Itinerary Include flights Leave this field blank Expand all Delhi to Calcutta Depart London Flights usually depart London in the evening. Day 1 Start Delhi The group flight will arrive into Delhi in the morning and we will transfer to our hotel. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day. You are free today to explore Delhi or rest after your flight; rooms may not be available until noon but it is often earlier than this. Your leader will do a trip briefing today and you will need passport photographs for the various permits and check posts so please ensure you pack 4 photographs. Comfortable Hotel - Hotel Jaypee Siddharth (or similar) Arrive Delhi The group flight will arrive into Delhi in the morning and we will transfer to our hotel. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day. You are free today to explore Delhi or rest after your flight; rooms may not be available until noon but it is often earlier than this. Your leader will do a trip briefing today and you will need 10 passport photographs for the various permits and check posts. Comfortable Hotel - Hotel Jaypee Siddharth (or similar) Day 2 Fly to Bagdogra; drive to Gangtok Transfer to the domestic airport terminal for the flight to Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra, we join our vehicles and drive to Gangtok. The road soon leaves the plains behind and at Sevoke we cross the Teesta River and start to climb into the Doar Hills. At Rangpo we take a break as we enter Sikkim. Border formalities take time and you will need your passport and one photograph. Climbing further, we finally reach Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim set at an elevation of 1,680m. The drive will take about 5 hours (125km). Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 3 Drive to Martam village visiting Rumtek Monastery en route(1,400 m) Gangtok is set amongst the hills and on a clear day we can see Kanchenjunga from the hotel. We have the morning for exploration. The Mall Road is the centre of Gangtok and the close by indoor vegetable market makes for an interesting wander. You can either explore Gangtok on your own or your leader will take you to see some of the sights. About an hour’s walk from the hotel on a quiet road there is the small Enchey monastery. Overlooking the whole town, Enchey was founded in 1840 by Lama Drubthob Karpo and was rebuilt in 1908 by the 10th Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. From the monastery you can walk back to town via the Flower Show, a small exhibition of orchids and other local flowers. There is a Handicraft Centre close by which is a government enterprise offering community training in traditional handicrafts such as carpet weaving and wood carving. After lunch we have an hour’s drive to Rumtek monastery. Founded in the mid 1700’s by the 12th Karmapa it fell into ruins. When the 16th Karmapa came from Tibet he rebuilt the monastery as the main seat in exile of the Karmapa sect. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and contains a Golden Stupa with the remains of the 16th Karmapa. A half hours’ drive brings us to Martam, a scenic Himalayan village located in a quiet corner of East Sikkim. Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 4 Sightseeing in Martam We spend today in the pretty village of Martam which was known for producing butter and other dairy products (‘mar’ means butter and ‘tem’ means spread). The population of Martam is about 10,000 made up of the Bhutia and Nepali communities. In the morning we go for a hike around the village. We can visit the interesting Nyingma Institute, which provides education in higher Buddhist studies and philosophy to many monks. The Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism was the first Tibetan Buddhist sect founded in the 8th century. There is also another small monastery and a Krishna Mandir in the village. We return to our hotel for lunch and the afternoon is free. Standard Hotel Distance covered: 6 km / 4 miles Activity (hours): 4-5 Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Drive to Darjeeling and visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Leaving Sikkim we drive on to Darjeeling. The road winds all the way to the Testa River, where we enter the state of West Bengal. It then weaves back up into the hills to Darjeeling. We arrive by lunchtime and this afternoon we explore one of the most famous hill stations of the British Raj. Originally belonging to the Chogyals (Kings) of Sikkim, then annexed by the Gurkhas, the British East India Company gained control of the region in the early 1800's and returned it to Sikkim rule. Stumbling across Dorje Ling Monastery, situated on a quiet forested ridge, two British soldiers thought it would make a great location for a sanatorium and with the permission of the King of Sikkim a hill station was born. Today Darjeeling is a bustling town but the Mall still retains its Victorian era charm. Our stay will include a visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute founded by Tenzing Norgay and where many of famous Sherpa climbers trained in mountaineering skills. There are interesting displays and photographs from some of the early Mount Everest climbs. Today’s drive is 80km and will take approximately 4 hours. Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 6 Ride the toy train; drive to Rimbik and trek to Manedara On a clear day its worth getting up early for the beautiful sunrise views of Kanchenjunga from the roof of our hotel. After breakfast we have a 40 minute ride on the famous Toy Train to Ghoom (Subject to running. See day 13 for another opportunity if not running today) The train chugs its way out of Darjeeling, stopping on the way to take on water and to allow passengers to photograph the famous Batasia Loop. At Ghoom we meet our cars and drive for around 4 hours to Rimbik, the trailhead of our trek at 2,286m. We have a short (45 minute) gentle uphill walk through magnificent rhododendron forests (a blaze of reds in spring) to our camp at Manedara, where we spend our first night under canvas. As we approach the village we have stunning views of Kabru Dome and Kabru South peaks. Full-service camp (sleeping altitude 2,450m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Trek through forest and villages to Gurdum (2,400m) Today we start our trek with an easy trail passing small houses and fields. It is about 2hrs gradual walk through beautiful forest to Shepi village. We then descend to the Gurdum Khola, which we cross by bridge and after a steep 1 hour climb to Gurdum village we will arrriv at our camp for the evening. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 2,400m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 Trek through forest ascending through Sandakhphu (3,636 m) to Chandu (3,570 m) A fairly tough but rewarding day as we finish our ascent to the Singalila Ridge. The trail climbs steeply in places until we emerge at a forest clearing. From here it undulates through rhododendron forest to the ridgetop at Sandakhphu (3,636m), the highest point of our trek. On a clear day the climb is well worth the effort as we are rewarded with a magnificent Himalayan panorama. The views from here are truly amazing – the towering slopes of Kanchenjunga lie ahead and Everest, Lhotse and Makalu now come into view in the distance. After lunch at Sandakhphu it is a gradual walk on a rough jeep track to our camp at Chandu. Full-Service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,570m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 9 Trekking along the Singalila Ridge to Sabargam taking in the stunning Himalayan views We are now on the Singalila Ridge, the border between Nepal and India which means at times we are walking in each country. This is a great day to enjoy the views. The trail undulates following the ridge through chestnut, oak and silver fir trees with commanding panoramic views of the Himalaya all day. Dwarf rhododendrons and primulas colour the landscape in spring. Tonight we have a spectacular wild camp at Sabargam. The views from here are sublime and we hope to see a magnificent sunset and sunrise over Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu and a whole host of other Himalayan peaks. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,536m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 Trek to the end of the Singalila Ridge at Phalut then descend to Samaden A full day trekking along an undulating trail to the end of the ridge at Phalut where we descend to Samaden. On a clear day we get breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga as we continue along the ridge. The Everest range is further away but Kanchenjunga rears up over us. Phalut is at 3,600m and just behind the lodge there is a viewpoint where we are surrounded by Himalayan giants. The trail down to Samaden is glorious and takes us through forests of oak, conifers, pine and rhododendrons, an explosion of colour in spring. We camp tonight in the village of Samaden (2,480m), a beautiful spot in a small settlement with excellent views. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 2,480m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Trek through small settlements to Rimbik Our final trek winds through a collection of small settlements inhabited by Rais, Sherpas and Tamangs to Ramman, where terraced fields and villages dot the landscape. We descend along a jeep track to Sri khola for lunch after which we cross a suspension bridge and continue for another 2.5 hours along a road, passing through more villages en route to Rimbik (2,286m), a large Sherpa village set amongst the forest landscapes of the Singalila National Park. We stay in a small lodge with great views across the valley. Basic Hotel (sleeping altitude 2,286m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 12 Drive to Darjeeling, visiting a tea estate en route Today we drive back to Darjeeling along a road that winds up and down ridges through picturesque landscape. En route we stop to visit a tea estate and learn how this most famous of drinks is grown and processed. We will arrive in Darjeeling mid afternoon and the rest of the day is free to further explore this historic hill station. Our hotel is close to the Mall, which is a great place to wander in the evening. Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Morning to explore Darjeeling, drive to Siliguri, overnight train to Calcutta We have the morning to explore further. If we missed the ride on the famous Toy Train and Ghoom monastery, there is time this morning. In the afternoon we set off for the drive to Siliguri (2-3 hrs) where we board the overnight train to Calcutta (Kolkata). Train times in India change regularly, although it usually departs at around 8pm or 9pm. Overnight Sleeper Train Overnight Sleeper Train Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Arrive Calcutta; free time to explore We arrive in Calcutta (Kolkata) in the early hours of the morning and have the day to explore this fascinating city. Once the capital of British India, Calcutta has had a turbulent past. It was central to the struggle for Indian independence and thousands of Bengalis refugees came here at the start of the 1900’s. It is a city of striking contrasts and the unusual sights, pungent smells and the cacophony of sounds of the country’s second largest city are an experience unique to India. If you would rather not navigate Calcutta alone, your leader can usually arrange a short (1/2hr) guided city tour for you (pay locally).Standard Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 End Calcutta Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast Fly to London Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast
Golden Triangle extension Code: XBS A visit to the incredible Taj Mahal and other great Moghul cities close to Delhi is an excellent way to begin or end a visit to Northern India. The five-day Golden Triangle extension may be booked before or after your main itinerary or both options might be available depending on the trip start and end location. The Taj Mahal in Agra was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, and is one of the most beautiful sights on earth. Close by is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar with its beautiful courtyards and palaces and let's not forget the deserted royal city of Fatehpur Sikri. The extension also visits the Pink City of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, which is one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. The detailed itinerary and if pre or post tour is available can be found here.
India There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approx. 2000m, there is low to no risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips going to altitudes of over 3000m there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the TRIP NOTES for further information.
Hotel, Camping, Guest House & Sleeper Train 7 nights hotels, all en suite, 1 night basic hotel/guest house, 1 night sleeper train and 5 nights full-service camping In Delhi we stay in a comfortable hotel; usually the Hotel Jaypee Sidtbsdharth, a 4-star hotel with a swimming pool, conveniently located close to the metro. We stay in standard hotels in Darjeeling, Gangtok, Martem, Pelling, and Calcutta (Kolkata); all rooms have en suite facilities. The hotel in Gangtok is usually the Netuk House Hotel, a traditional Sikkimese family house, now run as a small hotel with splendid food and traditional service. In Uttaray, the accommodation is a basic hotel/guest house. The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents for you, cook, and do all of the camp chores for you. You need only carry your daypack. Most of the camping on this trek is wild camping. We stay in two-person tents which have enough room inside for your kitbags. Sleeping mats and sleeping bags are not provided – please see the packing section. We also have a dining tent complete with table and folding chairs, and at least one toilet tent (usually two) for use during the evenings. No running water is available whilst camping. You will be camping close to a water source and the camp staff will provide bowls of warm water (to wash with) whilst trekking. Overnight Train Journeys - The overnight train will be booked in 2-Tier or 3-Tier sleeper A/C. Although there are many excellent trains in India, the standard of seating and sleeping is not in line with European standards. All seats are pre-allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning that we are not able to guarantee the whole group are together on the train, your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. Indian trains are safe to travel on however we would recommend that you keep any valuables with you at all times. Snacks are often offered on board (at an additional cost) but you may wish to purchase your own food prior to the journey. Whilst some trains have western-style facilities, the majority of services are equipped with squat toilets. Please note trains sometimes get delayed for numerous reasons, which is obviously beyond our control, however, we endeavour to minimise the impact of these delays on the overall itinerary. Should you wish to extend your stay, we can book additional nights for you either before the tour in Delhi, or after the tour in Calcutta - please enquire at the time of booking. Single rooms and tents are available for a supplement: the price may depend on the season you are travelling. Please advise the sales team at the time of booking if you wish to add this to your booking and they will confirm the price for you. Please note this does not include the overnight sleeper train journey.
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Reviewed November 2019 Clare Smit Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Tough trek but views are amazing! Great mix of cultural diversity and natural beauty of India - starting and ending in the manic centres of Delhi and Kolkata respectively, the majority of the trip is in quieter parts of West Bengal and Sikkim, which are simply beautiful. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sunrise and cups of tea at campsite 3 with views of Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Mt Everest and Manaslu. It was cold but an absolutely magical experience! Also, the visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling - it was quite humbling to see the gear that Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary summitted Everest with so many years ago and how the equipment has advanced. What did you think of your group leader? Rajeev Rawat. What can I say - an amazing leader....nothing was too much trouble! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack for all kinds of weather. We had a torrential hail storm half way through the Singalila ridge trek, followed by thick fog...so thick that we couldn’t see the tents from the dinner tent! Head torches are a definite must. Is there anything else you would like to add? The Singalila trek was one of the toughest walks I have done but totally worth it for the views. India is a very different place with so much diversity - take each place visited for its own uniqueness and try everything!
Reviewed November 2019 Clare Smit Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Tough trek but views are amazing! Great mix of cultural diversity and natural beauty of India - starting and ending in the manic centres of Delhi and Kolkata respectively, the majority of the trip is in quieter parts of West Bengal and Sikkim, which are simply beautiful. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sunrise and cups of tea at campsite 3 with views of Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Mt Everest and Manaslu. It was cold but an absolutely magical experience! Also, the visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling - it was quite humbling to see the gear that Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary summitted Everest with so many years ago and how the equipment has advanced. What did you think of your group leader? Rajeev Rawat. What can I say - an amazing leader....nothing was too much trouble! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack for all kinds of weather. We had a torrential hail storm half way through the Singalila ridge trek, followed by thick fog...so thick that we couldn’t see the tents from the dinner tent! Head torches are a definite must. Is there anything else you would like to add? The Singalila trek was one of the toughest walks I have done but totally worth it for the views. India is a very different place with so much diversity - take each place visited for its own uniqueness and try everything!
Reviewed May 2019 Sandra Pinnock Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Hiking in the Himilayas Such a varied and personally challenging tour! At 73, I wondered how well I would deal with the serious elevation hike up to the Ridge. The guide, Rajeev, made hard choices when the weather was difficult. The 3 guides supported us every day so we all did our best. The view at sunrise of the mountain from the Ridge made the effort worth it. The other stops in Darjeeling and Sikkim and Kolcutta gave us a good idea of this part of the country. A well planned and varied experience. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Viewing the Himalayas from the Singalila Ridge. What did you think of your group leader? Although younger than the hikers, he acted with knowledge, consideration and organisation. He took all into consideration to guide us quietly. He did not sidestep making hard decisions. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read the trip notes. Pack for all weather possibilities. We had hail in April.
Reviewed October 2018 Tony Harris Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge There and back again; an amazing journey This is a very varied trip, a mix of culture and exercise where we met some of the friendliest people in the world and eat fantastic food, the highlight for me being the Singalila Ridge trek. The trip takes you from chaotic streets of Delhi, to beautiful Sikkim and its wonderful people, to Darjeeling and its busy traffic, to the edge of the high Himalayas to trek that wonderful ridge and then back to more manic city streets this time in Kolkata. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? On day three of the trek we were up at 5:15 and drinking an early morning cup of black tea, we were pleased to see clear skies after the previous nights thick mist. The whole group walked to a low knoll near the camp site to watch the sunrise and see the view of the high Himalaya. As the sun rose the horizon lit up. To the north Kanchenjunga rose high above the cloud, as the sun hit the mountain it lit up and glowed. To the west in the far distance there were three mountains that looked close together, the first of these to catch the sun was Everest closely followed by Makalu and then Lhotse. We were standing at a height of approximately 3500 meters, a reasonable height if you were in the Alps, I was stunned by the thought that these summits were 5 kilometers higher than us; awesome a sunrise I will never forget. What did you think of your group leader? Our guide/group leader Sonam was fantastic, nothing was to much trouble, his organisational skills were excellent and he made everything work like clockwork. He had a great sense of humour and I shall always remember his infectious laugh that brought a smile to everyone’s face. He showed huge respect to the local people and customs and was an excellent ambassador for his country and your company If I were to rate him on a scale of 1 to 10 I would have to say, in the words of the bass player in the film Spinal Tap, he goes up to 11. A great guy and an excellent guide/leader Do you have any advice for potential travellers? My main bit of advice to potential travelers would be, don’t be put off by the long days travelling. The end result is definitely worth it. Be prepared for any weather conditions you can think of because chances are you will get it. There were a few changes to our itinerary that Exodus informed us of before we left. One of these was the 1100 meter climb to reach the top of the ridge. Don't be put off, take it easy drink plenty of water and enjoy the journey. Is there anything else you would like to add? A huge thank you to all the support team, the pony boys who moved the gear every day on the trek, the cook’s team for managing the camp and ensuring a regular supply of tea. Special thanks to the cook who produced fantastic food throughout the trek and the genius who produced roast potatoes at 3500 meters; to Dipesh our local trek guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the local area and was great fun to be with. Last but by no means least I must say thanks to our fellow trekkers, a great bunch of people and great fun to be with. Hope to trek with them again sometime in the future it was a great trip.
Reviewed October 2018 Eric Brierley Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge My perfect India trip, From the madness of New Delhi to the beautiful unspoilt Sikkim area. This India trip does it all. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking though farms and villages that have not had tourists though the area before. truly magical moments. What did you think of your group leader? Sonam and Dipesh, where both great leaders, full of information and kept all the group together. Any questions asked and problems where quickly answered and sorted. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure you have warm clothes,it’s gets cold and windy at night on the ridge. Is there anything else you would like to add? I wanted a holiday with walking and hopefully to meet local people, this trip did all that and more..if you get chance arrive a few days before and take in the delights of New Delhi. I’m glad the itinerary was changed around to do the sightseeing first, it’s helps to get to know the rest of the group before starting the trek and gets you acclimatised to the food ( if you know what I mean )
Reviewed April 2018 Jane Von Ruhland Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Darjeeling , Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge This trip is wonderfully varied with each day having something different to the last. The accommodation throughout is very comfortable especially if you love an adventure. There are highlights such as heritage and eco hotels and lodges , and full service camping with roomy tents . In March and the beginning of April the weather included sunny days in the cities of Delhi and Calcutta , contrasting with cold fresh nights on camp , with a hail shower . The hotel in Delhi has a pool and relaxation facilities , and for anyone arriving earlier , there is time for city tours to see the sights . The drives from the plains to the Himalayan hill stations revealed beautiful rivers , terraced tea plantations and habitations on high and steep slopes . We visited colorful Buddhist temples and the Unesco World Heritage site of the Toy Train at Darjeeling . What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Being woken at 0500 and being lead by Rajeev our leader , to the top of the ridge near the Kalijar campsite to see the sunrise lighting up Kachenjunga , the 3rd highest mountain in the World , and seeing the whole range of the Himalayan snow capped mountains in front of us , which included Mount Everest in the distance . Rajeev was tremendous in pointing out and naming each individual summit . The team took the trouble to ensure we even had cups of tea and had lots of time to savour the amazing view and take photographs. What did you think of your group leader? Rajeev was excellent in leading our group which had walkers with varied experience , and walking pace . He gave detailed information about the region , farming methods , his country and the mountain ranges , and answered our many questions . He is a very capable leader . Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Come prepared to try out different food , and with fitness preparation for walking to summits on fairly steep slopes. Bring a camera too ! Is there anything else you would like to add? I think the highlights wee often the optional parts of the trip like walking to the summit of Singalila , and seeing the Everest range on a clear day so make the most of these . The 16 Zoe's , a cross between a Yak and a cow , were the fantastic animals that carried our camping gear for us , and the team of herdsman and cooks provided an amazing service during our camping trek .
Reviewed November 2016 Melanie B Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Freezing but worth it Having completed the Annapurna circuit two years ago I was looking for more Himalayan trekking but somewhere different. The views of Kanchenjunga in the sunrise and sunset are breathtaking and (weather permitting) you see Everest too! An excellent trip with a good mix between trekking and cultural exploration What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Waking up at dawn, in a frost covered tent, before getting to see the sun rise on the mountains. What did you think of your group leader? Sonam was brilliant fun to be with. He took good acre of all of us and made sure that any backmarkers on the trek part were supported. He was kind and engaging and had a wicked sense of humour. He also brought the best cook ever to cook for us on the trek. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This trek is less strenuous than Annapurna but it's still at altitude and the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it. It got really cold in the tents and the ground was harder than you think! I'd suggest getting the thickest, warmest inflatable mattress you can afford and making sure you pack good quality merino and a really decent sleeping bag. Is there anything else you would like to add? Bring earplugs if coming at Diwali. They like their fireworks loud.
Reviewed November 2016 Paul Bulstrode Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Superb from start to finish This was truly a wonderful 2 weeks. From Delhi to Calcutta, the ridge, the people and those others on the trek made this a trip to remember. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The views of the Himalayas, walking along the ridge between India and Nepal and the great food we had to eat What did you think of your group leader? Sonam was superb, full of knowledge and always smiling. A great character that made us laugh but lead the group well. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? In autumn (mid October) it was very cold on the mountain (at night). Be ready for it. Otherwise no issues, even on the train. Make sure you get up early for the best views of the mountains (although evenings were also great). Relax, forget the world and enjoy! When it says dont take photos, dont take photos (army check points on trek) Is there anything else you would like to add? Even with the weak STG, it was still cheap there.
Reviewed May 2016 John Mckenzie Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge Sikkim and Singalina Ridge I'd never been trekking before, and in many ways I wasn't looking forward to this holiday much, but I absolutely loved it, especially the trekking. What really surprised me was the quality of the support from the pony men, guides, and especially the cook, or cooks. The quality of the food was very impressive even when it was being carried about a campsite in a hail storm. I would recommend this trip to everyone. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? When he second in charge leapt down a nearly perpendicular slope to retrieve my daysack which had fallen down and then snagged about fifteen feet below the edge. What did you think of your group leader? I don't think Chouspel could have done a better job. He was constantly helpful and pleasant despite one or two awkward customers and the huge responsibilities lying on his shoulders. Top guy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take the waterproof trousers. Is there anything else you would like to add? Both the guides were the key to a successful trip. But the cooking was exceptional!
Reviewed April 2016 Sara Harrop Trip: Darjeeling, Sikkim & the Singalila Ridge On top of the world A fantastic trip which left our group under India's spell and eager to return for more. This was despite disappointing weather. We experienced mega thunder storms, gales, a hail storm and far more than our fair share of mist and fog. The toilet tent blew down one night in a gale. It could have been a disaster, yet all of our group managed to leave with entirely positive impressions. This was down to a) One day of clear bright sunshine when all the mountains appeared as if by magic; b) a fantastic sense of camaraderie between group members, the guides, cooks and pony men, c) delicious food, d) friendly local people and a great introduction to the culture; e) lovely characterful hotels that felt palatial after sleeping in a cold, damp tent for a week. A lot of people seem to think a trip to India is as good as a crash diet - but not if you go on this trip! Anyone would have thought that the delicious, varied, piping hot and beautifully presented meals had been prepared in a plush kitchen rather than a windswept tent in the middle of nowhere! They even managed a perfectly iced birthday cake baked over a camping stove at 3500m. Exodus seems to have chosen the accommodation particularly well on this trip. The Himalayan Hotel in Kalimpong was a firm favourite, but the Netuk House in Gangtok was also gorgeous and the Sherpa Lodge in Rimbik at the end of the trek (described as basic in the trip notes) is a delightful place in flower filled gardens with comfy rooms with pretty quilts on the beds, en-suite bathrooms and real toilets. The Hilton could not have felt finer. The walking is not too difficult and the paths are good with plenty of interesting flowers and bird life even if you can't see the mountains. The altitude is not too bad. It's a good combination of feeling that you've done something without feeling too stretched and exhausted. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The day the fog cleared and the mountains appeared. We saw Kanchenjunga and Makalu, Lhotse and Everest. Our campsite above Sandakphu was spectacular. At sunset, the clouds sank far below and a panorama of pink-tinged snow-capped mountains appeared all round. Team awestruck! We also loved our unscheduled visit to the beautiful village of Siri Khola when bad weather higher up forced us to head down. We ended up camping in one of the pony men's garden and visiting the cook's home. Everyone felt this was one of the highlights of the trip. What did you think of your group leader? Rajeev is a rising star. He had to cope with some difficult climactic conditions and a lot of questions. He was very helpful towards a slightly slower walker in the group, thus ensuring that we all kept together and safe. The local guides were excellent too and Rajeev had a good relationship with them and with team of cooks and pony men, showing respect and sensitivity to them at all times. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared to expect the unexpected and adapt. The hardships make the good times even better. Nights were long and cold in the tent so a good sleeping bag and lots of layers are essential. Filling a metal bottle with boiled water at night keeps you warm and provides you with safe frost-free drinking water the next day. Take plenty of hand sanitiser. A pack of cards is good for after dinner entertainment for in the mess tent as is a good repertoire of anecdotes and a sense of humour. Is there anything else you would like to add? None of our group much liked Gangtok, though the hotel there was lovely and Rumtek monastery interesting. Gangtok was quite car-clogged, concrete covered and westernised. On the other hand, we loved Kalimpong. There's a colourful food market, interesting local shops, temples and monasteries, and it's a laid-back friendly sort of place with none of the hassle some people sometimes associate with India. To sum up: this trip was great value for money, perfect for people who like a good mixture of adventure and comfort and I feel as if I have made a load of really good friends.
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