We wake to our first morning in the mountains, enjoying breakfast with views of the surrounding hills before beginning our trek to Tumling. The trail starts with a steady climb through beautiful forests of rhododendron and magnolia, with the morning light filtering through the trees in dramatic shafts. We follow ancient paths that have connected Himalayan communities for centuries, crossing the India-Nepal border several times throughout the day. After approximately four hours of walking, we stop for lunch at a simple teahouse in Chittrey, enjoying our meal with panoramic mountain views. The afternoon's walk continues through increasingly dramatic landscapes, with the forest gradually thinning to reveal our first proper views of the Kangchenjunga range. Upon reaching Tumling in the late afternoon, we check into our teahouse and have time to relax before dinner. The evening might be spent on the viewing platform, watching the sunset paint the distant peaks in shades of gold and orange.

After an early breakfast, we begin our trek to Kalapokhri, following the Singalila Ridge with increasingly spectacular mountain views unfolding with every step. The trail climbs steadily through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fir, with occasional clearings that offer breathtaking vistas of the Kangchenjunga range. We stop for lunch at a scenic viewpoint near the Gairibas check-post, where we might spot some of the region's rich birdlife, including the colorful blood pheasant or the Himalayan monal. The afternoon's walk brings us to Kalapokhri, whose name means "Black Pond" in the local language, referring to the dark, mysterious lake that sits beside the village. We check into our teahouse and have time to explore the area, perhaps visiting the ancient Buddhist monastery that sits on the hillside above the lake.

Today's relatively short trek takes us to Sandakphu, the highest point in West Bengal and one of the most famous viewpoints in the entire Himalayan range. We begin after breakfast, climbing steadily through landscapes that grow increasingly dramatic as we gain altitude. The dwarf rhododendrons and juniper bushes of the high ridge create a beautiful, stark landscape against the backdrop of the towering peaks. Upon reaching Sandakphu by early afternoon, we check into our teahouse and have time to relax before the main event: sunset over the Himalayas. As evening approaches, we make our way to the viewing point to watch one of the most spectacular shows in the mountain world: the setting sun transforming the peaks of Kangchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu into a golden dreamscape. After a warm dinner, we might brave the cold for some stargazing, with the Milky Way stretching brilliantly across the high-altitude sky.

We wake before dawn to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas, a spectacle that transforms the icy peaks from dark silhouettes to glowing monuments in shades of pink and gold. After this unforgettable experience and a substantial breakfast, we begin our trek to Phalut, following the ridge through some of the most dramatic landscapes of the entire journey. The trail offers continuous panoramic views of both the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, with new peaks revealing themselves around every corner. We stop for lunch at a scenic spot along the ridge, enjoying our packed meals with arguably the best lunch view in the world. The afternoon's walk brings us to Phalut, where at 4,508 meters we're rewarded with a 360-degree panorama that includes not just the Sleeping Buddha formation but countless other peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. We check into the simple trekkers' hut and have time to absorb this magnificent vista before the sun sets and the temperature plummets.

After a final high-altitude sunrise, we enjoy breakfast before beginning our descent from the ridge into the beautiful Gorkhey Valley. The trail initially follows the ridge before descending steeply through forests of rhododendron and bamboo. The changing landscapes provide a fascinating study in Himalayan ecology as we lose altitude, with the vegetation growing increasingly lush with every hour of walking. After approximately four to five hours, we reach Gorkhey, a picturesque village nestled beside a musical river that forms the border between India and Nepal. We check into our homestay and have time to explore the village, perhaps taking a refreshing wash in the river or simply relaxing and absorbing the peaceful atmosphere. The evening is spent enjoying a final mountain dinner and reflecting on our journey along the roof of the eastern Himalayas.

Our final day of trekking begins with a leisurely breakfast beside the river, followed by a gentle descent through beautiful forests of chestnut and bamboo. The trail follows the river downstream, with the sound of flowing water providing a constant accompaniment to our walking. We stop for lunch at a scenic spot along the river, enjoying our final meal in the mountains. The last few hours of walking bring us to Sepi, where we meet our waiting vehicles for the drive back to NJP/Siliguri. The five-hour journey provides a gradual transition from the mountain world back to the plains, allowing us to process the incredible experiences of the past week. Upon reaching NJP/Siliguri in the evening, we bid farewell to our trekking team and begin our journeys home, carrying with us not just photographs but lasting memories of one of the world's most spectacular mountain vistas.