Singalila Ridge MTB Tour

Adventure Mountain Biking In The Himalayas.

Using the charming former British hill station of Darjeeling as our base we explore some of the world's most stunning mountain bike trails. We take on outrageous climbs and massive 20Km plus singletrack descents with Yaks and the world’s third highest mountain Kangchendzonga as our constant companions.

Mountain Bike Kerala’s Singalila Ridge Tour features everything and more that you would expect from world class mountain biking. Serpentine singletrack, Himalayan size climbs and even bigger descents, technical sections, drop offs all set amongst breathtaking scenery.

Riding along the borders of North East India and Nepal this tour takes in arguably the best panoramic views of the Himalaya on earth. It’s a tough and challenging tour for those mountain bikers with a taste for adventure.

0044 (0) 161 408 2281

Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Calcutta. Transfer to day hotel. Meet up with group, afternoon free to relax. Overnight Air Conditioned sleeper train to New Jalpaiguri.

DAY 2 Kurseong singletrack. Transfer. Bike Set Up. Afternoon singletrack ride. Overnight stay in the delightful hill station of Kurseong.

DAY 3 Kurseong to Darjeeling. Outstanding singletrack and stunning forested national park trails make this a great acclimatization ride as we cycle to Darjeeling. Overnight stay Darjeeling.

DAY 4 Darjeeling to Tumling. Today things start to get tough. We cycle from Darjeeling through thick forests along quiet country roads to Manehbanjang where the climbing starts in earnest with a challenging 1000-meter plus ascent on jeep tracks and rocky bridleways to Tonglu. From Tonglu the trail descends along an outlandish 2 k stretch of singletrack to the picturesque village of Tumling in Nepal with astounding views over the Illam region of Nepal. Overnight stay Tumling.

DAY 5 Tumling to Sandakhpu. We tumble down from Tumling along stunning trails on the Nepali side of the ridge toJaubari where the trail turns increasingly technical as it descends to Garibas. From Garibas its climbing al the way as we ascend another 1000 meters to Sandakphu and our highest overnight stay at 3650 meters, here as elsewhere on the trails the views of the full Kangchendzonga range and Everest are outstanding.

DAY 6 Sandakphu to Gorkhey. The trails follow the ridge as we ride above the tree line in the shadow of the mighty Himalaya. Yaks are a common sight here as the path weaves and undulates its way along the Singalila ridge with hair-raising descents followed by lung busting climbs. From the remote border outpost of Phalut the singletrack descent down to the Tolkien-esque village of Gorkhey has to be ridden to be believed. Overnight stay Gorkhey.

DAY 7 Gorkhey to Ramman. For the masochists amongst us there is a chance to ride back up to Phalut and do the whole descent again. For others a chance to relax and wander around the extraordinary village of Gorkhey. Afternoon two-hour singletrack ride through the Samandan forest before reappearing in civilization in the small village of Ramman for overnight stay.

DAY 8 Ramman to Sandakphu. From here its time to let the donkeys do the work as we trek along side the donkeys as they carry the bikes on the 1200 meter high gain climb through stunning forests to the tiny settlement of Molley. From Molley its back on the bikes the singletrack climbs steadily back up to the Singalila ridge as we reverse the trail back up to Sandakphu with another chance to soak in those Himalayan views. Overnight stay in Sandakphu.

DAY 9 Sandakphu to Rimbick. If you where wondering what yesterdays climb was all about today all is revealed. From Sandakphu it’s downhill all the way as the trails descends 1500 meters to the oxygen rich town of Rimbick along what could be the worlds finest 20 km of singletrack. Overnight stay Darjeeling.

DAY 10 Darjeeling. Morning transfer. Afternoon free time to explore Darjeeling’s charms. Overnight stay Darjeeling.

DAY 11 Darjeeling. Today we swap cycles for paddles as we go white water rafting on the glacier chilled waters of the river Teesta. Those afraid of the water are free to wander around the charming former British hill station of Darjeeling. Overnight stay Darjeeling.

DAY 12 Darjeeling to Bunkalung. We ride the forested national park trail along the Darjeeling ridge back down to Kurseong before descending along outstanding Tea Estate singletrack down to the river Balason and the scenic village of Bunkalung. Short transfer to New Jalpaiguri and return overnight train to Calcutta.

DAY 13 Arrive Calcutta. Walking tour. Taking in the Calcutta’s wealth of impressive sights, sounds, food and street life. Overnight Calcutta.

DAY 14 Transfer to airport for return flight home.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

2012 October £925

0044 (0) 161 408 2281