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Kanchenjunga, the world's 3rd highest mountain, as viewed from the Sikkim side - Sikkim and Kanchenjunga via the Singalila Ridge, India
Kanchenjunga, the world's 3rd highest mountain, as viewed from the Sikkim side
Hiking through Sikkim's rhododendron forests towards Dzongri - Sikkim and Kanchenjunga via the Singalila Ridge, India
Hiking through Sikkim's rhododendron forests towards Dzongri
Views from Dzongri towards the Kanchenjunga range - Sikkim and Kanchenjunga via the Singalila Ridge, India
Views from Dzongri towards the Kanchenjunga range
Remote trekking in Sikkim - Sikkim and Kanchenjunga via the Singalila Ridge, India
Remote trekking in Sikkim

Sikkim and Kanchenjunga via the Singalila Ridge

Trek through Sikkim, a route few travellers reach, staying in villages and camps along the way.

India
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 8 reviews

18 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: SKK
View dates to Book
Essential Information
Duration
  • 18 Days
Activities
  • 11 day trek
Style
  • Classic Adventures  
Accommodation
  • 5 nights hotel
  • 11 nights camping
  • 1 night lodge
Meals
  • 16 Dinners
  • 15 Lunches
  • 17 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint  

50kg of CO2-e PP per day

(854kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Trek through the mountain borderlands of Sikkim
  • Views of Kanchenjunga - the world's third highest peak
  • Ascend the Singalila Ridge for views of Everest and Makalu
  • Savour a truly remote trek through isolated yak grazing settlements
  • Spend time in the historic towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong

Overview

Trek through the remote mountain borderlands of Sikkim, a Himalayan region in northeastern India where high-altitude ridges, dense forests, and traditional yak-grazing settlements shape the journey. This trek follows the Singalila Ridge, a natural divide between Nepal and Sikkim, offering wide views of Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak at 8,586 metres (28,169 feet), with glimpses of Everest and Makalu in the distance.

The journey begins in Darjeeling, known for its tea plantations and colonial-era buildings, before travelling through the foothills to Uttarey, the gateway to the trek. Each ascent along the Singalila Ridge reveals wider panoramas, while remote camps allow a close connection with the Himalayan landscape. Waking at Dzongri to views of Kanchenjunga, you then descend through rhododendron forests towards Yuksom, before concluding the journey with time in Kalimpong and Bagdogra.

Designed for seasoned adventurers seeking a remote Himalayan experience away from well-trodden paths, this trek is backed by expert local teams, established logistics, and a thoughtfully paced itinerary ensuring proper acclimatisation. It's an opportunity to spend time in one of the more lesser-visited corners of the Himalaya.

Itinerary

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You will be met on arrival by one of our World Expeditions representatives and transferred to the group hotel. After check-in, you’ll receive an initial briefing covering your domestic transfer arrangements and the flight schedule for the following day. Your World Expeditions kit bag will be issued in Delhi, while all remaining equipment will be provided during the main trip briefing in Darjeeling. Any personal luggage not required for the journey will be securely stored at the hotel in Delhi for the duration of the trip and collected upon your return. Overnight: The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa 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 / 43.5mi 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 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 / 11,483ft) 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 (4,350m / 14,272ft) and the nearby Dev Rali pass (4,250m / 13,944ft) 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 (6,691m / 21,952ft). 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 / 14,862ft, “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 / 14,138ft 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 / 21,913ft) 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 (3,930m / 12,890ft). We divert along a forest trail that leads directly to Pethang meadow. From Pethang we descend to our camp at Tsokha (3,050m / 10,007ft) 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

Ready to start your adventure?

2 scheduled departures between 17 Oct 2026 and 16 Oct 2027.

  • Departs 17 Oct 2026 – ends 3 Nov 2026 (18 days)
  • Departs 16 Oct 2027 – ends 2 Nov 2027 (18 days)
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • Good quality accommodation Delhi/Darjeeling/Yuksom/Kalimpong
  • 17 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 16 dinners
  • Airport transfers Day 1
  • Private transportation
  • Expert bilingual guide and group medical kit
  • Use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag, down or fibre fill jacket and insulated mat (valued at over US$500)
  • Souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
  • All group camping equipment
  • All park fees and entry permits
  • Mules to carry personal equipment
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees as listed

Not included

  • International flights & Internal flights from Delhi/Badgodra/Delhi
  • Travel Insurance
  • Bottled water, aerated & alcoholic drinks
  • Visa
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc
  • Tips

Reviews (8)

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I fully enjoyed this trip. Trekking in the Sikkim Himalayas is an unique experience with magnificent views and few trekkers. We were rewarded with beautiful sunrise over the four tallest peaks in the Himalayan range one morning and that memory will stay with me forever. I would like to thank our guide Nawang Tsering, his assistant Tara Chattirey, our cook Raj Kumar and his assistant Tilak as well as all other supporting team members for their great effort.

Xiaoyun|NSW, Australia
29 Nov 2025
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This was an outstanding trip with a great team, a very special Leader in Nawang and a wonderful crew. Along a ridgeline rarely travelled with stunning views

John|VIC, Australia
24 Nov 2025
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Highly professional planning and organisation with top-class team in-country. EVery detail taken care of and every eventuality anticipated and planned for. Thank you.

Timothy|New Zealand
19 Nov 2025
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An incredible trip..scenery and wonder. Nawang is a great guide - thoughtful and wise. He and his team looked after us so well.

Amelia|TAS, Australia
11 Nov 2025
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Karen|Kildare, Ireland
19 Nov 2025
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David|NSW, Australia
13 Nov 2025
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Graham|VIC, Australia
12 Nov 2025
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Thomas|NSW, Australia
11 Nov 2025

Extra trip info

AccommodationWhy Book With Us
Lalit Hotel | Brad Atwal

Delhi Accommodation

In Delhi, accommodation is conveniently located near major attractions, including Connaught Place, offers modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and on-site dining, ensuring a pleasant stay. It provides an ideal base for exploring the city's vibrant culture and a relaxing retreat to unwind after a day of discovery.

Bw rewarded with incredible and vast mountain vistas on the Zalung La pass | Brad Atwal

Single Supplements

World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. Please refer to our website for the additional cost. Single rooms are allocated when available, during peak periods single rooms cannot always be guaranteed.

  • Himalayan trekking pioneers leading treks in the region since 1975, offering exclusive and less-travelled routes
  • Expert local guides with deep regional knowledge for an authentic cultural and trekking experience
  • Seamless logistics with all transfers, meals, and accommodations arranged so you can focus on the journey
  • Sustainable and ethical travel supporting local communities and preserving fragile mountain environments

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