Visitors' Reviews/Comments
Saheli Ghosh (September 2021)
I am going for a Sandakphu Trek. We have one day extra, so we want visit Triveni. So my question is,
1) while returning from Srikhola (via Mirik) which will be the nearest point where I can leave our car and get a shared cab for Tista Bazar.
2) Cost of the Shared Car
3) If there's no nearest point, and if I have to take a cab from NJP to Tista Bazar, what is the last timing for shared cab, and what will it cost from NJP to Tista Bazar.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2021
You won't get a shared taxi for Teesta Bazaar on your way from Srikhola to NJP via Mirik. You need to take one from NJP or Siliguri. Shared taxis are usually available up to 2:30-3:00 pm (mostly bound for Kalimpong or Gangtok) after which you will unlikely get one. Fare would be around Rs. 130-150 per person.
A. Kundu (May 2019)
Dear Raj, Thank you for your extremely informative website. Just a few more questions. Are there shared taxis available from NJP to Shrikhola and what could be the fare in late October?
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2019
Hello, there are no shared taxis from NJP to Srikhola. You may need to change several times (at Mirik, Sukhiapokhri etc) and once you get to Manebhanjan, you may be able to get one depending on the timing. But it's not quite practical. Better to go to Siliguri and get one. Fare up to Srikhola would be about Rs. 350 per person.
Suman Sengupta (March 2018)
Hi there! Kudos on this awesome and helpful website. I along with my friends are planning to go to Srikhola this April and I wanted to get some information. 1. What will be the cheapest way to reach Srikhola from NJP? 2. Is it possible to hike from Srikhola to Sandakphu and return to Srikhola on the same day? I would be grateful to you for help. Thanks in advance!
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) March 2018
Hi, take a share jeep/taxi to Ghum, from there another one to Manebhanjan, and then a small private taxi to Srikhola. No you can not visit Sandakphu from Srikhola and return on the same day.
Sampita (May 2017)
Hi Raj. You are doing an excellent job.. I am very thankful to you for all the information you are sharing with us..I have a question to ask. Is it a very bad time to visit Srikhola at the month of June-July? Is there any kind of risk at that time?
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2017
June/July is heavy monsoon time... there are possibilities of landslides blocking routes, otherwise okay.
Raktim (January 2017)
Hi, This is really a wonderful site that you have prepared. The vast information and continuous updation make this site really unique. I was wondering that during winter times what is operation time for the private taxis in hills. Actually, I am planning to reach Bagdogra by 3pm and planning to go to Srikhola. Will it be possible to reach Srikhola by the same day by hiring a private taxi from Bagdogra? Looking forward to your response. Thanks in advance.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2017
You can get taxis at 3pm in winter, but it'll be too late to reach Srikhola and taxi drivers won't agree to go. Pre-paid taxis at Bagdogra airport don't have service up to Srikhola.
Fran (January 2016)
Hi, this is a great website indeed. I am going to travel to India for the first time and my destination is Samten Monastery, next to Rimbik. Considering that I am flying over Bagdogra, what's better for me? I asked some people and they suggested to go to Darjeeling first and then take the shared jeep to Rimbik, but I would rather prefer to go straight to Rimbik from Bagdogra, is there any chance to do it? Otherwise, how do I get to Darjeeling from Bagdogra? Taxi/shared taxi only, from what I have read so far, am I right? Cheers.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2016
Hi, You can take a private taxi from Bagdogra and get to Rimbik directly via Manebhanjan. It can take over 6 hours. There is no shared taxi or jeep at Bagdogra airport. You can however reach Manebhanjan (about 4 hours from Bagdogra) and then take a shared jeep to Rimbik. But shared jeeps do not operate usually after 2pm in the hills. A second option is to go down to Siliguri taxi stand (a place known as Darjeeling More) which is about 30 minutes drive from Bagdogra. From there you will get shared jeep to Rimbik, but the last one leaves at 1pm (as per the last timings I know of). If you miss it, you need to take a reserved vehicle. Third option is to go to Darjeeling (3 hours from Bagdogra) and take a shared jeep from the lower town motor stand. This will require that you each before 2pm or stay overnight and start the next day. It takes about 3.5 to 4 hours from Darjeeling to Rimbik.
Partha Pratim Mitra (October 2013)
Dear Raj, Though detailed information is given in your site about return route from Sandakphu via Gurdum- Srikhola- Rimbik. I would still request you to please let me know if my below plan is viable. I will reach Sandakphu on 22nd Oct. On 23rd Oct I will trek down to Srikhola. On 24th Oct I would like to avail a share jeep from Srikhola to catch Darjeeling Mail same day at 8 p.m. from NJP. Is shared jeep available from Srikhola? When I need to start from Srikhola to catch the evening train at NJP. My major concern is to catch the train same day from NJP at 8 p.m. Regards.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) October 2013
Hi, Your day wise plan is okay. But note that there is no shared Jeep service right from Srikhola. Limited Jeep service is available from Sepi which is about 2kms from Srikhola. It's an easy hike from Srikhola to Sepi. A second option is to pre-arrange a reserved Jeep or Scorpio (if you can afford) through the lodge. 4-wheel drive Jeeps can come up to Srikhola. A third option is to trek down to Rimbik (7kms / 2hours) early in the morning and avail shared Jeep from there to Manebhanjan/Siliguri. You can easily catch the evening train from NJP on the same day. Regards,
Update: Shared jeeps are now available in the morning (6am and 11:30am) from Srikhola to Darjeeling via Manebhanjan. If you want to go to Siliguri/NJP, then get off at Manebhanjan or Sukhiapokhri and take another shared jeep.
Sibasish Das (June 2013)
Hi, we are planning to go Rimbik in August 2013, I want to know the car/jeep fare of NJP - Rimbik, by booked car. how much time taken? is it available from NJP? is there compulsory to take a guide for the route Rimbik - Sirikhola - Rimbik? (if I know the entire route previously).
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2013
From NJP you will get a car for Manebhanjan. From there take another car or jeep to Rimbik. There is a Guides & Porters Association at Rimbik who will insist that you take a guide for the trek. So, it's become mandatory even on this route. You will get the fare information below.
Chandan Roy (June 2013)
We are planning to stay at Srikhola DGHC lodge in October. My queries are:
Q1) Is it possible to catch Darjeeling mail from NJP if we start from Srikhola soon after breakfast?
Q2) Is the taxi service available from Srikhola to NJP. Thanks.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2013
A1) Yes, it's highly possible. Start by 8am and keep couple of hours of buffer time in hand in case of any delays along the way. I'm assuming you will take a jeep from Srikhola and not walk up to Rimbik.
A2) Take a jeep (pre arrange with the lodge and they can get you one). Otherwise you must start very early in the morning (by 5am) and hike down to Rimbik in about 2 hours, and take a jeep from there. You might need to change at Manebhanjan. There is no taxi service from Srikhola.
Shantanu Roy (January 2013)
Hi, Your suggestions are really helpful. This year I along with my 3 friends have decided to go to sandakphu for the second time and follow the:
Manebhanjan-Sandakphu-Falut-Rammam-Srikhola-Rimbik-Siliguri route in the last week of January. Now please suggest me if it will be better to stay at Srikhola or Rimbik? I also want to know if we can get any bus from Rimbik to go to Siliguri? If 'yes', please tell me the time when it leaves Rimbik and when it reaches Siliguri. I'll be very grateful to you. Thanking you.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2013
Bus service from Rimbik is very limited and it leaves early in the morning (around 6am). So if you want to catch the bus, you should plan to stay in Rimbik market area. Bus timings change, so you will need to find it out there. Otherwise stay at the DGHC Trekkers hut in Srikhola. I prefer that. It's quite scenic out there. Next day take a 7km easy walk (2 hours) to Rimbik and plan to take a shared jeep to Manebhanjang and another one from there to Siliguri/ NJP. You may also get a direct shared jeep from Rimbik to NJP.
Sanghamitra Aich (October 2012)
Hi! We have booked in Shrikhola for two days on 21st & 22nd Sept 2012 and then to Darjeeling. We want to know:
1. Rate of private cab for dropping us to Shrikhola from NJP/Siliguri
2. How much time will it take and what route they opt.
Please let us know the information and oblige. Thanks & Regards,
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, October 2012)
Hello, Please take the rates as indicative as on October 2012. It may vary depending on the season. You can take a small private car from NJP/Siliguri for Manebhanjan (via Mirik and Sukhiapokhri). The current rate is Rs. 2500/- (approx.) for a small reserved car.
From there if you want to go directly to Srikhola, you will need to take a 4-wheel drive like a Jeep or a Land Rover, because Rimbik to Srikhola stretch is on a gravel road. Normal cars can't make it. The Jeep/Land Rover fare from Manebhanjan to Srikhola is Rs. 2200/- (approx). You can however take a small car from Manebhanjan up to Rimbik (Rs. 1500) and then a shared jeep up to Sepi and then walk the remaining 2kms to Srikhola.
A cheaper way of reaching Manebhanjan from NJP/Siliguri is to take a shared jeep up to Sukhiapokhri (Rs. 150 per person), and then a bus or another shared jeep over a short distance to Manebhanjan. It takes roughly five hours from NJP/Siliguri to reach Manebhanjan (via Mirik). The other shorter route via Hill Cart Road is not accessible at present.
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