Travelomate - Your Reliable Travel Partner

Duration: 4 Nights / 5 Days
Places Covered: Zero Point (Near Lava) - Alubari - Rechi La - Pankhasari - Lava
Best Deals!   View Details                                        

"The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined" - Mark Twain.

"Flowers are everywhere. The days are cold and the sun almost seems to play hide and seek with us". - Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore.

Darjeeling has so many places for trekking and it is easy to access also. You can reach there by Siliguri, a bustling town about 80 kilometers from Darjeeling is the gateway to the Hills. It is more convenient to travel in smaller vehicles which are available on seat sharing basis/hire, from near the Bus terminus, airport and railway station.

Day 01: Zero Point – Alubari
Take a drive on the Lava-Damdim Road, an 8 km drive on this road will take you to Zero Point. Start your walk from Zero Point, look for the trail going downhill on the left towards the pump house. After a walk of about one km, you will reach the Neora river. There is a pipeline, walk along the pipeline towards the north-west for a couple of kilometres until you reach Jaree -Butee, a flat piece of land. Alubari is just 3 kms away from Jaree - Butee. Spend the night at Alubari camp which is situated close to the river.

Day 02: Alubari - Rechi La
This day walk out of Alubari Camp, past an old wooden bungalow, heading north. From this point, the path heading north-east enters dense oak and rhododendron forest. Climb uphill for about 4 kms, the trail is full of fallen leaves and goes in northward direction through fir and hemlock forest. Before reaching Rechi La, turn towards east to reach the Rechi La Bungalow. From here, Rechi La can be reached by walking back and following the trail northwards. A short walk of 10-15 m will take to the top of Rechi La (3,152 m). Overnight stay at Rechi La Top.

Day 03: Rechi La Lake - Rechi La
Today morning, take the trail that goes past the Rechi La Bungalow towards the eastern side. The trail passes three ridges and goes 4 kms down towards the villages of Todey-Tangta. It will take more than 2hrs to cross the three ridges and descend. On the right hand side of the trail is Rechi La Lake, the waters are clear and the reflection of the blooming rhododendron on its surface is an unforgettable sight. Also, look for the pugmarks of leopards, gorals and other wild animals. Return to Rechi La by following the same route. Spend the night.

Day 04: Rechi La – Pankhasari
Follow the same trail from Rechi La Top to reach Alubari. Just before reaching Alubari, take the road that bypasses the camp and follows the main Pankhasari ridge uphill in a south-westerly direction. A couple of kms away from Alubari Camp, the area is known as Pankhasari Camp. The flat ground provides a good site for pitching tents, spend the evening on the riages’s slopes for hearing the soothing voice of hill pat ridge and satyr tragopan.

Day 05: Pankhasari – Lava
Today trek downhill, due south-west, follow the Pankhsari Ridge through the oak forest and then pine-fir to reach the Pankhasari Check Post on the Lava-Zero Point track. From Pankhasari to the check-post takes around 2 hrs, from the check-post return back towards Zero Point for some birdwatching. The trail is mostly downhill and there is only one bridle path going down in a general south-westerly direction. The trek from the bridle path to Lava is easier. Stay at Lava overnight or return back to Kalimpong the same day by taxi.