About Singalila National Park
Singalila National Park is the high-altitude section of the Singalila Ridge on the Sikkim–Nepal border, 25km from Darjeeling. It protects the largest surviving population of Red Pandas in India, along with Himalayan black bear, musk deer and over 150 bird species. But most people come for the ridge trek. The Singalila Ridge runs south to north at 3,000–3,636m and on clear days offers views of four of the world's five highest peaks: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu — a mountain panorama that requires extreme altitude elsewhere but here is reachable by any fit hiker from a normal base. The standard trek enters at Maneybhanjang (35km from Darjeeling) and runs to Tumling (2 nights), Tonglu (3 nights) or Phalut at the northern tip of the park (5 nights). The rhododendron season (April–May) is when the ridge is most spectacular — the forest at 3,000m turns red and pink and the blooms are dense enough to form tunnels over the trail.
Why go to Singalila National Park
Views of Everest and Kanchenjunga on the same horizon
The ridge at Phalut offers a view of four of the five highest peaks in the world. You do not need to go above 3,600m to see this — a significant advantage over other Himalayan viewpoints requiring expedition-level access.
India's most important Red Panda habitat
The national park holds documented Red Panda populations. Sightings are possible on the lower forest sections of the trek with early morning timing and a knowledgeable guide.
April–May rhododendron bloom on the ridge
The 3,000m forest section of the ridge has dense rhododendron trees — not just shrubs but 10–15m trees with trunks as wide as your arm-span. In April and May the flowers form solid colour bands across the hillside.
How to reach Singalila National Park from Darjeeling
Shared jeep from Darjeeling to Maneybhanjang (1.5 hrs, ₹100 per seat) or private taxi (₹800–1,000). The trek begins at Maneybhanjang at 2,134m. We Care Holidays handles all permits, porters and route planning for this trek.
Best time to visit Singalila National Park
April–May for the rhododendron bloom and the most visually dramatic conditions. October–November for the clearest peak views (post-monsoon sky is the clearest in the year). December–March: cold but clear, snow possible on higher sections.
Time of dayOn ridge mornings, mountain views are sharpest at dawn and by 9am. Start each trekking day before 8am.
What you need to visit Singalila National Park
Indian nationals: ₹200 park entry fee at Maneybhanjang gate. Foreign nationals: ₹1,500 park permit + Singalila Restricted Area Permit (₹100) — both obtainable through a registered trek operator. We Care Holidays arranges all permits as part of the trek package.
Things we always tell our guests about Singalila National Park
- The trek is graded moderate — no technical sections but daily elevation gain of 300–600m. Previous hiking experience recommended.
- April–May is the most popular season — book accommodation at Tumling and Tonglu guesthouses at least 3 weeks in advance.
- A landover (old British Army vehicles) can drive the ridge road as an alternative to walking on some sections — good for itineraries mixing vehicle and foot access.
- Carry warm layers even in April: ridge temperatures at 3,000m+ can drop to 0°C at night.
Singalila National Park — your questions answered
Other places in Darjeeling
- ViewpointHeritage