The preparation of Singalila National Park safari have been started long back in November when we booked our train tickets for NJP and booked accomodation in Maneybhanjung, Sandakphu and Tumling. We were eagerly waiting for the day when we will board train for NJP. It was around 10:30 PM when we reached Burddhaman Station to board Darjeeling Mail to NJP. The train was at right time and we boarded the train comfortably.
On the way we crossed Bolpur, Nalhati, Malda Farakka and so on.. It was 3:15 PM in New Farakka.
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| New Farakka |
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| Darjeeling Mail standing at New Farakka |
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| New Farakka Board |
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| It was 3:17 at New Farakka |
We reached NJP station at 8:00 AM and decided to freshen up in the Railway station itself as we were supposed to travel to Maneybhanjung- the first halt on Sandakphu-Phalut safari. At around 10:00 AM we boarded our Mahendra SUV for Maneybhanjung. We were crossing through beautiful Dooars forest, Tea gardens and hills and reached Kerseong for breakfast.
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| The city of Kurseong |
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| The Foggy city of Kurseong |
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| On the way to Kurseong |
Soon after breakfast our actual journey started through the beautifully landscaped hills of Darjeeling. It was sunny sometimes and sometimes foggy. We started feeling cold and put on our jackets. After one and half hours drive we reached Ghoom and crossed the legendary Ghoom Railway station. From Ghoom one road goes to Darjeeling and another road goes to Maneybhanjung and further to Dhotray and Sikkim. After crossing Ghoom it was dense cloud every where with little bit of chilly wind. At around 2:30 PM we reached our first day halt point - the Homestay of Keshav Raj Gurang. Keshavji was not there and we were warmly welcomed by Poornina Didi - the wife of Keshav Gurang. Our lunch was greeting ready and meanwhile we got freshened and had few sips of beer and red wine to make our appetite ready for Lunch.
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| Double bed room in Keshav's Homestay |
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| Double bed room in Keshav's Homestay |
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| The Lobby of Homestay |
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| The Three Bed room of Homestay |
Soon after a delicious lunch made by Poonnina didi we decided to have rest for few hours. When we got up it was a chilly evening. We came out and decided to walk a bit, it was drizzling outside, so we walked only up to the Highlander Porters and Landrovers association to inquire about Landrover for Sandakphu. They said it can be booked right in the next day morning. We had our evening snacks with energy drink and slept after another delicious course of dinner.
Day-3 :- Maneybhanjung to Sandakphu
We were greeted by sunny morning at Maneybhanjung at 7:00 AM. Everything was bright and sunny and we did not feel any kind of cold. We loved to walk a bit to reach the Nepal police post.
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| The Nepal Police Post |
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| Few Locals at Maneybhanjung |
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| A local boy |
It was bright and sunny morning. We wanted to enjoy the sun before taking bath. It was nice experience to en-thrill the sun from the rooftop.
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| The View of Maneybhanjung Monastery |
By 9:00 AM we boarded the landrover and our Journey to Majestic Singalila National Park started. Our landrover drove past Maneybhanjung and the acceding started.
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| Leaving Maneybhanjung |
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| The Milepost of Sandakphu -31 KM |
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| Road to Chitray |
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| Alpine Trees |
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| My Co-Traveler Koyel at Chitray |
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| Our Gang - Bithika, Koyel, Me and Cellestina at Chitray |
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| Cellestina |
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There is a make shift arrangement for Trekkers or passer on in Chitray. Someone who does not get a accommodation in Maneybhanjung can opt for a stay over here. Undoubtedly a nice place to spend a night at this solitary location if you are happy with very basic facilities. I have captured the exterior pictures only.
As always, the final rewards are awesome. All our strains simply disappear as we see the board saying "Welcome to Sandakphu". We are at an altitude of 11,929ft, on the summit of Singalila range and at the paradise of trekking... Wow, we made it!!! Now we are at the paradise!!!
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| Hawks Nest - Chitray |
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| Hawks Nest - Chitray |
Now we will have 3 KM gradual incline and reach our next leg, Lameydhura. This small village has only 5 Tibetan families and two small shops which sells all kind of Wines and Beer, Maggie, Rice, Curry etc. This village is a also a official break for tea for all traveler or trekker moving to Sandakphu. Our Driver Premba decided to carry our small overhauling of his Landrover while we were getting little high with beers. There is no option to stay in the simple village. It was getting colder - we had to keep ourselves properly hot.
Another 1 hour drive through foggy roads we reached Meghma.This is another tiny village set at the border of India and Nepal, and concerning 3 KMs from Lamaydhura. Meghma is at an altitude of 9,514 toes. Meghma because the name recommend is covered by means of clouds maximum of the time. The vacationers or the guests getting into Meghma is welcome through the Buddhist Monastery - the cloud might be a magician right here that conceals and divulges the Monastery. In-constructed the first Fifties, it is one amongst the first-rate monasteries of the place because of uncommon collection of treasures 108 forms of Buddha. those 108 Buddhas are believed to be encountered in ones journey from this global to destiny world (Sukhawati Bhavan) relying on his future. There are few Homestays in Meghma which provides basic stay facility for Travelers and Trekkers. One can experience first snow at Meghma. We had few minutes halt at Meghma.
Since our next night stay is destined in Tumling we did not stop at Tumling, but we could not stop ourselves at the Rhododendron Forest of Tumling for Clicks!
We all set and Premba, our Driver drove along 30 minutes when a person asked for a lift to Jaubari. After 30 more minutes through the gravel road we reached Jau Jaubari is tiny village and a one of the cleanest village of Singalila range located in Ilam district of Nepal at an elevation of 9200 ft. A shorter trek route from Tumling passes throught Jaubari. This location might not be vital from hiking perspective. however, usually mix hiking with exploration of lifestyles within the mountains. And if you are doing that too, you could want to stop here and have a cup of tea. Fudri, a girl serves hot tea and mild-weight snacks from her home at Jaubari. Jaubari has few basic lodging facility. The easy downhill trek distance of 6 KM from Tumling takes around 3 hours and just 1 hour by using Land Rover.
It was getting Colder and colder after Jaubari. After Jaubari we had to stop at Giribas Check post for Tickets to Singalila National Park 100/- per head for Indian Nationals. One will get Basic accommodation in Giribas.
Now the most thrilling journey begin to start - we will have ascend in the gravel road. While looking back we could not believe our eyes that we have crossed such pathetic roads. But you have to pay to get something. We have crossed Bikebhanjung and on the way to our dream destination - Sandakphu.
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| Our Gang - Bithika and Cellestina at Laymadhura |
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| Our Gang - Koyel and Me getting High |
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| Just Chilling at Laymadhura |
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| A School of Nepal - Meghma |
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| Rhododendron Tree - the First sight at Meghma |
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| Me Smiling |
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| Koyel |
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| Cellestina |
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| A Homestay in Meghma |
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| Meghma Village |
Since our next night stay is destined in Tumling we did not stop at Tumling, but we could not stop ourselves at the Rhododendron Forest of Tumling for Clicks!
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| Rhododendron Forest at Tumling |
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| Rhododendron and Fog at Tumling with our Landrover |
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| Our Gang- Koyel and Bithika in Rhododendron Forest at Tumling |
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| Our Gang- Me and Koyel in Rhododendron Forest at Tumling |
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| Our Gang- Me and Koyel in Rhododendron Forest at Tumling |
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| Our Gang- Me and Koyel in Rhododendron Forest at Tumling |
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| Rhododendron Forest at Tumling |
We all set and Premba, our Driver drove along 30 minutes when a person asked for a lift to Jaubari. After 30 more minutes through the gravel road we reached Jau Jaubari is tiny village and a one of the cleanest village of Singalila range located in Ilam district of Nepal at an elevation of 9200 ft. A shorter trek route from Tumling passes throught Jaubari. This location might not be vital from hiking perspective. however, usually mix hiking with exploration of lifestyles within the mountains. And if you are doing that too, you could want to stop here and have a cup of tea. Fudri, a girl serves hot tea and mild-weight snacks from her home at Jaubari. Jaubari has few basic lodging facility. The easy downhill trek distance of 6 KM from Tumling takes around 3 hours and just 1 hour by using Land Rover.
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| A Shop cum Home stay in Jaubari |
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| Indira Lodge Jaubari |
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| Sleepy Jaubari Village |
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| Bithika,s New Cap - purchased from Jaubari |
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| Giribas Check Post |
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| Giribas Forest Gate |
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| Rhododendron |
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| Bad Road... |
Now we started heading for Kalipokhri, The last Major Destination with a lake and enough source of water. We have placed our order for Lunch Veg Thali @ 160/- next day at Kalipokhri. Kalipokhari is last night stay trekkers going to Sandalphu.
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| Pandim Lodge at Kalipokhari |
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| Kalipokhri |
Now the most thrilling journey begin to start - we will have ascend in the gravel road. While looking back we could not believe our eyes that we have crossed such pathetic roads. But you have to pay to get something. We have crossed Bikebhanjung and on the way to our dream destination - Sandakphu.
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| Sleeping Buddha |
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| Sleeping Buddha |
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| Me in Front of our Sandakphu Hotel - Sherpa Chalet Lodge |
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| Our Bed Room at Sherpa |
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| Toilet |
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| Bedroom |
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| Sherpa Chalet Restaurant |
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| Sherpa Chalet Reception |
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| Stircase |
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| Lobby |
We did party and dance with roasted chicken till 8:30 PM. Sherpa Chalet runs Generator from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Rest of the time you have to depend on solar light. We opted for veg dinner at night and slept early.
Day-4 : Sandakphu to Phalut and to Tumling
We are waiting for the morning over the Kanchanjungha and Everest. Since 4:30 AM we are awake and waiting for the sun to come out. But it turned to be a bad weather. Lot of clouds were abstracting the view of the great mountain range. It was too chilly and around -2 degrees at that time.
Soon after sunrise we had tea and getting ready for the second highest summit of West Bengal - Phalut. We are all set by 8:30 to leave for Phalut by Landrover. We had our bread toast breakfast and boarded our Landrover for Phalut.
We drove around around 2 more hours to reach Phalut. The journey through the gravel road was really pathetic and we were just waiting when our destiny will come. The only building in Phalut is the GTA trekkers hut and the SSB camp at an distance of 1 KM. We need to climb around 1 KM from here to reach the Phalut top to get the great view. But this time also we were unlucky and could not see anything due to cloud cover.
Day-4 : Sandakphu to Phalut and to Tumling
We are waiting for the morning over the Kanchanjungha and Everest. Since 4:30 AM we are awake and waiting for the sun to come out. But it turned to be a bad weather. Lot of clouds were abstracting the view of the great mountain range. It was too chilly and around -2 degrees at that time.
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| Me an Koyel waiting for Sunrise from Hotel Balcony |
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| Sunrise Over Kanchenjunga Range |
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| Part of Kanchanjungha was visible |
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| Kanchenjunga during sunrise |
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| Sunrise in Sandakphu |
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| Sunrise over Kanchenjunga Range |
Soon after sunrise we had tea and getting ready for the second highest summit of West Bengal - Phalut. We are all set by 8:30 to leave for Phalut by Landrover. We had our bread toast breakfast and boarded our Landrover for Phalut.
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| On the Way to Phalut |
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| Climbing high |
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| Posing for a Pic |
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| On the way to Phalut |
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| Our Landrover |
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| Landrover on the way to Phalut |
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| We with our Landrover Driver Premba |
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| The Road to Phalut |
We drove around around 2 more hours to reach Phalut. The journey through the gravel road was really pathetic and we were just waiting when our destiny will come. The only building in Phalut is the GTA trekkers hut and the SSB camp at an distance of 1 KM. We need to climb around 1 KM from here to reach the Phalut top to get the great view. But this time also we were unlucky and could not see anything due to cloud cover.
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| Yaks gazing at Phalut |
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| The Summit of Phalut |
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| Phalut Top |
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| The India Nepal border piller |
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| GTA Trekkers Hut - Phalut |
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| GTA Trekkers Hut Rooms - Phalut |
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| GTA Trekkers Hut Rooms - Phalut |
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| GTA Trekkers Hut Dining Room - Phalut |
We were feeling bit hungry, so we ordered for Wai Wai and fried Rai Saag. The smoking hot Rai Saag with red wind and beer - what a combination at an height of 11400 feet. Soon after breakfast we were ready for another leg of journey. This time this is going to be around 34 KMs in this mountain terrain. Again the tiresome journey started and we reached Kalipokhri after 3 more hours bouncy drive. The lady at the hotel served us everything peeping hot lunch. We decided to take an hours rest at Kalipokhri and start for Tumling by 4:30, so that we can reach Tumling before dusk.The last leg of Jounney was around 10 KM with heavy incline and decline through the colorful Rhododendron forests. When we reached Tumling it was about to be evening. Quickly we have checked into our rooms and prepare ourselves another round of high season. We had simple dinner that night and went off for the sleep.
Day-5 :- Tumling to NJP via Maneybhanjung and Mirik
It was our last day at Singalila National Park. We have to go back today and slip into or normal life from tomorrow. After breakfast we headed for Maneybhanjung by our Landrover.
We left our Landrover at Maneybhanjung and boarded Mahinndra SUV for NJP via Mirik. We have crossed alpine forests and tea gardens till we reached Mirik. We had our Bengali Lunch with fish at Mirik and left NJP with all sweet memories.
Finally, we reached NJP at 5:00 PM and boarded Paharia express for Bandel.
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| Our Bed Room at Shikhar Lodge Tumling |
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| Our Bed Room at Shikhar Lodge Tumling |
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| Toilet at Shikhar Lodge Tumling |
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| Our Bed Room at Shikhar Lodge Tumling |
Day-5 :- Tumling to NJP via Maneybhanjung and Mirik
It was our last day at Singalila National Park. We have to go back today and slip into or normal life from tomorrow. After breakfast we headed for Maneybhanjung by our Landrover.
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| Tumling Monastery |
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| SSB Post at Tumling |
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| Ghompa at Tumling |
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| Maneybhanjung seen from top |
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| Road through pine forest |
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| Me and Koyel - On the way Near Manebhanjung |
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| Me and Koyel - On the way Near Manebhanjung |
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| Koyel - On the way Near Manebhanjung |
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| Koyel - On the way Near Manebhanjung |
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| Me - On the way Near Manebhanjung |
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| Me - On the way Near Manebhanjung |
We left our Landrover at Maneybhanjung and boarded Mahinndra SUV for NJP via Mirik. We have crossed alpine forests and tea gardens till we reached Mirik. We had our Bengali Lunch with fish at Mirik and left NJP with all sweet memories.
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| Road to Mirik |
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| Tea Gardens on the way |
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| Tea Gardens on the way |
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| Our Gang - Me, Koyel and Cellestina |
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| Our Gang - Me, Koyel and Cellestina |
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| Our Gang - Koyel |
Finally, we reached NJP at 5:00 PM and boarded Paharia express for Bandel.
