trekking Darjeeling / Kalimpong

Hi,

I'm looking at alternatives to the Singalila Trek. I don't really want to hire a guide since I am alone, and don't really want to pay the fee and go without a guide. (Or is that "optional" :P ?) Unless maybe there are other people on here interested in joining up for a trek there mid-February ? I'm a pretty strong trekker, so would want people who are happy walking most of the day :)

Alternatives: How are the areas around Darjeeling/Kalimpong/Rangpo that are not in a park ? Or maybe Neora Valley NP ? Can you generally just wander into a village and find a place to sleep for the night ? And food ?

Feel free to get in touch, I'm looking forward to getting some mountain time ! And I am quite comfortable wandering around and route-finding myself, you'll just have to be fit enough to keep up :)

PS: what is a good source for maps of the area ?

In Southern Sikkim maybe.

@BideshiShahin

You might think about cross-posting to the trekking branch.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/trekking-mountaineering

https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_00006e.htm

near Rangpo ?

hey thanks, I forgot that is a thing

Must be cold trekking in February, eh ?

The cold in the Himalayas is massively hyped , and this winter has been on the warm side. Daytime temperatures today in Leh @ 3500 meters up to -3 degrees ( NB : in the shade ) , Darjeeling + 9 , Gangtok +12.

I didn't bring any winter gear at all with me though, except for one warm fleece (trekking is not my main reason for travelling to south Asia). Any recommendations for what to buy without breaking the bank ? Anything around 0 degrees sounds pretty cold to me, especially sleeping in an unheated little hut on a mountain.

You have literally brought no trekking gear ?

I have brought:

fleece
rain jacket
tuque (sorry for the Canadianism)
knife
lighter
compass
water purifier
boots
backpack
headlamp
cell phone
travel sheet
water bottle
duct tape (maybe that's a canadian thing too haha)
warm socks

Oops I meant to reply here but you can see my reply above

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