SHORT ITINERARY:
Day 0: 26th April 2025 (Saturday)
Travel Day from MUMBAI/KOLKATA
Day 1: 27th April 2025 (Sunday)
7AM: Drive from NJP (114m/374ft) to Uttarey (2012m/6600ft) (160kms,
7-8hrs drive)
Day 2: 28th April 2025 (Monday)
Ascend Trek to Achaley (2950m/9680ft) (12kms, 5-6hrs trek)
Day 3: 29th April 2025 (Tuesday)
Ascend Trek to Kalijhar (3580m/11730ft) (9kms, 5-6hrs trek)
Day 4: 30th April 2025 (Wednesday)
Summit Phoktey Dara (3734m/12250ft) (45mins trek)
Trek to Phalut (3600m/11811ft) via Singalila Pass (12kms, 7-8hrs trek)
Day 5: 1st May 2025 (Thursday)
Descend Trek to Gorkhey (2286m/7500ft) (15kms, 5-6hrs trek).
Day 6: 2nd May 2025 (Friday)
Trek to Srikhola (2103m/6900ft) via Samanden-Rammam. (16kms, 6-7hrs trek)
Day 7: 3rd May 2025 (Saturday)
7AM: Drive from Srikhola to NJP (114m/374ft) (140kms, 7-8hrs drive)
Day 8: 4th May 2025 (Sunday)
Travel Day to KOLKATA/MUMBAI
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 0: 26th April 2025 (Saturday)
Travel Day from MUMBAI/KOLKATA.
There are 4 Options available:
1.
Take a morning direct flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Bagdogra (IXB) on
Saturday 26th April and night stay at any hotel nearest to our Reporting
Point i.e. NJP.
2.
Take a train from Mumbai (LTT/CSMT) on Friday 25th April so
as to reach NJP on Saturday 26th April and night stay at any hotel
nearest to our Reporting Point i.e. NJP.
3.
Take an early morning direct flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Kolkata (CCU)
on Saturday 26th April and thereon take a noon train from Kolkata
(SDAH/HWH) that reaches NJP same day by night time. Night Stay at any hotel
nearest to our Reporting Point i.e. NJP.
4.
Take a morning direct flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Kolkata (CCU) on
Saturday 26th April and then take an evening/night train from
Kolkata (SDAH/HWH) that reaches NJP next day early morning well before the
Reporting Time.
Day 1: 27th April 2025 (Sunday)
7AM: Drive from NJP (114m/374ft) to Uttarey (2012m/6600ft) (160kms,
7-8hrs drive)
Hello Buddies, it is our first day of the trip and the group will unite
at the Reporting Point i.e. NJP before 7AM. We start the long hilly drive to
Uttarey through the beautiful and adventurous NH 10 highway crossing Melli
check-post & Jorethang. On the way, we halt for breakfast and lunch before
arriving at Uttarey which is a beautiful Himalayan village situated at the far
western corner of Sikkim at the Indo-Nepal border. Upon arrival at Uttarey, we meet
our local support team and guide, check-in to the hotel/homestay and freshen up,
have a briefing about the trek and bond with fellow trek mates over dinner. After
a long journey, we prepare for the next day’s trek and hit the bed early. Overnight
stay at Hotel/Homestay.
Day 2: 28th April 2025 (Monday)
Ascend Trek to Achaley (2950m/9680ft) - (12kms, 5-6hrs trek) -
B/L/D/Camping.
On the first day of our trek, we will be passing through Kagyud monastery,
Sherpa village, Laminey Pokhari, and Tenzing-Hillary Memorial Park before we
step into slightly higher ground from where we get to see the beautiful valley
of Uttarey and adjoining hills. Today’s trail passes through a well-preserved
dense sub-alpine forest rich in both flora and fauna. The highlight of the day
would be the magnificent views of Mt. Kanchendzonga and Mt. Kumbakarna and well
of course, spotting Rhododendron, Magnolia, and other varieties of flowers. Overnight
Camping in tents.
Day 3: 29th April 2025 (Tuesday)
Ascend Trek to Kalijhar (3580m/11730ft) - (9kms, 5-6hrs trek) –
B/L/D/Camping.
Today after breakfast, we will trek towards the beautiful Kalijhar
campsite which acts like a higher base camp for Phoktey Dara climb. It’s quite
an easy day trek but just a little harder towards the end. En route, we will
enter the tropical alpine and rhododendron forest with a distinct view of Mt.
Kanchendzonga and other snow-capped mountain peaks. The route today is rich in
bio-diversity with varieties of plants and animal life. Himalayan herbs, exotic
and rare species of flora and fauna are also abundantly available throughout
the route even though they are not seen or sighted easily. One can hear the
chirping of birds, the rushing sound of the cold wind, and stillness at every
corner during the trek. The trek to Kalijhar will pass through Hageypani,
Gurasey Dara, and Thulo Dhap (meaning a large ground in Nepali). Overnight Camping
in tents.
Day 4: 30th April 2025 (Wednesday)
Summit Phoktey Dara (3734m/12250ft) - (45mins trek) &
Trek to Phalut (3600m/11811ft) via Singalila Pass - (12kms, 7-8hrs trek) -
B/L/D/Camping.
Today’s going to be the most challenging yet rewarding day of the trek
since we will be heading to one of the best viewpoints of Singalila Range, i.e.
Phoktey Dara. The best feeling about Phoktey Dara would be to watch the rising
sun creating an alpenglow on the majestic snow peaks of the Himalayas. To
experience this, we wake up early morning between 3-4 am and trek up for 35-40
minutes to the summit point amidst chilly winds for an amazing panoramic 360
degree view. To witness Mt. Kanchenjunga and adjoining peaks on Sikkim side
& Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse on the Nepal side will
give you a lifetime memory indeed! We also enjoy great views of rural hamlets
of Nepal and Sikkim from the viewpoint. Later, we descend back and head towards
Phalut crisscrossing through the Indo-Nepal border. On the way, we cross the
Singalila Pass to enter West Bengal. The ridge walk continues further till Tori-Phuley
and subsequently climbs up to the serene pasture land of Phalut, which is
happens to be yet another grand viewpoint on the Singalila Range. Keeping
yourself hydrated and eating well is the key to tackle today’s long trek. Overnight
in Tents/Trekker’s Lodge.
Day 5: 1st May 2025 (Thursday)
Descend Trek to Gorkhey (2286m/7500ft) - (15kms, 5-6hrs trek) –
B/L/D/Homestay.
Today morning would be an extraordinary morning that you’d remember for
a lifetime because Phalut offers mesmerising sunrise views! God willing, we
will have a clear weather to witness the sunrays lighting up the mammoth peaks
of the world one after the other – a truly magical sight! After spending some
quality time, we return to our campsite for a good breakfast. The trek from
Phalut to Gorkhey is an entirely downhill trail, relatively easy with a few
steep sections, and passing through dense forests. Gorkhey, surrounded by
forests & hills is one of the finest hamlets in the Himalayas and with the
lovely welcoming people residing here – it is just the perfect place you’ll
need to be after a very good trek. The Gorkhey Khola (river) flows nearby the
village making it a charming spot for bird watching and relaxing in the lap of
Mother Nature. Overnight in a cozy homestay.
Day 6: 2nd May 2025 (Friday)
Trek to Srikhola (2103m/6900ft) via Samanden-Rammam - (15kms, 7-8hrs trek) – B/L/D/Homestay.
Today would be our final trekking day. After a hearty breakfast, the
trek begins with a short climb up to the picturesque village of Samanden,
popularly known as the second Switzerland in that region. Just like its
neighbour Gorkhey, Samanden is also a remote hamlet in the lap of the Himalayas
and aptly termed as the “Silent Valley” or the “Lost Valley”. The people in
these villages mainly cultivate potatoes, millets and maize. Even though,
today’s trail is not very challenging, it is lengthy and involves several
gentle uphill and downhill stretches. The route from Samanden further passes
through forests and small streams leading us to Rammam village. The path from
Rammam to Srikhola passes through forests filled with flowering trees. Bird
species like the colourful Himalayan Monal, Emerald Dove, Maroon Oriole, etc are
found in these forests. Walking through towering moss laden tress of silver
fir, pine, spruce, chestnuts, oaks, giant magnolias and last but not the least rhododendrons
we make our way downhill to Srikhola. Overnight in Home-stay.
Day 7: 3rd May 2025 (Saturday)
7AM: Drive from Srikhola to NJP (114m/374ft) - (140kms, 7-8hrs
drive)
Our hearts filled with moments of adventures, fun and friendships and minds full of positivity, we embark upon
the final leg of the trip. After freshening up and having breakfast, we bid adieu
to the lovely mountains and its lovelier people for giving us a lifetime memory
and head towards Bagdogra/New Jalpaiguri for return journey to Home Sweet Home!
You can choose either of these available options for the return trip on
3rd May 2025 (Saturday):
1. Stay overnight at any
hotel closer to Siliguri or Bagdogra and next day i.e. on 4th May 2025
(Sunday); take a direct flight to MUMBAI
2. Take an overnight train
from NJP to Kolkata (SDAH/HWH) and fly to Mumbai on 4th May 2025 (Sunday)
Day 8: 4th May 2025 (Sunday)
Travel day to KOLKATA/MUMBAI
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