Day walk from Okhrey to Barsey via Hilley

This is the reason most people stay in Okhrey. Leave your homestay by about 6 am in a hired local car and drive roughly 30 minutes up to Hilley, the road head and main entry point for Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Pay the sanctuary entry at the checkpost, usually ₹50–100 per person for Indians, more for foreigners and cameras, indicative, 2026. Check current status before you travel. Share the car with other guests to cut the cost.

From Hilley a wide, well-used trail runs about 4 km through forest to Barsey, taking 1.5–2 hours at an easy pace. The climb is gentle, so most fit families and seniors who walk slowly can manage it. From mid-March to April the rhododendrons are usually at their best, in red, pink and white. In October to December the forest is quieter and the views are clearer. Wear shoes with grip, as the trail can be muddy.

At Barsey, the Guras Kunj trekkers' hut stands on the ridge, with views towards Kangchenjunga, Kabru and Pandim on clear mornings. Rest, have tea if it is served, and walk back the same way. You can be in Okhrey for a late lunch. Carry water, snacks, a rain jacket and a warm layer, and take all your rubbish back with you. If the weather turns, head back early; the trail is easy to follow down.