16 day Trek to Singalila starting from 15th May 2008

Hi,
We at Ulysses 360 Degrees are organising a expedition to Singalila National Park in West Bengal. The expedition will start on 15th May 2008 and will span for 16 days.It will be conducted from Mumbai and will terminate in Mumbai. It is a good trek for beginners as it is not very treacherous. The entire expedition will be covered @ 17500/- Rs. per person. People interested in the trek can contact me for further details.

Some of the highlights of the trek are as follows:

• This route is the only place in the world that offers a view of the world’s five highest mountains – Everest, Kangchendzonga, Lhotse and Makalu, amongst many others. The peaks are at a handshaking distance from Phalut.
• You can gaze in awe at the ethereal beauty of Kangchendzonga dominating the entire horizon from Sandakphu.
• Mount Siniolchu in the Kangchendzonga range has been officially declared by UNESCO as the most beautiful peak in the world – due to its near symmetrical shape. Mount Fuji of Japan comes a close second in this category.
• It is one of the highest Alpine national parks of the country.
• During late spring in April, the Rhododendrons and Magnolias flowers are in bloom, and the hillsides are covered with red, pink, yellow and white blooms.
• Being primarily a ‘ridge walk’, there are views on all sides especially towards Nepal. An interesting sight is watching the cars at night, lit up like pinpricks on the distant Darjeeling hillside, their lights moving slowly against the black background many miles away to the south.
• Walking through the Darjeeling mountain trails, is an unparalleled experience – for the sense of history that it evokes, considering organized trekking in India first began somewhere in these hills more than 80 Years ago, and the varied terrain that is covered.
• Beginning in Buddhist Sherpa inhabited Manebhanjang where one catches a view of the near vertical trekking route, to the dense rhododendron forests, wildflower covered hillsides, sleepy hamlets lost in time, thick bamboo glades, vast farmlands and a breathtaking mountain view of Khangchendzonga – you get it all.
• The most beautiful stretch is the one from Sandkphu (3,600m) to Phalut, that trails through burned silver fir forests.
• In an international magazine Sandakphu trek featured in the Top 10 adventure holidays of the world. It was at No. 7
• The expedition will include accomodation in Trekker's hut and tent's to give you a real outdoor experience.

DARJEELING – THE QUEEN STILL RULES

We have also included Darjeeling in our itinerary, some of the highlights of this place are as follows:

• LEBONG RACE CORSE (in Darjeeling) is the highest in the world.

• The station at GHOOM ( also spelt GHUM) is the second highest station in the world and is the highest one to be reached by team engine. The famous ‘Toy Train’ of Darjeeling makes a stop at the station.

• While traveling from Mumbai to Kolkatta – the train will pass through Kharagpur junction in West Bengal. This station at 1072 Mt's.is the longest station in the world.

• The Snow Leapord Breeding Center in Pdmaja Naidu Zoological park, Darjeeling) is the only place in the world where breeding of Snow Leopards in captivity has been successful. This zoological park also houses the only Siberian Tiger in the country.

• The tea produced in Darjeeling district is indisputably best in the world. Tea estates of the region have over the years competed with each other for producing the finest and resultant, the costliest tea in the world. “CASTLETON” currently holds the record for getting the highest price in the world. We will be passing this estate while we are on our way to Ghoom.
• Another attraction of this place are the HARDY’S. These are vintage Land Rover Taxis. They have been in the hills since 1950’s, but thanks to their Aluminum construction they have shown. No signs of deterioration. This is the only mode of transport which is capable of taking ON this sort of terrain.

The alluring beauty of these hills have attracted some of the great souls of mankind. Viz. Mark Twain, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das (Who died in the bungalow named “ STEP – ASIDE”), in Darjeeling.

Itenarary for Singalila Trek
Day 1 ----Boarding train from Mumbai
Day 2 ----Train journey
Day 3 ---- reaching New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and then Siliguri. Jeep journey from Siliguri to Manehbhanjan via Ghoom.
Day 4 ----Rest day at Manehbhanjan for acclimatisation.
Day 5 ---- Manebhanjan to Toonglu/ Jaubari. We will stay in Trekkers hut or camp in tents depending on availability.
Day 6 ---- Jaubari to Sandakphu. Stay at Sandakphu overnight in trekker’s hut or in tents.
Day 7 ---- Stay at Sandakphu and view the beautiful Sunrise there. At Sandakphu a decision to go to Darjeeling or Phalut will be made depending on prevailing weather conditions. If conditions are favourable we proceed to Phalut.
Day 8 ---- Sandakphu to Sabarkhum/ Molley. Accomodation in trekker’s hut or Tents.
Day 9 ---- Sabarkhum to Phaluk.
Day 10 ---- Rest day at Phaluk
Day 11 ---- Phaluk to Gorkhey.
Day 12 ---- Gorkhey to Ramam.
Day 13 ---- Ramam to Rimbik.
Day 14 ---- Rimbik to NJP.
Day 15 ---- Train journey back to Mumbai.
Day 16 ---- Mumbai.

Note: Trek will be organized if we have a stipulated number of people

Contact info:

Gautam: 9819788356

Email: gautamdseth@gmail.com