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BARSEY RHODODENDRON SANCTUARY

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary also pronounced as Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary of West Sikkim nestled at an altitude of 10500 feet high and occupies an area of 104 sq. km. A famous European naturalist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker during his visit to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary in the 1800s said ‘The super abundance of Rhododendron is the glory of the Singalila Range’. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is a part of Singalila National Park or Singalila Range, that spreads from Darjeeling of West Bengal on the south across Rambong Khola stream upto Sikkim and to the West it shares the boundary with Nepal. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is bounded by Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve on the north and Singalila National Park on the south. Barsey forms as a corridor that joins both the north and south. Barsey was declared as a protected sanctuary in the year 1996. The trek route to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary starts from Hilley check post, this trek route is 04 km long and is full of natural wonders. At a gap of every 01 km there are sitting arrangements for trekkers.

What to see around Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary:
Trekkers mainly visits Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary for its super abundance in wide species of Rhododendrons (locally known as Guraus), along with that some of the commonly found floras are Snake Lily, Cobra Lily, different species of Orchids along with Cinnabarinum, Arboreum, Camelliflorum, Vaccinioides, Anthopogon, Pendulum, Edgeworthii, etc. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is also dotted with the presence of thick long sized trees, thick natural vegetation, shrubs, dense thick forest of Himalayan Bamboo, thick long sized Pines, Primulas, long Oak trees and Deodar trees all over. The whole route of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is covered with gigantic sized ferns along with others species unknown Himalayan floras, and at some places the depth of vegetation on the ground is about 02 to 03 feet deep. On the trunks of these long trees thick layers of Moss and Fern are seen.
The faunal value of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary includes Leopard Cat, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Langur, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Monal Pheasant, Kaleej and many diverse species of birds. Above all Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is the common habitat of rare species Rad Panda (rarely seen) which is another attraction.

How to reach:

By Air:
There are mainly two closest airports to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. One is Pakyong Airport located around 120 km away and the other is Bagdogra Airport located around 160 km away from Hilley, the entry point of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Tourists mainly choose Bagdogra Airport as it is more convenient and it is well connected with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati by regular flights.

By Train:
New Jalpaiguri Railway station is the nearest rail head to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary located around 150 km away is Hilley.

By Road:
Barsey Rhododensron Sanctuary is easily accessible by road from the nearest town of Siliguri located around 143 km away. There are mainly 03 different entry points from where Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary can be approached these are namely Hilley, Dentam and Soreng. But among these Hilley is the most popular owing to its proximity to the motorable road. Hilley can also be reached from Gangtok located around 130 km away. From NJP via Jorethang one needs to reach at Okhrey located around 125 km away. Tourists are advised to make a night halt at Okhrey and the next day they need to travel upto Hilley check post located around 09 km away. Hilley can also be reached from Jorethang located at a distance of 57 km away and tourists will get shared cars up to Hilley till the afternoon. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary can also be approached from Kaluk of West Sikkim located around 50 km away.

Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is April – May when the famed trees of Rhododendrons are in full bloom. However during this time the climate remains cool, but chances of fog may appear. In order to get clear weather one can opt to visit during October – March. As this is time when the snow-capped Himalayan ranges are clearly visible.

Things to know while trekking to Barsey:

There is few travel tips one need to follow while they travel of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.

  1. Tourists need to obtain the required permits to enter Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary from Hilley check post after paying a nominal entry fees, charged by the wildlife division of Sikkim Forest Department.
  2. From Hilley check post one need to trek the route upto Barsey top by foot only.
  3. Littering is not allowed inside the sanctuary and trekkers are requested to carry back their own garbage.
  4. Still cameras are non-chargeable, but video cameras chargeable. Video cameras for commercial use need permission from the In-charge.
  5. Do not disturb the wildlife and one is also not allowed to tear leaves or flowers from the trees.
  6. Do not forget to carry your umbrellas or raincoat as anytime rain may appear.
  7. As Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is a protected place hence tourists are not allowed to play loud music, light up fire or throw any plastic products within the sanctuary area.
  8. Tourists are advised to carry sufficient water during their trek to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.

BARSEY GURUS KUNJ

Barsey Gurus Kunj is mainly a trekker’s hut which is maintained and managed by the local people those who belong to the eco zone of that region. Barsey Gurus Kunj offers trekkers and tourists with spacious and wooden furnished dormitory and rooms with basic amenities possible to provide at such a remote location. While staying at Barsey Gurus Kunj tourists will feel relaxed in the lap of Mother Nature after a long trek through the sanctuary. Meals served at Barsey Gurus Kunj are fully organic and grown in the villages nearby by the local people. On a clear day Barsey Gurus Kunj offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga along with the view of the blooming Rhododendrons.

Amenities available:
Accommodations are mainly dormitory based.
Bathrooms are western types.
Hot water available in buckets.
Meals are served within the resort.
Blankets and pillows are available in sufficient.
Electricity is not available, but solar lamps are available.
Vehicles, guides and trekking arrangements are available.

Tariff:
INR @ 1000/- Per person/ per day (both food and lodging included)
Meals include: 03 times meals and tea.

HOW TO BOOK: Call us at 9831311606 , 9830381306 to get the avalability status. Or use the query form furnished below with all your tour related queries. We will reply you at the earliest. You can also drop you query through whats app to the above mentioned numbers and we will call you directly or reply at the earliest.