Sikkim and Kanchenjunga via the Singalila Ridge

You will be met by a World Expeditions representative on arrival and transferred to the Lalit hotel. On arrival you will have an initial briefing focusing on the transfers and flight the following day. Your main briefing will be conducted on arrival at Darjeeling. Overnight: Lalit Hotel or similar

Meals:  Nil

We transfer you to the airport for your morning flight to Bagdogra. On arrival you will be met by your local expert guide and then transferred to Darjeeling. Although the drive is around 70km the time will vary considerably depending on traffic conditions when ascending the main highway. On arrival in Darjeeling we savour the cool mountain air and our first glimpse of the snow capped Himalaya. This evening your local leader will brief you while arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Overnight: Elgin hotel or similar

Meals:  B,D

Darjeeling is set on the top of a wooded ridge with commanding views both to the plains and high mountains including Kangchenjunga. Today we will include a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park that has a rare collection of animals, including Siberian Tigers, Red Pandas and the elusive Snow Leopards. No trip to Darjeeling is complete without a trip to one of the famous tea plantations established in the 19th century. Later we have time to explore the local markets and appreciate the rich spectrum of peoples including Sherpas, Tibetans and Bengalis who have made Darjeeling their home. A visit to the Tea Planters club is also recommended for it was here that the British interwar expeditions stayed before assembling their Sherpa crews that would accompany them on the long march through Sikkim and across Tibet to the base of Everest. Overnight: Elgin hotel or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Leaving Darjeeling we start the long drive to the border of southern Sikkim before ascending through the foothills to Uttarey. Our journey is broken by fabulous views and a visit to the Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim, and the ruins of the palace at Rabdentse, which was the second capital of the former Kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814. Overnight: Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

A gentle start to the trek leads us through rainforest before a final steep ascent for a couple of hours to Chiwa Bhanjyang on the border of Sikkim and Nepal. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

An acclimatization day includes a 5-6 hr trek to Singalila La peak (3,500m) before returning back to our camp. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trail ascends through magnificent rhododendron and silver birch forest to reach the Majar Pass (4350m) and the nearby Dev Rali pass (4250m) that afford distant views of Everest and Makalu. We complete this exhalating stage to our camp at Garay. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Like the previous day there are some steep climbs and descents as we traverse the high alpine meadows where yak herder encampments offer a further dimension to the stage . A stunning panorama taking in Kangchenjunga, Pandim and Kabru offers a fitting highlight as we continue to our camp at Dhoor. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Early risers can climb to the viewpoint to watch the sunrise on Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Today’s walk is up and down and over two passes while overall maintaining a steady height, camping at Paharay Megu. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We walk on a good trail through woods until we begin a steady climb up a broad valley where we obtain wonderful views of the Mount Kabru range dominated by Mount Pandim (6,691 m). A further two hours of ascent will get us to our camp where weather permitting, Everest and a host of other Khumbu giants can be seen dominating the distant skyline. After a shorter day, we have an afternoon for rest and acclimatization. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Now we are in the high mountain country above the treeline. For the past two days we have been walking on the Nepalese side of the border between Nepal and Sikkim and today we pass the sacred lake of Lam Pokhara, which marks our entry back into Sikkim. Today we climb to our first pass, the Danphe Bhir La at 4,530m, “the pass of the pheasant”. Views of Sikkim, as well as Tibet and Bhutan, stretch before us. We climb over a second pass, Kag Bhir La, with views of Kanchenjunga, and then descend steeply through open land and pine and juniper forests to Gomathang. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we contour the mountainside and cross a small river before climbing up and over a pass at 4,309m to Pangding. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Dzongri is a vast, windswept area where yaks from Yuksom graze throughout the summer months. From Pangding, we cross the river before climbing over a pass to Dzongri. We get excellent views of Rathong (6,679m) and other impressive peaks as well as Kanchenjunga. Dzongri is on the main trail from Yuksom to Goecha La and it is here for the first time that we can expect to see other trekkers on this more popular route. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

From Dzongri we head off early across a series of meadows before the trail descends steeply through forests to the Prek river. It is then a short and sharp ascent along a boulder strewn river bed before a final hour along the valley to our lunch spot at Thansing (3930m). We divert along a forest trail that leads directly to Pethang meadow. From Pethang we descend to our camp at Tsokha (3050m) and a birds eye view all the way down to Yuksom. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

On our last day of trekking we descend through forest of pine, rhododendron and magnolia abundant with birdlife and rich with orchids, impressive waterfalls that lead to Yuksom, the former capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim. On arrival we say good bye to our trekking staff before heading for a well-earned hot shower. Overnight: Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we drive south to the border of Sikkim at the Rangeet river to West Bengal before continuing to the bustling town of Kalimpong, a former trading post between India and Tibet Overnight: Silver Oak or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Located close to the Tibetan border the bustling town offered sanctuary for many Tibetan people who fled to India in 1959. Many of the Tibetan people have made Kalimpong their home with their vibrant culture reflected in the Zang Dhok monastery (and in particular in the monastic museum).The Tibetan culture is also evident in the markets with no end of outlets selling momo’s and other Tibetan cuisine. We also include a visit to the Lepcha Musuem run by an enthusiastic member of the community keen to promote the traditional lifestyle of Sikkim’s indigenous people. There is also free time to wander the markets and complete last minute shopping before returning home. Overnight: Silver Oak or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we take our last look back at the Himalaya. The drive to Bagdogra Airport on the Indian Plains is about 5 hours. Trip concludes in Bagdogra, from where the group can fly to Delhi or Kolkata and home.

Meals:  B