A challenging, interesting and fulfilling holiday, it provides for teaming up with an equal number of local youth for working on a small community project, whilst camping in scenic surroundings. There is oppurtunity for village exploration walks, local treks, team building, project management, learning skills, cultural exchange, team games, interaction with local famalies, song, dance, music,and learning Indian cooking and bamboo work. The itinerary includes a high altitude trek for 05 days to the Sandakphu Ridge at an altitude of 3500 m for viewing Mount Everest, and sight seeing at Kalimpong and Darjeeling. First rate logistics and meals provided.

Package components

The Samthar-Singelila Challenge comprises the following capsules:-

Travel and transit capsule – 02 days /02 nights

One day each will be taken up in travel by air between Delhi and Kalimpong on entry and Darjeeling and Delhi on exit via Bagdogra airport Railway station, and for transit through Delhi.

Travel by train between Delhi and New Jalpaiguri is another option but requires extention of this capsule to 4 days / 4 nights.

Capsule 1: Starter Adventure Capsule – 01 day/ 01 night

The travel between Kalimpong and Samthar is by a one day intense adventure capsule to pitch - fork participants into the Himalayan environment. It consists of a 4-5 hrs forest trek enroute from Kalimpong to Samthar. Upon arrivalat Samthar the group will set up camp, against day light availability of 02 hours. The capsule calls for organization, teamwork, self-confidence, survival, determination, and a host of other qualities. It is designed to get a measure of individuals and their team building abilities, and to lay the foundations of team work.

Capsule 2: Developmental project and multi- activity cultural capsule –09 days

This is the heart of the trip, and calls for team building, project management, learning skills, cultural exchange with opportunity for team games , interaction with village families - song, music, dance, learning Indian cooking, and bamboo work.

The group will be required to work  together with equal number of  village youngsters from the Awake & Shine Youth club (Samthar Team), to take up one of the development modules of project Awake & Shine. Some of these are :-

1. Stone paving of foot paths, to make main track all weather. Currently they are difficult to negotiate during monsoons
2. Constructing channels and ponds to store the rain water, to build a demonstration project for rain water harvesting
3. Participation in the construction of effective household wood burning stoves for cooking. The idea is to reduce carbon emissions, pending harnessing of alternative energy sources
4. .Development of the Southern face of Samthar Ridge for trekking, camping and bird watching. The focus ill be on regenerating mixed forests on degraded slopes to create the Samthar Nature Park. Apart of planting of flora which can only be undertaken in the month of July-Aug, many other small projects can be taken up - creation of trails, camping grounds, view points and nature gardens to attract nature tourism
5. Terracing of vegetable plots, for pilot project for “vegetables for the market” plan . Assisting locals in planting and management of vegetable plots

Stores and material will be provided by awake & shine for implementing the development modules. The challenge will be to complete the module within constraints of time, stores, and manpower. The group will do Planning, management, and execution of the development module

Capsule 3: .Competitive adventure capsule – 01 day

This is a team competition organized on the exit route from Samthar to Kalimpong. It involves a point to point trek along mountain trails and river valleys. It aims to develop leadership, self- confidence for the high altitude expedition, continue the team building process, and introduce competition. Whilst allowing another peep into local lifestyles.

The trek takes 06 hours. The route is fairly strenuous with ups and downs.

Capsule 4: Sightseeing and relaxation at Kalimpong 01 day / 02 nights

A short break, staying in a hotel and exploring Kalimpong. The group will also work on details of logistics for the Singelila trek

Capsule 5: High Altitude expedition capsule - 05 days / 04 nights

This capsule is designed to consolidate leadership qualities, organizational ability, teamwork, and physical ability. It is also an opportunity to see some breathtaking views and hopefully open the nature & environment “window”, in the minds of the participants.

This trek climbs steeply from the road head at Maneybhanjan at 2134 m, for three days to reach the Sandakphu –Phalut ridge at an altitude of 3600 m. Enroute there are the lovely forests of the Singelila National Park, and the view point of Tonglu. From Sandakphu there are breathtaking views of the Khandchendzonga Range towering over a basin of silver firs and Rhododendrons, in the foreground.  In the West the peaks of the Mount Everest group are visible, whilst on the East lie the Chola Range with views of passes leading into Tibet. The knee wobbling descent to the road head at Rimbik is through forests with flora, flowers and mountain streams.

The Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi – Bagdogra- Kalimpong

Arrive Delhi past midnight. Transfer to hotel. Back to the airport to fly to Bagdogra 1010/1210. After lunch transfer by jeep to Kalimpong, 1400 m. ETA 1630 hrs. Briefing, dinner & overnight in hotel.

Day 02:  Kalimpong to Samthar: Start up Adventure capsule –Forest & mountain trek.

After early breakfast drive for one hour to start point of trek. Trek for 04-05 hrs through forests, cultivation and ethnic villages. Pack lunch oprovided. Arrive at Awake & Shine Svhool camp site 02 hrs before last light. Set up camp with  pre positioned amping equipment.at Awake & Shine camping ground. Dinner & Overnight in camp.

Day 03: Awake & Shine camp:

Introduction to Awake & Shine team, familiarization village walk. Planning for development Project . All meals and overnight at camp.

Day 04 – Day 10: Samthar Farm House Camp:  Development project and multi- activity capsule

Morning & Afternoon: Work on development project

Evening: Choose between playing Football, Volley ball, Archery, with village youth, or learning bamboo work and Indian cooking. All meals at camp.

Day 11: Awake & Shine camp: Inter-action and cultural exchange

Cultural exchange: After breakfast spend the day at homes of friends from the Samthar Team.

Evening: Cultural exchange program of music, song and dance.

Farewell Campfire & Dinner.

Day 12:  Competitive adventure capsule : Trek Samthar to Kalimpong-

After early breakfast: Point to Point competition trek to Kalimpong via Rilli Valley & Ropeway crossing over Teesta River. Pack lunch provided. After trek drive to Kalimpong (45 minutes) and check in at hotel. Expected time of arrival: 1600 hrs Evening: free to explore bazar. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Kalimpong

Morning sightseeing tour. Afternoon Final preparation for Singelila Range Expedition. All meals and overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Kalimpong – Manebhanjhan 62 kms - Trek 12 kms to Tonglu, 3070 m  -Tumling, 2900 m

After an early breakfast, set off by jeep, on a 03 hrs drive through the  Himalayan foothills to the small village of  Maneybhanjang. At 2134 meters, this is the end of the tarmac road and the start of a 1500 meter climb up onto the Singalila Ridge. Today you will trek up to the Tonglu Ridge, and reach your destination for the day - Tumling, in 6-7 hrs. It is a hard first days climb.Slow and steady pace over the 12.5 kms route will enable the following schedule:-

• Maneybhanjan, 2134m  to Chitre. 2800m:  Very steep 02 Kms takes 02 hrs
• Chitre to Meghma , 2900m: Easy undulating 06 Kms in 03 hrs
• Meghma to Tonglu top, 3070 m: Easy undulating 03 Kms in 1.30 hrs
• Tonglu top to Tumling, 2900m: Gradual descent 1.5 kms in 0.30 hrs

You will stay overnight at either Tumling in a comfortable private lodge, or at the trekkers hut at Tonglu.

Day 15: Trek Tumling -Garibas, 2621 Mtrs – Kal pokhri, 3081 m

Rise early for a sunrise view from Tonglu Top. Weather permitting you will get a fabulous views of both, Singalila and Chola Ranges. Mount Chomalhari, in Bhutan is also visible. Return to Tumling for breakfast. After breakfast, take the trail through the Singalila National Park. Mature forests, cascading streams and wild flowers, are a delight to the senses. A leisurely downhill walk of just 06 kms will bring you to Garibas in just 02.30hrs. Continue trekking to Kal Pokhri, 3081 m . It is a 6 kms fairly steep trek, which will take about 3.30 - 04 hrs of easy trekking. Overnight at comfortable private lodge.

Day 16: Trek Kal Pokhri, 3081 - Sandakphu, 3636 Mtrs.

Today is a hard days trekking It is quite a steep climb to Sandakphu and you are no doubt likely to feel the effects of the thinner air as you climb over 3000 meters for the first time. However, there is plenty to distract the mind, as you are rewarded with remarkable panoramic views of Khangchendzonga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse and the other, lesser peaks of Sikkim and eastern Nepal. The very steep 6 kms trek will take 03-04 hrs. If the weather is clear, there are remarkable sunset and sunrise views from Sandakphu, of Everest, Makalu, and Khangchendzonga. Overnight in trekkers huts / private Lodge.

Day 17: Sunrise view of Everest group and Khangchendzonga. Trek Sandakphu, 3636m – Srikhola, 1800m

Awake early for breathtaking sunrise views of the great peaks. After breakfast trek down through deep forests to the bottom of the valley and scenic Srikhola – a mountain stream. It is a very steep descent for 13.5 Kms, and will take about 06 hours. Tonight you will stay at another private lodge or trekkers hut.

Day 18: Trek Srikhola, 1800m – Rimbik, 2286m. Drive to Darjeeling

After breakfast you will continue the trek to Rimbik – a picturesque mountain village. You ascent gradually, to 2286m. on a 5.5 Kms long trail. The last days trek will take about 03-04 hrs. Upon arrival, after lunch, transfer to your jeep for the 68 Kms, 4.30 hrs, drive back to Darjeeling and check in at hotel.Dinner and overnight. Overnight

Day 19: Darjeeling sightseeing

Half day conducted walking tour to the Himalayan Zoological park and Snow leopard breeding center, followed by visit to Mount Everest Museum at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Remaining day free to explore Darjeeling and for shopping.

All meals and overnight at your hotel

Day 20: Darjeeling – Bagdogra

After breakfast transfer to Bagdogra .to board your flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi 1630 hrs. Transfer to International airport to board your flight home. END OF GURUDONGMA SERVICES

Tour Price

On request

Services included in the package price:-

At Delhi:

• Meet & greet service on arrival, transfer to hotel and back to airport for boarding flight to Bagdogra.
• On departure meet and greet service at Delhi domestic and transfer to International.
• only breakfast

At Kalimpong-Darjeeling

• Meet & greet at Bagdogra on arrival and send off on departure
• All transfers by jeep as per itinerary ( 10 seater seating 6 persons)
• At Samthar and Kalimpong : Accommodation with all meals in tents ( 02 per 04 man tents ) / hotels.
• At samthar logistics for project, interaction and joint execution with Samthar team, cultural exchange, learning opportunities, sports interaction. Guide cum translators.
• On singelila trek, accommodation with all meals in trekkers huts in dormitories/ private lodges for smaller groups with dining arrangements and toilets. Porters and local guides.
• Accompanying English speaking Gurudongma Trip Manager