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.

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 :

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