70Reviews23Q&A
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 46
- 17
- 7
- 0
- 0
Traveller type
Time of year
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
+1
As we planned to go to Varsay Rhododendron Sanctuary, we wanted to add more to it and finalized to do Phoktay Dara Trek too which is along the Varsay hill and could be done in one go or say start from Varsay and end up in Uttarey or vice-versa. So we choosed to start from Uttarey and reach Varsay. The trek is not very tough given the altitude which is only 3600 mtrs max. Chew Bhanjyang (Indo-Nepal Border) is on the way i.e. 4 hrs trek from Uttarey. We camped at Chew Bhanjyang for a night and on the nest day we moved to Kalijhar which is only about 3.5-4 hrs. Kalijhar became our base camp to summit Phoktay Dara and hence early in the next morning (04 am) we started our walk towards the top. About 45-50 minutes of walk, we were amazed by the scenic beauty which came before us....it was a lifetime experience to see such a sea of clouds over the high hills of West Sikkim and below the majestic Mt.Khangchendzonga and its adjacent peaks. THe view was amazing (no words to express) The panoramic view of the giants of Himalaya was right infront of us. Everest massiff on one side and Khangchendzonga massiff on the other....couldn't ask for more.... The days passed and we were finally at Varsay Trekkers Hut but still with the memories of that amazing view. Varsay Rhododendron sanctuary was not fully bloomed but was good enough to experience such different species of Rhododendrons together.... Overall magnificent plan executed....!!!…
Read more
Date of experience: March 2020
Helpful
what a lovely place...drive through to Hilley village from Soreng, walk inside think bamboo forests of Varsey Sanctuary and forest slopes carpeted with many colorful shades of Rhododendron...nature at its best! Any comprehension is inadequate for its breathtaking beauty
Read more
Date of experience: April 2019
Helpful
My friend and I have just completed a two week trek through Singalila nature reserve in West Bengal, India and some extra villages because we wanted a longer trek. We booked through Blue Dragon Adventure and Travel Darjeeling. This is an amazing company. From the first letter that I wrote to them, I felt that the person on the other side understood our needs and desires and I was correct. This is a small company that likes to give personal and excellent service. We had a guide and porter. Just the two of us (both 68 years old) and our guide and porter took off from Darjeeling and enjoyed every minute of our trek. Some of it was challenging, even hard, but our guide and porter always took care of us and made sure that we were safe. We walked through beautiful rain forests, with amazing flowers, trees, ferns, waterfalls and birds. We stayed in local guest houses. We felt very well taken care of. I can sincerely recommend this trek for any age if you are a good walker and love walking. The Blue Dragon Adventure and Travel company is definitely the company to go with. Dawa, the manager, is a very caring person, interesting and sincere, always giving of his best service. Our guide Norbu and porter, Yogesh, were simply the best. The Nature reserve can be done in 8 days, but you can add on more by walking to local villages. We changed our program in the middle of the trek because of cold weather and rain and the company was willing and able to make any adjustments that we requested.…
Read more
Date of experience: April 2019
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
The approximately 4 kms long one way trail is a feast for the eyes with blooming rhododendrons blloming all ariund with different colour and variety. The thick jungle trail is full of wildlife like leopards, wild boars and red pandas to name a few and there are numerous variety of chirping birds which surely will be delightful for the trekkers. Guras kunj (can accomodate 50 persons) is the trekkers hut with ample camping ground for the backpackers. There is an artificial lake nearer to Guras kunj. The rhodendron season extendes from March till May.…
Read more
Date of experience: March 2019
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
We want to Barsey in the middle of February, which is not a season for rhododendron. As we knew that we had less expectation with the trek. But to our amazement, this trek turns out to be one of the exciting ones due to the sudden snowfall. The trek itself is a very easy trek of 5 kms, except few places the road is quite okay and even in the winter season, the place was green and we can spot different species of birds. The trek will take you upto the guras kunj and forrest barrack. Due to the off season both of these were closed. When we trek upwards, suddenly we saw snowfall started and after sometimes the place started covering. Fearing that we might caught up in the snow we went down to hilley but it was a very fond memory for me. I would definitely suggest people to visit this place and the ideal time for the visit should be april month. …
Read more
Date of experience: February 2019
Helpful
