National park · India
Singalila National Park
Enter Singalila National Park for a 3‑day trek: start at Manebhanjyang, reach Sandakphu (3,636 m) before sunrise, then descend to Rimbik; avoid June‑September monsoon closure.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
78 km² (30 sq mi)30 sq mi (78 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 78 km² (30 sq mi)30 sq mi (78 km²)
- Area varies by source; roughly 78 km² total, with about 70 km² forested land and 8 km² alpine zone (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Darjeeling
Singalila National Park offers high‑altitude trekking along the India‑Nepal border, with iconic views of Kangchenjunga and rich birdlife during the spring bloom, while requiring permits and guides for most routes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDeclared a wildlife sanctuary in 1986, national park in 1992.
Size and age
78 km² (30 sq mi)30 sq mi (78 km²) · national park since 1992
Area varies by source; roughly 78 km² total, with about 70 km² forested land and 8 km² alpine zone (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Darjeeling.
Why go
- High‑altitude trekking with views of Kangchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks.
- One of the Eastern Himalaya’s top bird‑watching sites during bloom seasons.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, clear; trails accessible.
- FebCool, good visibility.
- MarSpring bloom, ideal for birding.
- AprSpring, many flowers.
- MayLate spring, still dry.
- JunPark closed 16 Jun–15 Sep (monsoon).
- JulClosed due to monsoon.
- AugClosed due to monsoon.
- SepReopens mid‑Sep; early month still wet.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear skies.
- NovDry, good trekking weather.
- DecCool, occasional frost.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Himalayan monal, satyr tragopan, fire‑billed flowerpeckerMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Red panda (rare sightings)Oct–Dec | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Darjeeling
Taxi or shared jeep 30 km (19 mi) west to Manebhanjyang; 1 h drive.Taxi or shared jeep 19 mi (30 km) west to Manebhanjyang; 1 h drive.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Siliguri (nearest rail hub)
Train to New Jalpaiguri, then taxi 70 km (43 mi) to Manebhanjyang.Train to New Jalpaiguri, then taxi 43 mi (70 km) to Manebhanjyang.
2–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Manebhanjyang gateway | Entrance, basic facilities, guide registration. | Open daily when park open. |
| Sandakphu summit area | Highest point, sunrise viewpoint, simple tea house. | Reachable by trek; no vehicle access. |
| Rimbik exit | End point of the classic trek, bus connections to Darjeeling. | Open year‑round. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate coordinates based on park centre and main trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4) | person | Check latest rate at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the Manebhanjyang‑Sandakphu section.
- Camping
- Only permitted in designated huts; open‑air camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use stove provided by huts.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Gairbas / Kalipokhari huts
Basic dormitory‑style huts with shared meals.
Near the park
Darjeeling town
Hotels and guesthouses; 30 km (19 mi) from park gate.Hotels and guesthouses; 19 mi (30 km) from park gate.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Monsoon landslides high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by vehicle; trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use registered huts; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support local Gorkhaland Territorial Administration guesthouses.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Singalila National Park?
Entry is about ₹200–₹300 per person at the Manebhanjyang gate; confirm the exact fee on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Singalila National Park?
The classic Sandakphu–Phalut trek (2–4 days) and the shorter Sandakphu sunrise hike from Manebhanjyang are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Singalila National Park?
Spring (March–May) and post‑monsoon (late September–December) offer clear weather and good birding; the park is closed mid‑June to mid‑September.
Do I need a guide for the Sandakphu trek?
Yes, a licensed guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the gate area.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated huts; open‑air camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Singalila National Park
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