The ingenious assortment of cool climate, generous precipitation and the right mix of warmth and humidity throughout the year have shaped the unique eco-system of Singalila National Park in the northernmost reaches of Darjeeling district of West Bengal and the adjacent forest in Ilam, Nepal. The wide range of vegetation ranging from subtropical forests and temperate coniferous forests which exists in the altitude range 2000 to 3500 meters has made the Singalila National Park a prominent biodiversity hotspot. This sub-temperate Himalayan broadleaf ecosystem is home to wide array of elusive Himalayan wildlife such as Red Panda, Asiatic Black Bear, Clouded leopard, Common Leopard, Melanistic Leopard, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Sherow, Himalayan Musk deer, Melanistic Barking deer, Himalayan Brow Goral, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel and many more.
Singalila is also home to more than 200 bird species. Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant , Fire-tailed Myzornis, Red Crossbill, Rosefinches, Bullfinches, Grosbeaks, Parrotbills, Yuhinas, Laughingthrushes are among the most notable ones.
The highest peak of this park is Sandakphu (3636m ) which is the highest peak of West Bengal as well. Sandakphu is the only place in the world which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan mountain range. There is no other place in the world where one can witness Mt. Everest and Mt. Khangchendzonga in a single frame, Which makes this place one of a kind. Sandakphu also happens to be a very popular destination for high altitude birding.
The incredibly rare Red Panda is the crown jewel of this natural heaven, with the Singalila National Park being one of the few last remaining refuges for the incredible animal.
Accessibility by Train: New Jalpaiguri
Accessibility by Air: Bagdogra
Day 1: 1/11/22:
Bagdogra- Singalila National Park
Day 2: 2/11/22:
Singalila National Park
Morning bird watching activity in and around Tumling area. Breakfast followed by the hike to forest for Red Panda in Nepal. Meanwhile our expert trackers will be out searching for Red Panda and they will inform our team once it has been sighted. Our team has 12 experienced trackers ,5 support staff and professional guides.
Day 3 & 4: 3/11/22 & 4/11/22:
Singalila National Park
Morning bird watching activity , breakfast followed by departure for Gairibas, at the heart of Singalila National Park, a paradise for birds, 6 km from Tumling. The road from Tumling to Gairibas is inside Singalila forest and is a very good trail for wildlife activities. Everyday specialised Red Panda trackers will be out looking for Red panda from early morning till afternoon in forests of Nepal and they promptly notify us if there’s a sighting. We will reach the sighting spot by vehicle or by trekking, depending on the nature of the terrain. This activity will be repeated for the next couple of days. Our guests can participate in Red Panda tracking as well. Our trained naturalist will be accompanying guests on marked trails of forest to look for Red Panda and other wildlife.
Day 5: 5/11/22:
Singalila National Park
Early morning departure for Sandakphu, 20 kms from Tumling, around 2 hours drive. Sandakphu is the best place to witness the Sleeping Buddha( Mt. Khangchendzonga range) from a very close distance and is the only place to witness Mt. Everest and Mt. Khangchendzonga in a single frame. Sandakphu is also very popular for birding, especially for Red Crossbills. Meanwhile the trackers will keep searching Red Panda and promptly notify us if there’s a sighting. We will reach the area earliest possible by vehicle.
Day 6: 6/11/22:
Singalila National Park- Bagdogra
Morning birding and followed by departure for Bagdogra Airport.
