Drive Distance – 120 km (3–4 hrs) from Bagdogra/NJP

Time Taken – 3 to 4 hours

Elevation Profile – ~5,800 ft

Begin your cultural journey by arriving in the tranquil foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. You will be picked up from Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station and driven through scenic countryside and gentle hill roads to Samten Monastery. Nestled amidst serene hills, Samten is home to a small group of monks who will host you for the day. Lama and his French wife are the sweetest people you will meet. Participate in the evening prayers, share traditional meals prepared in their monastery kitchen, and sleep in their simple yet peaceful guest quarters. It’s a deep cultural immersion to start your Himalayan exploration.

Drive Distance – 65 km

Time Taken – 3.5 to 4 hours

Elevation Profile – ~6,200 ft

Description – After breakfast with the monks, begin your drive to Sepi village, a quiet settlement surrounded by tea gardens and forest ridges. En route, witness changing landscapes — from monastery prayer flags to pine groves and terraced farms. Upon reaching Sepi, you will meet Lippohochha family. They always make us feel home. In the evening, visit a local farm and interact with villagers preparing for the harvest. A cultural orientation will prepare you for the upcoming trail.

Trek Distance – ~8 km

Time Taken – 4 to 5 hours

Elevation Profile – 6,200 ft to 7,200 ft

The trail today ascends gently through lush forests of oak, chestnut, and pine. You will cross a few wooden bridges, walk beside mountain streams, and spot birds like the Himalayan bulbul and barbet. As you climb higher, the forest opens into a wide clearing and welcome to Samanden! A beautiful farming village surrounded by forest. Spend the evening with your homestay hosts Rupesh Daju and their family, learn about their architecture and way of life, and help them prepare traditional thukpa or kinema (fermented soybean curry).

Trek Distance – ~5 km round trip

Time Taken – 2.5 to 3 hours

Elevation Profile – 7,200 ft

A relaxed day of cultural immersion. Walk through shaded trails to Gorkhey, a picture-book village nestled at the confluence of two rivers. Interact with locals over tea and explore their unique stone-and-wood homes. Learn how river water is diverted for terraced farming. Return to Samanden in the evening and spend the rest of the day helping in vegetable gardens, or making local pickles. Evening folk songs around a fire are a highlight.

Trek Distance – ~7 km

Time Taken – 5 to 6 hours

Elevation Profile – 7,200 ft to 9,700 ft

This is a scenic forest trek through rhododendron, bamboo, and fir trees. The trail meanders through old yak grazing grounds and remote forested sections, offering occasional glimpses of distant ridgelines. At Molley, a grassy ridge-top clearing at nearly 10,000 ft, you'll camp (the only camping day) under the stars. The silence is pristine. You’ll learn about Himalayan flora and how locals use herbs for medicines. Your support team will serve a hot dinner under a canopy of stars.

Trek Distance – ~9 km

Time Taken – 4 to 5 hours

Elevation Profile – 9,700 ft to 11,930 ft

One of the most visually rewarding days and long. The trek takes you along the Singalila Ridge, the Indo-Nepal border — with wide views on either side. On a clear day, spot the mighty Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and the majestic Kanchenjunga range in one sweep. Arrive at Sandakphu, the highest point in West Bengal. Check into a ridge-top Sunrise Hotel and watch sunset gild the peaks in pink and gold. Over dinner, hear stories of porters who’ve walked this trail for generations.

Drive Distance – ~35km in Vintage Land Rover (4x4)

Time Taken – 2-3 hours

The journey is exhilaratingly bumpy, a true adventure through the Singalila National Park. You will drop from the alpine heights, through dense rhododendron and oak forests, crossing the international Indo-Nepal border multiple times as the road winds along the ridge. We will reach Maneybhanjan for lunch and drive towards Bagdogra and end our trip.

1. Must be able to walk upto 15km comfortably with a backpack as part of training
2. At least one High altitude trek beyond 12,000ft
3. Strength training as part of fitness routine

1. No medical conditions or injuries 2 months prior to the trek
2. Keep fitness as key factor to enjoy this trek
3. This is a cultural trek, so please respect the local traditions as it is

While you'll certainly bag the summit views, this itinerary is specially crafted for connection. You won't just pass by tea houses; you'll be staying in a monastery on Day 1 and spending the rest of your nights in cozy local tea houses. We get hands-on by taking part in local activities, like making local juice, Tong ba and spending quality time with local families, hearing their folk stories and working in the farms. It’s the perfect blend of Himalayan trekking and authentic community life.

Forget crowded hotels; we focus on authentic stays:
We start with a night of unique cultural immersion at a Monastery.
For most of the trip, you'll be hosted in charming local tea houses and lodges, providing warmth, home-cooked food, and a chance to interact with the host families.
The only exception is one memorable night of camping at Molley, a beautiful ridge-top clearing.

We categorize this as a Moderate level trek, making it accessible while still offering a challenge.
Daily Walk: Expect to cover an average of 8 km per day.
Elevation: You will manage a daily elevation gain/loss of roughly 1,000–1,500 feet. The slopes are moderately steep and gradual, not technically difficult.
Trekking Hours: Our days are structured to allow for enjoyment, typically starting around 8:00–9:00 a.m. and finishing by 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Preparation helps you enjoy the trip, not just endure it!
Baseline Fitness: You should be able to comfortably walk or run 15 km on a flat surface as part of your training.
Supportive Training: Adding a mix of strength training and mobility exercises is highly recommended. This will fortify your body for the longer trekking days and ensure your joints are comfortable, especially on the descents.

A Quick Note: While the days are comfortable, be prepared for some places to be extremely cold at night, so warm layering is essential! We will share the packing list and training plan

The trek wraps up with a truly unique adventure on Day 7!

Land Rover Ride: After summiting Sandakphu, we trade our boots for a legendary Vintage Land Rover (4x4) ride. This is an exhilarating, super-bumpy descent over the rugged terrain of the Singalila National Park down to Maneybhanjan.

Return Travel (Day 8): Please plan your onward travel for Day 8. The return drive from Maneybhanjan will get you to Darjeeling by approximately 7:00 PM and to Bagdogra (IXB) / NJP by approximately 9:00 PM on Day 7. We strongly recommend booking your flight or train for Day 8 to avoid any travel stress.