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About Singalila National
Park
Singhalila National Park located at a very high altitude of more than
7000ft from sea level (between 2 400
m to 3650m ) is the highest National Park in West Bengal. It is
situated in the extreme north western boundary of Darjeeling District
and extends on an area of 78.60sq.km.
The vegetation of these virgin forests mainly alpine, changes with the
range in altitude. The main tree species found are the Rhododendron,
Magnolia, Oak, Hemlock, Silver Fir, Juniper, Mailing Bamboo, Buk,
Kawla, Bhujpatra etc. Other flora include primulas, aconitums,
gentians, arisaemas and orchids adorning the forest clearings. The
fauna found in the park are leopard, serow, pangolin, elephant,
chinkara takin, red panda, barking deer etc. The park has a variety of
birds such as pigeons, doves, sibia, minivet, magpie, cuckoo,
hornbills, Kaleej pheasants and a large number of migratory birds.
Treks: The park is famous for its treks with spectacular views of
Himalayan peaks through a mist of pristine forests and mountain
flowers. Maneybhanjang ( 2134m) at a distance of one and a half hours
by road from Darjeeling is the starting point to one of the popular
trekking routes in the eastern Himalayas, via Tumling (2900m) or
Tonglu (3050m) - Gairibans(1900m) - Sandakphu ( 3636m)(35Km) - Phalut
(3605m) - Rimbik (2286m) and back to Manebhanjyang. The park area is
enclosed within this trek route beyond Tonglu or Tumling. The trekkers
can halt at Meghma/ Tonglu, Gai ribans,
Sandakphu and Phalut for the nights.
Maneybhanjyang to Mekhma (2600m) takes 4 hours, then to Tonglu or
Tumling and from there to Gairibans through dense forests and wild
flowers. This trek is a paradise for wild flower lovers particularly
in March-April when rhododentrons bloom in white, scarlet, pink and
yellow and large white and pink flowers of the magnolias, orchids
along with beautiful birds adorn the way. But be wary of the leeches
which infest the wet ravines. From Gairibans it is a steep four hour
climb to Sandakphu. Halfway is the settlement of Kala- Pokhri at
2750m. The arduous trek through treacherous routes is worth the
breathtaking view of the majestic Kanchenjunga the third highest peak
in the world, from Sandakphu. Sandakphu is known as the mountain of
poisonous plants cause of the cobra lillies seen here. The one day
trek from Sandakphu- Phalut about 23km is the best of all the treks.
Phalut lies on the borders of West Bengal, Sikkim and the eastern
border of Nepal. The best for this trek along the Singalila ridge
which passes through desolate hills covered with patches of forest is
October and November. At Phalut, one can have real close look at the
Kanchedzonga and experience the spectacle of circular rainbows. From
Phalut the way down to Sirikhola on the banks of river Sirikhola, one
can see meadows clustered with blue iris, orchids and a further 6km
leads to Rimbik, a small village which connects Maneybhanjang and
Darjeeling (51km)by road. From Sa ndakphu
one can skip the trek to Phalut and come straight down to Sirikhola
through a steep descend via Gurdum (2300m). There is also a motorable
road up to Sandakphu.
Accommodation :
There are two roomed rest
houses available at Rambi, Tonglu, Gairibus, Sandakphu and Phalut
available for stay. . Maneybhanjang has plenty of hotels and houses
available for stay.
How to get there:
Air: Nearest Airport is
Bagdogra ( 80km) from Darjeeling. There are regular flights to
Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati.
Rail : Nearest railhead is Darjeeling( 20km). New Jalpaiguri,
Siliguri railway Junctions connect Darjeeling with Kolkata (665 km)
and New Delhi. From Siliguri/ Jalpaiguri one can also take the
heritage toy train which takes about 7hours and get down at Ghum.
Jeeps are available from Ghum to Maneybhanjang.
Road: There are buses and taxis available from Siliguri and New
Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling or Maneybhanjang. Siliguri is 15km from
Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri 4km respectively. |
