Tonglu-Kalipokhri Short Ridge Trek

The Tonglu-Kalipokhri short ridge trek is a two-day option on the Singalila Ridge in Singalila National Park, Darjeeling district, West Bengal, suited to a long weekend. It begins at Manebhanjan (2,150 m), which is reached by shared jeep from Darjeeling, and covers about 20 km via Tonglu and Gairibas to Kalipokhri, with the highest point at about 3,100 m. Entry is through the Manebhanjan park gate, where visitors register, pay the park fee and take a licensed guide, as guides are compulsory on the ridge; photo ID is required. The first day climbs steadily through oak, rhododendron and silver fir forest, along a mix of dirt path and the rough ridge road, and reaches Tonglu, where a trekkers' hut and tea house offer views toward Kangchenjunga and the plains on clear days. The second stage follows the ridge to Gairibas and onward to Kalipokhri, where a small black-water lake and a temple provide a natural stopping point. Elevation gain is roughly 900 to 1,000 m across the route, which fits the moderate class, and the trail is mostly sustained uphill without technical scrambling. Exposure is limited, though the upper ridge is open and windy and shade is intermittent. Water and simple meals are available at the huts and tea houses at Tonglu, Gairibas and Kalipokhri, and water from other sources should be treated. Landmarks include the border pillars on the India-Nepal frontier, the forest belts and the lake at Kalipokhri. The return is usually by pre-booked Land Rover or jeep along the ridge road, which also serves as a bail-out route if weather turns or altitude symptoms appear. Tonglu is the usual turn-around point for walkers wanting a shorter outing.