Himalayan Jeep Safari
Jeep Safari Tours to Darjeeling Singalila National Park
The Singalila National Park is located on the Singalila Ridge towards the west of Darjeeling. This was declared a National Park in 1992 and the trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas – as it offers amazing views of the Kangchenjunga and Mt. Everest. The Jeep ride will take you from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu and back.
Himalayan Jeep safari
Singalila National Park is a reserved forest area placed at the Singalila range in Darjeeling district. A high-altitude park passing between 7,900ft to about 12,000ft covering an area of 78.6 square km. This is in particular the highest altitude park in the state of West Bengal.
Originally a wildlife sanctuary park that succeeded in converting itself into a national park in 1992. The whole of the Singalila range and the general park has long been part of the trekking route to Sandakphu and Phalut. The best way to visit the park is following this very route.
A gravel road for jeeps runs through the park on this route all the way up to Sandakphu and Phalut. The north area of the park is accessible through Rimbik. Sikkim is located in the northern side of the park while Nepal lies to its west.
How to take the safari?
Once you arrive at Manebhanjan, you can take a 4-wheel road vehicle like a Jeep or a classic Land Rover. The classic Land Rovers here are excellent 4-wheel drive vehicles that were previously used by the British. Only a few of them (around 40 in number) are still intact and manned by the respective owners. From the jeep station at Manebhanjan, you can take a jeep or a Land Rover for a safari to the Singalila National Park.
The Land Rovers Association announces the fares. The jeep can also go up to Sandakphu (time taken: 4-5 hrs approx. given the number of breaks taken) and ahead onto Phalut (another 2.5 hrs). All are expected to take a license from the forest department before starting the trip to the central zone of the park. Foreigners need to showcase their identity proof at the check post in Manebhanjan. There is an entry fee applicable (Rs. 100 per person) which is to be paid on spot. This license can be both taken from the Forest Department Office at Manebhanjan or at the entry point to the National Park. One that is located 1 km from Tumling.
