Sandakphu & Phalut Vintage Land Rover Expedition
Ride iconic 1950s Land Rovers along the Singalila Ridge facing the Sleeping Buddha.
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate (4x4 Expedition)
- Best season
- Oct–May (Snow Jan–Feb, Rhododendrons April)
- Highest point
- 3,636 m / 11,930 ft
- Pickup and drop
- NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport
- Vehicle
- 1950s Vintage Series Land Rover + Innova/Scorpio for plains legs
Overview
Experience the thrill of traversing the Singalila Ridge in an authentic 1950s British Land Rover — the only vehicle built for these legendary stone tracks. Witness sunrise views of four of the world's five highest peaks: Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.
- Exclusive ride in historic 1950s Series 1 & 2 British Land Rovers
- Panoramic views of the "Sleeping Buddha" (Kangchenjunga range)
- Stays in Nepal-India border ridge villages (Tumling, Kalipokhri)
- Red Panda and Himalayan black bear habitats in Singalila National Park
- Authentic mountain homestays with organic meals and wood-stove Bukharis
The route, day by day
Highest point 3,636 m on day 3
Day by day
Day 1
NJP / Bagdogra → Manebhanjan → Tumling (2,970 m)
Scenic drive through Mirik tea gardens to Manebhanjan. Board your vintage 4x4 Land Rover, ascend through Chitrey and Meghma into Tumling for a grand twilight view of Kangchenjunga.
Day 2
Tumling → Kalipokhri via Singalila NP (3,180 m)
Enter the core zone of Singalila National Park through dense rhododendron and bamboo groves. Hot Tibetan momos at Gairibas before the sacred black pond of Kalipokhri.
Day 3
Kalipokhri → Sandakphu Summit (3,636 m)
Tackle the legendary Bikheybhanjan ascent to the highest peak in West Bengal. Golden sunset over Everest, Kangchenjunga, Makalu, and Lhotse.
Day 4
Excursion to Phalut — Sleeping Buddha Dawn Sunrise
5:00 AM wakeup to witness the Sleeping Buddha sunrise in full glory. Full-day rugged ridge excursion toward Phalut plateau. Campfire stories in the evening.
Day 5
Descent to Manebhanjan → Darjeeling
Thrilling descent via Dhotrey stone track. Transfer into private SUV to Darjeeling. Evening stroll along Chowrasta Mall.
Day 6
Darjeeling Sunrise → Departure NJP / Bagdogra
Optional Tiger Hill sunrise or Batasia Loop. Descend through Kurseong tea hills to NJP or Bagdogra Airport.
On the route
Included
- Private 1950s Vintage Land Rover for the full Sandakphu ridge circuit
- NJP / Bagdogra private transfers in modern SUV
- 5 nights handpicked accommodation (ridge homestays + Darjeeling heritage hotel)
- All meals on the ridge: organic homecooked breakfasts, hot lunches, dinners
- Singalila National Park entry permits & Land Rover association fees
- Experienced Gorkha driver-mechanic and certified mountain guide
Not included
- Airfare / train tickets to Bagdogra / NJP
- Personal expenses, snacks, and extra beverages
- Camera / drone fees at Singalila checkposts
- Emergency medical evacuation / travel insurance
Permits
Aadhaar / Voter Card / Passport required. Permits arranged 100% by Shingolia Hills.
Good to know
- How cold is Sandakphu?
- Winter (Dec–Feb): -5°C to -10°C with snow. Spring/Autumn: 5°C–15°C day, 0°C–5°C night.
- Is this suitable for senior citizens?
- Yes! The Land Rover expedition lets seniors witness Sandakphu without any physical trekking exhaustion.
- What network works on the ridge?
- BSNL and Jio have intermittent coverage. Nepal telecom signals are also picked up.