Singalila Phoktey Dara Trek - 7 Days

  • Duration7 Days
  • DestinationIndia
  • Difficulty LevelEasy
  • Max Altitude3700Mt - 12150 ft

About Trip

PHOKTEY DARA TREK

A panoramic trail of everlasting beauty embellished with the best artefacts of Nature like lush evergreen forests and mighty mountainous views are what defines the Singalila Phoktey Dara trek. Every moment spent here is steeped in scenic encounters. Sometimes you will be greeted with mountains dotted with quaint hamlets and sometimes you will witness sleek streams and enchanting waterfalls cutting through the chest of mountain ranges. In short, get ready to treat yourself to the surprises of the cosmos.

View the most charming sunrise and sunset, trail through the dense evergreen forests, rhododendrons, ferns, and a host of other flora and fauna, and witness the gigantic mountains like Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Simvo, Makalu, Lhotse, Pandim, Kabru, and Jannu. Get ready to come closer to the workings of the divine. Your trail begins from Hilley and slowly you will ascend to Barsey. The trek inside Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary will help you skim through the wet and damp forest ranges comprising different forest types like Montane wet Temperate Forests, Mixed Coniferous Forests, Sub-alpine birch- fir, and Conifer forest and moist Dry Alpine Scrub. From Barsey trace your way to Joributey via Deolinga and Dhap. The next day, ascend to Kharka Dara and spend overnight at camp.The next day reach Phoktey Dara and then begin your descend through the forested region of Uttarey. Finally, drive back to NJP Train Station OR Bagdogra Airport from Uttarey and carry wonderful memories with you.

Highlights

  • Mesmerizing view from Phoktey Dara of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Simvo, Makalu, Lhotse, Pandim, Kabru, and Jannu.
  • Trekking through den forest.
  • A range of sceneries: agricultural fields to forests to alpine ridges
  • Accommodation type : Camping.
  • Duration : 5 days of trek; NJP/Bagdogra to NJP return in 7 days.
  • Grade: Easy and moderate
  • Trail Length: 52 Km
  • Highest Point: Singalila Pass ~ 3700m/12150 ft
  • Seasons: March to May (Spring/Summer) and October to January (Fall/Winter)
  • Access: Trek starting point is Hilley and end point is Uttarey.
  • Rail station: New Jalpaiguri (STN Code: NJP)
  • Airport: Bagdogra (Code: IXB)

Itinerary

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Dear Guest This is our regular Itinerary and most people have done this itinerary. So If you have any special request on this itinerary you can contact us via email. We can Customize this trip with your request. If you want to make it shorter or longer or want to add some other tours with this package please mention on your email, we will work out on your request. 

Arrive at NJP or Bagdogra and our representative will be there to escort you to Hilley by road. The route is imbued with sheer natural beauty. You will pass through the verdant forest of Jorethang and Kitam Bird Sanctuary where you might spot the Red Crossbill and Parrotbills. On reaching Hilley, check in to the hotel and spend overnight at the Home stay.

  • Home Stay
  • 7-8hours drive
  • Dinner
  • 2600m - 8500 ft
  • Drive

Today is the first day of your trek. After breakfast, head towards Barsey Rhodendron Sanctuary. Witness a rich growth of ferns, mosses, lichens, shrubs, magnolias, primulas, potentillas, gentians, poppies, and aconites while you gently tread through the idyllic forest. You might also spot the endangered coloured Satyr Tragopan or a Kalij Peasant. After trekking a bit more, you will catch the first-ever glimpse of Mt. Kanchenjunga. You will reach the campsite by evening and spend overnight at tent camp.

  • Camping
  • 8am
  • breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • 2750m - 8900 ft
  • Trekking

After breakfast, explore the alpine landscape of Sikkim as you skim through the mountain ridges towards the Singalila range. You will trail through the wild growth of rhododendron, magnolia, and bamboo. By evening, reach the campsite near a hill slope embellished with thick forest growth. The campsite is ideal for birdwatching where you can experience every trace of the natural beauty. Spend overnight at campsite.

  • Camping
  • 8am
  • Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • 2700 m - 8850 ft
  • Trekking

The next day, start your trail from Joributey to Kharka Dara. You will pass Uttarey which is renowned for the sighting of Red Pandas. From here, you will get a distinct view of Mt. Kanchenjunga on a clear day. From there, you will enter a damp moist forest, and after a brief while, you can stop at Thulo Dhap. After covering some more jungles, you will reach the campsite located amidst nature’s view. Spend overnight at tent camp.

  • Camping
  • 8am
  • Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • 3400 m - 11500 ft
  • Trekking

Today is a big day and the cardinal point of our trekking journey. View the enigmatic sunrise from Kharka Dara and then set forward to Phoktey Dara, which is located atop Kalijhora. Here, get ready to witness the panoramic beauty of the Everest group of peaks, Three Sisters, Chamlang, Baruntse, Kanchenjunga, Simvo, Pandim, Tenzingkhang, and also the entire Kabru range comprising Rathong and Frey Peak among others. Soak up the mountain Sun, breathe in the fresh air of liberty, or simply bask in the tranquility and solitude of the Himalayan shadows. Capture plenty of photographs for your soul and slowly trace your way back to the campsite. Spend overnight at the camps.

  • Camping
  • 8am
  • Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner
  • 2800 m - 9300 ft
  • Trekking

If the weather allows, you can visit Phoktey Dara to witness the sunrise. Then, start descending to Uttarey via Achaley. Check-in at the hotel and spend overnight there.

  • Home Stay
  • 9am
  • breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • 2000 m - 6550 ft
  • Trekking

Today is the day of farewell. With a heavy heart filled with longing, leave Uttarey and return to NJP or Bagdogra. On your way, view beautiful hill stations like Dentam, Bermiok, and Rinchenpong. Stop at Jorethang for lunch and head straight to NJP or Bagdogra. Say goodbye to your trekking experience with the promise to return back.

Phoktey Dara Trek is an experience worth remembering and Ashmita Tour and Treks makes sure that this expedition is imprinted deep in your mental image. The less trodden path is devoid of any malignant actions. Hence, you will witness raw and pure natural beauty comprising wildlife, diverse flora and fauna, and vibrant panoramic mountain views. This trek is ideal for amateurs, nature lovers, and botanists. Come one, come all and plunge into this sheer ecstasy!

  • 7am
  • Breakfast
  • Farewell
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What's Included

  • Accommodation Home Stay before and after trek.
  • All government fees and local taxes.
  • All necessary mountain Trekking permits during trek and tour.
  • Meals ( breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek with hot tea/coffee (Meals will be freshly prepared and will be a mix of Indian, and Napali local).
  • including boiled drinking water provided on trekking days.
  • Accommodation in camping tent during the Trek.
  • Dining tent, sleeping bag, kitchen tent, toilet tent
  • Local English-speaking licensed holder mountain trekking guide.
  • Some amount of Client personal gear to be carried by porter or yek / mule. 
  • A good quality sleeping bag arrange by Ashmita Trek and Tours.
  • Group medical kit box.
  • Transportation from and to NJP / Siliguri and Airport to base Hilley INR 5000 one jeep can accommodate 7 passenger and end point is Uttarey - NJP / Siliguri and Airport INR 7000 Per Jeep
  • Bottled water alcoholic drinks, phone calls,lundry  etc.
  • International and domestic flight /Train .
  • India Entry visa
  • Airport and departure Tax. .
  • Tips for trekking staff.
  • Costs from unexpected occurrences (i.e. cancellations, weather problems, damages of property, illness, etc.)
  • Extra accommodation and meals outside of itinerary.
  • Your travel medical insurance.
  • Personal gear and expenses for the trek.
  • Any other expenses not mention above as included in the price.

Useful Information

HOW TO REACH?

You can undertake Singalila Phoktey Dara Trek by availing flights or trains to reach Bagdogra or NJP respectively. On reaching there, you will be escorted to Hilley, the starting point of your trek, by our representatives.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

There are two seasons best suited for Singalila Phoktey Dara trek- Mid March to May and mid-October to January. The first season will take you through the bright and variegated shades of nature. You can spot countless rhododendrons and magnolia. Nature remains cool and bright and makes sightseeing easier. The second season exposes the beauty of winters. The weather will remain cool and you can skim through the vibrancy of nature.
Phoktey Dara Trek is fraught with rejuvenating experiences. Ashmita Tour and Trek ensures you have a hassle-free and seamless trekking experience. The trail is steeped in an exotic and pure charm where you can come closer to the exquisite aspects of Mother Earth. The trek is a haven for amateur adventure junkies, botanists, and nature lovers. The mountains are calling you. So do not waste any time thinking! Join us today.

Permit requirements for travelling and trekking in Sikkim

Sikkim being a border state sharing its boundaries with 3 other countries. The foreigners are required to obtain ILP for security reasons. The numbers of the Tourist Information Centers are listed in If you are planning for extended holidays/destinations in Sikkim then check a complete guide Sikkim visa information. Note that even Indians need Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Special permits for visiting entire North Sikkim/Nathu La etc. and parts of East and West Sikkim.

For Indian National : 

For Indian Nationals: No special permit is required for this trek . Carry an original Photo ID card with address proof on it (Aadhar/Driving Licence/Voter ID/Passport but NOT PAN CARD) & 2 photocopies of the same each person.

For Foreign National including OCI Holder: 

Standard Permits 

Foreigners require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Sikkim (Indians don’t). These are free and getting one is a formality, although to apply you’ll need a passport 2-4 -sized photo and photocopies of your passport and India Valid visa on arrival (show the original too). You can usually apply on the spot at the entry checkpoints at. Rangpo  Checkpost ( East Sikkim) - issued between 8am to before 8pm .Melli  Checkpost for West Sikkim Pelling – Yuksoom - issued between 8am to before 8pm. Note : If you are a national of Pakistan, China, or Myanmar, then it gets a little more difficult to enter Sikkim. You must get a written approval from Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi before the Restricted Area Permit can be issued. 

Foreigners will NOT require PAP/Protected Area Permit (special Trekking Permit) for this trail. Here is the Sikkim Official portal. > https://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Public/TravellerEssentials/pap

  • New Delhi - Sikkim House, Panchsheel Marg, Chanakyapuri
  • Kolkata - Sikkim House, 4/1 Middleton Street
  • Siliguri - Office of Sikkim Nationalized Transport, Sevoke Road

Validity of Sikkim Permit :

Normally the permits are issued for a duration of fifteen (15) days for the specific purpose of tourism only. Once in Sikkim these permits can be further extended for 30 more days in two spells of 15 days each. These extensions are granted only at Gangtok by State Home Department.

Customer Reviews

  • A

    As Says Ashmita Trek Leaders, India - May 10, 2021

    Singalila Pass Phoktey Dara Trek is an experience worth remembering and Ashmita Tour and Treks makes sure that this expedition is imprinted deep in your mental image. The less trodden path is devoid of any malignant actions. Hence, you will witness raw and pure natural beauty comprising wildlife, diverse flora and fauna, and vibrant panoramic mountain views. This trek is ideal for amateurs, nature lovers, and botanists. Come one, come all and plunge into this sheer ecstasy!

Trip Advisor