Singalila Initiative

Neela Didi’s Hospitality

Neela Gurung, school teacher by profession and a lady known to trekkers worldwide for her hospitality. She resides just besides the Darjeeling Sandakphu road at Tumling, which falls in Nepal. Infact, at places like this, the road is a border between the two countries, Nepal and India. His residence which used to be an emergency shelter for trekkers, gradually has developed into Shikhar Lodge, the best basic facility in this route.

Fact Sheet

Located at an altitude of about 9,000 ft, three cottage structures with eight attach and common toilet bedrooms, large kitchen, dining space and beautiful flower gardens. The evenings are backed by solar power and goo heating facility in the rooms. The road entry point to Singalila National Park is just opposite. The backdrop is dominated by the snowcapped mountains and the view is breathtaking in clear days. At dawn or dusk you may even encounter the colourful feathered pheasants.

Activities

Jeep Safari, Treks, Flora and Fauna, Adventure camps, Retreats and Photographic trips etc.

Access

The trek or jeep safari originates from Maneybhanjung, a small village market and base camp for Sandakphu, 12,000 ft, the highest motorable point in West Bengal. Maneybhanjung is easily approachable from Darjeeling, Mirik and Siliguri.

Heritage Karmi

Andrew Pulger Frame, maternal great grandson of Raja Thendup Pulger of the ancient Sikkimese Lepcha tribe and son of a Scottish Tea Planter returned to Karmi Farm to receive trekkers and tourists in his ancesteral farm house. With ecotourism in the forefront, Karmi Farm ensures local farmers and their families small revenue and developmental models.

Fact Sheet

With its fabulous terraces overlooking the valley across to West Sikkim, fresh organic cooking in traditional Nepalese, Sikkimese or Indian style and good Darjeeling