The North Bengal hills provide a lot of short and long treks as well as pleasant walks in the hills.

SANDAKPHU is a beautiful trek from Darjeeling. You pass magnolias, rhododendron, primula and other alpine flowers. It is also called "Paradise of the trekkers." It is about 58 kms away from Darjeeling.

You can trek to Ghoom, Tiger Hill and Takdah.

PHALUT From Sandakphu, you can trek to Phalut, about 23 kms away. From here you get a clear view of the Himalayas. Phalut is at the junction of Nepal, Sikkim and West Bengal.

You can also trek to MIRIK and KURSEONG as well as KALIMPONG, from one place to another. Short treks into the hills from Siliguri are also quite a delight.

Some long treks, you can follow are: -
Darjeeling-Batasi-Tonghi- Sandakphu.
This is a 6-7 day trek starting from Maneshanjang, which is about 26 kms from Darjeeling.

Sikkim Then you have the trek moving into Sikkim. Darjeeling- Gangtok-Pemayangtse-Yousam-Dzongri. This too is a day's trek with exclusive views of the sunset beyond Kanchenjunga.

The Darjeeling to Sandakphu trek is also called the Singalila Trek. This has a slight variation from the first one and completes a circuit of the mountain. From Darjeeling you trek to Tonglu. The next day you walk to Jaubari and Gairibans. The third day you reach Sandakphu. From here you move to Phalut and then continue North-East towards Gorkhey or further down to 'Samanden'. Another 9 kms, and you reach Rammam village.

From Rammam, there is a 2-hour walk down to Siri Khola and in another 2 hours you reach Rimbick. The entire area is rich in birdlife.

You can also reach Rammam from an alternate quieter trail starting from Sabarkum. Sabarlem is about 7 kms before Phalut on the main Sandalephu-Phalut main trail. The birdwatchers can have fun in other lower altitude treks including Jhepi linked with Rimbick and other hillside towns and villages.

In the Siliguri area, surfing down the white waters of the Teesta River and rafting down the Rangit River, is a lot of fun.

Another lesser visited trek but equally beautiful one is that to Duars. It lies on the borders of Jalpaiguri and Coochbihar. It is well known for its tea, timber and tourism.

You can enjoy the dense forests, orchids in all shapes and colors, birds of different varieties and 152 Tea Gardens. Jaldapara, Chapramari and Gorumara are the forest reserves of Duars.

The region of Darjeeling is a veritable paradise for trekkers. Trekking in Darjeeling is a experience which no lover of nature should miss. The treks take you to virginal spots and bring you face to face with the sublime grandeur of the Himalayas. The region is rich in flora and fauna. It has rhododendrons, Primulas and orchids of numerous varieties and also about six hundred different species of birds inhabit the forest on the slopes of the mountains.
The pre-monsoon season (Feb. to early May), especially the months of April and May, and the post-monsoon season (Sept. to early Dec.), especially Oct. and Nov., are ideal for trekking. April and May are the flowering seasons for most of the exotic plants of the area. December, January and February will be cold and there may be occasional snowfall. The temperature in Darjeeling region range, in summer from 8.59⁰ C to 14.89⁰ C and in winter 15⁰ C 6.11⁰ C approx. The route lies through valley depths as low as 2000 ft. and mountain tops as high as 12000 ft.
Clothes will have to be arranged accordingly. While at lower altitudes a light sweater would be enough, at higher altitudes a heavy pullover topped by a wind-sheeter is advisable. Woolen caps and gloves are a must for treks in winter. A muffler may be an added advantage. Good durable shoes are absolutely necessary so is a raincoat. A sleeping bag should form an essential part of your equipment. Travelers must carry their own provisions. A first-aid box should also be carried. Each member of a trekking party should carry a good torch with spare batteries, as well as candles and matches. A stout stick may be helpful when walking. Since trekking routes abound in scenic beauty, a camera and a pair of good field galasses will add to the pleasure of the trip.

Darjeeling - Manebhanjang - Tonglu - Sandakphu - Phalut and return - 160 kms. Altogether. Darjeeling - Manebhanjang - Tonglu - Sandakphu and return - 118 kms. Altogether.

Route II

Darjeeling - Manebhanjang - Tonglu - Sandakphu - Phalut - Ramam - Rimbik - Jhepi - Darjeeling via Bijanbari -153 kms. Altogether

Darjeeling - Manebhanjang - Tonglu - Sandakphu - Phalut - Ramam - Rimbik - Palmajua - Batasi - Manebhanjang - Darjeeling - 178 kms. Altogether.
In and around Darjeeling the following are two treks: a trek of 8 days and another of 11 days.

9 A.M to 12.30 P.M.: Local sight seeing i.e. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Himalayan Zoological park. After lunch, walk around the town and market area.

Darjeeling to Manebhanjang to Batasi to Barahatta
7.30 A.M.: Drive from Darjeeling by mini-coach or jeep to Batasi (41 kms). Trek begins from Batasi; walk upto Dhotrey (10 kms). Lunch at Dhotrey: walk downhill all the way through forest and across the stream to Palmajua is another one-hour walk to Barahatta.

8 A.M.: After breakfast, road descends to Lodoma Khola and from here there is a steep climb all the way to Rimbick; Barahatta to Rimbick is nearly five hours (approx. 15 kms).

8 A.M.: Rimbick to Sandakphu is a continuous climb through the thick forest. Rimbick to Sandakphu is a nearly eight hour walk - 16 kms.

Sandakphu to Tonglu
Sandakphu is the highest point in this trek. It commands a magnificent view of the whole of eastern Nepal and the Sikkim Himalaya. Sunrise and Sunset over these mountains is not to be missed. Departure: 8 A.M. after breakfast; Sandakphu to Tonglu is nearly 22 kms.

Tonglu also commands an excellent view of Kanchenjunga. Tonglu to Manebhanjang is a continuous downhill journey. From Manebhanjang take a mini bus or a jeep to Darjeeling.

9 A.M to 12.30 P.M.: Local sight seeing i.e. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Himalayan Zoological park. After lunch, walk around the town and market area in order to acclimatize.
6 P.M.: meet at the hotel for briefing on the trek.

7.30 A.M.: Drive from Darjeeling by mini-coach or jeep to Batasi (41 kms). Trek begins from Batasi; walk upto Dhotrey (10 kms). Lunch at Dhotrey: walk downhill all the way through forest and across the stream to Palmajua is another one-hour walk to Barahatta. The days walking takes four hours altogether.

8 A.M.: After breakfast, road descends to Lodoma Khola and from here there is a steep climb all the way to Rimbick; Barahatta to Rimbick is nearly five hours walk (approx. 15 kms).

Molle to Phalut takes nearly three hours. Phalut is at the tri-junction of Sikkim, Nepal and west Bengal. Excellent view of Kanchenjunga range can be had from here. Back to Molle and halt.

Molle to Sandakphu is nearly 16 kms. or a six hour walk. This is a most beautiful trek of this area. All along the route you will be able to see Mt. Everest, towards your right.

Sandakphu is the highest point in this trek. It commands an magnificent view of the whole of eastern Nepal and the Sikkim Himalaya. Sunrise and Sunset over these mountains are never to be missed. Departure: 8 A.M. after breakfast; Sandakphu to Tonglu is nearly 22 kms.

Tonglu to Manebhanjang to Darjeeling

Tonglu also commands an excellent view of Kanchenjunga. Tonglu to Manebhanjang is a continuous downhill journey. From Manebhanjang take a mini bus or a jeep to Darjeeling. Lunch at the hotel; afternoon can be set aside for shopping.