This map shows where we trekked to and returned from. (yellow highlighted roads/trails) We left Darjeeling in Jeep "share taxi" at 6:40 in the morning and were driven to the town of Manebhanjang (Mah-ne-ban-jong) which is the southern entry city to the Singalila National Park. We hired a guide and a porter for five days at 900 rupis per day. We also paid admission to the park which was 100 rupis each and 200 rupis for cameras.
We elected a five day trip which was suggested by the tourist guy in Darjeeling. This trip took us to Tumling the first night, a walk uphill of 12.3 km (7.5 miles) beginning at altitude of 2,104 mtrs up to 2,970 mtrs. In short, we climbed 866 mtrs in altitude.
Manebhanjang's main street and central business district. Their business appears to be primarily trekking with guides and porters ready to serve you. We elected to simply go here to hire guide and porter rather than depend on a trekking company that would likely charge a great deal more per day. What the heck? They speak English, don't they?
As we entered the park a local dog took us under his guidance and joined the party. He trotted right along and wasn't a bother and resisted our attempts to shoo him away.
As you can see, it was cloudy and we couldn't see much beyond 75 feet. Bummer!
Back down on Manebhanjang, as we got on the way uphill.
Still in civilization and foggy.
All these little towns had a monument of some sort on the outskirts. Here's our first.
We finally got above the clouds....for a little while.
After several hours of climbing we came to a little business place and enjoyed our first break, which our lungs (and legs) were begging for. This is me, my daughter Celia and grandaughter, Zalalem or Zoe.
Our staff members are Dorjey, the porter, Rakesh Rai, our guide, Zoe, Tesfaye (my son-in-law) and yours truly. More on these guys later.
We had a bit of coffee and some sweet rolls or biscuits.
There was a goodly stream of traffice...about three vehicles...that passed while we rested. Notice the topside seat of this hearty traveller.
Tesfaye likes to shop. Here's most of the convenience goods department of this roadside establishment.
We finally made it to Tumling, which is in Nepal. The altitude here is 2.970 meters. A nice place with lots of beds, bedrooms, and eating facilities in this fine lodge. I think we spent about 500 rps for room and 400 for meals, so we got off with under $10.00 for the night. Cold as blazes at night, but they piled on the blankets and provided hot water bottles for our cold feet.
The lounge, which is were we had dinner served. They brought in a fire ring to heat the room and we had a gas fired light to see by. Tesfaye and I enjoyed talking with a gentleman from Calcutta for an hour or so. He'd been sort of left behind by other members of his party who took sick and abandoned him here as he want to remain and get in some trekking, which is what he came there to do.
Speaking of illness, Celia had been coming down with an upper respiratory infection ever since we landed at Bagdora and headed up the mountain to Darjeeling. She was having difficulties breathing (weren't we all?) and felt that she should return to Darjeeling with Zoe, who was really a bit lacking in conditioning for this high country trekking. Celia and Zoe hired a ride back down to the starting point and then caught a share taxi back to Darjeeling the next morning and Tesfaye and I struggled on alone.
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