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Singhalila National Park

Singalila / Singhalila National Park is one of the best forests among all other small reserve forests in India with an area of just 78.6 square kilometers. It is also situated at a high elevation with 1900 meter to 3,630 m from the sea level in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. Singalila National Park makes the border line with neighbor country Nepal to the west and with state Sikkim to the North. It is located towards north to south of Singalila Ridge on the eastern Himalayas. Mt. Sandakphu (3658 m, the highest peak in West Bengal) and Mt. Falut (3,600 m) of this Singalila Ridge are located inside the national park. And also the 3rd highest peak in the world Mt. Kangchenjunga is situated to the north of the park. River Rammam and River Sirikhola flow through the park.

On 1986 it was declared as Singalila Wildlife Sanctuary and after six years on 1992 it was enlisted as Singalila National Park by the Indian Government. To trek in Mt. Sandakphu and Mt. Falut, Singhalila is the only way to access, which is passes by the west fringe to the Singalila National Park. You should be paid an entry fee to entrance into the park at Gairibans.

Activities

Note
Area 78.6 sq. km.
Location Darjeeling subdivision of Darjeeling District, West Bengal
Nearest Town Manebhanjan (5.5 km)
Nearest City Darjeeling and Siliguri
Distance 49 km from Darjeeling and 104 km from Siliguri
Languages Nepali, Gorkha, Tibetan, Hindi, Bengali and English
Best Season March to June and September to November
Main Attraction Red panda, various types of birds and Treks alongside of pinnacle Rhododendron and Magnolia forests.
Currency Indian Rupee(indian rupee)

Singalila National Park has a reach variety of orchids and forests. More than 140 types of rhododendrons and magnolia, silver fur, thick bamboo, tree fern, maple, oak, burch and a variety of orchids are available there. A huge numbers of birds and also some animals are available. Red Panda, Cheetah, Himalayan Black Bear are famous among them. You can also visit Sukhiyapokhari and Jorapokhori. If you have an interest in adventure, then you can take an 8 kilometers trek to Meghma, a village of Nepal. There has a Buddhist Monastery. Tumling is another famous tourist point in this area, which is just 2 kilometers away from the village Meghma. From the Maneybhanjan you can start a trek to Sandakphu. The trekking rout lies through theSingalila National Park. To trekking at Sandakphu, you should manage at least 5 to 6 days.

Transport

By Air :
Nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is a domestic airport under Indian Army. All major air services are available from all over India. Distance between Bagdogra and Siliguri is 13 km. You can find out various vehicles to come in Siliguri, and then follow the road journey.

By Rail :
Nearest railway station is Ghum, Darjeeling. But it is a narrow gauge railway station and only Toy Train run from there. It is connected with New Jalpaiguri Railway Station only. New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri Railway Station are the main railway station in this area. And all major cities in India are well connected with the New Jalpaiguri station. And then you should follow the road journey to reach in the Park.

By Road :
National Highway 31A between Sevoke and Gangtok passes through Darjeeling, which is one and half hours journey by car from Manebhanjan. Manebhanjan is the entry point into the Singhalila National Park. And another state road is available to reach at the park via Mirik. State Buses, Jeep and many other private cars are available for travel to Singhalila National Park.

How to reach?

Maneybhanjan is the gateway and entry point to the Singalila National Park. It is situated at an altitude of 7,000 feet from the sea level, near India-Nepal border in West Bengal. From there you can entrance into the National Park and it is also the starting point of famous trekking rout to Sandakphu. Sandakphu is the highest peak in West Bengal, 3,658 meter. You can reach at Maneybhanjan from Siliguri via Mirik or via Darjeeling. But Siliguri to Maneybhanjan via Mirik is the best option to reach.

You can hire a share jeep or take a trip with private bus to reach at Mirik from Tenjing Norge Bus Stand or Panitanki more at Siliguri. Some state bus also available to reach at Mirik from the bus stand. And then you can manage a shared jeep or taxi or bus from Mirik to Sukhiyapokhori and from there to Maneybhanjan. Or you can hire a private car to reach at Maneybhanjan from Siliguri Tenjin Norge Bus Stand or famously known Siliguri Junction personally. Fare may be vary from Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 2800/-. And also you can reach at Maneybhanjan from Siliguri, after take a tour in Darjeeling, via Ghoom and Lepchajagat with shared a jeep or booked a private car.

Accommodation

In Meghma, has a guest house with two bedded rooms. And trekkers huts are available at Maneybhanjyang, Tonglu, Gairibans, Sandakphu, Phalut, Gorkhey, Rammam, Shirikhola & Rimbick in the Singalila National Park, run by the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. But a huge number of hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses are available at Manebhanjan in various budgets. To advance booking for the huts in the Park or any type of enquiry, please contact DGHC Tourism office.

DGHC Tourism Office

Deputy Director of Tourism
Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council
Silver fir, Bhanu Sarani, Darjeeling
Phone : (+91) 0354-225-4879/5351
Fax : (+91) 354-225-4214