Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge · river town

Srikhola

A riverside lodge stop where the trail meets the road

Altitude1,900m Nights1 BestMar – May · Oct – Nov

In brief

Srikhola is a small village at about 1,900 m on the banks of the Sri Khola stream, where the Singalila trails from Sandakphu and Rammam come down to the jeep road. A bridge, a few riverside lodges and the sound of water make it the warmest and most relaxed night of the trek, about 2 hours from Rimbik.

The local story

Where the ridge trails come down to the water

Khola means stream or small river in Nepali, and Srikhola takes its name from the Sri Khola, one of the rivers that the Singalila National Park lists among the waters flowing through it. For trekkers, it is the bottom of the descent. Two trails arrive here: the steep drop from Sandakphu through Gurdum, losing about 1,700 m in a day, and the gentler path from Phalut via Gorkhey and Rammam.

For years Srikhola was a walking stop with the road ending at Rimbik. The jeep road now continues to Srikhola, so this is where many trekkers finish the walking part of the trip. The village itself is small: lodges by the bridge, a few houses and fields on the slopes, prayer flags strung over the water. After days on cold ridges, its warmth and the noise of the river feel like the end of an expedition.

Srikhola, at about 1,900 m, is the lowest overnight stop on the Singalila trek, roughly 1,700 m below Sandakphu.

The steep descent from Sandakphu to Srikhola passes Gurdum, a small village at about 2,300 m, according to Wikipedia's Sandakphu article.

Khola is the Nepali word for a stream or small river, and appears in many place names across the Darjeeling hills.

About Srikhola

You hear Srikhola before you see it. The trail down from Gurdum or Rammam comes out of the forest above the river, and the roar of the water fills the valley. Then the bridge, the lodges on the bank and a jeep or two parked by the road. After days of thin air and cold nights, the warm valley floor at around 1,900 m is a welcome change.

Most trekkers coming down from Sandakphu sleep here before walking or driving the last stretch to Rimbik. It is worth it: the lodges by the river are simple and pleasant, dinner tastes better at low altitude, and you can sit by the water in the evening and look back up at the ridge you have walked.

What to see and do

The bridge over the Sri Khola

A bridge spans the river right by the lodges, hung with prayer flags. Stand on it and watch the water pour down from the Singalila forests. It is the symbolic end of the trek for many walkers.

Riverside lodges

Several family lodges stand by the water. Rooms are simple but more comfortable than on the ridge, hot water is easier to get and the warmer air makes sleep better.

The Gurdum descent

The trail down from Sandakphu via Gurdum drops about 1,700 m through every forest belt, from fir to warm broadleaf. It is a hard, long downhill day, and the river at the bottom is the reward.

Warmer valley air

At around 1,900 m, Srikhola is far warmer than the ridge. In October and November you can sit outside in the evening in a fleece, a pleasure after nights below freezing.

The jeep road to Rimbik

The road reaches Srikhola from Rimbik, about 2 hours on foot or a short jeep ride. From Rimbik, morning jeeps go to Darjeeling, so Srikhola is the practical last night of the trek.

How to get there

On foot from Sandakphu: Descend via Gurdum: about 14–16 km and 6–7 hours, losing roughly 1,700 m. Steep and long; poles are essential. A licensed guide is required.
On foot from Rammam: About 2.5–3 hours downhill through forest on the longer Phalut route.
Jeep from Rimbik: A jeep road links Rimbik and Srikhola. Shared jeeps are occasional; a reserved jeep costs roughly ₹600–1,000. Walking takes about 2 hours. Check current status before you travel.

Where to stay

Srikhola has a handful of family-run lodges along the river and near the bridge, with twin rooms and dorm beds, shared or attached bathrooms, and home-cooked meals. Expect about ₹1,200–2,500 a room or ₹400–700 per person for a dorm bed, meals extra. It is the most comfortable night since Maneybhanjan. Book through your guide in October and April, when trekkers coming down from Sandakphu fill the beds.

Local tips

Use poles on the descent from Sandakphu; knees take a beating over 1,700 m.
Ask for a room facing the river; the sound of water is the best sleeping pill on the trek.
Confirm next morning's jeep time to Rimbik or Darjeeling the evening you arrive.
Wash clothes here if you are continuing; they will actually dry.
Carry leech protection in April, May and late September; the lower forest gets damp.

02,7005,400

Altitude1,900 m

Hill-station height: cool evenings, a sweater most of the year.

What it costs here

Lodge room by the river₹1,200–2,500 a room

Dorm or shared bed₹400–700 pp

Dinner and breakfast₹400–700 pp

Jeep to Rimbik≈ ₹50–100 a seat or ₹600–1,000 reserved

Tea₹20–40

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

Best months: Oct – Nov · Mar – May
Nights we suggest: 1
From Sandakphu: ≈ 14–16 km · 6–7 h downhill via Gurdum
Altitude: ≈ 1,900 m
Known for: River, bridge, lodges, end of the trail
Network: Patchy Indian signal

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Srikhola

Treks and walks · 6–7 hoursThe big descent from Sandakphu via GurdumSrikhola · Included in your guide fee Viewpoints · 1–2 hoursAn evening by the river at SrikholaSrikhola · Free Food · 1.5 hoursA low-altitude feast at a riverside lodgeSrikhola · ₹250–450 a meal Wildlife and birds · 1.5 hoursBirding the Sri Khola valley at dawnSrikhola · Included in your guide fee

On the map

Srikhola 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 Srikhola on a ticket

Shoestring Singalila5 nights · On foot The classic Sandakphu trek on a shoestring Maneybhanjan · Tumling · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu ₹12,500per person
about ₹2,100 a day

Value Singalila7 nights · On foot Sandakphu and Phalut from Dhotrey Dhotrey · Tonglu · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu ₹25,500per person
about ₹3,200 a day

Shoestring Singalila3 nights · Mixed Ride up to Sandakphu, walk down to Srikhola Maneybhanjan · Sandakphu · Srikhola ₹9,500per person
about ₹2,400 a day

Value Singalila4 nights · Mixed Sandakphu ridge and river trek Tumling · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu · Srikhola ₹17,000per person
about ₹3,400 a day

Value Singalila6 nights · On foot Rhododendron spring on the Singalila Ridge Chitrey · Tonglu · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu ₹20,500per person
about ₹2,950 a day

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

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

village2,560 m Rammam The village above the river that waters Darjeeling's border

viewpoint3,636 m Sandakphu West Bengal's highest point, with Everest on the skyline

Ways to travel

Treks and walks Homestays Photography Off-season and monsoon

Questions people ask

Questions about Srikhola

Where is Srikhola?

Srikhola is a river village at about 1,900 m below the Singalila Ridge, in Darjeeling district. Trails from Sandakphu (via Gurdum) and from Phalut (via Rammam) come down here, and a jeep road links it to Rimbik.

How far is Srikhola from Rimbik?

About 6–7 km by road, roughly 2 hours on foot or a short jeep ride. From Rimbik, shared jeeps run to Darjeeling, mostly in the morning.

Where can I stay in Srikhola?

In a handful of family-run lodges by the river and the bridge, with twin rooms and dorm beds. Rooms cost about ₹1,200–2,500, dorm beds ₹400–700 per person, meals extra. Book via your guide in peak season.

Is Srikhola worth a night?

Yes. It is the warmest and most relaxed night of the trek, by the river, and breaks the long descent from Sandakphu before the jeep journey to Darjeeling.

Can I start the Sandakphu trek from Srikhola?

Yes, by climbing via Gurdum to Sandakphu, but it is a very steep ascent of about 1,700 m in a day. Most trekkers use it as the descent. You still need a guide and park entry arranged in advance.

Is there mobile network in Srikhola?

Patchy Indian network in parts of the village. Coverage is better at Rimbik. Expect to reconnect fully once you are on the jeep road.

Can I get a jeep from Srikhola to Darjeeling?

Occasionally there are direct jeeps; more often you go to Rimbik first and take a morning shared jeep to Darjeeling. A reserved jeep from Srikhola is possible but costs more. Check current status before you travel.

What is the weather like in Srikhola?

Mild: about 8–18 °C in October and November, cooler in winter and warm in spring. It is damp in the monsoon, and leeches can appear in the lower forest in April, May and September.

Are there leeches at Srikhola?

In damp months, yes: late April, May and from mid-September after the monsoon. Wear long trousers tucked into socks and carry salt. In October to March leeches are rare.