If you happen to hear a low rumbling sound while trekking from Manebhanjan to Sandakfu along the lower reaches of the Himalayas, fear not. It's not the sound of an approaching thunder nor is the land under your feet going to slide. Chances are you are going to set your eyes on a rare species of vehicle, a British Land Rover - one of the few remnants of the British rule in India.

The Land Rovers that ply in and around Darjeeling, more specifically on the deserted trails to Sandakfu are a treat to watch. Muscular, quaint and dependable, these four wheelers are the only mode of transport in Sandakfu. Whether delivering supplies to higher reaches or rescuing out stranded trekkers along the route, these Land Rovers are a trusty friend across all weather. The local drivers also seem to prefer them to the new models available in the market. 'These are very sturdy vehicles complete with a four-wheel drive. Also they are all-terrain all-weather vehicles that can be trusted. New vehicles are expensive, too complex for us to handle and somehow don't exude the same confidence as these old timers', says Buddha, a local driver who's been plying his vehicle on this route for some years now.

Imported from Britain, these Birmingham made Land Rovers were in use during the British rule in India. In fact, they have seen their share of action during the heady days when the Indian National Army was marching through this area. Olive green in colour, that's peeling off on most of the vehicles exposing the shiny aluminium metal body underneath, they stand like green beacons greeting tourists and trekkers. Spacious and impressively stable while climbing up along the rocky roads, a these are perhaps the best vehicles to negotiate these mountains. Not surprisingly, they are not being let go. In fact, Buddha's sentiments are echoed by almost all the drivers in these parts. The tourists also seem to prefer a ride on these than the Indian vehicles. 'We are able to eke out a living driving these. If we switch to other vehicles we are afraid of losing customers. These old vehicles are a kind of attraction for people from outside', the locals say.

In the middle of the wildlife and vegetation that make Sandakfu a paradise for trekkers worldwide, these Land Rovers are a curious and charming reminder of  the old times of the British Raj.