Self-Launched Trek: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge

Arrive in Delhi and check into a budget hostel or guesthouse in the Paharganj or Karol Bagh area. Spend the evening with a group dinner — head to a local thali restaurant on Main Bazaar Road. If you have energy, take an auto-rickshaw to India Gate for a evening stroll. Tomorrow is an early start for your flight north.

🚌Arrive independently at Indira Gandhi International Airport; metro or prepaid taxi to Paharganj (~£5)

🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse in Paharganj, Delhi (~£8-12/night)

• →Check into budget hostel in Paharganj (e.g. Smyle Inn or Metropolis Tourist Home)
• →Evening explore of Paharganj market and street food stalls
• →Optional: auto-rickshaw to India Gate (~£1.50)

Take a budget domestic flight from Delhi to Bagdogra (book via IndiGo, SpiceJet or Air India in advance for best fares). From Bagdogra airport, take a shared jeep to Gangtok — these run regularly from the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) taxi stand, ~4 hours, very scenic along the Teesta River with views of Kanchenjunga. Obtain your Sikkim Restricted Area Permit (RAP) at the permit counter at Bagdogra or on arrival in Gangtok (free, needs passport photo). Check into a budget guesthouse in central Gangtok.

🚌IndiGo/SpiceJet Delhi–Bagdogra (~£35-55); shared jeep NJP–Gangtok (~£6)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Gangtok, e.g. Hotel Tashi Delek area or Modern Central Lodge (~£10-15/night)

• →Domestic flight Delhi to Bagdogra (book in advance, ~£35-55 one way)
• →Obtain Sikkim Restricted Area Permit at Bagdogra or Gangtok (free)
• →Shared jeep Bagdogra/NJP to Gangtok (~£5-7, ~4 hours)
• →Evening stroll on MG Marg pedestrian zone in Gangtok

Hire a local taxi or shared jeep from Gangtok to Rumtek Monastery (~45 mins, ~£3-5 in a shared vehicle). Spend the morning exploring Rumtek, one of the most significant Kagyu monasteries outside Tibet — the chanting halls, stupa and monastery grounds are free to visit (small camera fee). After lunch in the monastery village, continue by taxi to Martam village (~30 mins). In the afternoon, explore Gangtok's Mall Road, the government handicraft centre showcasing traditional carpet weaving, or walk up to Enchey Monastery (about 1 hour walk from central Gangtok — easy and very rewarding).

🚌Shared jeep or local taxi Gangtok–Rumtek–Martam (~£5-8)

🛏Simple guesthouse or homestay in Martam (~£8-12/night, often including meals)

• →Visit Rumtek Monastery (free entry, small camera fee ~£0.50)
• →Drive to Martam village by local taxi (~£3-5 shared)
• →Walk to Enchey Monastery from Gangtok if time allows (~1 hour walk)
• →Visit government handicraft centre in Gangtok (free)

A slower day based in and around Martam village. In the morning, hike the local trails around the village, visiting the Nyingma Institute — a key centre of Nyingmapa Buddhist scholarship. Pop into the small village monastery and the Krishna Mandir temple (both free to enter). Enjoy lunch prepared by your homestay host — a great opportunity to try traditional Sikkimese cuisine like gundruk soup, sel roti and momos. The afternoon can be spent at leisure, wandering the terraced farmlands with Kanchenjunga views.

🚌On foot / local walking

🛏Guesthouse or homestay in Martam (~£8-12/night including meals)

• →Hike around Martam village and surrounding farmland
• →Visit Nyingma Institute (free)
• →Visit small village monastery in Martam (free)
• →Visit Krishna Mandir temple (free)
• →Try traditional Sikkimese food at local homestay or dhaba

Take a shared jeep from Martam back through Siliguri or direct to Darjeeling (~4-5 hours, ~£5-8). The road winds through stunning scenery, tea plantations and small hill towns. On arrival in Darjeeling, check in to your guesthouse and head to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoological Park — a fascinating museum covering Himalayan climbing history including early Everest expeditions, with a strong Tenzing Norgay connection (entry ~£2). In the evening, explore Darjeeling's Victorian charm on the Mall and enjoy a darjeeling tea at a local tea house.

🚌Shared jeep Martam/Siliguri–Darjeeling (~£6-8)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Darjeeling, e.g. Dekeling Hotel or Andy's Guesthouse (~£12-18/night)

• →Shared jeep Martam to Darjeeling (~4-5 hours, ~£6-8)
• →Visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute & Zoological Park (entry ~£2)
• →Stroll the Mall and Chowrasta square
• →Sample first-flush or second-flush Darjeeling tea at a local tea house

An early morning ride on the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train to Ghoom — book at Darjeeling station for the short heritage ride (£4-6). The train passes through the spectacular Batasia Loop with Kanchenjunga views. From Ghoom, begin your Singalila Ridge trek, hiking to Manedara camp (~10-12 km, 4-5 hours). Purchase your Singalila National Park trekking permit in Darjeeling before departure (~£3-5). Hire a local registered guide from Darjeeling (strongly recommended, ~£15-20/day) and porter if needed (~£10-12/day). Camp or stay in a basic trekkers' hut at Manedara.

🚌Toy train Darjeeling–Ghoom (~£4-6); on foot thereafter

🛏Basic trekkers' hut or tent at Manedara (~£4-6/night)

• →Toy train ride Darjeeling to Ghoom on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (~£4-6)
• →Purchase Singalila National Park trek permit in Darjeeling (~£3-5)
• →Trek from Ghoom/Manebhanjang to Manedara camp (~10-12 km, ~5 hours)
• →Hire local guide in Darjeeling (~£15-20/day) and porter if needed (~£10-12/day)

A long but rewarding day trekking from Manedara to Gurdum village, passing through Shepi village and following the Gurdum Khola River valley (~15 km, 5-6 hours). The trail passes through dense rhododendron and oak forests. Pack a picnic lunch from your camp cook or from supplies bought in Darjeeling — bread, cheese, hard-boiled eggs and fruit work well. The village of Gurdum sits at the Nepal border and is a cluster of simple farmhouses; stay in a local trekkers' lodge.

🚌On foot

🛏Simple trekkers' lodge or homestay in Gurdum (~£4-6/night)

• →Trek Manedara to Gurdum via Shepi village (~15 km, ~5-6 hours)
• →Pass through Gurdum Khola River valley
• →Picnic lunch on the trail
• →Explore Gurdum border village

The highlight day of the trek — climb from Gurdum to Sandakhphu (3,636m), the highest point of West Bengal, for breathtaking panoramic views of four of the world's five highest peaks: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu — all visible simultaneously on a clear day. Have a hot picnic lunch at Sandakhphu before descending to Chandu camp. Start early (5:30am) for the best chance of clear mountain views before clouds roll in. Dress in warm layers; it can be below freezing at this altitude.

🚌On foot

🛏Basic trekkers' hut or tent at Chandu (~£4-6/night)

• →Trek Gurdum to Sandakhphu summit (3,636m) with views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse & Makalu
• →Picnic lunch at Sandakhphu
• →Descend to Chandu camp along the Singalila Ridge
• →Sunrise/early morning views from the ridge

Continue south along the Singalila Ridge from Chandu to Sabargam (~12-14 km, 5-6 hours), with sustained views of Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu to the north and west throughout the day. The trail follows the India-Nepal border ridge through beautiful high-altitude meadows and rhododendron forests. Picnic lunch on the ridge. Sabargam is a small settlement with basic trekkers' accommodation.

🚌On foot

🛏Trekkers' hut at Sabargam (~£4-6/night)

• →Full-day ridge walk Chandu to Sabargam (~12-14 km, ~5-6 hours)
• →Continuous Himalayan panorama including Kanchenjunga and Everest
• →Picnic lunch on the Singalila Ridge
• →Birdwatching for blood pheasant and red panda habitat

Trek from Sabargam to Phalut (3,600m) — the second highest point on the trek and another spectacular viewpoint over Nepal and Sikkim — then descend steeply to Samaden (~14 km, 5-6 hours). The descent from Phalut offers some of the most dramatic scenery of the whole trek. Picnic lunch en route. Samaden is a small village with basic lodges.

🚌On foot

🛏Basic trekkers' lodge at Samaden (~£4-6/night)

• →Trek to Phalut summit (3,600m) for Himalayan panorama views into Nepal
• →Steep descent from Phalut to Samaden (~14 km total, ~5-6 hours)
• →Picnic lunch on the trail
• →Arrive Samaden village and rest

The final full day of trekking, winding down through small settlements, dense forest and the beautiful Sri Khola river valley to Rimbik (~14-16 km, 5-6 hours). Enjoy a picnic lunch at Sri Khola riverside. Rimbik is the last town on the Singalila trek circuit and has a decent selection of guesthouses — treat yourself to a hot shower and a celebratory meal of dal, rice and vegetable curry.

🚌On foot

🛏Guesthouse in Rimbik (~£5-8/night)

• →Trek through small settlements of Ramman and Sri Khola to Rimbik (~14-16 km)
• →Picnic lunch at Sri Khola riverside
• →Celebrate completing the Singalila Ridge trek with a local meal
• →Hot shower and rest in Rimbik

Take a shared jeep from Rimbik back to Darjeeling (~3-4 hours, ~£4-6). En route, stop at a tea estate for a tour and tasting — many estates near Darjeeling welcome walk-in visitors; ask your driver to stop at Happy Valley or Glenburn Tea Estate. Back in Darjeeling, check in to your guesthouse, wash your kit and wander the Mall and Chowrasta in the evening. Treat yourself to a slap-up dinner — try Glenary's Bakery and Restaurant for a celebratory meal with Darjeeling tea.

🚌Shared jeep Rimbik–Darjeeling (~£5-6)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Darjeeling (~£12-18/night)

• →Shared jeep Rimbik to Darjeeling (~3-4 hours, ~£4-6)
• →Visit a tea estate en route (Happy Valley Tea Estate, free or ~£2 guided tour)
• →Evening stroll on the Mall and Chowrasta
• →Celebratory dinner at Glenary's or a local restaurant

Spend the morning exploring Darjeeling further — ride the toy train to Ghoom if you missed it earlier (book at Darjeeling station), visit Ghoom Monastery (Yiga Choeling), or browse the Tibetan craft stalls on Nehru Road. In the afternoon, take a shared jeep or taxi down to Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri (~3 hours, ~£5-7) and board the overnight train to Kolkata (Howrah or Sealdah station). Book sleeper class (3AC recommended, ~£8-15) on the Darjeeling Mail or Padatik Express via IRCTC.in — book well in advance. Arrive in Kolkata in the morning.

🚌Shared jeep Darjeeling–NJP (~£6); overnight train NJP–Kolkata (~£10-15)

🛏Overnight train (3AC sleeper berth included in transport cost)

• →Morning explore of Darjeeling: Ghoom Monastery and toy train if not done on Day 6
• →Browse Tibetan craft stalls on Nehru Road
• →Shared jeep Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri (~3 hours, ~£5-7)
• →Overnight train NJP/Siliguri to Kolkata — 3AC sleeper (~£8-15, book via IRCTC.in)

Arrive into Howrah or Sealdah station in the morning. Check into a budget guesthouse in the Sudder Street area — the classic backpacker hub near Esplanade. Spend the day exploring Kolkata independently: take the metro or a yellow Ambassador taxi to the Victoria Memorial, wander through the buzzing stalls of New Market, cross the Howrah Bridge on foot at dusk, and explore the flower market beneath it. In the evening, head to Park Street for dinner — Kolkata's restaurant row. A cheap guided city walk can be booked locally at your hostel or through GetYourGuide (~£10-15).

🚌Kolkata metro or yellow taxi (~£2-5 for city transport)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel on Sudder Street, Kolkata (~£8-15/night), e.g. Paragon Hotel or Astoria Hotel

• →Arrive Kolkata; check into Sudder Street area guesthouse
• →Visit Victoria Memorial (entry ~£2)
• →Walk across Howrah Bridge and explore Mullik Ghat Flower Market
• →Explore New Market and the Esplanade area
• →Optional: book a local walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£10-15)

Final morning in Kolkata. Head to the Indian Museum (Asia's oldest museum, entry ~£1) or the Marble Palace for a dose of colonial-era grandeur. Try a classic Kolkata breakfast of luchi and aloo tarkari at a local sweet shop like Balaram Mullick. For those extending their trip, the Golden Triangle (Delhi–Jaipur–Agra) is easily reached by flight from Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport — book budget domestic flights via IndiGo. Depart from Kolkata airport for your onward or return journey.

🚌Taxi or metro to Kolkata airport (~£5-8)

🛏Check-out; budget guesthouse if late departure (~£8-15)

• →Visit Indian Museum, Kolkata (entry ~£1)
• →Breakfast of luchi and aloo tarkari at a local sweet shop
• →Browse College Street Book Market
• →Depart from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport