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A classic Northern India trek, from tea hills to Himalayan vistas
The group flight will arrive into Delhi in the morning and we will transfer to our hotel. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day. You are free today to explore Delhi or rest after your flight; rooms may not be available until noon but it is often earlier than this. Your leader will do a trip briefing today and you will need passport photographs for the various permits and check posts so please ensure you pack 4 photographs. *Comfortable Hotel - Hotel Jaypee Siddharth *(or similar)
Transfer to the domestic airport terminal for the flight to Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra, we join our vehicles and drive to Gangtok. The road soon leaves the plains behind and at Sevoke we cross the Teesta River and start to climb into the Doar Hills. At Rangpo we take a break as we enter Sikkim. Border formalities take time and you will need your passport and one photograph. Climbing further, we finally reach Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim set at an elevation of 1,680m. The drive will take about 5 hours (125km). *Standard Hotel*
Gangtok is set amongst the hills and on a clear day we can see Kanchenjunga from the hotel. We have the morning for exploration. The Mall Road is the centre of Gangtok and the close by indoor vegetable market makes for an interesting wander. You can either explore Gangtok on your own or your leader will take you to see some of the sights. About an hour’s walk from the hotel on a quiet road there is the small Enchey monastery. Overlooking the whole town, Enchey was founded in 1840 by Lama Drubthob Karpo and was rebuilt in 1908 by the 10th Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. From the monastery you can walk back to town via the Flower Show, a small exhibition of orchids and other local flowers. There is a Handicraft Centre close by which is a government enterprise offering community training in traditional handicrafts such as carpet weaving and wood carving. After lunch we have an hour’s drive to Rumtek monastery. Founded in the mid 1700’s by the 12th Karmapa it fell into ruins. When the 16th Karmapa came from Tibet he rebuilt the monastery as the main seat in exile of the Karmapa sect. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and contains a Golden Stupa with the remains of the 16th Karmapa. A half hours’ drive brings us to Martam, a scenic Himalayan village located in a quiet corner of East Sikkim. *Standard Hotel*
We spend today in the pretty village of Martam which was known for producing butter and other dairy products (‘mar’ means butter and ‘tem’ means spread). The population of Martam is about 10,000 made up of the Bhutia and Nepali communities. In the morning we go for a hike around the village. We can visit the interesting Nyingma Institute, which provides education in higher Buddhist studies and philosophy to many monks. The Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism was the first Tibetan Buddhist sect founded in the 8th century. There is also another small monastery and a Krishna Mandir in the village. We return to our hotel for lunch and the afternoon is free. *Standard Hotel* *Distance covered:* 6 km / 4 miles *Activity (hours):* 4-5
Leaving Sikkim we drive on to Darjeeling. The road winds all the way to the Testa River, where we enter the state of West Bengal. It then weaves back up into the hills to Darjeeling. We arrive by lunchtime and this afternoon we explore one of the most famous hill stations of the British Raj. Originally belonging to the Chogyals (Kings) of Sikkim, then annexed by the Gurkhas, the British East India Company gained control of the region in the early 1800's and returned it to Sikkim rule. Stumbling across Dorje Ling Monastery, situated on a quiet forested ridge, two British soldiers thought it would make a great location for a sanatorium and with the permission of the King of Sikkim a hill station was born. Today Darjeeling is a bustling town but the Mall still retains its Victorian era charm. Our stay will include a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute founded by Tenzing Norgay and where many of famous Sherpa climbers trained in mountaineering skills. There are interesting displays and photographs from some of the early Mount Everest climbs. Today’s drive is 80km and will take approximately 4 hours. *Standard Hotel* * *
On a clear day its worth getting up early for the beautiful sunrise views of Kanchenjunga from the roof of our hotel. After breakfast we have a 40 minute ride on the famous Toy Train to Ghoom (Subject to running. See day 13 for another opportunity if not running today) The train chugs its way out of Darjeeling, stopping on the way to take on water and to allow passengers to photograph the famous Batasia Loop. At Ghoom we meet our cars and drive for around 4 hours to Rimbik, the trailhead of our trek at 2,286m. We have a short (45 minute) gentle uphill walk through magnificent rhododendron forests (a blaze of reds in spring) to our camp at Manedara, where we spend our first night under canvas. As we approach the village we have stunning views of Kabru Dome and Kabru South peaks. *Full-service camp* (sleeping altitude 2,450m)
Distance in Km: 1.5
Distance in Miles: 1
Activity Hours: 45 minutes
Today we start our trek with an easy trail passing small houses and fields. It is about 2hrs gradual walk through beautiful forest to Shepi village. We then descend to the Gurdum Khola, which we cross by bridge and after a steep 1 hour climb to Gurdum village we will arrriv at our camp for the evening. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 2,400m)
Distance in Km: 9
Distance in Miles: 5.6
Activity Hours: 4
A fairly tough but rewarding day as we finish our ascent to the Singalila Ridge. The trail climbs steeply in places until we emerge at a forest clearing. From here it undulates through rhododendron forest to the ridgetop at Sandakhphu (3,636m), the highest point of our trek. On a clear day the climb is well worth the effort as we are rewarded with a magnificent Himalayan panorama. The views from here are truly amazing – the towering slopes of Kanchenjunga lie ahead and Everest, Lhotse and Makalu now come into view in the distance. After lunch at Sandakhphu it is a gradual walk on a rough jeep track to our camp at Chandu. *Full-Service Camping *(sleeping altitude 3,570m)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 8.7
Activity Hours: 7-8
We are now on the Singalila Ridge, the border between Nepal and India which means at times we are walking in each country. This is a great day to enjoy the views. The trail undulates following the ridge through chestnut, oak and silver fir trees with commanding panoramic views of the Himalaya all day. Dwarf rhododendrons and primulas colour the landscape in spring. Tonight we have a spectacular wild camp at Sabargam. The views from here are sublime and we hope to see a magnificent sunset and sunrise over Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu and a whole host of other Himalayan peaks. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 3,536m)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 4-5
A full day trekking along an undulating trail to the end of the ridge at Phalut where we descend to Samaden. On a clear day we get breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga as we continue along the ridge. The Everest range is further away but Kanchenjunga rears up over us. Phalut is at 3,600m and just behind the lodge there is a viewpoint where we are surrounded by Himalayan giants. The trail down to Samaden is glorious and takes us through forests of oak, conifers, pine and rhododendrons, an explosion of colour in spring. We camp tonight in the village of Samaden (2,480m), a beautiful spot in a small settlement with excellent views. *Full-service Camping *(sleeping altitude 2,480m)
Distance in Km: 23
Distance in Miles: 14.3
Activity Hours: 7-8
Our final trek winds through a collection of small settlements inhabited by Rais, Sherpas and Tamangs to Ramman, where terraced fields and villages dot the landscape. We descend along a jeep track to Sri khola for lunch after which we cross a suspension bridge and continue for another 2.5 hours along a road, passing through more villages en route to Rimbik (2,286m), a large Sherpa village set amongst the forest landscapes of the Singalila National Park. We stay in a small lodge with great views across the valley. *Basic Hotel* (sleeping altitude 2,286m)* *
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 8.7
Activity Hours: 6
Today we drive back to Darjeeling along a road that winds up and down ridges through picturesque landscape. En route we stop to visit a tea estate and learn how this most famous of drinks is grown and processed. We will arrive in Darjeeling mid afternoon and the rest of the day is free to further explore this historic hill station. Our hotel is close to the Mall, which is a great place to wander in the evening. *Standard Hotel* * *
We have the morning to explore further. If we missed the ride on the famous Toy Train and Ghoom monastery, there is time this morning. In the afternoon we set off for the drive to Siliguri (2-3 hrs) where we board the overnight train to Calcutta (Kolkata). Train times in India change regularly, although it usually departs at around 8pm or 9pm. Overnight Sleeper Train *Overnight Sleeper Train*
We arrive in Calcutta (Kolkata) in the early hours of the morning and have the day to explore this fascinating city. Once the capital of British India, Calcutta has had a turbulent past. It was central to the struggle for Indian independence and thousands of Bengalis refugees came here at the start of the 1900’s. It is a city of striking contrasts and the unusual sights, pungent smells and the cacophony of sounds of the country’s second largest city are an experience unique to India. If you would rather not navigate Calcutta alone, your leader can usually arrange a short (1/2hr) guided city tour for you (pay locally). *Standard Hotel*
Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel.
* 7 nights hotels (all en suite), 1 night basic hotel/guest house, 1 night
sleeper train and 5 nights full-service camping
* 6 days point-to-point walking with full porterage, plus 1 day walk
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader and staff. Min age 16 yrs
* Altitude maximum 3660m, average 3,300m
* Between 4 and 6 hours walking per day on average
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 10 dinners are included.
You should allow around INR5000 (approx. £60/US$75) for the additional meals
and drinks. Mineral water, soft and alcoholic drinks are not included and are
widely available. Soft drinks are generally cheap, but beers can approach
Western prices.
Whilst camping we have a cook and assistants who will prepare simple but
plentiful nutritious food. Breakfasts will be porridge, cereals, eggs and
toast with plenty of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Lunches will usually be a
picnic lunch with soup, various kinds of local breads, cheese, eggs, tinned
fish and meat and fruit where available. There will be afternoon tea and
biscuits on arrival at camp followed later by dinner which is usually soup, a
pasta, rice or potato based main course with fresh vegetables, followed by
dessert, tea, coffee or hot chocolate. You will be provided with safe boiled
drinking water whilst on trek.
*Drinking Water*
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity. We
strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the
growing problem of plastic pollution in India
During the trek the cooks will collect and boil drinking water from the
mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to
collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification
treatment as well.
We also suggest that you may like to bring a reusable bottle with a wide
opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat any
non-boiled water. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small,
lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. It’s quick to
use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready
immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it
isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online
retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Models
which take lithium batteries are best as they last longer, especially in cold
conditions. Using a SteriPEN means you won’t leave behind a single plastic
bottle – and you can keep it for future trips.
* 7 nights hotels (all en suite), 1 night basic hotel/guest house, 1 night
sleeper train and 5 nights full-service camping
* 6 days point-to-point walking with full porterage, plus 1 day walk
* Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader and staff. Min age 16 yrs
* Altitude maximum 3660m, average 3,300m
* Between 4 and 6 hours walking per day on average
This is a Moderate (Activity Level 3) trek with 6 days fully supported
point-to-point walking plus one day walk, with an average of 4-6 hours
walking per day. The trek is on a full-service camping basis. Some previous
experience of hill walking is recommended, although walks should be within
the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life. The maximum sleeping
altitude is 3,570 with a walking maximum altitude of 3,636m, with an average
of 3,300m.
You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference:
http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf
Walking"https://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf...
hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only and will
vary depending on the pace of your group. They include normal rest stops but
not a longer lunch break. Driving times given are approximations of actual
driving times and do not include stops for photos, lunch, toilets etc.
Hotel, Camping, Guest House & Sleeper Train
7 nights hotels, all en suite, 1 night basic hotel/guest house, 1 night
sleeper train and 5 nights full-service camping
In Delhi we stay in a comfortable hotel; usually the Hotel Jaypee
Sidtbsdharth, a 4-star hotel with a swimming pool, conveniently located close
to the metro.
We stay in standard hotels in Darjeeling, Gangtok, Martem, Pelling, and
Calcutta (Kolkata); all rooms have en suite facilities. The hotel in Gangtok
is usually the Netuk House Hotel, a traditional Sikkimese family house, now
run as a small hotel with splendid food and traditional
service. In Uttaray, the accommodation is a basic hotel/guest house.
The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning that our camp
staff will erect and dismantle the tents for you, cook, and do all of the
camp chores for you. You need only carry your daypack. Most of the camping on
this trek is wild camping. We stay in two-person tents which have enough room
inside for your kitbags. Sleeping mats and sleeping bags are not provided –
please see the packing section.
We also have a dining tent complete with table and folding chairs, and at
least one toilet tent (usually two) for use during the evenings. No running
water is available whilst camping. You will be camping close to a water
source and the camp staff will provide bowls of warm water (to wash with)
whilst trekking.
Overnight Train Journeys - The overnight train will be booked in 2-Tier or
3-Tier sleeper A/C. Although there are many excellent trains in India, the
standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with European standards. All
seats are pre-allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning that we
are not able to guarantee the whole group are together on the train, your
leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you
during the journey. Indian trains are safe to travel on however we would
recommend that you keep any valuables with you at all times. Snacks are often
offered on board (at an additional cost) but you may wish to purchase your
own food prior to the journey. Whilst some trains have western-style
facilities, the majority of services are equipped with squat toilets. Please
note trains sometimes get delayed for numerous reasons, which is obviously
beyond our control, however, we endeavour to minimise the impact of these
delays on the overall itinerary.
Should you wish to extend your stay, we can book additional nights for you
either before the tour in Delhi, or after the tour in Calcutta - please
enquire at the time of booking.
Single rooms and tents are available for a supplement: the price may depend
on the season you are travelling. Please advise the sales team at the time of
booking if you wish to add this to your booking and they will confirm the
price for you. Please note this does not include the overnight sleeper train
journey.
Achillay Campsite, 
The trip is led by a qualified, English speaking, local leader. On trek there
will be a cook, assistants and mules to carry the baggage. Our Indian team
has proved very popular with clients with their incredible knowledge, passion
and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to
experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their
country.
In 2018 Valerie will be leading the 3rd November (Ex London) departure.
Valerie has been leading treks in the Himalaya for 33 years now and her
knowledge of the area is second to none. Spaces are limited so if you would
like to travel with Valerie please book early. If for any reason, Valerie
cannot lead this trip we will contact you immediately.
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 10 dinners are included.
You should allow around INR5000 (approx. £60/US$75) for the additional meals
and drinks. Mineral water, soft and alcoholic drinks are not included and are
widely available. Soft drinks are generally cheap, but beers can approach
Western prices.
Whilst camping we have a cook and assistants who will prepare simple but
plentiful nutritious food. Breakfasts will be porridge, cereals, eggs and
toast with plenty of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Lunches will usually be a
picnic lunch with soup, various kinds of local breads, cheese, eggs, tinned
fish and meat and fruit where available. There will be afternoon tea and
biscuits on arrival at camp followed later by dinner which is usually soup, a
pasta, rice or potato based main course with fresh vegetables, followed by
dessert, tea, coffee or hot chocolate. You will be provided with safe boiled
drinking water whilst on trek.
*Drinking Water*
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity. We
strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the
growing problem of plastic pollution in India
During the trek the cooks will collect and boil drinking water from the
mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to
collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification
treatment as well.
We also suggest that you may like to bring a reusable bottle with a wide
opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat any
non-boiled water. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small,
lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. It’s quick to
use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready
immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it
isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online
retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Models
which take lithium batteries are best as they last longer, especially in cold
conditions. Using a SteriPEN means you won’t leave behind a single plastic
bottle – and you can keep it for future trips.
In Delhi and Calcutta transfers will be by bus or minibus depending on the
size of the group. In Darjeeling and Sikkim transport will be in jeeps.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London:* *16 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Etihad Airlines (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
Internal flights during the trip are with a local airline.
*Travelling land only: 15 days starting in Delhi, ending in Calcutta*
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Delhi in the morning of Day 1 of
the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the
Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Exodus offers FREE airport arrival transfers on any flight for this trip, for
both Land Only and Flight Inclusive clients. Unless specified otherwise, the
transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel and will be on the
date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city
and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers may be
shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with
similar arrival times. All those taking advantage of the free arrival
transfer must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in
advance. FREE departure transfers are provided for the group flight only.
Private departure transfers must be pre-booked through Exodus at an extra
charge.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be about £10 (US$15) should you decide to
make your way independently.
As Sikkim has a pretty wet climate, even by Himalayan standards, our
departures are carefully timed to take advantage of the likely best weather
conditions. Delhi will be hot in the daytime, especially on spring
departures, and reasonably warm at night (cool on the October departure).
Darjeeling and Gangtok will be warm during the day with cool to cold night
time temperatures. Weather on trek will vary with the altitude, but will in
general be comfortable for walking during the day (it can be really quite hot
when the sun is out, particularly on the spring departure). At night on trek
it can get very cold with temperatures down to as low as -5° Celsius. In
late October please bring warm clothes for the evenings. Frost must be
expected at night above about 3,000m on spring departures, and above about
2,000m on October departures.
Although the departures are timed to coincide when the weather is normally
good, you should remember that in any mountain area the weather is never
wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any
differences in weather beyond the conditions described above. The Singalila
Ridge is quite exposed and strong wind and rain cannot be discounted at any
time of year. You need to carry waterproof jacket and trousers and warm
clothes for the evenings
You will be restricted to 15 kgs of luggage whilst on trek. Any baggage not
needed on trek can be left at the hotel in Gangtok free of charge and will be
transferred by road to the hotel in Darjeeling. Please also see the
'internal flights weight limit' section below.
4 Passport photos for your permits (you may only use 1-2 however regulations
change at little or notice so bringing 4 is to be on the safe side)
4-season sleeping bag (with a comfort rating of down to at least -5degC)
Sleeping mattress/Thermarest
3-season jacket
Waterproof synthetic or leather walking boots (worn in)
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Sandals/Trainers
Warm hat
Gloves
Several pairs of walking socks
Trekking pole(s)
Warm layers or thermals for the evenings
Warm mid-layer (fleece)
Shirts/t-shirts/base layers
Light - mid weight trousers
Long shorts or skirt for women
Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip salve with sun protection
Daypack
Trek towel
Head torch
Water bottle (minimum 2 litres)
Plastic bags (bin liners) to line daypack and for packing clothing in the
kitbag
Toilet paper
Small personal first aid kit
Passport photo for your Sikkim permit
We believe in reducing our negative environmental impacts wherever possible,
this goes for when you need to spend a penny in the great outdoors! If no
facilities are available there may come a time when you need to go to the loo
behind a tree/bush/rock. To avoid leaving toilet paper behind we recommend
taking biodegradable dog poo/sandwich bags with you. Once you have done your
business you can pop the used toilet roll in here and take it off the
mountain or trail at the end of the day and dispose of it when there are
appropriate facilities available.
*Donations for Dhotrey and Samadin schools*
We support underprivileged children at a couple of primary schools, in
Dhotrey and Samadin. Although the basic education is looked after by the
government some of the facilities and education available in the area are
still limited.
If you have any extra room in your luggage the school and the children would
appreciate any of the following items: children’s books for 5-15 year olds,
notebooks, pens, crayons, painting books, school bags, girls and boys socks
or underwear, warm hats and gloves, toothpaste & brushes, lightweight board
games. These items can be handed over to your leader on arrival at the hotel
in Delhi, and your leader will arrange for it to be transported to the
schools.
*Please note:*
As of November 2019 the Indian government has announced a ban on e-cigarettes
and related products. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes in India or
bring them into the country. Please ensure you do not pack these in your
luggage.
Gaiters
Hand washing gel
Water purification
Biodegradable soap/shampoo
Money change facilities are available on arrival at Delhi's international
airport (you may not get the best rates in the airport), the hotel in Delhi
and in Calcutta. Although changing money outside of Delhi and Calcutta is not
advised, it is possible to change US$ and £ in cash in both Darjeeling
and Gangtok but please note the exchange rates may be lower than in Delhi.
Apart from the extra food, you should allow about INR350 (approx. £4/US$5) a
day for drinks and incidentals perhaps a little more if you enjoy a few
beers, as these are comparatively expensive in India. Whilst on trek there is
not very much to spend your money on, but in Delhi, Gangtok, Darjeeling and
Calcutta there is a wealth of souvenirs and trinkets etc.
India has very good opportunities for shopping, especially for locally made
goods, and during your trip it is highly likely that your local guides will
take you to emporiums as well as workshops where these goods are made. Many
people find this a great opportunity to buy local handicrafts, silk,
jewellery and carpets. Guides will often assume that visitors will want to go
shopping, it is very much part of the culture, but if you do not wish to go
please make this clear to your local guide at the time.
Tipping is of course entirely at your discretion, but it is customary in
India. Tipping can be an awkward affair especially when you are not familiar
with the country. Your leader will help with tipping and will provide a list
of suggested tips. This will include tips for drivers, hotel porters and
other hotel staff, local sightseeing guides, and for the trek will include
camp staff such as guide, assistants, cooks and ponymen. Sometimes your
leader will collect a kitty during the trip and sometimes they will collect
the tips towards the end of the trip. Occasionally for very small groups the
leader may need to collect a little more than the suggested amount. We
suggest you allow INR4500 (approx. £50/US$70) for this trip.
Tipping of the leader is not included in the above and is at your discretion.
However we suggest around INR1000-1500 (approx. £10-20/US$15-25) per person
for the leader. Any tips should ideally be given in local currency.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request), excludes sleeper train
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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