guesthouse · Tumling
Shikhar Lodge
A long-running family lodge at Tumling, on the Nepal side of the Singalila Ridge, and the best-known first-night stop on the Sandakphu trek. Simple rooms, a warm dining room with a stove and home-cooked meals, with Kanchenjunga visible from the terrace on clear mornings.
Shikhar Lodge is the name most Sandakphu trekkers hear first. It sits in the small hamlet of Tumling, about 10.5 km above Maneybhanjan, and has served trekkers and Land Rover groups for years. Rooms range from shared rooms with several beds to private twins, with thick quilts, wooden floors and shared toilets. The dining room, with a stove in the centre and the family kitchen beside it, is where everyone ends up in the evening.
Expect dal-bhat, noodle soup, eggs, Tibetan bread and tea, cooked to order and paid for separately from the room. Power and hot water are available but can be limited; carry a head torch and a power bank. The real draw is the location: a north-facing terrace from which the Kanchenjunga range lights up at sunrise. In October and April it fills early, so ask your guide to book ahead.
Why we suggest it
- The best-known lodge at Tumling, the usual first night on the trek
- North-facing terrace for the Kanchenjunga sunrise
- Warm dining room and home-cooked meals
We list rates as indicative ranges. We do not take commission from this property for being listed here. Check current status before you travel.
Questions people ask
Good to know
How do I book Shikhar Lodge at Tumling?
Most trekkers book through their guide or a Darjeeling operator, usually by phone a few days ahead. In October, the Puja holidays and April weekends, book a week or more in advance. At other times you can often get a bed on arrival, though it is best to call.
Does Shikhar Lodge have attached bathrooms?
Facilities are simple and mostly shared. Some rooms may have attached toilets, but do not count on it. Hot water is provided by bucket for a small charge. Ask when booking if an attached room matters to you.
Is Shikhar Lodge in India or Nepal?
Tumling, and the lodge, are on the Nepal side of the border in Ilam district, reached on the Indian trail from Maneybhanjan without a checkpoint. Carry your ID: passport or voter ID for Indians, passport and Indian visa for foreigners.
Trips that sleep here
On a ticket
Shoestring
Singalila5 nights · On foot
The classic Sandakphu trek on a shoestring
Maneybhanjan · Tumling · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu
₹12,500per personabout ₹2,100 a day
Comfort
Singalila5 nights · Mixed
Sandakphu trek with a porter and private rooms
Dhotrey · Tumling · Kalipokhri · Sandakphu
₹28,000per personabout ₹4,650 a day
Comfort
Singalila2 nights · Mixed
Sandakphu by Land Rover in two nights
Tumling · Sandakphu
₹17,500per personabout ₹5,850 a day
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