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Singalila Ridge Mountain Bike Tour

Using the charming former British hill station of Darjeeling as our base we explore some of the worlds most stunning mountain bike trails. We take on outrageous climbs and massive 20Km plus singletrack descents with Yaks and the world’s third highest mountain Kangchendzonga as our constant companions.

Our Tours Include

  • 8000m+ of truly epic descents.
  • Enough climbing to knock out a mountain goat.
  • Outstanding Himalayan views at altitudes of over 3600 meters.
  • Time to explore historical Darjeeling.
  • White water rafting on the glacial cooled waters of the river Teesta
  
 

 

 

 

 

 DAY 1 Arrive Bagdogra/New Jalpaiguiri, 2-hour transfer to Kurseong. Bike Set Up. Afternoon singletrack ride. Overnight stay in the peaceful hill station Kurseong.
     
  DAY 2 Kurseong. Outstanding singletrack and stunning forested national park trails make this a great acclimatization ride as we cycle to Darjeeling. Overnight stay Darjeeling.  
     
  DAY 3 Darjeeling to Tumling. Today things start to get tough. We cycle from Darjeeling through thick forests along quiet country roads to Manehbanjang where the climbing starts in earnest with a challenging 1000-meter plus ascent on jeep tracks and rocky bridleways to Tonglu. From Tonglu the trail descends along an outlandish 2 k stretch of singletrack to the picturesque village of Tumling in Nepal with astounding views over the Illam region of Nepal. Overnight stay Tumling.  
         
    DAY 4 Tumling to Sandakhpu. We tumble down from Tumling along stunning trails on the Nepali side of the ridge to Jaubari where the trail turns increasingly technical as it descends to Garibas. From Garibas its climbing al the way as we ascend another 1000 meters to Sandakphu and our highest overnight stay at 3650 meters, here as elsewhere on the trails the views of the full Kangchendzonga range and Everest are outstanding.  
       
    DAY 5 Sandakphu to Gorkhey. The trails follow the ridge as we ride above the tree line in the shadow of the mighty Himalaya. Yaks are a common sight here as the path weaves and undulates its way along the Singalila ridge with hair-raising descents followed by lung busting climbs. From the remote border outpost of Phalut the singletrack descent down to the Tolkien-esque village of Gorkhey has to be ridden to be believed. Overnight stay Gorkhey.  
         
    DAY 6 Gorkhey to Ramman. For the masochists amongst us there is a chance to ride back up to Phalut and do the whole descent again. For others a chance to relax and wander around the extraordinary village of Gorkhey. Afternoon two-hour singletrack ride through the Samandan forest before reappearing in civilization in the small village of Ramman for overnight stay.  
       
   

DAY 7 Ramman to Sandakphu. From here its extreme climbing with pushing guaranteed as the trail climbs 1200 through stunning forests to the tiny settlement of Molley. From Molley the singletrack climbs steadily back up to the Singalila ridge as we reverse the trail back up to Sandakphu with another chance to soak in those Himalayan views. Overnight stay in Sandakphu.

  
         
    DAY 8 Sandakphu to Rimbick. If you where wondering what yesterdays climb was all about today all is revealed. From Sandakphu it’s downhill all the way as the trails descends 1500 meters to the oxygen rich town of Rimbick along what could be the worlds finest 20 km of singletrack. Jeep transfer to Darjeeling. Overnight stay Darjeeling.  
       
    DAY 9 Darjeeling. Today we swap cycles for paddles as we go white water rafting on the glacier chilled waters of the river Teesta. Those afraid of the water are free to wander around the charming former British hill station of Darjeeling. Overnight stay Darjeeling.  
       
    DAY 10 Darjeeling to Bunkalung. We ride the forested national park trail along the Darjeeling ridge back down to Kurseong before descending along outstanding Tea Estate singletrack down to the river Balason and the scenic village of Bunkalung. Transfer to Siliguri for overnight stay.  
       
    DAY 11 Morning Transfer to Airport/New Jalpaiguri  
 

 

10 Day Singalila Ridge Tour
19 October 2008
£585*
02 November 2008
£585*

* Price per person based on group size. Contact us for individual price or group price.
**If the tour dates and trip duration do not fit into your schedule then contact us to arrange a tailor made tour.
*** Itineraries could be subject to change as we constantly improve and update our Mountain Biking trails.

  

Singalila Ridge Ride General Info

WHO SHOULD COME

The riding will be tough with some pushing involved. Basically the fitter you are the less pushing you will have to do. Distances are rarely over 45 km a day but as we get to altitude; above 2500 meters; things get tougher and fitness plays an even greater part but at these heights anybody; regardless of fitness; can find climbing difficult. We will be cycling at altitudes of up to 3650 meters so there could be a risk of mild altitude sickness for some people. You do need to consider the inherent risks of mountain biking and in particular at altitude before deciding if this tour is for you.

ACCOMMODATION

All nights in the major towns like Kurseong, Darjeeling etc are in outstanding mid range hotels and guesthouses. For nights spent on the Singalila ridge excellent teahouse accommodation is available with rooms simple yet clean and cosy having attached western toilet and hot water available in a bucket system. However on some occasions guests may be required to share a common toilet or washroom. All rooms are available on a single or double basis.

FOOD

There is a wide and excellent choice of western and Indian dishes available in all the larger towns. Meals in the trekking huts/tea houses are excellent using whatever local produce is available that day so expect vegetable curries, rice, chapatti with occasional meat dishes. Breakfasts and lunches are provided for the tour duration. All meals including evening meals are provided on days 3 through to 8.

VEHICLE SUPPORT

We will have vehicle support on the majority of the tours, those who have had enough of the climbs can recover in the vehicles. The back up vehicles will carry all sleeping bags, evening clothes, rucksacks etc so you only need to carry your daypack. We will have porters and donkey caravans to transport your equipment in the more remote areas.

FLIGHTS

The best way to reach Darjeeling is via Bagdogra Airport which has twice daily connecting flights with Calcutta and daily connections with Delhi. Alternatively we can arrange 1st class overnight train travel from Calcutta to New Jalpaiguri which takes about 10 hours and is an excellent relaxing way to travel. Arrangements can also be made for those wishing to travel by train from Delhi. From New Jalpaiguri/Bagdogra airport it is short 2-hour transfer to Kurseong.

WHICH VISAS DO I REQUIRE?

You only require an Indian Visa though we spend some nights in Nepal you do not need a Nepali Visa. See FAQ’s “Do I Need a Visa” for more information.

CLIMATE

Days should be clear and sunny, near 20C, night times will be cool to cold with temperatures dropping to 3C and below. So bring those extra warm clothes.

WHAT TO BRING

In addition to the items listed in What’s Included Bring along:

Good quality sleeping bag, Head Torch, Strong Sunblock, Warm evening clothes, Camel backs/hydration packs should be of a large size to provide storage space for unneeded and extra clothing as temperatures can vary dramatically through the day.

The back up vehicles will carry all sleeping bags, evening clothes, rucksacks etc so you only need to carry your daypack.