Singalila National Park - Popular Trekking Trails in Darjeeling

 

Singalila National Park is a reserved forest area located at the Singalila ridge in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. This park is a high altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level and spanning between 7900 ft to about 12000 ft covering an area of 78.6 square kms. It is bordered on the north by the state of Sikkim and on the west by the country of Nepal. The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1986 and was made an Indian national park in 1992. The region had long been used as the trekking route to Sandakphu (the highest peak of West Bengal) and Phalut.

 

 

The national park is very popular for its trekking trails. Trekking is at its peak during March and April when rhododendrons and orchids bloom. Maneybhanjang is the starting point of the trekking route. Sandakphu is the highest point in the national park, located at height of 3636 m. It is one of the most favoured trekking destinations in Darjeeling Himalayas. Trek to Phalut is also popular. Both the points offer beautiful views of Kunchenjungha and Mt Everest. There are government run trekkers’ huts in the park that provide basic accommodation. One can also opt to stay at government run lodges in Ghoom, Darjeeling or Siliguri.

 

 

The entire Singalila ridge is covered with thick bamboo, oak, magnolia and rhododendron forest. As you trek or drive through the park, you will pass through forests areas full of wild flowering plants. There are two seasons of wildflower bloom in entire Singalila ridge - one in spring (March to April) when the rhododendrons bloom and another in the post-monsoon season (around October), when the Primula, Geranium, Saxifraga, Bistort, Senecio, Cotoneaster, orchids and several other types of flowering plants bloom.

 

 

The national park is abode to several rare mammals like the exotic red panda and Himalayan black bear. One also gets to see leopard, pangolin, chinkara, elephant, barking deer, etc. The park is also a delight for birdwatchers as more than 120 species of birds are seen, which includes many rare birds like scarlet minivet, kalij pheasant, satyr tragopan, blood pheasant, etc. The park also serves as home to migratory birds.

 

 

The best time of the year to visit the Singalila National Park is between the months of November to May. The winter’s months are bearable with pleasant temperatures and nurturing surroundings. The park is usually closed during the monsoon time (between Mid-June to Mid-September).

 

It is open throughout the day, all days a week. However, it is generally advisable to visit it during the hours from 06:00 AM in the morning till 5:00 PM in the evening.

 

The entry fee varies from INR 100 for Indian nationals and INR 200 for foreign tourists. INR 100 for Still Camera and INR 500 for Video Camera. The entry fee has to be paid at the Manebhajan or the Singalila park check post after Tumling. Without paying this fee, there is no entry allowed into the park.

 

The nearest railway station to the national park is the Ghum Railway Station but only toy trains run from there. The domestic railway stations near to the national park are the Jalpaiguri Railway station and the Siliguri Railway Station. The nearest airport is the Bagodgra Airport which is around 13 kms away from the national park. Singalila National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Singalila National Park.