4N 5D Sandakphu – Phalut – Singalila NP by Landrover

Arrive NJP Rly Stn - Drive to Manebhanjan - Maneybhanjan is the gateway to Singalila National Park and Sandakphu trek / tour - Manebhanjan is a small hamlet and at an altitude of 2150 metre or 7100 ft above the sea level - It is located just on the International border of India and Nepal and the border is demarketed by a small drain covered with a culvert - In local dialect the meaning of Manebhanjan is “A valley of ancient stupas” - The main economy here is based on trekking and tourism - Regular jeep safaris take place from here to the nearby areas including Sandakphu and the Singalila National Park - Overnight stay at Mannebhanjan.

After breakfast drive to Sandakphu - The office of the forest department that issues permits to Singalila National Park is located towards the end of Manebhanjan township and shortly before the uphill road starts - Permits are required by all going towards Sandakphu - The fees are paid directly by the passengers - The drive from Manebhanjan is quite steep at some places and the route is a gravel road all along made of boulders - Only 4-wheel drive vehicles can go up this route, normal cars can't make it - So the journey from Manebhanjan all the way up to Sandakphu and then to Phalut would be slow and quite bumpy - The drive to Sandakphu & Phalut will be by 4-wheel drive vehicles which are old Jeep like Land Rovers left behind by the British during the colonial days - The British tea planters originally brought them to travel through the rugged terrain to different tea estates - There are few of them now in Manebhanjan which are used for taking tourists along the route to Sandakphu and Phalut - From Manebhanjan, the distance to Sandakphu is about 32kms and takes about 4.5 hours by Land Rover with tea breaks in between - The road from Manebhanjan all the way up to Gairibas has been converted to a concrete road (Manebhanjan to Chitre, and Tumling to Gairibas sections were done earlier) - So now it's a smooth ride up to Gairibas (i.e. for about 18kms) - The road beyond Gairibas up to Sandakphu and onward to Phalut is still a boulder road - You will be covering Gairibas, Kaiyakata, Kalapokhri, Bekhebhanjang by Landrover - After arrival check-in, get fresh - Then you can climb to the highest point of West Bengal - In the evening enjoy the magnificent sunset on the Kanchenjungha & many more snow covered peaks - Overnight stay at Sandakphu.

At early morning enjoy the unforgettable sunrise on the Majestic Everest - Kanchenjungha Range from the nearest view point - After breakfast drive from Sandakphu to Phalut 21 km by Landrover - Once you reach Phalut summit, you are in a small flat grassy land which is devoid of any vegetation. There is an Indian Army bunker house near the peak of Phalut. However if you look around, you will be rewarded with awesome view of a long stretch of snow peaks - The range includes some of the highest peaks of the world including the Everest group, Kanchejunga, Chamolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters and lot others. The snow range stretches from Nepal on the west through Sikkim, Bhutan and up to Arunachal Pradesh in the east along a distance of about 320kms - From Phalut you will feel Kanchenjunga is literally at a stones throw distance, although it's about 48kms along a straight line, but appears gigantic and awesome. Actually this is the closest view of Kanchenjunga that you get in the whole of Singalila range - In the afternoon enjoy the magnificent setting Sun on the Kanchenjungha & many more snow covered peaks - Return to Sandakphu by evening - Overnight stay at Sandakphu.

After watching one of the most stunning sunrise on Mt. Kanchenjunga from Sandakphu in the very early morning it is time to descend to Tumling - Tumling is a tiny village or a hamlet in the eastern Himalayas, located at an altitude of 9,600ft and on the way to the popular trekkers' destination Sandakphu - As you approach Tumling, you will notice small cottages and huts from a distance. There are probably only 10 to 12 Nepali families who live here - Right at the center of Tumling, there is a lovely view point which is more like an open field - From the edge of this area you get magnificent views of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks - On the far left is the Sandakphu peak - There is a signboard here pointing towards the Singalila National Park ahead - Entry to the park is about 1km from Tumling - Tumling actually is part of Nepal although there is no restriction to visit the place for Indians or even foreigners with Indian visa - In fact the border between India and Nepal in this part is quite blurred and it's kind of a free way for all - You won't know when you are crossing the border - During winter (December through February) there can be heavy snowing in Tumling and it gets covered with thick snow - While trekking is possible during winter (requires adequate trekking & snow gears), vehicles may not be able to ply beyond Tumling as the roads can get blocked - Checkin hotel by afternoon - Overnight stay at Tumling.

Post breakfast checkout - Drive to NJP Rly Stn - Our tour ends here with a sweet memory and a dream to join in Eastern Heavens of Beautiful Bengal (EHBB) once again.