water to wash with. Please ensure you always wash your hands with water and soap after using the toilet and before meals, additional use of hand sanitiser is also recommended.
Sleeper train: (night 13)
The overnight train is booked in a two-tier sleeper (or three-tier, if two-tier is unavailable) with air conditioning. There are many excellent trains in India, but the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with Western standards. All seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning we cannot guarantee the whole group is together on the train. Your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. Indian trains are safe, but we recommend you always keep valuables with you as the sleeper compartments are open with curtains for privacy along the aisle. Snacks are often offered on board (at an additional cost). While some trains have Western-style facilities, most are equipped with squat toilets.
Kolkata: Hotel Peerless Inn (night 14)
The Peerless Inn is a convenient 20-minute walk from the historical Esplanade area and only a 10-minute walk from downtown Kolkata. It's a comfortable, modern hotel with features such as a fitness center, award-winning restaurant serving authentic Bengali cuisine, and a multi-cuisine restaurant.
Worth knowing
The weather can get cold in some of the higher regions and although most hotels should offer heating, not all do. You can request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
It's common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.
The guesthouse in Rimbick is a basic homestay property, shower facilities are limited and some bedrooms may only provide a sink and bucket wash option.
Sleeper trains are not enclosed compartments, bed bunks are set up within a carriage with curtains for some privacy.
Within the sleeper train, you may be sharing a compartment of four beds with members of the public depending on how the seats are allocated.
Should you wish to extend your stay, we can book additional nights for you either before the tour in Delhi or after the tour in Kolkata – please enquire at the time of booking.
Single rooms and tents (excluding sleeper train) are available for a supplement: the price depends on the season you are travelling. Please advise your sales representative at the time of booking if you wish to add this to your booking and they will confirm the price for you.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Saturday - Saturday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 17, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 10, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Mar 23, 2025 - Apr 06, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025Sunday - Sunday
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Oct 26, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.