Try "Sandakphu", "toy train", "homestay", "Gangtok in April"
Route · Singalila
Dhotrey to Tonglu is a 6 km forest trail climbing about 500 m to the Singalila Ridge, usually 3–4 hours on foot. It is the shortest walking route onto the ridge and a quieter alternative to starting from Maneybhanjan. A licensed guide and park entry are required.
| From | To | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHOTREY | TONGLU | On foot | 3–4 h up · 2.5–3 h down | GUIDE ₹1,500–2,0 |
| DHOTREY | TONGLU | By road via Maneybhanjan | 2–2.5 h | JEEP TO MANEYBHA |
From our route pages. Fares change with fuel prices, season and demand: check current status before you travel.
The trail climbs from the top of Dhotrey village through oak, chestnut, rhododendron and bamboo to Tonglu's open summit at about 3,070 m. It is steep in places but shaded. Good for birds in the early morning and rhododendrons in April. Arrange the guide and entry at Maneybhanjan before driving to Dhotrey.
There is no direct road. Drive from Dhotrey back to Maneybhanjan, about an hour, then take a Land Rover up the Sandakphu track to Tonglu or Tumling, about 1.5 hours. Useful only if someone cannot walk the forest trail.
Local tip: Walk up from Dhotrey and down via Chitrey to Maneybhanjan for a varied two-day loop with one night at Tumling.
Questions people ask
About 6 km, usually 3–4 hours uphill and 2.5–3 hours down, gaining around 500 m. It is moderate, steep in parts, and shaded by forest most of the way.
Yes. The trail is inside Singalila National Park, where a licensed guide is compulsory. Arrange the guide and park entry at Maneybhanjan before you drive to Dhotrey. Check current status before you travel.
By jeep from Maneybhanjan, about an hour, for roughly ₹80–150 a seat on a shared jeep or ₹1,200–1,800 reserved. A reserved car from Darjeeling takes about 2 hours.
Yes. It is short, shaded and reaches a big viewpoint quickly. Fit beginners and families with active children manage it well. Combine it with a night at Tumling for a Kanchenjunga sunrise.
Plan with a local
Where you want to go, how many of you, and roughly what you want to spend a day. A planner who lives in these hills replies within one working day with a route and every rupee written down.