Maneybhanjyan
Maneybhanjyan (2150 m) is a small transit town in Darjeeling district in West Bengal in India. It is located at the gateway of the Singalila National Park, 28 km from Darjeeling town. The income of the local residents is geared towards tourism trekkers. Maneybhanjyan is the start of the trailhead for the trek to Sandakphu on the Singalila Ridge, the highest point in West Bengal. Conveyance for Sandakphu is also available mainly from Manebhanjan in the form of Land Rovers of 1960 model. The 4 hour ride can be quite ‘jumpy’ as drivers maneuver their prized possessions along snaky curves and uphill roads.
Sandakphu & Phalut
As the first sunlight strikes, tourists will see the dazzling peaks of the Everest family in Nepal at the far west including the gorgeous Mt. Everest (29,029 ft., the highest peak in the world). It is about 160 kms away from Sandakphu. Other peaks close to Kanchenjunga include Kabru (24,026 ft), Kumbhakarna (25,294 ft.) and Pandim (22,010 ft). Between Everest and Kanchenjunga you will see the peaks of Three Sisters. East of Kanchenjunga, you will see the great Tibetan peaks of Narsing, Dongkyu and Chola. And then you can spot Chamolhari in Bhutan.
Tourists will find it along with other peaks like Lhotse (27940 ft., the fourth highest peak) and Mt. Makalu (27,825 ft, the fifth highest peak). If tourists look further west, they will see the Chamlang (24,006 ft) that stands like a square wall of snow.
Sandakphu (3665 m; 11,930 ft) is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in the district of Ilam, Nepal on the West Bengal-Nepal border. The peak is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park and has a small village on the summit with a few hotels.
Phalut (3600 m) is the second highest peak of West Bengal, India. Part of the Singalila Ridge in the Himalayas, it is located at the border of the Indian states of West Bengal and Sikkim and of Nepal. It is located inside the Singalila National Park. A small bunkhouse is near the top of the peak and is administered by the Indian army. Singalila Pass is 17 km away from Phalut.
The indigenous tribes surrounding the mountain peak are known as Falutians by outsiders. Falutians have a 300-year history of worshipping the mountain peak, and believe that Phalut is an omniscient god. They refer to the mountain peak as “Omna Re Ay”.
Panorama of peaks seen from Sandakphu and Phalut:
Baruntse (7220m), Chamlang (7319m), Chomo Lonzo (7818m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8462m), Mount Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Talung (7349m), Rathong (6679m), Kabru N (7353m), Koktang (6147m), Simvo (6812m), Frey (5853m), Kabru.
The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas due to the grand vistas of the Kanchenjunga range and the Everest range which can be seen from the ridge, and also for the seasonal wildflower blooms and birding. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 28 km from Darjeeling.
Ascent-
The trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages.
Manebhanjan to Meghma (2600 m): This is a 4-hour trek through the lower forest. The route goes via Chitre.
Meghma to Gairibans (2621 m): There are two alternative trekking routes. They respectively go via Tonglu (3070 m) and Tumling (2900 m). From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 m). Jaubari is ward no 07 of jamuna VDC ilam.
Gairibans to Sandakphu (3636 m):
Sandakphu to Phalut (3600 m): It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum (3536 m) covering 21 km.
Descent-
Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan.
A steep descent to the village of Sirikhola on the banks of the River Sirikhola, via Gurdum (2300 m), and from there to Rimbick.
Villages At Glance: Gorkhey, Bhareng, Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Rammam, Srikhola, Sepi, Molley, Gurdum.
Tumling & Tonglu
Tumling is a small Nepal village perched in Singalila hills at an elevation of 3000m.. The small hill village offers a good view of the snow-capped peaks of the Singalila and the Kanchenjunga range. Tumling also is a salubrious night halt with assorted lodges dotting its sedate green environs. The lights of the towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Pasupati (Nepal), Siliguri and other settlements can be viewed on a clear night.
Tonglu (3036m) is the one of the higher peaks of the Singalila Ridge and a small settlement inside the Singalila National Park in the Darjeeling subdivision, Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal in India near the India – Nepal border. It is a roadside halt along the trekking route from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu.
Tonglu is famous for offering a great view of Mt Kanchenjunga and its associated peaks. Its hillscape became colourful with Rhododendron and other wild flowers during April-May.
Chitre
Chitre is a small mountain village on the Manevanjan-Sandakphu route. Chetre is the first village where tourists/trekkers take light halts. Manevanjan-Chitre trek route is steep in nature. Chitre is nestled at an altitude of 8340ft in the lap of Singalila hills and about 3kms from Manebhanjan. It takes about 1.5 hours of trek from Manebhanjan and about 30 minutes by vehicle to reach Chitre.
There is an old monastery in Chitre that tourists used to visit. This village offers nice views of Mt Kanchenjunga & other peaks.
Dhotre
Dhotre ( 8,500 ft )is a forest village with around 68 small huts in the buffer zone of ‘Singalila National Park’.Dhotre is one of the most beautiful forest villages in the Darjeeling district. The village is 105 Kms from NJP via Sukhia Pokhari & Mane Bhanjang (11 kms). The village offers a breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga Range. The hamlet is surrounded by Pine. Oak trees and orchids.There is an old monastery in Chitre that tourists used to visit. This village offers nice views of Mt Kanchenjunga & other peaks.
Srikhola
Srikhola (also known as Sirikhola) is a lovely scenic village in Darjeeling district. Trek routes from Sadakphu and Phalut stop at Srikhola. From Sandakphu, the 16kms trek route to Srikhola passes through Gurdum. From Phalut, a 36kms trek trail passes through Gorkey and Rammam. The route is through forests of magnolia, chestnuts, oaks and rhododendrons. River Siri is passing through the place.
Cars are available from Srikhola for Manevanjan, Darjeeling or Siliguri.. You can also come here by road from Darjeeling or NJP/Siliguri.
Sukhia Pokhri
Sukhia Pokhri is a census town in the Darjeeling Sadar subdivision of the Darjeeling district in West Bengal. It is located 11 km from Ghum on the way to Mirik. The town is surrounded by beautiful conifer forests of pine, oak, maple, and chestnut. Close to Sukhiapokhri, Jorepokhri is a natural lake where rare Salamandar could be seen. The entire lake is now nicely decorated, a Shiva temple has also been constructed nearby. Tourists accommodations are available now. The place is very peaceful and offers nice views of the mountains around.
Lepchajagat
Lepchajagat (6,956ft) is a small village near Darjeeling, the place has been made famous for its great view of Darjeeling town along with the Mt.Kanchenjunga massif. It is a tranquil village ideal for the nature lovers who want a peaceful sojourn in the hills.
The major attraction of Lepchajagat is its close proximity to Darjeeling town yet being able to stay in a picturesque village with great natural views. You may spend the whole day walking around the village. Places to see around Lepchajagat are Darjeeling (15kms), Jorepokhri, Ghoom (7kms), Lamahatta (22km), Tinchuley (28kms) Pashupati Market, Mirik (30kms) & Sandakphu (58kms).
Kalimpong
Kalimpong is a beautiful place of great attractions. This sleepy little town is situated at an altitude of 1,200 mtrs, some 50 kms to the east of Darjeeling. It once used to be the hub of the trans-Himalayan trade between India and Tibet when merchants used to ferry commerce by mule caravan over the Jelepla pass on the Sikkim-Tibet border.
The places to visit are Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center for handicraft goods; Tharpa Choling Monastery, a repository of old scriptures, and documents; Thongsa (Bhutan) Monastery, the oldest in the area; Dharmodaya Vihar, a Nepalese Bhuddhist Temple; Parnami Mandir and Mangal Dham; Durpin Danda from where the mountain ranges of Sikkim, including Jelepla, Tiger Hill and the confluence of the Relli, Riang and Tista rivers can be views Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Monastery at Durpin Danda; deolo View Point for magnificent views: and Kalimpong famous flower nurseries.
