We had an amazing and memorable trek of Sandakphu and Phalut on Singalila ridge for our family of 4 ( age ranging from 15 to 55) over 6 nights and 7 days organised by Mr Subhash Tamang of Ashmita Tours and Trek based out of Darjeeling. We were accompanied by our guide Mr Tenzing Tamang. While we carried about 5 to 7 kg in our rucksacks, remaining stuff was carried by a horse which was tended by a very young and enterprising man - Ashish or Azrod. Our trek started from Rimbick on Day 1 ( where we reached by car from Darjeeling same day morning). After reaching Sandakphu and Phalut we came back via Srikhola to Darjeeling. Each day's path was beautiful and different than the other. We soaked in the beauty of the thick forest, the hills - both covered by raining clouds and rising upto sunny blue sky, rhododendron flowers of 5-6 hues ( white, red, pink, purple, peach, lavender) yaks, green meadows, chirping of birds and cricket, gushing stream and ever smiling hill people ( mostly Nepalese / Tibetan originally) with Mongoloid feature who are very hard working and hospitable. Excepting at Sandakphu and Phalut we hardly met any other tourist on the way. We walked for hours with only our guide Tenzing ji amidst the stunnigly beautiful trails - very rarely meeting some local people. Tenzing ji was not just an instructor sharing the plan, giving us wake up calls and leading the way especially on the trails we found difficult, but he also took the role of a father figure, quickly arranging for tea/food as soon as we reached the homestay. We were really touched by his hospitality. He was meticulous in arranging for food, fruits, hot water, tea etc. He had a sharp and compassionate mind, always taking care of our small wishes, desires, conveniences on and off the trails. We spoke about nature, philosophy, spirituality, about how technology is being used by the Govt. for betterment of hardships faced in the lives of hill people. He had knowledge of birds and also told us about flora and fauna. The homestays where the 6 night stays were organised by Subhash ji of Ashmita Tours & Trek, were of local hill families who offered delicious and fresh food, mostly cooked from vegetables grown in their own fields.We talked about our next trek to the base camp of Kanchenjungha or Gochala trek. We felt that if we plan at all, it must be with Ashmita Trek of Subhas ji and we must have Tenzing ji as our guide. Short Itinerary : Day 01 : Trek from Rimbeek to Gurudhum 10km 7 hours Day 02: Trek from Gurudhum to Sandakphu 10km 9 hoursDay 03: Trek from Sandakphu to Moley 14km 9 hours.Day 04 : Moley to Phalut 7km trek 5 hoursDay 05: Phalut to Gorkhey 14km trek 7 hours Day 06 : Gorkhey to Timburey 14km 9 hour Day 07 : Timburey to Srikhola 5km 2 hourThank You Team Ashmita!
