For all those wishful travellers who want to hike but are short on time or cannot walk long distances, this trek is perfect for you. Also for beginners. The best part of this trek is, though you have to walk small distances on all three days, you cover both Sikkim and West Bengal in a single trek. What can be more exciting than this? The maximum altitude that you’d be walking into, will be around 7900 feet approx. You not only get to stay in two very pristine hamlets in Sikkim and West Bengal, you also spend a whole day in the breathtakingly beautiful valley of Samanden.
Day 1
- We pick you up from NJP railway station
- Breakfast near NJP railway station
- Post breakfast move towards Okhrey with a lunch-break in between.
- Overnight stay at Okhrey ( between 6 to 7 hours of journey)
- Post breakfast transfer to Bhareng. Trek starts towards Samanden (5 kms approx)
- Overnight stay at Samanden.
- Post breakfast, trek towards Gorkhey. 2 kms approx.
- Overnight stay at Gorkhey.
- Post breakfast, trek towards Bhareng (3 kms approx)
- Board vehicle from Bhareng and drop at NJP railway station ( 6 to 7 hours of journey approx)
Trekking Gear:
- A rucksack lined with plastic liner and covered with rain cover.
- 2 numbers of one litre capacity water bottles.
- A Hand/Head Torch with spare batteries.
- UV protection Sunglasses.
- Quick Dry lower or Track Pants- 2.
- Full sleeved T-shirts- 2.
- Rainwear (Jacket and Pants) -1 OR poncho-1
- Hiking/sports socks- 2 pairs.
- Undergarments - 1 for each day of trekking.
- Sun cap or Biker Scarf for protection from sun- 1.
- One extra set of clothes for return journey.
- Non-skid deep trod hiking shoes (Preferably ankle high) - 1 pair.
- Lightweight kitos - 1 pair.
- Whistle.
- Sunscreen lotion, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet roll, cold cream, soap paper strips, small quick dry towel.
- Anti-fungal cream: Carry an antifungal cream if you are sensitive to sweating and prone to skin irritations around genitals or groin area due to lack of bathing.
- For women:
- Tampons or sanitary napkins,
- 2-3 zip pouches to carry non-biodegradable waste.
- Vaginal wash to avoid any irritation due to lack of bathing.
- A lightweight, leak-proof lunch box( preferably steel)that can bear handling and hold your packed lunch while on the trail and spoon.
- Camera (optional).
- Personal medicine kit. Though our trek leaders carry a fully equipped first-aid kit, it is a good idea to carry a small personal one. Make sure you consult your doctor before the trek in case you have any special ailment.
- Dry fruits, energy bars.
- Walking poles.
- Min Batch strength: 7
- Max Batch strength : 15
- Min age: 5 years.
- Max age :60 years.
- No. of days : 3 nights 4 full days
- Who can go? Anyone of age 5 years and above. Do note, however, that for children below 10 years of age , it's best they travel with their parents. Children over 10 years of age are mostly independent, so they can without parents.
- What kind of food will be available? Vegetarian/Eggatarian/Non vegetarian (chicken dishes). Just let us know your preferences.
- In case we choose to travel with you in the same train, can you book train tickets for us? Soma's Camps is an adventure outfit. We usually do not do ticket reservations in either trains or flights. However, in case of minors who travel without parents and women who are not comfortable travelling alone, we can help you with ticket reservation in trains only, provided of course we receive the train fare and a mail from you at least 125 days before the date of the program.
- Which is the nearest railway station? New Jalpaiguri .
- Which is the nearest airport? Bagdogra
- What is the length of the trek? 14 kms approx in three days.
- How steep is the trail ? The trail is mostly level with usual undulations you'd find in hilly areas.
- What about toilets? You will be staying in homestays with mostly western toilet facilities.
- Can I trek with periods? Trust us you can unless it is a major medical issue for which your doctor can advise you the best. Lots of women trek all over the world during their periods. Do not let anything as normal as periods hold you back to have a great experience.
- Cancellations will be subject to cancellation charges.
- Cancellations will have to be intimated to Soma's Camps by email only.
- 30% of the total trip fee is not refundable on cancellation at any point of time. If you fail to pay your trip fee( in case of part payments) within the scheduled date and ignore repeated intimations, your registration maybe cancelled and the booking amount forfeited.
- Cancellation between 40 to 22 days prior to departure date : 50% of the trip fee will be refunded.
- Cancellation between 21 and 11 days prior to departure date : 30% of the trip fee will be refunded.
- Cancellations made from 10 days to the day of departure or no showup: no refund.
- Cancellation by Soma's Camps in the unforeseen eventualities of riots, political or industrial unrest like Railway operators strike, Airlines strike, it may be necessary to cancel the tour in the best interests of our clients. In such an eventuality our clients will be informed as soon as possible. The trip fee paid by the clients will be refunded in full OR we will provide you with an alternate set of program dates. In case you have chosen the alternate set of dates, it cannot be cancelled.
- Cancellation by Soma's Camps in the unforeseen eventualities of pandemic, epidemic, any other long term natural or biological disaster or man-made, disasters like war and others, it may be necessary to cancel the tour in the best interests of our clients. In such an eventuality our clients will be informed as soon as possible. 70 % of the trip fee paid by the clients will be refunded.
- If a participant tests positive in the RTPCR test within the window of 72 hours of prior to joining our program she/he will have to mail the report to somascamps@gmail.com . The traveller will receive a voucher, by mail, from our side which he/she can use within one year, in any other trip/program. The voucher can be used once only. If you have used the voucher in one program, then do not wish to join the same, cancellation charges will apply in the abovementioned way.
- Payment: Payment for the trek can be done online through credit/debit card or net banking or NEFT or by account payee cheques.
- Non-liability: Soma's Camps is not responsible for any loss/damage of your gears/equipment or other belongings on the trek.
- Regarding proper disposal of non bio-degradable waste:At Soma's Camps, we to prefer to leave nothing other than footprints behind. Kindly help us to maintain that by taking care of your non bio-degradable wastes.
- Drinking and smoking during the trek is strictly prohibited. If found flouting the rules, your participation on the trek will be cancelled with immediate effect. Please understand we will not accept any negotiation or debate on alcohol consumption.
- Emergency during the trip: If for any reason you have to leave the trip midway, Soma's Camps can make arrangements for your return to the nearest rail head/airport. In such a case pay the trip facilitator the amount of the transport before you start for the railhead/airport.
- Please understand when we say 'trip fee' in reference to refunds, we mean the full amount not partial payment.
- Program may get modified/cancelled in case of inclement weather.
- Cost escalation during the trip, due to change in itinerary owing to natural reasons or unforeseen conditions like Landslides , Road Blockage, Bad Weather, Social or Political Unrest, Strikes, sudden shut down of any govt office etc, will have to be borne by the participant.