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Route · Singalila
Maneybhanjan to Sandakphu is about 31 km along the Singalila Ridge. Walk it in 3 days via Tumling, Gairibas and Kalipokhri, or ride one of Maneybhanjan's vintage Land Rovers in about 4 hours. A licensed guide and park entry are required either way.
| From | To | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MANEYBHANJAN | SANDAKPHU | On foot | 3 days | GUIDE ₹1,500–2,0 |
| MANEYBHANJAN | SANDAKPHU | Land Rover | ≈ 4 h | ₹6,500–9,000 A V |
| MANEYBHANJAN | SANDAKPHU | Walk up, ride down | 3 days up, 3.5 h down | LODGES + ONE-WAY |
From our route pages. Fares change with fuel prices, season and demand: check current status before you travel.
The classic trek: Maneybhanjan to Tumling via Chitrey and Meghma on day one, Tumling to Kalipokhri via Jaubari and Gairibas on day two, and Kalipokhri to Sandakphu via Bikheybhanjang on day three. It climbs about 1,500 m, crossing in and out of Nepal. Budget about ₹2,000–2,500 a day per person in a pair.
Book through the owners' association at the Maneybhanjan stand. Up to six people share a vehicle, plus the compulsory guide. The cobbled track is rough and steep; the last climb from Bikheybhanjang is the hardest. Snow can close it in January and February. Check current status before you travel.
A popular compromise: walk up for the forest and acclimatisation, then hire a Land Rover back down from Sandakphu to Maneybhanjan to save tired knees. Arrange the return vehicle in advance through the association or your guide.
Local tip: Even by Land Rover, spend a night on the summit; arriving at midday usually means cloud, while dawn is usually clear.
Questions people ask
Three days for most trekkers, with nights at Tumling and Kalipokhri or Gairibas. Fast, acclimatised walkers can do it in two, but that is hard and risks altitude problems. The distance is about 31 km with roughly 1,500 m of climbing.
About ₹6,500–9,000 per vehicle for a round trip with one night on the summit, indicative and set by the owners' association. Each extra night adds a waiting charge. A vehicle seats up to six. Check current status before you travel.
Yes. Every group entering Singalila National Park needs a licensed guide, including vehicle groups. Arrange the guide and park entry at Maneybhanjan before the Land Rover leaves.
Generally no. The track is used by the Maneybhanjan Land Rovers and a few permitted local vehicles. Ordinary cars and SUVs from Darjeeling or the plains are not suited to it and are usually not allowed inside the park.
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.