Singalila National Park :: A Hidden Splendour

The park is situated almost on the north western border of Darjeeling district. The Kingdom of Nepal is in the west and the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim is at the north. A motorable road from Maneybhanjan to Phalut serves as an international border between India & Nepal. The national park has an area of 78.60 sq kms and it is located at an altitude of 2400 – 3636 mt. The park supports a variety of vegetation types. One can experience a different colour of blooming plant species throughout the year. The park is also very rich in mammalian fauna as well as avifauna.

Singalila National Park is one of the most popular trekking zones in West Bengal. Tourists attracted to this area for the clear views of the mountain ranges including the mighty Khanchendzonga, the third highest peak in this world, which can be viewed clearly on fine days from Sandakphu and Phalut. Tourists can never forget the breathtaking beauty of sunrise and sunsets. The trek to Sandakphu and Phalut in itself is a remarkable experience in once life.

Major Flora – Highest located national park in West Bengal. Forest type changes with altitudinal ranges from 2400 – 3636 mt. Maling Bamboo, Buk, Kawla, Magnolia, Bhojpatra, Oak, Rhododendron, Hemlock, Silver Fir and Juniper etc.

Major Fauna – Himalayan Black Beer, Red Panda, Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Serow, Barking Deer, Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant etc.

Accommodation for tourist is available in Tonglu, Tumling, Joubari, Gairibas, Kalpokhri, Sandakphu, Phalut, Molley, Gorkhey, Siri, Rammam, Rimbick.

To get more information about Singalila National Park kindly mail at info@visitnortheast.com

Rumtek Monastery :: The Center of Buddhist Studies in Sikkim

24 kms and about 45 minutes drive away on the hill opposite Gangtok is the Rumtek Monastery, The Dharma Chakra Centre and the seat of his holiness ‘The Gyalwa Karmapa’ who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Kagyupa sect of Buddhism has its origins in Tibet since 12th century. It is said that after the first Karmapa spent many years meditating in a cave, ten thousand fairies came to congratulate him and each offered a strand hair. These strand of hair were woven into a black hat. This black hat come to be passed down and is still at the Rumtek Monastery. It is said that unless held with the hand, or kept in a box, it will fly away. It was worm by the Karmapas on ceremonial occasions.

The Monastery is certainly the largest in Sikkim and is a good example of fine Tibetan architecture.A fifteen to twenty minute walk downhill from the main Monastery takes one to the old Rumtek Monastery, which was first built in 1730 by the ninth Karmapa but was destroyed due to a fire and had to be reconstructed to its present state.The new Monastery is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarter in Tibet.

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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary - The Place for One Horned Rhinos

It is situated in Alipurduar sub-division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal and it is about 124 km from Siliguri. The sanctuary was constituted in the year 1941 to protect the wildlife specially the One Horned Rhinos, an animal threatened with extinction. River Torsha runs through his sanctuary. The forest is mainly Savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. Elephant ride can be arranged for viewing the wildlife preferably at dawn.

Major Flora – Terai Grass Land, Riverine Forest, Sal Forest, Simul, Khair, Sisoo, Sidha, Gamar, kawla, Dilenia, Ficus, Mallotus ect.

Major Fauna – great Indian One Horned Rhino, Tiger, Gaur, Elephant, Badger Leopard, Sloth Bear, Otter, Bengal Florican, King Cobra etc.

To Reach -
By Air – Bagdogra near Siliguri is the nearest airport. Indian Airlines and the Jet Airways flights are available to and from Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi and Chennai and Paro (Bhutan).
By Rail – Nearest railway station is Madarihat which is 7 kms from the sanctuary. All the passenger trains stop here. The mail an express trains stop at Birpara / Hasimara Railway Station. Both are 20 kms away from the sanctuary.
By Road – Jaldapara is well connected by government and private buses with Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Bhutan, Darjeeling and other towns of North Bengal.

To know more details about Jaldapar Wildlife Sanctuary, please write to info@visitnortheast.com