Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge · village

Rammam

The village above the river that waters Darjeeling's border

Altitude2,560m Nights0–1 BestApr – May · Oct – Nov

In brief

Rammam is a hill village at about 2,560 m on the descent from Phalut, named for the Rammam river that rises in the Singalila range and flows east to the Rangeet. It is the largest settlement between Phalut and Srikhola, with family lodges, a school and fields, and makes a quiet last night before the jeep road.

The local story

A river that ends up in the Teesta

The village shares its name with the river below it. The Rammam rises in the Singalila range, gathers streams from Gorkhey, Samanden and the forests around, and flows east through Darjeeling district, taking in the Lodhama river on the way, before joining the Rangeet near Jorethang. For much of its course it separates Darjeeling district from Sikkim, and the Rangeet in turn feeds the Teesta. Downstream, the West Bengal state electricity board's Rammam hydel power station uses its water.

Up here, all of that is far away. Rammam village is a cluster of farmhouses, lodges, a school and prayer flags on a sunny slope, with terraced fields above the river valley. Like Gorkhey and Samanden it has long been connected to the outside only by footpaths, and it lives from farming and, in the trekking months, from the walkers who come down from Phalut.

The Rammam river rises in the Singalila range and joins the Rangeet near Jorethang, which in turn joins the Teesta.

The Lodhama river is a tributary of the Rammam, and the Rammam hydel power station downstream is a West Bengal state electricity project.

For much of its course the Rammam forms part of the boundary between Darjeeling district and Sikkim.

About Rammam

After Samanden, Rammam feels almost like a town: more houses, a school, several lodges and paths heading in all directions. It sits on a sunny slope above the river, warmer than the ridge and greener, with views east toward Sikkim. Trekkers coming down from Phalut usually reach it by midday or early afternoon.

Sleep here if you want one more quiet village night before Srikhola and the jeep road. The lodges are simple and friendly, and the afternoon is free for a walk down toward the river or around the fields. Next morning, the trail drops through forest to Srikhola in about 2.5–3 hours.

What to see and do

Above the Rammam river

Rammam's fields drop toward the river that gives it its name, one of the headwaters of the Rangeet. A walk down toward the water shows how these Himalayan rivers begin, as fast cold streams in deep forested valleys.

A proper village

With a school, lodges, a small gompa and many houses, Rammam is the largest village between Phalut and Srikhola. It is a good place to see everyday hill life, from schoolchildren to farmers coming back from the fields.

The forest trail to Srikhola

The path down to Srikhola runs through oak, chestnut and rhododendron forest with occasional views of the valley. It is a pleasant last morning of walking, mostly downhill.

Sunny afternoons

Rammam's slope catches the afternoon sun, unlike the shadowed valleys of Gorkhey. After the cold ridge nights, sitting on a lodge terrace in warm light with tea is a small luxury.

Morning birds

The forest and field edges around the village are good for birds in the early morning, including minivets, barbets and laughingthrushes. Walk slowly before breakfast.

How to get there

On foot from Gorkhey: Via Samanden: about 3–4 hours, with a steep start out of Gorkhey and an easier second half. A licensed guide is required.
On foot from Srikhola: Climb through forest from Srikhola: about 3–4 hours uphill, gaining roughly 600 m. Srikhola is the nearest jeep point, connected to Rimbik.

Where to stay

Rammam has several family lodges with basic rooms or dorm beds, quilts, shared toilets and home-cooked meals, at roughly ₹500–1,200 per person for the bed. Your guide will usually book a lodge by phone from Gorkhey or Phalut.

Local tips

Reach Rammam by early afternoon to enjoy the sun before the valley cools.
If you have time, sleep here rather than rushing to Srikhola; it is quieter.
Carry cash for the last two nights; there are no ATMs until Darjeeling.
Ask your guide to phone ahead to Srikhola about jeep times to Rimbik and Darjeeling.
Treat drinking water even here; streams pass through grazing land above.

02,7005,400

Altitude2,560 m

High enough to feel it on steep stairs. Warm layers from October to March.

What it costs here

Lodge bed or twin room₹500–1,200 pp

Dinner and breakfast₹400–700 pp

Tea₹30–50

Noodle soup₹100–150

Guide share for a pair≈ ₹750–1,000 pp a day

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Oct – Nov · Mar – May
Nights we suggest: 0–1
From Gorkhey: ≈ 3–4 h on foot via Samanden
Altitude: ≈ 2,560 m
Known for: River valley, family lodges, last quiet night
Network: Patchy

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Rammam

Treks and walks · 2.5–3 hoursWalk the forest trail down to SrikholaRammam · Included in your guide fee Culture and history · 1–1.5 hoursAn afternoon wander through Rammam villageRammam · Free Viewpoints · 2 hours returnWalk down to the Rammam riverRammam · Included in your guide fee Wildlife and birds · 1.5 hoursDawn birding on Rammam's forest edgeRammam · Included in your guide fee

On the map

Rammam and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Trips that stop here

Go to Rammam on a ticket

Comfort Singalila9 nights · Mixed Slow Singalila: Sandakphu, Phalut and Rammam Tumling · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu · Phalut ₹41,500per person
about ₹4,150 a day

Close by

Nearby places

village2,500 m Samanden A farming hamlet in a green bowl between two rivers

river town1,900 m Srikhola A riverside lodge stop where the trail meets the road

forest village2,390 m Gorkhey A river meadow village after the long drop from Phalut

market town2,286 m Rimbikरिम्बिक Jeep head, Tuesday market and the end of the trail

Ways to travel

Treks and walks Homestays Wildlife and birds Off-season and monsoon

Questions people ask

Questions about Rammam

Where is Rammam?

Rammam is a village at about 2,560 m on the descent from Phalut, between Samanden and Srikhola, in Darjeeling district near the Sikkim border. It is named after the Rammam river below.

Can I stay at Rammam?

Yes, in several family lodges with basic rooms and home-cooked meals, at roughly ₹500–1,200 per person for the bed. Your guide usually books ahead by phone.

How far is Rammam from Srikhola?

About 2.5–3 hours downhill on a forest trail, losing roughly 600 m. In reverse, uphill, allow 3–4 hours.

Is there a road to Rammam?

No motor road reaches the village; the nearest jeep point is Srikhola. Supplies come on foot or by mule.

Is Rammam on the Sandakphu trek?

On the longer route via Phalut and Gorkhey, yes. On the short route from Sandakphu straight down to Srikhola via Gurdum, no.

What is the Rammam river?

A river that rises in the Singalila range and flows east through Darjeeling district, forming much of the boundary with Sikkim, to join the Rangeet near Jorethang. The Lodhama is one of its tributaries.

Is there mobile network in Rammam?

Patchy; some Indian networks work in parts of the village. Signal improves at Srikhola and Rimbik. Do not count on it.

Should I stay at Rammam or Srikhola?

Rammam is quieter and more village-like; Srikhola is by the river with more lodges and a jeep road. If you have an extra night, sleep at Rammam and walk to Srikhola and Rimbik the next day.

What is the weather in Rammam?

Mild: about 6–16 °C in October and November, frosty nights in winter, warm days in spring. Afternoons can bring cloud, and the monsoon months are wet.