Overview
The Singalila Ridge is a north-south mountain ridge running from northwestern West Bengal through Sikkim in the Indian part of the Himalayas. The district of Ilam in Nepal falls on the western part of this ridge.
Description
The region's outstanding trekking area is the Singalila Ridge, which runs about 50km along the India–Nepal border from Mane Bhanjang to Phalut (and continues into Sikkim, though foreigners aren't allowed to cross the state border here). The ridge offers wonderful views of the Himalayan chain stretching from Nepal to Sikkim and Bhutan. Between Sandakphu (the highest point, 3636m) and Phalut, the superb panoramas include four of the world's five highest peaks: Everest, Khangchendzonga, Lhotse and Makalu. There are some charming valleys and villages below the ridge, too. Clear skies and warm daytime temperatures in October and November make them ideal months to trek (but be prepared for freezing night-time temperatures at Sandakphu), as do the long days and incredible rhododendron and magnolia blooms of late April and May. Singalila National Park covers the Indian side of the ridge from Tumling to the Sikkim border; the park and access to the ridge are closed from mid-June to mid-September