Tonglu Small Trek

Both Darjeeling and Sikkim have a spectacular green nature, a fully mountainous terrain with deep valleys and flowing rivers, with altitudes above 2000 metres and the Kanchendzonga (Kanchenchunga) always on the horizon. This orography and its altitude provide a fresh and pleasant climate most of the year.

The area of the Singalila National Park is dominated by the mountain range of the same name which runs along the border with Nepal. Its highlight is the Sandakphu which, at 3636m, is the highest peak in West Bengal. The main trek through the Park lasts about 6 days and runs along the ridge. But for those of you who don’t have that many days, or simply, you love nature, but don’t want to walk that many days, this itinerary gives you the option of trying out what a trek through this area represents. You will enjoy the path through rhododendron forests, to reach the subalpine landscape at the top of Tonglu.

The first day we will go by road for about 2.30 hours from Darjeeling to the small village of Dhodrey (2450m), from where we will start our hike. The path is very clear and passes mainly through dense rhododendron forests gaining altitude gradually. Tonglu, also known as Tumling, has very good views of the valleys of both Bengal and Nepal and such spectacular peaks as the Kanchendzonga which, at 8586m, is the third highest mountain in the world. Here are some lodges and is where we will stay during the night.

A good option for the next day is to get up early to enjoy the summits and the changing colours of the landscape while the first lights of the sun are shining on them.

Once we have had breakfast, we will continue our route, losing altitude first to Meghma, where there is a Buddhist monastery built in the 50’s, then passing through Chitray, where there is also a Buddhist monastery, to finally arrive at Maneybhanjang, where our vehicle will come to pick us up to take us back to Darjeeling.