Singalila Trek
About
Singalila is the trek that puts you face-to-face with four of the world's five highest peaks - Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu, all from one ridge in West Bengal. The trail runs along the Singalila Ridge, the India-Nepal border, through Singalila National Park, climbing to Sandakphu at 3,636 m, the highest point in the state, before continuing to Phalut at 3,600 m.
What makes it special:
- Four 8,000ers in one frame, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu visible together, a sight no other Indian trek offers
- A walk along the actual India-Nepal border, through rhododendron and magnolia forests rich with red pandas and over 600 orchid species
- The legendary "Sleeping Buddha" skyline, best seen at sunrise from Sandakphu or Phalut
Across 6-7 days and roughly 50-70 km, most trekkers move from Manebhanjang through Tumling and Kalipokhri to Sandakphu, on to Phalut, then down through Gorkhey and Rimbik. Singalila is where the Himalayas show off the most peaks per step.
Getting There
Singalila begins at Manebhanjang, a small town in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal. The nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), and the nearest airport is Bagdogra, both around 90 km away, roughly a 3-4 hour drive. From either, it's a straightforward road journey via Darjeeling or Mirik up to Manebhanjang, the trek's starting point.
The best trekking windows are March-May (rhododendrons in bloom, clear peak views) and late September-December (crisp post-monsoon visibility, occasional early snow). The monsoon months (June-September) bring heavy rain, leeches, and clouded views, so they're best avoided. A guide is compulsory inside Singalila National Park, and entry permits are arranged at the forest check post in Manebhanjang or Dhotrey. Budget extra for park fees, a guide, and porter charges on top of any package price.