Singalila is West Bengal’s most well-hidden paradise. This haven of orchids located 7000ft above sea level should be high up on your list of places to visit for its never-ending vistas, the rich and shy wildlife that lives in it and the trekking opportunities that suit both experienced trekkers and beginners.
About:
Singalila National Park is a 78.6sq km national park located in West Bengal’s Darjeeling District. The national park forms a part of the Eastern Himalayas, a region well known for its wildlife and local communities.
It is also known for being a part of the Kanchenjunga Range, with the peak itself being visible along the trekking routes from Singalila to Sandakphu. The mountain ranges of Everest are also visible!
Highlights:
One of the most popular attractions at Singalila are the 40-odd Red Pandas that inhabit the region. These exclusive, endemic and incredibly rare animals are under threat from the pet trade and habitat loss, but they have a safe home here. Going on a trek from Singalila may give you an opportunity to sight them. This region is also home to the clouded leopard, an incredibly rare big cat that is almost never seen in real life and more so in camera trap images!
There are also Himalayan Black Bears, a cousin of the sloth bears that live in South India. You will see their almost human-like footprints in the ground well before you actually sight one, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying!
Singalila and the Eastern Himalayas in general are also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Most of India’s rarest birds such as the Himalayan Vulture, Khaleej Pheasant, Scarlet Minivet, Fire Tailed Myzornis and others are found here.
For those that prefer the scenery to the wildlife, there are several trekking routes dotted throughout the landscape, some being a short hike and others lasting up to 8 days.
A lesser known detail is that this region is also home to orchids, and in fact plays host to over 600 different kinds of orchids. It is also home to a species of plant known as a cobra lily, for its striking resemblance of a cobra displaying its hood.
Why We Like Singalila:
- Accessibility: Singalila is only 35km from Darjeeling, making it an accessible destination for many people
- Variety of options: There is something to see for everyone here on their next trip to Darjeeling!
- Vast diversity of wildlife: With over 600 species of orchids, 120 species of birds, some 40 species of mammals and more, Singalila truly is a rich national heritage site.
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