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Sandakphu Trek

Max Altitude

Moderate To Difficult

Trekking KM.

12,300 /Person

• +5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
• Sepi to Sepi
• Rs 245 Insurance (Mandatory) | Rs 2,500 Transportation (Optional)

Help & Support

• +91 9368692892
• 10:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs Monday - Saturday GMT +5:30 Sunday Closed
• [email protected]
• Cost & Cancellation Terms
• Risk & Respond

How To Reach

Trek essential, important links, fixed departure.

• Trail Type A cross over trail. The trek starts from Kopidana and ends at Sepi
• Rail Head New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
• Airport Bagdogra
• Base Camp SEPI
• Winter Treks (Mid Nov - Mid Feb)
• Spring Treks (Mid Feb - Mid Apr)
• Summer Treks (Mid Apr - Jun)
• Autumn Treks (Sep - Mid Nov)
• Snow IN WINTERS
• Services from Sepi to Sepi
• Meals Meals while on trek & at Hotel/Guesthouse (Veg & Eggs)
• Stay Tea House
• Region - West Bengal
• Duration - 7 Days
• Grade - Moderate To Difficult
• Max Altitude - 12000 Ft.
• Approx Trekking Km - 68 Kms.

Why is Sandakphu Phalut A Must-Do Trek?

The Sandakphu Trek in winter is a breathtaking challenge in the Indian state of West Bengal. Renowned for its panoramic views of the worlds highest mountains, including Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt Everest, this trek is a winter wonderland for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. From the summit, one can witness the four tallest mountains in the world – Mt.Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga in the popular ‘Sleeping Buddha’ formation. 

The trek takes place in the Singalila National Park, situated on the border between India and Nepal. It starts from various points, such as Maneybhanjyang or Dhotrey, and leads to Sandakphu , which is a prominent peak in the region. In winter, the trail is covered with snow and you can witness the beautiful snow-clad beauty of both West Bengal and Eastern Nepal. The crisp winter air and clear skies provide the ideal conditions for exploring the Himalayas.

Spectacular Mountain Views

The most prominent highlight of the Sandakphu Trek is the panoramic view of the worlds highest peaks. You can witness Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga, along with numerous other mountains, creating a breathtaking visual feast.

Snow-Covered Landscapes

The entire region transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow-clad trails, trees, and meadows. The white vistas create a serene and picturesque setting, perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Tea House Stays

Along the trek, youll have the opportunity to stay in traditional tea houses. These provide a comfortable and cozy respite from the cold, as well as a chance to savour the local cuisine.

Sunrise and Sunset Views

Watching the sunrise and sunset from Sandakphu is a magical experience. The changing hues of the sky and the snow-covered peaks create stunning vistas that are truly unforgettable.

Cultural Exploration

The trek allows you to interact with the local communities living in the region, gaining insight into their culture, traditions, and way of life. Experience the warm hospitality and learn about the unique customs of the Sherpas and other ethnic groups.

Who can participate

• Age; 10 years.
• First timer can apply; previous trekking experience is more appreciated.
• The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 4 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
• The climber should be able to carry a 10-15 kg backpack.

Health Awareness

• Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60 to 90 beats per minute)
• Blood Pressure Reading must be in between (DIASTOLIC 75 – 85, SYSTOLIC 100 - 130 mm Hg)
• Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 to 20 breaths per minute)
• Should not have Liver and kidney issues
• Should not have Diabetes Mellitus, Bronchial Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, Hypertension etc
• No pacemaker implant
• People with the Sinus issues please contact to trek coordinator before booking the trek
• If your BMI is not normal, Please contact our Trek coordinator before Trek booking.

Government Employees {SCL}

Government Employees can avail the benefit of Special Casual Leave (SCL) when you join us for a trekking expedition. As per the rules of the Pay Commission, Special Casual Leave can be availed  for up to 30 days in a calendar year for trekking/mountaineering expeditions through a registered organization. Trek The Himalayas is a registered adventure tour operator by Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and Ministry Of Tourism (MOT)  Trekkers have to apply for leave at least 20 days before trek departure date.

• Junior trekkers (below 15 years) should have a company of parent/guardian.
• Trekkers between 15 to 18 years can come solo with the disclaimer form signed by parent/guardian.
• Medical & Disclaimer Form (Mandatory Documents)    Click here
• Altitude: 6,400 ft
• Drive Distance: 130 km
• Stay: Teahouse
• Pick-up time is 10.00 AM from NJP railway station.
• Transportation Amount is not included in the trek cost
• Breakfast and Lunch exclude, and Dinner included

The journey to the beautiful Sandakphu trek begins today. Our team will pick you up from NJP Railway Station and you will be driven towards Sepi, which will be the base camp for your Sandakphu-Phalut trek. It is an uphill drive of about 130 km to the base camp and takes about 7 hrs. You will be passing through the native tea estates of Darjeeling and Sikkim as you drive towards Sepi. Momos and delicious Thukpa is a delicacy that you must surely try along the way. They are simply mouth-watering.

En route, your first stop will be Mirik, which is also a popular tourist destination in West Bengal. This picturesque and quaint hill station is located in the serene hills of the Darjeeling district. The climate and natural beauty of Mirik attract a lot of tourists here. We will reach Mirik at around 1:00 clock in the afternoon, where we will have our lunch. Try the local delicacies, they are simply great!

After your lunch, we will resume our journey again towards Sepi, which is your base for the trek and is definitely also a very pretty campsite. The greenery surrounding Sepi makes it look very beautiful and feel pretty close to nature here. Srikhola spring also cuts through the village of Sepi, which adds to the beauty of the landscape.

En route to Sepi, you will also cross some charming villages like Rimbik, Sukhipokhri, and Dhotrey as well. The more you travel uphill, the more tranquil it becomes with no noise of bustling city life all around you. Your accommodation for today will be arranged in a homestay. So, enjoy the hospitality and rest well as you begin tomorrow.

• Altitude: 7,545 ft
• Trek Distance: 15 km
• Altitude gain: 1295 ft
• Lunch on the way
• Stay in Teahouse

Wake up and lace up your trekking boots, today we are going to start our trek towards Sandakphu. Starting the day early, its a  considerably easy walk till Ramam with a gradual ascent and some steep sections. Maintain a steady pace and rest a few moments if needed. Ramam is approximately 3.5 km away from the Sepi campsite. The trail here is a constructed route for most parts and you will notice several cut fields and tiny dwellings on the way. Take a short break at Ramam if you need to and then we will head on towards Samanden.

As you move out of Ramam, the trail becomes more secluded with the huts disappearing and the forest trail starting to open up. Walking through the quiet forest with the sound of nature all around you is a great experience in itself. The Singalila Range is quite popular for its abundance of greenery and you can now feel the same. For about 6 km you will traverse through the forests until you arrive at a bridge.

After the bridge, its a steep climb for 15 minutes or so, following which you will arrive at a zone where there are stone benches, each dedicated to locals that have passed away. The locals made these benches with the kind intention that those who have passed away can serve the passersby even after their death by providing them with a place to rest.

From this point on, the trail begins to ease out a bit for a few minutes post which you arrive at a clearing dotted with wooden huts and farmlands. This is the beautiful Samanden village. Samanden has a very picturesque setting and the locals here are very friendly. Chat up with the locals and hear their interesting stories and you will also be greeted with incredible hospitality. The simplicity and the tranquility of the place may take you by surprise.

A couple of kilometers more and you will arrive at the Gorkhey campsite. Gorkhey is a small village situated in the northern part of West Sikkim and is pretty close to the state border. Gorkhey is an ideal location to halt for the night before we continue on our Sandakphu trek.

• Altitude – 11450 Ft.
• Trek Distance – 15 Km.
• Altitude Gain – 3905 Ft.
• Hot lunch on the way at aalu bari
• Stay in camps

Start your trek early in the morning from Gorkhey towards Phalut. It is about 15 km from Gorkhey. The beautiful Gorkhey Khola flows through the village of Gorkhey after which it is named. It is a tributary of the Ramam River. Crossing this picturesque setting we will head on towards Phalut.

You will again cover long sections of forested trails today, be prepared as you have to continue ascending for a long distance and at some points, the ascent can be pretty steep. You may spot plenty of Oaks and Rhododendrons on the forested path. Maintain a steady pace along the trek.

It takes about 5 hrs to reach Phalut. Phalut is one of the highest peaks of the Singalila Range, it is the second-highest point after Sandakphu Ridge. To reach from Gorkehy to Phalut, you also need to get permits, which can be acquired from the Gorkhey check post.

En route to Phalut, you will get to see the Singalila Range from up close and you will get to see a stunning view of the Kanchenjunga Massif as well. The closer you get to Phalut the more beautiful the landscape gets. At 11,450 m Phalut offers stunning mountain views. Your stay is arranged in camps and after a delicious dinner, you will rest under the canopy of a million stars.  Keep in mind that Phalut does not have electricity and everything runs on the solar panel, so keep extra batteries and power banks with you for your gadgets.

• Altitude – 11217 Ft.
• Trek Distance – 10 Km.
• Altitude Less – 233 Ft.
• Packed lunch on the way 
• Accommodation in camping

The next day we will start our journey towards Thakum. If you didn’t know Thakum campsite is located in Nepal, so we will be skirting the Indo-Nepal border into Nepal. Thakum is a beautiful valley that falls on the way to Sandakphu between Sabargram and Sandakphu and has a very soothing and relaxing vibe with beautiful meadows and a picturesque setting.

En route to Thakum, you may spot some Yaks grazing in the meadows and you have crossed the Indo-Nepal border into Nepal. Although it is a remote and unknown location, the views here are stunning and extremely admirable. The route to Thakum is also lined with a thicket of Rhododendron trees.

Sleeping Buddha formation stays in the backdrop as you cross some abandoned huts and cattle grounds. From Thakum, several routes branch into Nepal. This is your campsite for the night. We will pitch our tents here and rest for the night.

• Altitude – 11600 Ft.
• Trek Distance – 11 Km.
• Altitude Gain – 383 Ft.
• Hot lunch at Aal campsite

From Thakum, you will have to take the route that branches into the southwest direction towards Aal. Aal is the closest campsite to Sandakphu summit and is set in a scenic location. Today’s trek is not as tiring as other days and the trail is extremely today. A few kilometers ahead of Thakom lies the Aal campsite, which offers a very beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga Ranges and the adjacent peaks. Enjoy hot lunch at the Aal campsite today and you have the evening to spend at your leisure exploring the area.

From Thakom its about an 8km walk to Aal. Follow the hiking trail and it will lead you to the Aal campsite. On a clear day, you can see stunning views of the Sleeping Buddha formation. You will be staying in tents in Aal and you can see beautiful Himalayan views from here. You are still in Nepal territory and as you move towards Sandakphu you will again move to Indian territory. Rest well in Aal and tomorrow we will trek to Sandakphu.

• Altitude – 6560 Ft.
• Sandakphu Altitude – 11930 ft.
• Trek Distance – 14 Km.
• Altitude Gain – 330 Ft.
• Altitude less – 3700 Ft.
• Hot lunch on the way at Gurdum
• Accommodation in Tea House

The stretch from Aal to Timbure is about 14 km. As we start from Aal after 3km we will reach Sandakphu. We start early in the morning so that you can watch the sunrise from the top of Sandakphu. It is one of the prettiest sights we will ever see. The first rays of sun over the snow-capped sleeping buddha cover it in an alpenglow that is way too beautiful to be described in words.

Watching the sunrise at Sandakphu and spending some time at the summit we will head towards Timburey, our next campsite. From Sandakphu it is about 10km to Timburey and takes about 4 hours to complete. As you head towards Timburey, Gurdum is the first village that you will come across. Gurdum is a postcard-perfect village with only 4 to 5 dwellings. It is one of the remote Himalayan villages. Surrounded by forests and Himalayan mountains, Gurdum also offers a private stay for tourists in its scenic setting.

Timburey is not far from here. After trekking for another 3 km you will arrive at Timburey, your campsite for the night. There are also a couple of home stays here and we will be staying at one of the local tea houses.

• Altitude Less-
• Trek Distance – 3 km (1 hrs)
• Drive Distance – 130 Km (6 hrs.)
• You will reach NJP by 06.00 pm

This is the last day of your trekking and also the last day in the mountains. Your beautiful journey to Sandakphu ends today. From Timburey, we start our trek towards Srikhola again. Its a 3 km descent to Srikhola and takes about an hour. Once we reach Srikhola road-head, a vehicle will be waiting for you that will drive you back to NJP Railway Station. These are the same roads that you came in at the start of your journey. Reminisce about the mountains as you head back onwards on your journey, taking back with you wonderful memories of Sandakphu.

• Pick Up Place

Our Pick-up location is New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) railway station

Plz Note:-  Transportation Amount is not included in the trek cost.  

Options to reach New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) railway station:-

1. Taking a flight to Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, and take a cab to NJP railway station, it’s 20 km away and will take 45 minutes.

• Domestic: There are various direct and indirect flights from other cities. You can take direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other cities.
• International: International terminal is well equipped with modern amenities. Druk Air is the airline which provides international flights to the passengers. International flights connect with Paro in Bhutan and Bangkok. These flights are direct and comfortable.

2. Take a train to New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) that is well-connected to major cities like Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi and Mumbai.

Please click on Note section to know about Pick-up timing and  vehicle type.

-Pick-up timing will be 10:00 am at  New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP)

-Dropped will be at New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) by 06:00 PM, for onward journey from NJP it is advised to make arrangements after 08:00 PM.

-TTH’s Tata Sumo, Tempo Traveller or similar vehicles will pick-up you.

-If you wish to upgrade the transport service, please contact the Trek Coordinator.

Trekkers will be dropped at New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP).

The distance from Railway Station to Bagdogra Airport is 20 km, it will take approx 40 minutes.

• Cancellation Policy

1. Accommodation – Day 1, Day 2, and Day 6 Stay in a Tea house (Triple/quad sharing Male and female separately ) / Day 3, Day 4, and Day 5 in a Tent (2 people in one tent) 2. Meals while on trek (Veg.) - Dinner at Sepi on Day 1 to Breakfast at Timbure on Day 7 3. Crampon (if required) – As per the snow condition 4. All necessary permits entry fees and forest fees 5. First aid, medical kit, and oxygen cylinder 6. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guides, cook and Support staff

1. Any kind of personal expenses 2. Food during the transit 3. Transport NJP to Sepi and return 4. Any kind of emergency evacuation charges 5. Mules or porter to carry a personal backpack 6. Anything not specifically mentioned under the inclusion head

7. Transport cost.

Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things)

1- Satellite phone/setphone -  is a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cellphones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth's surface.

2- Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag (Portable Hyperbaric Bag) -  is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.

3- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) -  are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly

Insurance is mandatory  and can be obtained through TTH or other providers. Non-Indian rates are slightly higher, trek coordinator will share the balance payment link after booking. If you choose not to book through us, we will refund your insurance fee; email us immediately after booking for the refund.

-Normally TTH expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule. Charges of offloading backpack :- -INR 1800/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance -INR 2500/- if you inform us after reaching NJP -The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed. Paying the Trek/ Adventure activity fee:

Special Offers

Make a single payment and trek the number of times you want.

If you book a trek with Trek The Himalayas and are unable to complete the same or you have successfully completed that trek and want to do it again, you can repeat it multiple times without paying the cost of the trek.

Terms and conditions

-This offer is a non-transferable.

-This offer is valid for Trek The Himalayas limited fixed departures.

-This offer is valid for 5 years from the date of booking.

-This offer is not valid if the participant has received a cash refund or voucher at the time of cancellation.

-Participants don’t have to pay for the trek cost but have to pay for transportation and trek permit costs.

Trek Cost - Rs 12,300 (Sepi to Sepi)

GST - 5% (Mandatory)

Insurance - Rs 245 (Mandatory)

Transportation - Rs 2,500 (NJP to Sepi and return) (Optional)

Off load Backpack - Rs 1,800 Online (Optional)

The add-on options can be selected during the booking process. In case you miss selecting it at that time, you can simply log in to your account and book the add-on option from there.

Cancellation terms:

For the cancellation of services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, Trek The Himalayas must be notified of the same in writing at [email protected]   At the time we receive your written cancellation, refunds based on the total fare are as follows.

Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip

Refund options

• 5% deduction of trek fee
• 100% cash voucher for any trip till one year

Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip

• 30% deduction of trek fee
• 100% cash voucher for same trip till one year
• 85% cash voucher for any trip till one year

Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip

• Book the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch
• 50% deduction of trek fee
• 80% cash voucher for same trip till one year
• 70% cash voucher for any trip till one year

Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek

• Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend
• No cash refund
• 20% cash voucher for the same trip till one year
• 10% cash voucher for any trip till one year

In the unlikely event that TTH cancels a trek prior to the scheduled departure date:

While it is extremely rare for TTH to cancel a trek, we understand that unforeseen circumstances or natural disasters may occasionally require us to do so before the scheduled departure. These circumstances could include continuous rain or snow, thunderstorms, snowstorms, landslides, floods, earthquakes, or any other natural calamity that poses a risk to the safety of our trekkers. Additionally, unforeseeable events such as local riots, curfews, pandemics, lockdowns, government orders, or any similar situations that compromise the safety of the trekking experience may also necessitate a cancellation.

In the event of such a cancellation, TTH will provide you with a voucher equivalent to the amount you paid for the trek. This voucher can be redeemed for any of our treks within the next year, allowing you to still enjoy an adventure with us at a later date.

• The issuance of a voucher is not applicable in situations where you are required to descend from the trek for any reason. The trek leader may make the decision to send you down from the trek due to factors such as insufficient fitness level, symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), high blood pressure, exceeding the designated turn-around-time, health concerns, or if you are found smoking, drinking, or violating the rules set for the trek. In such cases, the provision of a voucher does not apply.

In the rare event that TTH shifts a trek:

We would like to emphasize that weather conditions in high-altitude areas are highly unpredictable and can undergo sudden changes at any time, irrespective of the day. Additionally, circumstances beyond our control, such as natural disasters, political unrest, pandemics, and lockdowns, may impact the feasibility of conducting a trek. In cases where we are unable to proceed with an event due to such circumstances that are beyond our direct control, we will make every effort to provide you with an alternative trek that is safer and more suitable.

In such situations, we will issue a voucher to offset the cost difference between the originally scheduled trek and the alternative trek. This voucher can be redeemed at any time within one year from the date of issue. Please note that a refund fee or reimbursement of the cost difference is not applicable in these cases.

• Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch
• In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by TTH
• TTH holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice
• Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers

Cash Voucher Terms:

• This is a non-transferable voucher
• The voucher cannot be merged with any other offer of Trek The Himalayas
• The voucher is valid for Trek booked directly with Trek The Himalayas in India
• To avail the voucher please use your register phone number or e-mail id
• All the other Terms of booking a trek with Trek The Himalayas are applicable to the voucher
• Trek The Himalayas holds rights to add/remove any of the Terms and Conditions without prior notice

Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. "Trek The Himalayas" reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which TTH or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. TTH reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.

• Personal Utilities
• Medical & Disclaimer Form (Mandatory Documents) Read more
• Health Awareness for Trekking in the Himalayas Read more
• Mandatory Documents to Bring on A Trek Read more
• To rent or not to rent Read more
• Trek Hacks: How to choose your trekking shoes Read more

Fitness regime for:

Calculate Your BMI :

Your BMI value is

Congratulations, your body is in good conditions!

• If your BMI is normal, you can plan your fitness regime as mentioned.
• If your BMI is not normal, consult your trusted physician before you plan your fitness regime.
• If you're suffering from any chronic illnesses consult a medical practitioner.

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Panchkedar trek & drive, roopkund trek, annapurna base camp, doodhpathri trek, nafran valley trek, frequently asked questions.

Sandakphu Trek is a 68 km trek.

Sandakphu is located in the Indian state of West Bengal, Sikkim region .

Sandakphu Trek is a moderate to difficult grade trek.

Sandakphu Trek can be done in all seasons, summer (Mid Apr-Jun), autumn (Sep - Mid-Nov), Winter (Mid-Nov - Mid Feb), and Spring (Mid Feb - Mid-Apr).

Yes, it is highly recommended to hire a professional expert for the Sandakphu Trek , especially if you are a beginner or have limited trekking experience. A professional can provide you with valuable assistance, including knowledge of the local terrain, weather conditions, and the culture of the region. They can also help you with navigation and ensure your safety throughout the trek.

During the Sandakphu Trek , you will stay in 3 nights in the teahouses and 3 nights in the Tent.

Here are some of the essentials you should pack for the trek: 1. Trekking shoes: A good pair of trekking shoes is essential for a comfortable trek. Make sure your shoes are well-fitted, sturdy and provide good grip on the trail. 2. Warm Clothing: The weather can be unpredictable in the mountains, so it's important to carry warm clothing, including thermal innerwear, fleece jackets, down jacket, and waterproof jacket. 3. Trekking pants: Carry comfortable and quick-drying trekking pants that are suitable for the weather conditions. 4. Backpack: A good quality backpack with a capacity of 40-50 liters is ideal for carrying your essentials during the trek. 5. Sleeping bag: A good quality sleeping bag is essential for a comfortable stay during the camping nights. 6. Headlamp/Flashlight: Carry a good quality headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries for trekking during early morning or late evening hours. 7. Water bottle: Carry a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated throughout the trek. 8. Snacks: Carry energy bars, dry fruits, and snacks for instant energy during the trek. 9. First aid kit: Carry a basic first aid kit, including band-aids, antiseptic cream, pain relief spray, and medicines for altitude sickness. 10. Sun protection: Carry sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the harsh sun rays. 11. Trekking poles: Trekking poles can help in maintaining balance and reduce the strain on your knees while trekking.

Yes, permits are required for the Sandakphu Trek . The trek passes through the Singalila National Park, which is a protected area and requires permits for entry. The permits required for Sandakphu Trek are Singalila National Park Permit, West Bengal Forest Department Permit, and Sikkim Tourism Department Permit. When you trek with us, Trek The Himalayas obtains all the permits for you.

In the Himalayas is a challenging and unpredictable activity, and undertaking it alone can be risky and dangerous. The Sandakphu Trek is a high-altitude trek that requires good physical fitness, proper acclimatization, and knowledge of the terrain. It is also essential to have adequate equipment, including warm clothing, proper footwear, a reliable tent, and a sleeping bag. Going solo means taking on all these responsibilities and risks alone, which can be overwhelming for inexperienced trekkers. In addition, the Sandakphu Trek passes through remote areas, and there is limited access to medical facilities and emergency services. Going with a group or a guide provides an added layer of safety and security, as they are trained to handle any situation that may arise during the trek. Therefore, it is highly recommended to go with a reputable trekking company or an experienced guide for the Sandakphu Trek. This will ensure a safe and enjoyable trekking experience, with the added benefit of local knowledge, group support, and a hassle-free journey.

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Sandakphu Trek: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

• Trekking Destinations

Our comprehensive guide on the Sandakphu Trek is just for you! Known as the ‘Trekkers Wonderland’, this trek is a dream come true for many, and we’re here to provide you with all the details you need to make this dream a reality.

From the challenges you’ll face and the mesmerising sights you’ll behold to the practicalities of costs, gear, and travel arrangements, we’ve got you covered.

Our guide is brimming with firsthand insights, tips, and a detailed itinerary to help you plan this exhilarating journey. So, tighten your shoelaces, and prepare to embark on an unforgettable adventure through the pages of our Sandakphu Trek guide. Let the journey begin!

• Max Altitude:  11,930 Ft. (3,636M)
• Average Trekking Fees: ₹9,000 - ₹13,000
• Distance: 55 – 65 kms
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 6-7 days
• Ideal For: Experienced Trekkers & Fit Individuals
• Best Season: April-May and October-early-December
• Region: West Bengal

Table of Contents

Sandakphu Trek: An Overview

Sandakphu Trek , situated in West Bengal’s  Darjeeling district , offers a remarkable adventure as it’s the  tallest peak in the region , standing at 3636 meters (11,930 ft). This trek presents a unique opportunity to take a 360-degree panoramic view of four of the world’s tallest peaks –  Everest ,  Kanchenjunga ,  Makalu , and  Lhotse .

Starting from the quaint village of  Sepi , near Darjeeling, the route takes you along the  Singalila Ridge  that straddles the border of Nepal. Trekkers traverse serene  rhododendron forests  and tranquil villages such as Gairibas and Kalapokhari.  Phalut , West Bengal’s second-highest peak, also features on this trek.

The  dawn panorama from Sandakphu Peak  is an unrivalled attraction, where the majestic Himalayan ranges are revealed in the soft morning light. This trek, of moderate difficulty, typically takes about  6-7 days  to complete.

The best times to undertake the Sandakphu Trek are from  April to May , when rhododendron and magnolia are in full bloom, and from  October to early December , for unobstructed views of the Himalayan peaks. Trekkers must equip themselves with the right gear and attire for sub-zero temperatures and maintain adequate physical fitness.

Sandakphu Trek Duration & Difficulty Level

The  Sandakphu Trek , encompassing a distance of around  55-65 km , poses  moderate difficulty . While the trek is manageable for most, it does have its challenging aspects that amplify its difficulty level. Trekking typically spans  6-7 days , demanding significant physical endurance and stamina.

Daily, trekkers traverse approximately  11-13 km , which can take anywhere between  6-8 hours  of trekking. The path includes steep ascents and uneven terrain, presenting a substantial challenge to new and seasoned trekkers.

As far as the fitness requirements are concerned, potential trekkers should be in  good physical condition . Regular cardiovascular exercise (running or cycling) is strongly recommended for a few weeks before the trek. The trek is quite demanding. Thus, strength and endurance training, particularly exercises focusing on the legs, would be beneficial. The high altitude can also lead to breathing difficulties for some. Therefore, prior  high-altitude training  or experience would be a valuable asset.

It’s essential to remember that each person’s capabilities are different. What might be moderate for some could be difficult for others. Therefore, adequate  preparation and fitness assessment  are essential to successfully completing the Sandakphu Trek.

Best Season for the Sandakphu Trek

The  Sandakphu Trek  is open in two main seasons: spring and autumn. Each season has its own unique qualities and also a few challenges.

Spring (April to May)  is when the mountains burst into life. Beautiful flowers like  rhododendrons  and  magnolias  bloom all around, making the paths colourful and vibrant. It’s like walking in a painting! During this time, the average temperature is around  8-12 degrees Celsius  during the day. But it can fall  below zero  at night, so warm clothes are necessary. The big plus point of trekking in spring is seeing all the lovely flowers. The downside? Sometimes, the skies can be cloudy, and that might hide the mountain peaks from view.

On the other hand,  Autumn (October to early December)  is famous for its clear skies. You can see the  Himalayan peaks  in all their glory. It’s also a great time to watch the sunrise from Sandakphu Peak. The average temperature is around  6-10 degrees Celsius  during the day and can even drop to  minus 6 degrees  at night. So, warm clothes are still necessary. The main plus point of trekking in autumn is the chance to see clear, stunning views of the mountains. The downside? There are no blooming flowers, so the paths might not be as colourful as in spring.

Both seasons have their own charm. It depends on what you like – colourful flowers or clear mountain views. Either way, the Sandakphu Trek is a beautiful adventure!

Budget & Costing

Planning for the  Sandakphu Trek  involves careful consideration of the budget.

The  average trekking fees  charged by most trekking organisations in India range from  ₹9,000 – ₹13,000 . This typically includes the cost of guidance, accommodation, and food for the duration of the trek.

One of the significant costs to consider is  transportation  to Sepi, the starting point of the trek. The cost here can vary depending on your location and the mode of transport.  Flights  are the fastest but also the most expensive.  Trains and buses  are more economical alternatives but take longer.

Even though the trekking fees include  accommodation , it’s essential to consider any hotel costs before and after the trek. It’s standard for trekkers to arrive a day before the trek starts or leave a day after it ends.

Another cost to consider is the  equipment and gear  required for the trek. Trekking gear can be expensive, especially if you’re new to trekking. A cost-effective option is to  rent gear  from various trekking rental services available. This can significantly reduce the cost of the trek.

While  food and water  are generally provided during the trek as part of the fees, carrying  extra snacks  or energy bars is a good idea. These might add a little extra to your budget, but they are handy when you need an energy boost.

Lastly, there might be  miscellaneous expenses , such as medicines, personal toiletries, or charges for additional activities or services during the trek. It’s always wise to have some extra money set aside for these.

Considering these factors, you can effectively budget for your Sandakphu Trek and ensure a smooth and memorable experience.

How To Reach?

For those considering  air travel , the nearest airport is  Bagdogra Airport , about 170 km from Sepi. Major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata have regular flights to Bagdogra. One can hire a taxi from Bagdogra to reach Sepi, which is about a 6-hour drive. Although this is the fastest way to reach Sepi, it may also be expensive.

Train travel  is a more cost-effective option. The nearest major railway station to Sepi is  New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) . There are many trains from major Indian cities to NJP. Upon reaching NJP, one can opt for a taxi to Sepi, which takes about 5-6 hours. Alternatively,  trekking organisations  usually arrange pick-up and drop-off services from NJP station, making it a convenient option.

For those looking for the most economical option,  bus services  are available. Regular buses operate from Siliguri to Darjeeling; one can get off at Ghoom. From Ghoom, shared jeeps are available to Sepi. The total journey may take about 8-9 hours. However, given the number of changes, this could be the longest and the least comfortable journey.

In conclusion, the  best option  for most people might be the train. It’s relatively economical and comfortable. Plus, the convenience of pick-up and drop-off services from NJP arranged by trek organisations makes it a clear winner. However, the bus service is the  cheapest option , despite the longer journey time and less comfort. Ultimately, the choice depends on budget, comfort preference, and time constraints.

Sandakphu Trek: Detailed Itinerary

Here’s a detailed itinerary for the Sandakphu trek:

Day 1: Arrival at Sepi:  Start your journey at Sepi. You’ll be given a brief about the entire trek and the precautions to take. Spend the day acclimatising and preparing for the trek ahead.

Day 2: Sepi to Tumling:

• Trek Distance: 11 km. Approx.
• Trek Time: 6 hours. 

Start your trek towards Tumling. This trek will take you through beautiful forests and mountain hamlets. The key highlight of the day would be your first glimpse of the majestic Kanchenjunga range. Overnight stay at Tumling.

Day 3: Tumling to Kalapokhari:

• Trek Distance: 13 km. Approx.
• Trek Time: 7 hours.

Today, you’ll trek from Tumling to Kalapokhari. It’s a steep climb through bamboo meadows and rhododendron forests. The day’s highlight would be reaching Kalapokhari (the black pond), a significant landmark.

Day 4: Kalapokhari to Sandakphu: 

• Trek Distance: 6 km. Approx.
• Trek Time: 3-4 hours.

The destination is Sandakphu today. It’s a short but steep climb. The reward at the end is the amazing 360-degree view of the four tallest mountains in the world. Overnight stay at Sandakphu.

Day 5: Sandakphu to Phalut:  

• Trek Distance: 21 km. Approx.
• Trek Time: 9 hours.

This is the longest trek day, from Sandakphu to Phalut. It’s a long journey but filled with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Overnight stay at Phalut.

Day 6: Phalut to Gorkhey

• Trek Distance: 15 km. Approx.
• Trek Time: 5 hours.

Start your descent from Phalut to Gorkhey. This path takes you through a dense forest of chestnut, pines, hemlock, and more. Gorkhey is a beautiful hamlet situated right in the middle of a forest. Overnight at Gorkhey.

Day 7: Gorkhey to Sepi and Departure

On the last day of the trek, you descend further to Sepi. This marks the end of the Sandakphu trek. From Sepi, you can proceed with your onward journey.

This itinerary includes varied landscapes, challenging terrains, and breathtaking views making the Sandakphu trek a memorable experience.

Highlights of the Sandakphu Trek

• The highest Peak of West Bengal is  Sandakphu, standing at an impressive 3,636 meters (11,930 feet) and is the highest peak in West Bengal. Trekking to the top is a fantastic achievement.
• Four of the Five Highest Peaks:  From Sandakphu, you get a unique opportunity to see four of the world’s five highest peaks – Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu – all in a single panoramic view.
• Journey through Singalila National Park:  The trail passes through the Singalila National Park, offering trekkers a chance to experience a rich biodiversity, including red pandas and Himalayan black bears.
• Flora and Fauna:  The trek is especially delightful when rhododendrons and magnolias bloom in spring. The vibrant hues make the trek picturesque and memorable.
• Sunrise from Sandakphu:  The breathtaking view of the sunrise from the Sandakphu peak highlights the trek. The sight of golden rays illuminating the snow-covered peaks is unforgettable.
• Cultural Experience:  The trek allows you to experience the region’s culture. You’ll pass through several small villages and interact with the locals, providing a glimpse into their daily lives and traditions.
• Phalut Viewpoint:  The trek also includes a stop at Phalut, the second-highest peak of West Bengal. The view of the mountains from Phalut is equally impressive.
• Physically Challenging and Rewarding:  The trek is moderately difficult, making it a perfect choice for both beginners looking for a challenge and experienced trekkers seeking a new adventure.
• Trekking through Different Terrains:  The trail provides a wide range of landscapes, from thick forests to rocky terrains, to keep the journey interesting and challenging.
• Serene Environment:  Far from the noise and rush of city life, the Sandakphu trek offers peace and tranquillity. The beauty and serenity of the surroundings provide a refreshing break.

All these highlights make the Sandakphu trek a unique and remarkable experience for any trekking enthusiast.

Safety Tips & Precautions

While embarking on any trek, safety should always be a top priority. Here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind during the Sandakphu Trek:

• Trek with an experienced guide and follow their instructions.
• Stay hydrated and carry an adequate supply of water.
• Pack light and carry only the essential items.
• Dress in layers to adapt to changing weather conditions.
• Respect the environment and maintain cleanliness.
• Inform someone about your trekking plans and expected return.
• Stay updated about weather conditions and local regulations.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking during the trek.

Essential Gear and Equipment for Sandakphu Trek

Before embarking on the trek, it is essential to pack the right gear and equipment to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Here is a list of items you should consider carrying:

• Trekking shoes with good ankle support
• Backpack with rain cover
• Trekking gaiters
• Warm and waterproof clothing layers
• Sleeping bag suitable for sub-zero temperatures
• Trekking poles for better stability on uneven terrains
• UV-protected sunglasses and sunscreen
• Water bottles and water purification tablets
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit with essential medications
• Portable power bank for charging electronic devices

As we conclude our comprehensive guide on the Sandakphu Trek, we hope you’ve found the details insightful and engaging. This trek is a testament to the alluring beauty of nature and a beacon for those seeking to challenge themselves amidst such grandeur.

Every detail in our guide aims to prepare you for the breathtaking and rewarding journey that awaits. Remember, it’s not just about the destination but the experiences and memories you gather along the way.

We hope our guide aids you in making this trek a lifetime experience.

Happy trekking, and let the mountains call you home!

The Sandakphu trek is considered moderately difficult. It involves steep climbs and long distances, and trekkers must deal with high-altitude conditions.

The trek to Sandakphu typically takes about 7-8 days. This includes acclimatisation, trekking, and return journey.

The best months for the Sandakphu trek are April-May and October-early-December. The former is known for blooming rhododendrons and magnolias, while the latter offers clear views of the Himalayan peaks.

Yes, the Sandakphu trek can be attempted by beginners who are physically fit and have good stamina. However, it’s always recommended to prepare with some fitness training beforehand to handle the demands of the trek.

Kuari Pass |  Bhrigu Lake |  Brahmatal Trek  | Sar Pass Trek  | Shrikhand Mahadev Trek  | Buran Ghati Trek  | Bali Pass Trek  | Kareri Lake Trek | Kashmir Great Lakes Trek | Goechala Trek | Har ki Dun Trek | Hampta Pass | Rupin Pass  | Tarsar Marsar Trek

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Sandakphu Trek - Complete Trekking Guide

Sandakphu or Sandakfu or Sandakpur is the dreamland for all the trekkers. From Darjeeling, the distance to Sandakphu Trek is 58kms (26km up to Manebhanjan). Situated at an altitude of 11,929ft (i.e. 3,636 meters) Sandakphu is the highest peak in the state of Ilam, Mechi, Nepal and West Bengal, India. It is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border. Sandakphu means 'Height of poisonous plant' derives its name from the poisonous plant that grows on the hilltop. Offering the best of the views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu, the tour to Sandakphu has got all the reasons to be known as the wonderland for all the trekkers.

Trekking through the forests of flowering rhododendrons of numerous types, giant magnolias, spruce, and a wide range of amazing orchids. There are over 600 varieties of orchids in this area, the largest concentration in any single geographical area in the world. You can see them bloom in spring.

Places to Visit while Trekking

Trekkers can start the journey from Darjeeling, Mane Bhanjang or even from Chitrey. Those who prefer to stay overnight at Darjeeling should wake up early and start driving towards Maneybhanjang that acts as a base for the trekkers trekking to Sandakphu. There are a few trekker's huts and small hotels in Manebhanjan where travellers can spend a night for the next day trek. While trekking, here are the places trekkers will get to see on the way.

Trekkers who want to avoid the sheer climb at the quite beginning of the trek can drive few kilometers more to reach Chitrey within a short span of one and half hours through pine, fir and birch forest. Travellers can even decide to stay overnight at Chitery as the places have an accommodation facility in the form of a homestay and the trekkers' hut. Apart from the beauty of nature and surrounding lush greenery, the monastery of Chitrey is one of the prominent attractions here.

Lamey Dhura

Just about 3 km ahead of Chitrey, Lamey Dhura is a tiny yet splendid hamlet. From Chitrey to Lamey Dhura, trekking is going to be quite adventurous. Sounded by snow-peaked mountains and lush greenery, Lameydhura can be an ideal place to have some rest. Here in the village, there are some cottages selling hot tea and snacks for the exhausted trekkers to help them get refreshed.

Meghma is another 3 km trekking distance away from Lamey Dhura. This splendid hamlet spans over a larger area covered with verdant meadows. In the village, the trekking route divides into two. One leads to Tonglu which is located at an elevation of 3070 meters. The other one on the left leads to Nepal. A Buddhist Monastery located in Meghma is the major attraction trekkers will love to visit.

2 km ahead of Meghma, Tonglu is one of the prominent hilly settlements travellers will get to see on their way to Sandakphu. Located on the foothills of the Himalaya, Tonglu looks like a piece of paradise with its great exhibition of natural beauty and the splendid view of Kanchenjunga. The sound of the colorful flags fluttering in the wind is too soothing to hear to the trekkers.

Tumling is another awes trucking hamlet trekkers can explore. The village is located 2 km upwards from Meghma through the left route. It is in Nepal and acts as a night halt for the trekkers. Just like Tonglu, the lush greenery of the village captivates the soul of the visitors. Furthermore, if the night is clear, the village offers a great view of the lights coming from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Pasupati and any other nearby villages. From here, trekking towards Sandakphu is all about witnessing a vast variety of flora and fauna as the checkpoint for Singalila National park will be just 1 km distance away.

Situated in Nepal and approximately 5 km away from Tumling, Jourbari is a small hamlet with a police check post. There are several shops here and also some accommodation in the form of huts for the trekkers those who want to spend a night prior to resuming their trek to Sandakphu. The unearthly view of nature and the complete serenity is the major temptation of this secluded hamlet.

Not more than 3 km from Jourbari, Gairibans is another pictorial hamlet trekkers go through on their way to Sandakphu. Located at the India-Nepal border and inside the Singalila National Park, Gairibans is located 2621 meters above sea level. Several trekkers' huts are built here to provide accommodation facility to the trekkers. Often, they prefer to stay overnight in this village in order to reach Sandakphu in 2 days. The trekking routes from Gairibans goe uphill for a few kilometers until the trekkers reach the hilltops. Another few kilometres of trekking lead them to a magnificent village called Kaiyakatta.

From Gairibas, Kaiyakatta is approximately 2 km more distance away. The village acts as a great destination to sip a cup of tea from the stalls. There is a story behind the name of this village. According to some locals, A Marwari businessman uses to run a business here. He was not trustworthy at all used to deprive the locals to keep most of the profits for himself. Because of this, the villagers got furious and a person in anger beheaded the businessman. Since then, the place is named Kaiyakatta where "katta" means cutting or killing. From here, one route is gone through a village namely Kalipokhri.

Merely 3km from Kaiyakatta, Kalipokhri is a village in Nepal situated at an elevation of 10,400 feet above sea level. Nestled on the top of the ridge, the village provides a unique panorama of daunting mountain peaks to the trekkers. There is a small lake with deep black water in the village. The village got its name from the pond where "Kale" stands for black and "Pokhri" stands for the lake. Surrounded by the prayer flags and the pine trees, the lake is certainly a visual treat to the eyes.

Bikey Bhanjan

2km from Kalipokhri and an approximately 40 minutes trek will lead the trekkers to Bikey Bhanjan. The trekking route from Kalipokhri to Bikey Bhanjan is full of pictorial sights. On the way, travellers can have rest at a place named Chowri Chowk. Trekkers will also encounter another hamlet whose name signifies the "Valley of Poison" as a large number of poisonous plants can be seen here. Bikey Bhanjan is the last village prior to reaching Sandakphu.

How to Reach Sandakphu

There are two ways to reach Sandakphu. One can take a car or trek. The route for trekking starts from Manebhanjan and passes through many areas before reaching the final destination. Here are the possible transportations you can use:

Reach Sandakphu by Train

If you are planning to visit Sandakphu Trek by train, New Jalpaiguri is the nearest Railway station (NJP). NJP has a connection with other major railway station of Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, etc. So, after reaching NJP, trekkers require to hire a taxi to reach the base of Sandakphu trekking.

Reach Sandakphu by Flight

Bagdogra is the nearby Airport of Sandakphu Trek. The distance between Bagdogra Airport and Sandakphu is approximately 115 km. Direct flights are available from all the major cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, etc.

Reach Sandakphu by Road

Reaching Sandakphu by road is the most convenient way. Many Private and Government buses are available from Siliguri to Maneybhanjan via Sukhiapokhri. Buses are also available from Kolkata, Siliguri and Darjeeling. Thi s mode of transportation is not recommended as it is quite tiresome and exhausting.

Hiring a car or taxi is the most suitable choice. If you book a complete tour package from North Bengal Tourism, everything will be managed by us so that you can enjoy your tour without indulging yourself in the complex arrangement process.

Sandakphu Weather

Due to its high altitude, the weather of Sandakphu Trek stays always cold. Sometimes the temperature can go down to zero during any seasons. Here is how the weather of Sandakphu will stay during your tour from January to December.

Sandakphu Trek in January to April

During the month of January, the temperature ranges from -5° Celsius to 6° Celsius. It is one of the coolest months and this is the less crowded time for trekking.

The temperature in February ranges from -6° Celsius to 7° Celsius. Due to its chilled weather, you should carry warm clothes along with you. Moreover, heavy snowfall happens during this time.

During the months of March to April, the temperature ranges from -2° to 12 ° Celsius. Sandakphu Trek from March to April is going to be a memorable one as the weather is charming and the blooming rhododendron can be seen here.

Sandakphu Trek in May to August

The climate from May to June ranges from 6° to 15° Celsius. During these months, the weather of Sandakphu is pleasant and quite charming. Snowfall does not happen in these months. But it is advisable to carry raincoats and an umbrella.

The temperature of Sandakphu sticks around 7° to 16° Celsius in the months of July and August. These are not the idle months to have a trekking tour in Sandakphu.

Sandakphu Trek in September to December

September to December is considered to be an idle time to have a trekking tour at Sandakphu. The weather and temperature become quite bearable and pleasant. The breathtaking vista of blooming rhododendron and snow-peaked Kanchenjunga is what you will observe during your Sandakphu Tour.

Best time to visit Sandakphu

There is no particular time or season to trek your way towards Sandakphu every season has its own magic. If you love colors, visit Sandakphu during the springs. See the rhododendrons bloom in a riot of colors. The whole path will be blasting in red, pink and white.

Sandakphu will bear a dreamy look in the monsoons. With the clouds hanging just above, you will be transported to the misty and dreamy land. However, it is advisable to avoid the monsoon season since the land becomes more prone to landslides.

October will give you the best view of the ranges. The sky will be clear and Kanchenjunga will appear with all her glory in front of you. And if you love snow, visit Sandakphu during December and January. The path will be covered with snow and you might even see a few frozen waterfalls on the way! Sandakphu will itself be snow-covered during this time.

Sightseeing Attractions

The best thing about the trek is that the view of the ranges stays with the trekker throughout the trek. You don't have to wait for a day; the first clear view of Kanchenjunga is seen on the very first day of the trek, at Upper Chitrey. And Kanchenjunga plays hide and seek with you throughout the trek.

After a tired and torturous hike, all your tiredness melts just at a look at the Kanchenjunga! However, you can also take a jeep from Darjeeling or Manebhanjan and head to this wonderful destination for a jeep safari that you may have never experienced before and beware the car ride will be really bumpy since it's a trekking route you won't be seeing any well-maintained road.

Apart from being a wonderland for all the trekkers, Sandakphu is also a paradise for all photographers from mesmerizing sunrise and sunset to a sky full of stars with a view that tends to take every trekker's breath away Sandakphu has got all of it.

Sandakphu Trek Cost

If you have planned to have a tour and wondering about the price, the Sandakphu Trek Cost will be about 500 to 700 per day per person including foods. Moreover, the complete tour cost is more than that including accommodations, meals and cars.

Accommodation

From the budget offering to the deluxe one, Sandakphu has all kind of accommodation options available. With the help of North Bengal Tourism, you can book an entire tour package with cars, accommodations and meals just by contacting us.

You may be a trekker, traveller, photographer or just a nature lover Sandakphu is a haven for all those who crave to feel and see the beauty of Mother Nature. You need to endure a moderately difficult trek in order to reach the summit, but you will be rewarded with awesome views of the snow-capped mountains. So, wait no more! Make a holiday schedule and explore this trekking paradise with North Bengal Tourism's tailor-made tour packages.

F.A.Q on Sandakphu Trek

Q. How do I get to Sandakphu?

Rented cabs are available to reach Sandakphu from New Jalpaiguri. Buses also use to ply from Siliguri to Manebhanjan vis Sukhiapokhri. From here, Sandakphu can be reached by trekking.

Q. What is the best time to go for the Sandakphu trek?

There are two most preferred seasons to go for the Sandakphu trek. The first season starts from April to May when the temperature ranges from 8 to 15 degrees. The second season starts from October to early December when the temperature ranges from -5 to 5 degrees.

Q. Is Everest visile from Sandakphu?

Not just Everest, other mountain peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu can be seen from this trekkers' paradise.

Q. Is there snowfall in Sandakphu?

Yes, snowfall can be seen here. Snowfall usually starts here towards the end of December and lasts till, the end of January.

Q. How do I prepare for Sandakphu Trek?

The trekking to Sandakphu is moderately difficult. One has to prepare for a month by walking 5 to 6 km daily and doing free-hand exercise in order to stay fit. Moreover, while trekking, always wear warm clothes, jackets and boots to stay warm in the intense cold.

Q. How far is Sandakphu from Darjeeling?

The approximate distance from Darjeeling to Sandakphu is around 58 km.

Places to visit in Darjeeling

The Batasia Loop

Darjeeling Ropeway

Darjeeling Toy Train

Dhirdham Temple

Ghoom Monastery

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Lloyd's Botanical Garden

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

The Rock Garden

Changey Falls

Neora Valley National Park

Manebhanjan

Sillerygaon

Chota Mangwa

Bara Mangwa

Lepchajagat

QUICK ENQUIRY

Sandakphu Phalut Trek

• Trek Grade Moderate
• Trek Distance 67 Kms
• Trek Duration 7 Days
• Highest Altitude 12,000 ft
• Basecamp Sepi
• Pick & Drop Point NJP railway station

Call Our Mountain Experts

• +91-7060032966 Adhish ( Mountain Expert) [email protected]
• Sepi To Sepi
• 2500 - Extra For Transport From NJP & Return - Not Included With Trek Fee (you can pay directly to driver)

Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu Trek lies in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal; on this trek, you can expect to experience the breathtaking vistas of the world’s tallest peaks. The Level of this trek is moderate to difficult, suitable for people with prior experience; first-time trekkers can also do this. Picturesque views of the snow-capped peaks of Nepal, Bhutan, and east of Tibet are the scenery that awaits on this trek. Since this trek falls under the Singallia National Park, you can witness this region’s rich vegetation and fauna.

The Sandakphu Trek is a unique adventure that combines the stunning sight of four of the highest mountains on Earth with a harmonious blend of nature and culture. As you stand at Phalut, take in the breathtaking view of the Everest cluster, comprising the fourth- and fifth-highest mountains globally, Lhotse and Makalu. This unique vantage point offers a rare opportunity to behold these three magnificent peaks together, a truly unforgettable experience.

The majestic “Sleeping Buddha” mountain range, located on your right, is truly awe-inspiring. Its uncanny resemblance to a peaceful, slumbering figure is a sight. The impressive massif boasts the third-highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga, which stands out as the most prominent peak in this distinctively shaped range. As you wake up at our Sabalgram campsite, you will be greeted by the mesmerizing Sleeping Buddha, a sight that often evokes strong emotions in hikers.

Sandakphu-Phalut holds a special place in our hearts when experiencing breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. The sunset we witness from Aahl is genuinely remarkable and incomparable. It is a peculiar phenomenon of nature where a vast expanse of clouds settles beneath Aahl, resembling waves in the sea. Within this enchanting cloud-filled atmosphere, the sun gradually sets, casting a mesmerizing glow. The sight of the Everest cluster and the Sleeping Buddha, shining in vibrant shades of orange, adds an emotional touch to these unforgettable moments during the trek.

The primary motivation for embarking on this trek is to witness the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Based on our past experiences, we have yet to come across treks offering magnificent views of the sun’s ascension and descent.  Our hikers particularly adore the Singalila National Park. Its bamboo and rhododendron forests are incredibly dense and awe-inspiring.

North of Samanden, an expansive stretch of bamboo grows, forming a canopy that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a unique experience. As they walk beneath the towering, dense stalks, the sun’s rays are filtered through the leaves, casting a soft, emerald glow. The closely packed bamboo creates an enchanting atmosphere, transporting those who venture into this hidden realm to a world of wonder and magic.

While it’s uncommon, it’s not impossible to catch a glimpse of the majestic Himalayan black bear, red panda, and clouded leopard during the trek. Additionally, we’re excited to immerse ourselves in the rich Indo-Nepali culture that permeates the region. As we make our way through the mountains, our route takes us across the border between Nepal and India, with our sleeping tents set up in India and our kitchen tents in Nepal at some camps.

The proprietors of the local tea houses, who are often families, are renowned for their hospitality and warmth. Upon entering one of these cozy establishments, visitors are welcomed with a steaming cup of tea and a heartfelt smile. The influence of Buddhism is palpable and pervasive.

The food combines elements from both Nepali and Tibetan traditions. We love Bhukiya roti, a delicious bread. It pairs perfectly with our homemade fruit jams. Additionally, we have a particular fondness for Nepali Thukpa, which is distinct from the version found in our cities. Remember to bring back Dalle Khursani, one of the spiciest chillies in the world, as a souvenir. Lastly, don’t forget to include bamboo shoot pickles and Churpi (yak cheese) on your list of souvenirs to complete your collection.

At this remarkable height, you would see the Buddha Formation and the sight of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and various other snow-covered peaks. The vibrant biodiversity found in the region includes Magnolias and Rhododendrons, which are very beautiful and add to the scenic picture-perfect landscape. This hamlet is studded with local wooden huts and spread-out farmlands. This trek also follows the Old Silk Route, where the trail leads through bends, loops, and lush natural beauty, along with the hospitality of the locals.

Day 1: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Sepi by Road

Day 2: sepi to gorkhey via raman-samanden, day 3: gorkhey to phalut by trek, day 4: phalut to thakom by trek, day 5: thakom to aal by trek, day 6: aal to timbure via sandakphu by trek, day 7: timbure to srikhola by trek, srikhola to new jalpaiguri (njp) by road, important trekking tips by experts, important videos, how to walk in mountains or how to trek in the himalayas - trekup india, what is backpack, how to strap it and how to lift your backpack - trekup india, what is gaiters, how to wear it and its importance - tips by mountain expert adhish | trekup india, why trek pole is necessary while trekking, tips by mountain expert adhish | trekup india, what is microspikes and how to use it - tips by mountain expert adhish | trekup india, what is trek pole & how to use trekking pole in right manner, how to choose the best trekking shoes - by expert - trekup india, how to sleep inside the sleeping bag | trekking tips by mountain expert adhish | trekup india, what mountain expert say.

Priyanka | Mountain Experts

Born in Gopeshwar, Uttrakhand completed education in Dehradun, and graduated in the technical. After that, Priyanka worked for 1 year in the technical field. However, her passion was to travel so she tried to turn her career in that direction. To fulfill adventure passion, Priyanka did first trek to Kedarkanta, which was a life-changing experience for her. After this Priyanka became curious to explore more, so later she did the BramhaTal Trek, Nag Tibba Trek, and Chopta Tungnath and list goes on. Now she taken this trekking and adventure experience and converted it into a profession. Now she love to offer advice, guide, trekkers. Make sure to get detailed help related to the Himalayan trek from her.

Why You Should Do Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu Trek is a must-do trek as on this; you come close to the world’s highest peaks. One of the famous sights on this trek is the Buddha Formation. Also, enjoy nature at its best as it lies in the Singallia National Park. The trekker learns about the local lifestyle by seeing the architecture of houses, monasteries, and locals in their day-to-day activities.

A stunning view of the world’s tallest mountain peaks. The picture-perfect sight of four of the world’s tallest mountains in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. The peaks that will be visible are Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Snowline

1.Get enthralled by the sight of flora and fauna.

The trek is in Singallia National Park, which is rich in biodiversity as you see Magnolias and Rhododendrons. The flowers add to the scenic views of pink, red, scarlet, and yellow hills. Get astonished at the sight of Himalayan black bears and Red Panda jumping on trees in the National Park.

2. “Sleeping Buddha” is a famous peak that is uniquely shaped.

The famous sight of the Buddha Formation is another picturesque sight on this trek. Sleeping Buddha holds significant meaning and importance in Buddhism. This stance mainly implies eternal peace and tranquility. The four tallest mountains form the famous “Sleeping Buddha.”

3. Remote Villages of the Himalayan region.

On the trek, you would see quaint Himalayan villages where people live in the winter season. You would come close to the lifestyle of local villagers, who depend greatly on tourism.

4. Drive through the well-known tea estates of Darjeeling and Sikkim.

You will have the opportunity to tour the native tea gardens of Darjeeling and Sikkim and experience.

Best Time to Do Sandakphu Phalut Trek & Temprature

The best time to do this trek is between January to April and September to December. In the spring season, the temperature during the day is between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, and at night it drops to 1 to 5 degrees Celsius. In the autumn, the temperature ranges between 13 to 18 degrees Celsius during the day, and if it rains, the temperature may drop to 1 to 12 degrees Celsius. In the winter, the temperature remains between 8 to 12 degrees Celsius; at night, it remains at 0 degrees Celsius and sometimes drops below 0 degrees Celsius. In winter, the trekker gets to experience snow mildly; spring brings color with it, whether it is white Magnolia flowers or trees of Rhododendron in pink and red. The landscape turns golden in autumn, and you see the unmistakable sight of peaks.

Latest Articles & Updates

Day Wise Detailed Itinerary of Sandakphu Trek

• Stay  – Overnight stay at the teahouse.
• Meal  – Dinner
• Distance  – 130 km
• Time Taken  – approx. 7 hrs
• Altitude  – New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station (374 ft / 114 meter), Sepi (6400 ft / 1951 meter)
• Altitude Difference  – 6026 ft / 1837 meter

The trekkers would begin the journey from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Sepi; on the road, they would pass through the famous tea gardens of Darjeeling and Sikkim. After we had begun the drive, the first place we would reach was Mirik, which is a famous tourist destination. On route, we would pass by some picturesque, charming villages like Rimbik, Sukhipokhri and Dhotrey. The stop point of today’s trek is Sepi, an impressive place surrounded by greenery. There is also a Srikhola spring in Sepi village, which makes the landscape more beautiful. Upon reaching it, we would rest after the tiring, long drive.

• Meal  – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Distance  – 15 km
• Time Taken  – approx. 8 hrs
• Altitude  – Sepi (6400 ft / 1951 meter), Gorkhey (7874 ft / 2400 meter)
• Altitude Difference  – 1474 ft / 449 meter
• Trek Grade  – Gradual

It is the second day of your travel and the first day of your trek, so that trekkers will be given a delicious breakfast in the morning on this day. The trekkers would be passing through the famous Darjeeling tea garden. From the beginning of the trek, the trail gradually climbs uphill, followed by some steep sections until we reach Raman. At the beginning of the trail, you would be crossing fields and small huts on the way. But as you proceed, the huts will disappear, and you will start seeing pine and oak forests. The trekker would find dense forest as the region falls under the Singalila Range, which is well known for abundant greenery. The trekker would then cross a bridge, after which lies an area where locals have dedicated stone benches for the people who have passed away. As the trekkers move further, they would again see farmlands and wooden huts, which means they have reached Samanden village. From Samanden village, it is just a few kilometers till you reach Gorkhey, which would be the resting place for the day.

• Altitude  – Gorkhey (7874 ft / 2400 meters), Phalut (11,800 ft / 3600 meters)
• Altitude Difference  – 3926 ft / 1200 meter
• Trek Grade  – Gradual to Moderate

Begin your morning with hot tea and the glorious view of the mountains before you. When the trekker is ready for the day’s trek, they begin walking along the gorgeous Gorkhey Khola, which flows out of Ramam River and passes through Gorkhey village. The trail would then pass through Oaks, Bamboos, and Rhododendron Forest, and at some places, the trail could be steeply uphill. Soon, you will reach Phalut, one of the highest peaks in the Singalila Range and the second-highest point after Sandakphu Ridge. “Sleeping Buddha” is the name of the four tallest mountain peaks in Phalut. Gorkhey is a small village with fields and rivers flowing at the bottom. Here, you could also experience the warmth of the local culture and lifestyle of the quaint little village.

• Distance  – 10 km
• Altitude  – Phalut (11,800 ft / 3600 mtr), Thakom (11,300 ft / 3444 mtr)
• Altitude Difference  – 500 ft / 156 meter

On this day, you would be trekking where the Sleeping Buddha formation would be in the background. In today’s trek, you will cross the Indo-Nepal border to reach Nepal. Thakom is a beautiful valley between Sabargram and Sandakphu, a beautiful combination of beautiful meadows and a picturesque landscape setting. On this trek, you would see some Yaks grazing in the meadows; the trail is further remote and unknown location. You will see Rhododendron trees as you reach the day’s stopping point. Upon reaching the stopping point, Trekup India’s high-altitude chief will prepare a delicious dinner for you.

• Distance  – 11 km
• Time Taken  – approx. 7 hrs.
• Altitude  – Thakom (11,300 ft / 3444 meters), Aal (11,500 ft / 3505 meters)
• Altitude Difference  – 200 ft / 61 meter

The beautiful sunrise awaits you as you wake up in the morning with scenic views of the mountains. All is also the closest campsite to Sandakphu summit; today’s trek will not be as tiring as the previous days. Furthermore, on this trek, you would also catch sight of the Kanchenjunga ranges and other peaks. From here, you would be closely seeing the Sleeping Buddha formation. You would get ample rest at Aal before the next day’s trek.

• Distance  – 14 km
• Time Taken  – approx. 6 hrs
• Altitude  – All (11,500 ft / 3505 meters), Sandakphu (11,930 / 3636 meters), Timbure (6550 ft / 1996 meters)
• Altitude Difference  – Aal to Sandakphu (430 ft / 131 meters), Sandakphu to Timbure (5380 ft / 1640 meters)

Today marks a long trekking day; begin the morning with a warm breakfast and hot tea. The trekker would reach from Aal to Sandakphu in a few hours, where you could enjoy the sunrise if you wake up early. From Sandakphu, you will see snow-covered peaks such as Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamling, Chomo, Lonzo, Machapuchare, and others. After spending ample time at the top, you would begin your downhill climb towards Timbure. The first village you would be crossing by is Gurdum, which is a picture-perfect dwelling surrounded by Himalayan mountains. Upon reaching Timbure, you would be either staying at the teahouse.

• Distance  – Timbure to Srikhola by Trek (3 km), Srikhola to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) by road (130 km)
• Time Taken  – Timbure to Srikhola by Trek (approx. 1 hr), Srikhola to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) by road (approx. 6 hrs)
• Altitude  – Timbure (6550 ft / 1996 meter), Srikhola (6900 ft / 2103 meter), New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station (374 ft / 114 meter),
• Altitude Difference  – Timbure to Srikhola (440 ft / 107 meters), Srikhola to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway (6526 ft / 1989 meter)

This is the last of your journey and trek; this would be the last when you would be up close to the mountains. You will begin your trek from Timbure to Srikhola, which will take approx. one hour. From Srikhola, you would begin road travel to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, where a Trekup India Representative would drop you off. As you reach New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, the Trekup India Team will bid you farewell, and you will be on your own to either proceed towards your home or you could explore the nearby places.

Food Provided by Us During the Sandakphu Trek

We provide only Indian vegetarian food and mainly your meal is going to contain Indian bread, vegetable, lentils and Rice along with delicious dessert. During your trek, we will serve three meals a day including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  In the evening, you will also be served tea & snacks and lip-smacking soup before dinner. If it will be a long day of trekking, you will be given a packed snack.

After doing a lot of research on the nutritional requirements for the trekkers, we prepare the menu. Before putting all the meals together, we also consider altitude gained and weather.

The meal served by us while trek is perfectly balanced with the right amounts of calories, carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, fiber, and minerals. You need to know that all our cooks have great expertise in cooking and have undergone thorough training. So, get ready to enjoy delectable and lip-smacking dishes during your trek.  You will be served with lemon tea in the tent in order to start your day with a refreshed feeling. Before leaving the campsite for trekking, you will be given a hot finger-licking breakfast like upma, Aallu Prantha, Besan Chilla, Poha, Daliya,  Corn flakes, Maggie, along with tea or coffee.

In case, your trek will be longer one then we also offer some fresh local fruits such as apples and even healthy drinks like Frootie or Maaza. In the afternoon, you will be served simple & healthy lunch, while at around 04:00 pm, you will be given tea and a light evening breakfast.  After you reach your campsite at night, you will be served a hot and delightful dinner. After reading this, you must have got the idea about the food provided by us on trek, you don’t need to worry about food. Many trekkers trek with us again and again because of the food we provide. Thus, we will definitely give you unforgettable experiences.

Safety During Sandakphu Trek

Trekking with us for sandakphu trek is completely safe because we have a team of trek leaders who are qualified in Wilderness first-aid and also have complete information about the high-altitude glitches. During Trek, we carry a complete first-aid kit that contains all the important medicines. Before trekking with us, you need to ensure that you are medically fit for the trek and if you are able to judge yourself then it is better to take advice from a professional.  For us, your medical fitness is very important than anything else.

Know About Us:- You need to know that our company Trekup India has been in the field of Adventure Tourism for the last 23 years. Right from our inception, we have been involved in providing treks, voyage & hiking programs as well as high altitude expedition rafting.

We keep on organizing treks in Uttarakhand, Kashmir, Sikkim and Himachal, while being a part of the trekking community, we feature more than 75 Himalayan documented treks. Apart from other outdoor activities, our company also organizes trips for schools, colleges, and family.

We ensure complete technical safety in the mountain

Our company has a vast team of more than 100 guides, as well as trainers in order, serve in the mountain treks.  One of the best things about our team is that all the members are trained professionally from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Indian mountaineering foundation Delhi as well as Hanifle Center Outdoor Education Mussoorie.

Therefore, we never believe in compromising on the quality as well as services offered to our valuable customers.

For Us, Your Safety Is the Top Priority

At Trekup India, you will find a team with local knowledge and fluency in English as well as Hindi. This helps in ensuring that you have an amazing trek and not only this, we also pay attention to your health as well as safety because this is something we cannot ignore.  All the team leaders involved in trekking have already undergone several professional courses in First Aid, Portable Altitude Chamber Training, CPR, Environmental Awareness Training as well as Advanced Wilderness Emergency Medicine.

We also carry a complete first aid medical kit not only on the trek but on each and every trip which is organized by us. Apart from the medical kit, we carry a portable altitude chamber and medical oxygen for all kinds of high-altitude treks .  Our company has great expertise in organizing all sorts of group adventure holidays for family groups, school & college groups as well as friend groups. When it comes to travel options, we have a wide range that suits different fitness levels as well as traveling styles.

Therefore, no matter who big the group size, we pay personal attention to each and every member present in the group.

How We Ensure That Your Trek Is Safe with Us

Right from our establishment, we at Trekup India, are continuously involved in introducing new safety practices into Indian trekking in order to ensure the safety of voyagers.  For walking on snow, Trekpp India introduced Microspikes and also made emergency bottled oxygen mandatory for all kinds of treks.  In order to test pulse as well as oxygen saturation levels, pulse oxymeters are used. As a safety communication device, we at TrekupIndia introduced radio.

Though we have noticed that most of the organizations organizing treks do not follow these systems but with time several competing companies are adopting these practices and organizing great and safe treks.

Explore our New Safety Protocols

In order to ensure a perfect Trek, we have introduced some new safety checks that will assure more safety for our trekkers. 

Our On-trek safety checks includes:

• Daily oxygen saturation along with pulse readings
• Stretchers team appointed on every trek
• Trained mountain staff and full safety
• Additional oxygen cylinders
• Special medical kit for high altitude treks
• Microspikes on all types of snow treks
• Experienced Trek leaders as well as safety
• Technical team on all snowy slopes

What should you pack for the Sandakphu Trek?

Being an trekking, adventure & travel company, we get many questions from our trekkers and most common question that arises is what to carry or what should we pack for the trek? Sometime it becomes difficult to explain in details and therefore below we have prepared the detailed packing list, helpful for all trekkers coming to the Himalayas. Whenever we go on trek or start packing things one should remember the packing pattern i.e. either you start from head to foot or foot to head, this way there will be rare chance that you will forget the items to pack, so go step by step.

Make sure your backpack should be comfortable neither too big nor to small and for a week trek 60-70 liters of backpack should be enough to hold all your belongings. Ensure that your backpack has good hip & Shoulder support and pockets should be accessible quickly.

All trekkers should keep in mind that daypack is very important, this will be a great help to you while on trek, also every single day you won’t be carrying you backpack therefore for day excursion , shorter hikers, sightseeing you can carry your stuff in it.

• Trekking shoes: Preferably water proof, ankle support.
• Walking / Hiking sandals: This can be used off trek i.e. in the morning and evening hours, basically to get your feet rest from heavy boots, sometime used for crossing streams and rivers, it’s more comfortable and safe than crossing barefoot or wetting your boots.
• Sneakers (Optional) : For normal driving days or can use  around the camp
• Socks (3-4 Pairs) – Make sure to choose material wisely, it should be quick drying, warm and comfortable.
• Hiking / trekking jacket: Carry good quality layer jackets
• Hiking pants: Check some kind of long nylon blend, light and quick drying pants. Warm covers ups like fleece-lined tracksuit pants or ski pant.
• Undergarments as per your habitual requirement
• T-Shirts and Shorts (3-4 Warm comfortable)
• Ordinary Shirt / T-shirt – Just in case everything gets wet this will help for roaming around.
• Long Sleeve shirt – can be used as a base layer on colder days
• Socks – at least 4-5 pairs
• Leggings – Can be used specially chilling morning and evening , to keep your body warm
• Thermals – get 2 pairs of thermals, this will be great need a body to keep it warm.
• Buff / Balaclava – This is a must to carry to cover your neck and this item is an ideal solution to keep your neck / throat warm.
• Beanie Cap- Very helpful item for colder and windy days should carry 1, also sometime when its freezing cold you can use it a night as well.
• Hiking Hat- this will basically help during the day time specially from the sun rays, make sure it has a strip so that wind does not below is far from your headJ..
• Gloves – 01 pair will be enough to keep your hand warm and nice.
• Rain Coat and Pant – Carry a pair of it to protect you from the rain OR
• Rain Poncho – during long rains, the waterproof jackets starts leaking but poncho does get work in keeping you dry, so choose accordingly.
• Rain covers: Some small water proof to cover your backpack and daypack as well for your gadgets.
• Gadgets and Electronic
• Trekking Poles
• Mobile phone
• Spare batteries for phone and camera, powerbank
• Light weight flash light or headlight
• Waterproof bag made up of plastic for camera
• Music system / Bluetooth
• Plug/converter for electrical items
• 1 liter water bottle
• Journal with pen would be good idea to keep your notes.
• Some book of your interest for ideal time
• Get into habit of keeping Map and guide book of the region.
• Hygiene & Personal toiletry
• Sunscreen with UV protection
• 1 or 2 small quick-drying towels
• Toilet paper/tissues/wet-wipes
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/ mouth freshener
• Deodorant / Talcum powder
• Lip-gloss/salve
• Sanitary pads/tampons (For female traveler)
• Bio gradable Soap
• Nail clipper
• Your other personal items that you use on daily basis
• Personal First aid Kit and Energy –  below are some common medicine generally required / used during your adventure trip, however please consult your doctors prior.
• Antiseptic towel or water syringe (to clean the wound)
• Butterfly bandage for small cut
• Cotton and elastic bandages and sterile gauze pad for larger wounds
• Latex gloves used when its wound bleeds
• Medicine for Diarrhea (Upset stomach)
• Medicine for cold, flue / fever headache
• Some pain killers
• ORS pouches
• Quick pain relief spray (External use)
• Any personal medicine prescribed by your doctor
• Dimox / Similar for high altitude sickness
• Bug Repellent
• Carry some nutria / energy bars and drinks (non-alcoholic)

Note: Kindly consult your doctor before purchasing or taking any medicine.

9.Compulsory Documents to Carry

These are files needed to be submitted at Forest Department before ypur trek. With no of these, you will not be permitted to trek . Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Carry Id’s like adhaar, voter id, etc.

Important note: You can book rent gears , what you can rent & buy from us and what you need to get from your home town, make your bagpack easy not heavy.

Click the link: https://www.trekupindia.com/rent-trekking-gears

Now you are all set for your Adventure trip with Trekup India!!

Trek Cost Inclusion

• Stay:  7 Nights tented accommodation at respective teahouses on a sharing basis.
• Meals:  Trekup India provided cooked meals during the trek, starting with Dinner on Day 01 to Breakfast on day 7 (Meals are simple, nutritious, and vegetarian and non-repeated meals)   
• Health & Safety:   First Aid Box, Oxygen Cylinders, Stretchers, Oxi meters, BP Machines, Health.
• Permits:  Forest Permits and Camping Permission Fee  
• Trek Crew:  High Altitude Chef, Helpers, Trek Leader & Guides, and other support team.
• Potters & Mules:  Potters and Mules to carry all trekking equipment, ration, and vegetables.

Trek Cost Exclusion

• GST 5% (it is Mandatory)
• Transport:  New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Sepi and Srikhola to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) on sharing jeeps
• Any insurance (Trekup India recommends each trekker get insurance) 
• Any Meals/accommodation beside the itinerary or not mentioned in the program.
• Any Bus / Airfare to/from trek start/end point 
• Personal Medical expenses do carry your medication. 
• Any personal services such as Laundry, phone calls, liquors, mineral water etc.
• Any still / video camera fee 
• Any Entrance fee Monuments, Monasteries, Museums, Temples – Pay directly on the spot. 
• Mules or porter charges to carry private baggage (Offload Charges for bag 700 per day, per bag. Note: Bag weight should not be more than 10 kg.
• Any emergency evacuation charges
• Any services that are not mentioned in the cost inclusion section.

Trek Logistics

Pickup Point Will be from New Jalpaiguri or NJP and pickup time will be 9.30 AM.

Note:  We will share exact pickup location and driver details on whatsapp group, apart from it our transport manager will be also present at the pickup point to assist you.

We will drop you off at New Jalpaiguri or NJP max by 6 P.M on the final day. We advice you to make your departure bookings after 8.00 P.M.

How To Reach New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP)

Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport (if you plan to come by flight, our pickup point will be STNM Bus / Taxi Stand in Siliguri, which is approx. 20-25 Km from the airport, and it is advised to arrive either early morning or a day prior if planning by flight). 

The Railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) with great railway connectivity connections; if planning to arrive by train, then book your train till New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) and from there, take an auto/taxi to STNM Bus / Taxi Stand in Siliguri, which is approx. 30-35 Km from the airport, and it is advised to arrive either early morning or a day prior if planning by train as sometimes the trains are delayed).

Other Treks Like Sandakphu Trek

Kedarkantha Trek

Kuari Pass Trek

Har Ki Dun Trek

Rent trek gears.

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Sandakphu Trek on Singalila Ridge:

Fixed group departures for winter and spring-summer from January to May 2024 are published and marked in the calendar of the Booking Inquiry Form available on the page.

Below is your Definitive Guide to Sandakphu trekking tour 2024  and the associated details. Click on a link to jump to a specific part of information.

Itinerary Notes on Itinerary Introduction Altitude gain over distance breakup Trek vs Jeep safari Best time for Sandakphu trek Peaks visible from Sandakphu Why would you trek with us? Snow during winters Accommodations Temperature and clothing Packages: Fixed group departures vs Private tours Insights on local culture How to reach the trek base? Mobile network availability and charging facilities Seasonal restrictions on trekking Permits for foreigners Stay restriction on foreigners 2023 Frequently asked questions on Sandakphu

Our Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from NJP or Bagdogra to trek base Chitrey (2360 m, 7740 ft) – 90 km – 4 to 5 hours via Maneybhanjung town (1980 m, 6500 ft,) Chitrey is 3.5 km uphill from here, following the Singalila ridge. Homestay accommodation on a sharing basis. Day 2: Our trek starts today. We trek to Tumling (2920 m, 9580 ft)– 9 km – 6 hours or so. Lodge on a sharing basis. Initial 3 km moderately steep climb till Lameydhura , following a gradual climb of 3 km to Megmha for lunch. The last 3 km to Tumling is an easy flat walk. Day 3: Trek to Kalapokhari (3030 m, 9940 ft) – 12 km – 7 to 8 hours. From Tumling checkpost, descent to Gairibas (2570 m, 8430 ft), and then a moderately steep climb to Kaikata for lunch. The final 4 km is an easy walk to Kalapokhri. Homestay on a sharing basis. Day 4: Trek to Sandakphu (3636 m, 11926 ft) – 6 Km – 3 to 4 hours. Initially 2.5 km on level plain to Bhikhay Bhanjung , and following a steep climb, we reach Sandakphu top. Have your lunch here. Lodge or hotel accommodation on a  sharing basis. Day 5: Trek from Sandakphu to Timburey (2060 m, 6760 ft)– 15 km – 6 to 7 hours. Moderately steep descent throughout to our lunch spot at Gurdum village . From here, another 3 km of gradual downhill leads us to Timburey village. Homestay on a sharing basis. Day 6: Walk 1 and a half hours to the Srikhola Bridge roadhead (1900 m, 6230 ft), 3 km. Trek ends here. Drive to NJP or Bagdogra (150 km) in 6 to 7 hours. Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling City, is 75 km and 3 to 4 hours drive from Srikhola.

Important notes on travel & itinerary:

• This is a  Lodge/Homestay/Trekkers Hut based trek or what may be called a “ Tea House trek “. We don’t camp anywhere on this trail.
• Accommodations are simple and basic , as one should expect at high altitude with limited options and facilities. Read about the accommodations or package options that we have before your booking.
• Foreigners or non-Indian citizens need to stay on the Indian side, i.e., in West Bengal. In other words, you can’t get accommodation in the private homestays in Nepal, which are comfortable with more options. Instead, you need to stay in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration-operated GTA huts at Tonglu , Gairibas , and Sandakphu to complete the itinerary. GTA Trekkers Huts are very basic in nature, with limited facilities (shared dormitories with Indian-style common toilets). Check with us for itinerary and more details that you need.
• You need to arrive the latest by 9 am on Day 1 at NJP, Bagdogra or SIliguri city. While returning, you will reach to NJP or Bagdogra in 6 to 7 hours drive from Srikhola on Day 6, around 5 pm . Arrange your tickets accordingly.
• Sometimes it is convenient to reach Bagdogra (IXB) on Day 0 if you are planning to take a flight. Similarly you may depart anytime on Day 7. Siliguri city is 10 Km from the airport with various accommodation options. Darjeeling city is only ~25 Km/1 hour from Maneybhanjung (our basecamp Chitrey is further 3.5 km up from here) and 75 Km (3 to 4 hours drive) from our trek end point Srikhola (via Maneybhanjung).
• You may leave your additional luggage which you don’t require on the trek at Maneybhanjung. Collect it while returning from Srikhola. Don’t leave any electronic gadget, money or any important item. Your additional clothes etc should be fine in the left baggage (preferably with a lock).
• Last ATM at Mirik. Withdraw cash well in advance from NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra.
• Listed TREK FEE on the website is for the Fixed Departures and doesn’t include the car transportation to basecamp and return.
• Airtel and Jio work here and there throughout the trek.
• It is possible to tailor the above itinerary while modifying, adding or even shortening the tour. However that is the case only for private or customised tours.

An introduction to Sandakphu trek

Sandakphu at 3636 m/11926 ft (Geo Coordinates: 27.105096°N, 88.001708°E), is the highest point of West Bengal, inside Darjeeling district, bordering Nepal. This trek follows the famous Singalila Ridge, a prominent spur of high ground that lies at the southern end of a long crest, which runs down from the Kanchendzongha massif. In fact Singalila ridge forms the border between Sikkim/Darjeeling of India and Nepal. Also because of this fact, Sandakphu trek is often referred to as “ Singalila Ridge Trek “ .

One of the unavoidable necessities of trekking in the Himalayas is that the best views are from high up. In contrast, the trail along this ridge, passing along small settlements, is perhaps one of the most scenically rewarding in the Himalayas. Additionally the charm of the Eastern Himalayas who didn’t get a chance to visit here yet.

There are a very few Himalayan homestay/tea-house mode treks in India. Almost all are camping treks. Sandakphu trek  gives the opportunity to those who prefer comfortable accommodation during the trek.  Probably this is also helpful for beginners who wish to take it easy at the beginning.

At the same time, a must visit for the experienced trekkers too. You get to see the spectacular panoramic views of Nepal Himalayas including Kanchendzongha range, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Jannu (Kumbhakarna), Chamlang, Baruntse and a host of Sikkim peaks all seen in one stretch. The famous “Sleeping Buddha” formation of peaks is a delight for all.

The trail goes along the motor-able road to Sandakphu (yes  only 4X4 WD, there has been one since the last 40 years! You won’t mind it much), frequently taking detour and shortcuts. Sandakphu trek trail switches between India and Nepal all the way till Sandakphu. In fact the PWD motor road is the de facto border at stretches.  Most of the settlements and hamlets we pass by are geographically in Nepal. Also, as a matter of fact most of our homestay/lodge during Sandakphu trek are in Nepal.

This trail inside Singalila National park boasting numerous species of birds and wild flowers. This region is in Eastern Himalayan diversity hot spot and home to endangered Red Panda  .  It is rare but not impossible that you get a glance of this shy animal, especially around Gairibas or while descending to Gurdum. Flowering of Rhododendrons and Magnolia turn the forest into red, pink and white shades during spring time. Misty scent and flowers have its own charm. During fall weather turns clearer and hue of the foliage is eye catching.

Sandakphu trek distance and altitude graph:

Below graph will give you an idea of places and corresponding altitude, day wise elevation, ascents and descents on the trail.

Is Sandakphu a trek or a Jeep safari? Which tour do I choose?

Some of you may already know that there is a motorable road to Sandakphu and Phalut as well. Though the highest altitude of the road is much lower than the high mountain/pass roads (as you get in Ladakh and some western Himalayan regions) but the gradient is much steeper accompanied with sharp hairpin bends. A whooping ~ 1660 m/5500 ft from Maneybhanjung to Sandakphu on 33 Km road track. The journey to Sandakphu in a “Land rover”  is a harrowing  one.  These are used for 50 years or more with very basic seating arrangement and no shock absorber whatsoever. The ride on stone cobbled bumpy road is an experience in itself, if you prefer so! So it is used by the ones it is intended to, the carriage of goods/supplies, short distance local passengers and occasional tourists.

There is another high concern due to acclimatisation reasons. Well, it may get you to Sandakphu in 7/8 hours but people feel the sudden height gain. Strong headache, breathing issues, feeling excessively cold are common symptoms.

We highly suggest to take the trekking trail and don’t recommend a Jeep safari to Sandakphu or Phalut.

Seasons for Sandakphu trek:

Being in the eastern Himalayas this area observes prolonged monsoon like its neighbour Sikkim. Clouds start to gather from April and prolong till October beginning. There are two distinct seasons when this year trail is particularly beautiful.

1) Spring/Summer for Rhododendron season: From mid of March to Mid of May. Flowering starts from early March in the lower elevation, and gradually towards end of spring on higher altitude. Rhododendron and Giant Magnolia are two most famous along with several other wild flower species. Cloudy or misty atmosphere is common during Spring. Although clear mountains views are not uncommon, specially during morning.

2) Autumn/Fall & Winter for clear weather: From mid October to January. In the beginning of October clouds start moving out from this region and weather becomes clearer. November is  particularly known for its crystal clear views of the mountains. Fall colours changing around Gairibas and higher on the trail is another reason to choose this trek in autumn.

Peak views from Sandakphu:

Due to its location, the peak view from Sandakphu and several other points on Singalila ridge is unparalleled. Starting on East you can see the peaks in Sikkim, then the giant Kanchenjunga massif and farther to the west the Everest and other peaks bordering up to Tibet.  Here is how it may look like on a clear day 🙂

The peak panorama is wide enough to capture in two frames. One is the much acclaimed “Sleeping Buddha”.  Looking on your right count the peaks in Bhutan and Sikkim, looking straight ahead north is Kanchenjunga massif completing the revered figure.

Now looking ahead turn left towards north-west, you will see Everest group of peaks far away, yet clearly recognisable. Remember that you are standing on India Nepal border and Everest is in Nepal/Tibet border! Its the sheer size of the mountains that still you can see clearly without any gadget.  Here is how “Everest Group” looks from Sandakphu when zoomed in.

Why Sandakphu trek with HT?

We believe that we understand this region fairly well for and curate the perfect itinerary for you  (and yes, there are fantastic premium category Darjeeling based agencies). Since 2011 we operate Sandakphu and the longer Phalut variant. All our guides are licensed local and comfortable operating with small to medium size groups (~ 6 to 12 trekkers) that they can take care of. Occasionally during peak season or holidays, group sizes reach its maximum i.e. 15. All our accommodations are selectively chosen that you get most out of your trek.

Sandakphu temperature range and weather data:

Remember that Sandakphu is at 3636 m/11930 ft of altitude and on windy Singalila ridge. Expect cool to cold conditions along with some dampness. You may get freezing temperature even in summer season.

• Minimum temperature can likely occur late night to early in the morning between 2 am to 5 am . Similarly maximum may attain during mid day/noon.
• The temperatures are measured outside. It will be approx ~ 10°C warmer inside the room than outside.
• Wind chill can significantly impact the real feel and feels like temperature can be 5°C lower than the actual considering wind speed/gust 15-20 Km/hour. Similarly a bright sunny day will feel warmer.
• As you will be trekking mostly between 8 am to 3 pm during the day , expect warm to cool conditions depending upon the month you are trekking.

Here is the monthly low, high,  and average temperature forecast of Sandakphu. All values are in Degree Centigrade (°C).

Do you get snow in Sandakphu trek during winters?

Well, Sandakphu trek is NOT really a snow trek.  Darjeeling/Sikkim region has a higher snowline comparing to its western Himalayan counterpart. This is due to the lower latitude of Eastern Himalayas. Usually the trail gets 4 to 5 low to medium (2 inch to 6 inch) snowfall every year. Rarely it gets a heavy snowfall amounting in excess to 6 inches.

The area receives lesser amount of yearly snowfall than usual snow treks in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh. Snowfall normally starts in January and can occur as late as end of March. In fact trekkers witnessed fresh snow in recent years during early spring, when clouds  start to get in to the atmosphere. You will get some snow on patches or inside jungle where sunlight doesn’t fall directly. But if you are lucky, then this is how it may look like 🙂

Check this photo story through lenses, on how Sandakphu looks like after a snowfall .

Types of accommodations during the Sandakphu trek for Indian and foreigners:

As this is a “Tea House” trek, we don’t camp inside Singalila National Park (which is not allowed as well!). Instead, we stay in a homestay or lodge available on the trail. As you should expect on a mountain trail, these are basic accommodations—a simple place to eat and sleep! Families reside throughout the year and are ethnically Nepalese or Tibetan.

As the trail runs along the India-Nepal border, i.e., the Singalila Ridge, more of our overnight stays are in Nepal. As a matter of fact, at present, we stay for 3 nights in Nepal and 2 nights in India (West Bengal).

Note that foreigners, i.e., non-Indian citizens, are not allowed to stay in Nepal but have to sleep inside India, i.e., on the West Bengal side. Here you have to stay in the GTA (Gorkha Territorial Administration)-operated Trekkers Hut in the simplest dormitories.  Get more understanding in the section below .

In the Fixed group departures , we provide triple or quad sharing rooms, which are usually dormitory style rooms. Male and female trekkers are given separate rooms . You will get a clean bed and blanket(s). Toilets may not be attached to the room, i.e., common in nature or Indian-style lavatories without running water facilities.

Additionally, there are a few rooms with attached western-style toilets and running tap water in some of the locations. The inclusions of these types of rooms are what we refer to as a “standard package,” which you can read here . But again, the facilities will be very limited compared to what you get in a hill station or a mountain resort.

Despite all this, people have enjoyed the trail while adjusting to the available facilities. Simply put, this is how a travelling mode is in these places rather than a mere tourist mode.

If you still have any doubt or confusion in your mind, please feel free to get in touch with us over the phone or email.

Stay-Accommodation rules for foreigners during Sandakphu trek 2023:

​Starting from December 2021 Indian authorities are not allowing foreigners to stay in Nepal while walking on the Singalila ridge. Non India citizens are only allowed to stay inside India and not in any accommodation which is in Nepal. So for foreign nationals the accommodation options are GTA operated Govt huts within Singalila National Park, and private lodge/homestay outside the national park in West Bengal. This is enforced onspot by the Indian paramilitary personnel stationed at various check posts along the trail on the India – Nepal border.

Now most of our accommodations are in Nepal either following Sandakphu or the longer variant Sandakphu and Phalut .  So it is not possible to follow the same itinerary for the foreigners as mentioned on the website and has to be a customised/private tour altogether. In other words, foreigners won’t be able to join a fixed group departure at present until the restriction is revoked. We will keep you posted on this or drop an email to [email protected] to know the latest updates.

Note that the govt. huts are available at limited spots with very basic setup. Rooms are of dormitory type and toilets are common.

At present foreigners can stay at Maneybhanjung, Tonglu, Gairibas (non functional/almost deserted), Sandakphu, Timburey, Phalut, Gorkhey, Srikhola/Sepi. They can’t stay at Chitrey, Tumling or Kalapokhri as there is nothing in the West Bengal/India side.

Sandakphu Tour Type & packages: Fixed Departure vs a Private or Customised tours:

Our Fixed Group Departure dates are published in the Upcoming Trek Calendar from time to time. Same dates you can also check here on this page inside the calendar available in the Registration/Booking Enquiry Form. These dates are marked marked in green on the booking enquiry calendar.

Note that, these tours are of Economy/Budget inclusions type .  Room are shared by 3/4 persons or of dormitory type. Toilets may not be attached, rather common ones. Male and Female trekkers will get separate room(s). Meals are vegetarian along with occasional eggs. The maximum group size is 15 and reach on rare occasions during peak seasons/holidays. However there is no MINIMUM number of persons for a group. Meaning once we have taken your booking, your tour is guaranteed.

We also arrange private and customised trekking tours to Sandakphu for smaller groups of 2 persons and more. There are many advantages of this type of tours than our usual group departures, albeit with a price premium.

You can choose your preferred dates and desired level of services. This is usually a Standard category inclusions than that of group departure treks. Accommodations can be on twin sharing basis or a family room with kids (based on availability, check with us specifically). Usually these are upgraded spacious rooms with attached western style toilets. In these trips we can arrange non veg food as well and more variety than our group departures.  On a private/customised trip, there will be none other than your group members and trekking guide(s). We also support transportation by car from and to the airport or try to help with any other bookings around this area. Also it is possible to modify the itinerary by adding  day(s) or shorten the itinerary. The  TREK FEE  will depend on the number of persons and level of service inclusions.

Local culture, people and food habit:

This region in Eastern Himalaya is different than Western Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. There are differences in religious practices which reflect in local culture and thus in the people behaviour. Majorly Buddhism is followed in Nepali and Tibetan ethnicity. People are friendly, helping and smiling. Though your major meals will consist standardised Indian meals (Rice, Roti, Dal, vegetables etc.) but expect mix of local noddles soup, momo, chow mein in lunch or snacks.

Access to trek base (Chitrey, 3.5 km above Maneybhanjung):

We will arrange a pickup  from NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri to Chitrey and drop from Srikhola to NJP/Bagdogra. You share the amount among availing fellow trekkers and pay directly to the driver. Mainly Tata Sumo/Mahindra Bolero type Jeep/SUV are available on this route. Typically a Tata Sumo/Mahindra Bolero is comfortable for 5 to 6 persons and can accommodate accommodate up to 8 or 9 persons. This cost is NOT included in the TREK FEE.

NJP/Bagdogra to trek base Chitrey: ₹ 4500 (Tata Sumo) + ₹ 480 per car Forest levy @ Maneybhanjung check-post. Trek end point Srikhola to NJP or Bagdogra: ₹ 7000 (Tata Sumo)

Here is a road map with major points enroute from NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri to trek base Chitrey.

To reach the trek base Chitrey the access is from NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra. For details on how to reach nearest railways station/airport and move to trek base independently/public transportation check the details in GETTING THERE TAB.

Mobile network and battery charging facility during your Sandakphu trek:

You will get network around your all the night accommodations. However the networks are not steady and working network depends upon place to place and network providers. If you switch on your international roaming then probably you will get through a call using more st Nepal networks.

At present you will get to charge your battery at all our night accommodations, starting from Chitrey to Timburey. Note that electricity may not be present due to various reasons in these interior and mountainous places. It is always good to carry a fully charged power bank or at least a spare battery for your camera.

National Park timing – Restrictions in Sandakphu trek:

The trail to Sandakphu mostly runs inside Singalila national Park.  During monsoon no permit is issued inside the Park (boundary starts just after Tumling) and annual closure of national park from  15th June to 15th September .  So Sandakphu trek remains CLOSED from 15th June to 15th September every year .

If you are interested to witness the green monsoons of Eastern Himalayas then you may try the shorter hiking experience of Dhotrey – Tonglu – Tumling – Chitrey – Maneybhanjung circuit . This part of the trail is outside the boundary of the Singalila National Park and hence no such restriction in terms of permit. This is as good as in term of views (only you are few miles aerially farther from the Big guys than you are from Sandakphu or Phalut!) This is a wonderful experience to initiate hiking experience in kids and families.

Sandakphu trekking permit for Non Indian nationals/foreigners:

As this trail is inside the Indian state of West Bengal, so the permit procedures are easier and there is no restrictions as opposed to the neighbouring Indian state of Sikkim. Here are the steps:

1) The entry permit to Singalila National Park is processed from Maneybhanjung with the strength of your passport and valid Indian visa. You need to show your documents at Frontier Check Post, Maneybhanjung. Though the trekking trail frequently enters into Nepal but you don’t need Nepal visa for this trek. Carry two photocopies of your passport and Indian visa along with the original. Few copies of your recent passport size photos can be handy to keep with. Once you meet our representative/guide at Maneybhanjung, he will facilitate the process.

2) There is NO minimum number required as non Indian national for trekking to Sandakphu. For routes inside Sikkim the “Trekking Permit/Restricted Area Permit (not to be confused with ILP) is given to  minimum 2 persons.

3) We charge ₹ 3000 per person additional + 5% Govt. Tax to Non Indian nationals/foreigners Due to the following reasons we collect this additional levy:

• Higher per day ticket/entrance fee of Singalila National Park. Starting from Oct 2020, Per day Singalila National Park permit fee is increased from ₹ 2oo per day to ₹ 500 per day for foreign/Non Indian nationals.
• Higher guiding charges as outlined by the Maneybhanjung Guide and Porter’s association.

Past update: Winter update and forecast for Spring/Summer Sandakphu trek 2022:

This year the Sandakphu trail and surrounding region got significantly more than the average that we have seen in the last 10 years or so. The area received first snow during Christmas and followed by multiple snowfall in January and February. The trail has multiple patches of snow left and may hold on a few sections as late as mid of March.

As a result spring may come a bit late this season. Rhododendrons at higher altitude above 3000 m/10000 ft may start to bloom late March/early April. Some flowers around Sandakphu may remain as late as mid of May.

Here are some common questions and answers about Sandakphu, where, how, what and more:

What do i need to carry in sandakphu trek.

As this is a trek route, you should be careful about choosing right warm clothing, shoes, rucksack and a waterproof. Here is the detailed list of things to carry in a trek . Call or drop us an email for any queries or advice.

Where is Sandakphu located?

Sandakphu (Geo Coordinates: 27.105781 N, 88.001410 E) is a peak upon Singalila ridge inside Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. The ridge itself defines the border of India to east and Nepal on west. The trekking trail to Sandakphu often zigzag between India and Nepal.

What is the height of Sandakphu?

Altitude of Sandakphu peak is 3636 m/11930 ft.

Are there hotel accommodations at Sandakphu?

Yes you will get 2 privately owned hotel/lodge (Hotel Sunrise and Hotel Sherpa Chalet) on the Nepal side and Govt Trekkers Hut and PWD rest house on the West Bengal side. You will get decent food options (veg + non. veg) as one can expect at 12000 ft. Hotels havet 3/4/4 bed or dormitory rooms with common toilets and better/deluxe rooms with attached western style toilets.

Note: We are not a hotel booking agency, so we don’t book rooms, neither Landrover/cars. Instead, we provide a complete trekking tour package.

How can I book Sandakphu Trekkers Hut?

You can book West Bengal state operated GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) Trekkers Hut at Sandakphu by visiting either of the below locations. There is no online or telephone booking facility , neither any availability check. You need to visit any one of these office, check the availability for your desired date and book.

Kolkata: Gorkha Bhavan, near City Centre, Salt Lake

Darjeeling: GTA Tourism Division, Silver Fir building.

How to reach Sandakphu from Kolkata/Bengaluru/Mumbai/Pune/Delhi?

Nearest railways station and airport are New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Bagdogra (IXB) which are on two sides of Siliguri city, West Bengal. There are multiple overnight trains from Kolkata. From here you drive 90 Km to a small town called Maneybhanjung on India/Nepal border. Our Sandakphu trek base is 3 Km above Maneybhanjung called Chitrey, a small hamlet. From Chitrey the trail length to Sandakphu is 27 Km.

How far is Sandakphu from Darjeeling city?

Take a shared vehicle or private one to Maneybhanjung, which is just 25 Km from Darjeeling via Ghoom and Sukhiapokhri. The drive takes one hour or so. From here the trail to Sandakphu is around 30 Km.

You can reserve a car (approx ~ ₹ 2000) or you may get a shared car service from Darjeeling Chawk Bazaar Motor Stand . Distance is 25 Km. The fare is ₹ 100 per seat. Note that timings are important for shared jeep service and it takes time to get all the seats filled in a car which are 8 to 10 seat.

I am in Sikkim. How do I reach Sandakphu from Gangtok or Pelling side?

Your shortest route to reach Maneybhanjung from Gangtok  is via Rangpo – Melli – Takdah – Ghoom – Sukhia Pokhri – Maneybhanjung – around 120 Km, and will take 5 to 6 hours. You need to reserve a car on this route.

Otherwise if you are somewhere near Jorethang/Namchi in south Sikkim (or further to Pelling , Yuksom, Uttarey etc in west Sikkim) you can take a shared service Jeep to Darjeeling from Jorethang stand – 40 Km – 2 hours (road is very uneven, bumpy and steep) via Jamuney and Singmari. Note that ONLY Indians are allowed in this route. From Darjeeling take another shared ride to  Maneybhanjung, 25 Km, an hour or so.

What is “Sleeping Buddha” from Sandakphu actually?

This is an amazing formation of high sacred mountains as if a person is lying on the back with face up. These mountains are revered ones and the formation as a whole is called “Sleeping Buddha”. The head is formed by Pandim peak, Kanchenjunga and others forming the main body and Kumbhakarna (Jannu) forming the feet. This is indeed an experience to watch out Sleeping Buddha from Sandakphu, specially during sunrise and sunset.

What is the best time for Sandakphu trek:

April And May during spring/summer for Rhododendron bloom and October to January (autumn and winter) for higher possibility of clear skies and views .

What is your Sandakphu trek package and cost?

₹ 12,500 + 5% GST per person, Chitrey to Srikhola . This is our scheduled departure trek cost and you can join any of our published dates, solo or with your group. The cost includes 5 nights accommodation at lodge/homestay on triple/quad or dormitory sharing with other trek members. Male and female members will be provided separate room(s), all meals (vegetarian and occasional egg), licensed local guide(s) and your permit and entry fee for Singalila National Park. Also your tour is covered with a 7 days travel and medical insurance. For details check COST INCLUSIONS tab.

Why treks with HT?

Duration: 4 days of trek; NJP/Bagdogra to NJP  return in 6 days.

Prerequisite:  Ideal for beginners/first Himalayan trek. Descent is steep and sustained.

Grade: Easy

Physicality: 5.5/10

Trail Length: 45 Km

Highest Point: Sandakphu ~ 3636 m/11930 ft

Seasons:  March to May and October to February.

Further Option:  Continue on Singalila ridge to Phalut and descent to Srikhola via Gorkhey.  75 Km long Moderate grade trek.

Access:  Trek starting point is Chitrey (Maneybhanjung) and end point is Srikhola.

Rail station: New Jalpaiguri (STN Code: NJP)

Airport:  Bagdogra (Code: IXB)

Upcoming scheduled dates for Sandakphu trek:  

• You can check the scheduled Fixed Departure dates in the calendar available inside Booking Form or inside REGISTER NOW form. Tour starting Dates are highlighted as per our itinerary (Day 1 of 6 days itinerary) .
• At present BOOK NOW functionality is disabled . You can get all the information in your email by submitting the REGISTER NOW form.
• If you are a group of people and available dates are not matching then you may select Custom date mode  (by clicking the Select your custom date) and fill in the displayed form.
• You can also check all the available dates at a glance in our TREK CALENDAR .
• Trekkers need to reach NJP on Day 1 morning or the previous night. Return to NJP on Day 6 afternoon or early evening. Arrange your tickets for inward journey and return accordingly.

How to reach Chitrey (The trek base):

Nearest Rail station:  New Jailpaiguri (Station Code: NJP)

Nearest   Airport:  Bagdogra (Airport Code: IXB)

We will arrange a pickup  from NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri to Chitrey and drop from Srikhola to NJP/Bagdogra. This will be shared by the team members on actual basis and paid directly to the driver. Typically a Tata Sumo/Mahindra Maxx charges ₹ 4500 for a drop to Chitrey and ₹ 6500 from Srikhola to NJP/Bagdogra. One such car can accommodate 6 to 8 people. This is NOT included in the TREK FEE and to be payable directly to the driver/owner.

If you wish to reach our Trek Base Chitrey on your own by public transportation:

Reaching Chitrey without a reserved vehicle will require some local road knowledge and changing of vehicles. Return from Srikhola is much easier as there are direct shared service to Siliguri and Darjeeling.

• From NJP railway station take a shared jeep for Darjeeling and get down at Ghoom railway station. You can get one such shared jeep from Tenzing Norgay Bus terminus/Junction area in Siliguri also. From Ghoom take one shared service for Sukhiapokhri which is 12 Km. Change from here to Maneybhanjang, 7 Km away. Our trek base Chitrey is 3 Km up on the Sandakphu road. You are supposed to reach our Homestay at Chitrey on your own. You may get one vehicle to hire from Maneybhanjang to Chitrey (for ₹ 500) but that depends on time.
• From NJP/Bagdogra reach Darjeeling Mor (crossing/chowk in Siliguri on the way to Darjeeling) on Hill Cart Road. From here you get shared services for Sukhiapokhri. From Sukhia you can reach Chitrey as mentioned earlier. Be sure that you have enough time as you may have to wait long for your turn. Sometime you may get a direct Maneybhanjung service (essentially the cars returning to Srikhola) in around noon/early afternoon.
• While returning there are morning shared services from Srikhola to Siliguri and Darjeeling. For Srikhola there are two vehicles early in the morning at 6:30 am to Siliguri. It takes 6/7 hours to reach Darjeeling Mor in Siliguri (~ ₹ 600 per seat). From here take an auto rickshaw to NJP/Bagdogra. However you need to start very early in the morning from Timburey to get down 3 Km to Srikhola and available morning service jeeps.
• From Srikhola you get shared services for Darjeeling city. Early morning vehicles start between 6 and 7 am. Then you get jeeps between 10 and 11 am. It takes around 4 hours to Darjeeling (~ ₹ 400) per seat).

How to reach NJP:

For the treks in Sikkim and Darjeeling , one has to reach the city of Siliguri (considered the corridor to the North-East) in West Bengal.

The nearest Railway Station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), 5 Km from Siliguri and the airport Bagdogra is 10 Km.

You can fly or by train reach Siliguri from Kolkata ( good for the trekkers coming from South/central or Western India) or Delhi as per your convenience from any part within India.

Direct flights are available from New Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai. Most of the flights to Bagdogra reaches late in the morning or early afternoon. Reach latest by 9 am flight if you wish to travel to the trek base same day. One can stay the night in Siliguri and start the travel to the trek base next morning. It is better to reach Siliguri by flight/train to Kolkata and then take an overnight train to NJP unless you are coming from northern India.

From Kolkata to Siliguri:

1) by train:.

There are several overnight trains running between Kolkata (Howrah or Sealdah) to NJP. Day trains are also available.

From airport (Dumdum, CCU) , Sealdah railway station is 15 Km and may take 1 to 2 hours depending upon the time you travel. Howrah is 17 Km and may take up to 2 hours during the heavy traffic in the rush hours. Howrah and Sealdah are only 5 Km apart, though it may take an hour to travel. Pre Paid taxi booths are available.

DARJEELING MAIL – Train No. – 12343  (Good option to reach NJP in the morning. Starts around 10 pm in the night and reaches NJP 8 am in the morning.) PADATIK EXPRESS – Train No. – 12377  (Good option to reach NJP in the morning. Starts around 11 pm in the night and reaches NJP 9 am in the morning.) KANCHANKANYA EXPRESS – Train No. – 13149 (Starts at 8:30 pm in the evening and reaches NJP 7:30 am in the morning) SHATABDI EXPRESS – Train No. – 12041  (Day train, starts 2:15 pm in the afternoon and reaches NP at 10:20 pm in the night. There are hotels/lodges outside the railway station at a walking distance of 5 minutes. Otherwise book an auto rickshaw/taxi to Siliguri, which takes around 15 minutes. There are several hotels around Siliguri Junction/Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus/S.N.T (Sikkim Nationalised Transport stand).

There are other trains also of which some run daily and some on particular days of week.

Avoid booking wait listed (WL) tickets in AC classes (1A/2A/3A) or Chair Car (CC). Book Sleeper class (SL)/Second Sitting class (2S) tickets which have normally more seats/berths and hence much better chance to get confirmed.

2) By flight:

From Kolkata(CCU)  take a flight to Bagdogra (IXB). From airport book a taxi to reach Siliguri which is 10 Km away.

From Delhi to Siliguri:

1) by train:.

Following trains are good to reach NJP and run daily.

DIBRUGARH RAJDHANI – Train No. 12424  (arrives NJP late in the morning @ 10:45 am) NORTH EAST EXP – Train No. 12506  (arrives NJP @ 8:20 am in the morning) BRAHMAPUTRA MAIL – Train No. 12424  (arrives NJP at 5 am in the morning. But this train runs late frequently.

Always avoid booking wait listed (WL) tickets in AC classes (1A/2A/3A) or Chair Car (CC). Book Sleeper class (SL)/Second Sitting class (2S) tickets which have normally more seats/berth and hence much better chance to get confirmed.

From Delhi (DEL) take a flight to Bagdogra (IXB). From airport book a taxi to reach Siliguri which is 10 Km away.

For accommodation in NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra:

** Trekkers reaching on the previous day before the journey to the actual trek base need to stay the night in Siliguri/NJP. There are several options in Siliguri for spending a night while staying in Standard or Budget accommodation. It is better to reach the area called Siliguri Junction (adjacent to Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus and Sikkim nationalised Transport/S.N.T stand) on Hill Cart Road. You will get plenty of hotels and lodges from budget to standard category on both side of Hill cart road. It takes 30/40 minutes from Bagdogra or 20 minutes from NJP (shared/auto available from station stand). Next morning you may avail the transportation shared with other trekkers from Hill cart road.

** There are hotels 5 minutes walking from NJP station also, though with limited options. If you have a confirmed PNR, then you can book online IRCTC room/dormitories available at the station complex. Next morning you may avail shared transportation with other fellow trekkers outside the station complex.

** There are some hotels/lodges at Bagdogra or around on the main road.

Return from NJP/Bagdogra:

Normally you reach NJP/Bagdogra from any trek base  by 5/6 pm in the evening. You can take any train after 7 pm to Kolkata safely, which reach early in the morning. Accordingly arrange your homeward journey from Kolkata onward.

Drive from NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra to Chitrey – 90 Km – 4/5 hours

Pick up from NJP railway station in the morning by 10 am and drive  to Maneybhanjang (~ 1980 m/6500 ft). Distance around 90 km and takes 5 hours with a lunch and another tea break. The road goes through the foothills of Eastern Himalaya (also called Dooars) and gradually gains altitude inside conifer forests. There are two roads to reach Maneybhanjung of which one goes through the hill town of Mirik and the other via Ghoom. Usually the car takes the Mirik – Sukhiapokhri road. Have your lunch in Mirik, a hill station beside a fairly large lake.

The last 3 Km from Maneybhanjung to Chitrey is a steep road with several hairpin bends and eventually reaches the hilltop clearing at Chitrey (~ 2360 m, 7740 ft), HT trek base for Sandakphu trek

Chitrey is a small hamlet with of handful houses and a solitary lodge. In the afternoon/early evening visit Chitrey Monastery and the Buddhist Stupa beside our homestay. Walk up to the top of the hillock for sunset and a distant view of the hill queen Darjeeling city. All the major mobile networks work here. Night stay in lodge.

Trek to Tumling – 9 Km – 6 hours

Our trek starts today. There is a motor able road to Sandakphu from Maneybhanjung and the distance is 33 Km. The same bumpy road goes further even till Phalut. This is not advisable as the height gain is abrupt within a short time span. Only few 1950/60’s made Land rovers ply between Maneybhanjang and Sandakphu. These wonder cars ferry local villagers with loads of provision. Our Sandakphu trekking trail often crisscrosses with this PWD road. We start walking while leaving the motor road and gradually climb up. After 15 minutes or so, the first view of Kanchenjunga appears with all its glory. Stop here for a break and enjoy the views.

After continuing on the table top meadow reach the tea stall at Lameydhura in an hour. This area is particularly beautiful during spring with blooming Rhododendrons and Magnolias. Misty weather has its own charm.

The trail ahead is clearly visible till Meghma while we walk on a almost flattened road. As the route often defines the border between India and Nepal so posting of the paramilitary camps (SSB, Sashastra Seema Bal) at all the major points are common. Show your photo ID here register your name. On the left side Meghma monastery is in Nepal.

From Meghma the road splits and we take the left one inside Nepal. The one in the right leads to the top of Tonglu and then by descending eventually joins at Tumling. After traversing for an hour and half we reach the destination Tumling (~ 2920 m/9580 ft). Total distance is 9 Km and can take 5/6 hours. We stay for the night in tourist lodge. During sunset watch the glorious Sleeping Buddha straight ahead. This place can be particularly windy as on the Singalila ridge.

Trek to Kalapokhri – 12 Km – 6/7 hours

Wake up early in the morning to view the sunrise. Observe the different hue than the sunset on the same peaks. High Himalayan peaks look magnificent in the golden hue.

After breakfast we start our walk on a level ground and reach the check post of Singalila National Park in 45 minutes. From here we obtain the permit and get into the national park. Shortly after check post the road bifurcates. We leave the jeep road and take the left trail into Nepal. The terrain is wide spread and walking on the rolling trail we reach Jaubari village inside Nepal.

From here the main road leads to the eastern Nepal district town of Ilam while we take a right turn and descend on the stony trail. The trail far ahead is clearly visible from here and after an hour we descend to the Indian settlement called Gairibas. There is a GTA operated Trekkers Hut, SSB camp and few shop serving tea, noodles and momo. From this point our climb for the day starts. The road enters into the dense forest and we take shorts cuts often which meet the jeep road while gaining altitude in short distance.

In spring this stretch is particularly vibrant with blooming Rhododendrons.

A moderate climb of one and half hour leads us to a valley and a small settlement called Kaiyakata. There is a tea stall at the left hand side of the road. Have your hot lunch here. The road ahead turns to a semicircular arc and splits. We take the right one which gradually enters into the thick forest of conifer, birch. and Rhododendron. After walking an hour spot a small lake on our left. This is called Kalapokhri (Kala is Black and Pokhri is a Pond in Nepali).

From here we take a right turn and reach our destination for the day Kalapokhri (~3030 m, 9940 ft). There are ample lodges beside the main road strip inside Nepal and we stay in a lodge here. Total distance is 12 Km and may take 6/7 hour.

Kalapokhri to Sandakphu trek – 6 Km – 3/4 hours; In the afternoon a walk on Phalut road for the sunset

Today we need to cover a short distance but will be gaining altitude. The lodges on top of Sandakphu can be seen from Kalapokhri.

Initially its a gentle walk while traversing the mountain ridge and we reach Bhikeybhanjang in an hour. This portion of the trail is inside Nepal and Indian road joins here from the other side of the mountain. There is a tea stall on our left and a forest check post on the right. The road splits and the newly built road inside Nepal takes a longer path on our left to reach Sandakphu. We take the straight road ahead and start climbing. The switchback road  has several turns and we go off the road  and take shortcuts on few occasions. On the right hand we can see one ridge after another meeting the horizon. Silver fir, variety of conifers dominate the treeline. After ascending for an hour and half we turn left and reach the top of the ridge Sandakphu (~ 3636 m/11930 ft).

The left side of the ridge is in Nepal and the right side in India. On both sides of road there are lodges and tourist huts. The top of the ridge is somewhat flat and the north side is open. There is no ridge higher than this point, so the view of the mountains are uninterrupted. Total distance we cover is 6 Km and can take 3/4 hours. Infrequent mobile signal is available, here and there. In the late afternoon we walk on the Phalut road around an hour and witness the mellow sunset. Overnight in private lodge.

Sunrise at Sandakphu – Trek down to Timburey via Gurdum village – 15 Km – 7/8 hours

Wake up early to observe the fascinating sunrise. During fall and winters this top remains cold, specially early in the morning. Wind blows directly from Kanchendzongha side. Expect a temperature between 0°C to -10°C (with the wind chill) in fall and winters. Straight ahead is gigantic Kanchendzongha massif along with Kumbhakarna (also called Jannu) to its left and Pandim to its right, forming as rightly said the “Sleeping Buddha”. Further left in the westward direction you can spot Three Sisters, Chomo Lonzo, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamlang and other peaks . You will never forget the changing hue on Kanchendzongha.

After breakfast we start our descent. Today the trail is more likely you get in the other regular treks without an accompanying motor route. Initially the trail goes inside the conifers and later into bamboo forest. The slope of the descent is moderate at stretches and mostly gentle. In 3 hours we reach on the edge of the ridge and vast valley opens up. The picturesque village of Gurdum is seen below, along with the farming fields. We take our lunch in a beautiful lodge here and continue our descent inside pine forest to our days night halt at Timburey.

This is a small village beside Srikhola river (Khola means river in Nepali) with couple of home stay accommodation. Distance is around 15 Km and can take up to 8  hours.

Walk to Srikhola - 1 and half hour and drive from Srikhola to NJP – 150 Km – 6/7 hours or (to Darjeeling - 4 hours drive)

Today morning after breakfast we continue our descent along the river and reach Srikhola in one hour or so. Our trek ends here . An old suspension bridge connects the motor road on the other side towards Rimbick. We take the car back to NJP/Siliguri.

We will cross Rimbick, and the road goes either through Dhotrey or Bijanbari to finally Siliguri. If you have few days extra to carry on with vacation, then you can move out towards Darjeeling town which is 90 Km from Srikhola and takes around 4 hour. Though we are not a hotel booking or car sightseeing agency but maybe able to help you.

P.S.: Distances and altitudes are approximate and may not be exact.

  TREK FEE: ₹ 12,500 (Chitrey to Srikhola) + 5% GST  without transportation

Above is the cost of our group tours that are scheduled and if there is any availability (GREEN-coloured dates in the Inquiry Form calendar). For customised or private tours as per your dates, check the cost structure given below.

Foreign citizens’ (non-Indian passport holders’) can’t join our group tours as their itinerary is different and remains entirely within West Bengal/India. In such a case, you must go on a customised tour.

Inclusions:

5 night’s accommodation from Chitrey (Day 1) to Timburey (Day 5) in a home stay/tourist lodge on a sharing basis. These are simple and basic in nature (NOT hotels) with clean beds and linens. Rooms are dormitory types having triple/quad or more sharing. Beds may be single or 1+2+2 or any other combinations. Toilets may not be attached with the room, can be Indian style and common in nature. Male and female members will be housed in separate room (s) .

All meals (Day 1 dinner to Day 6 breakfast) during the trek. Regular Indian style nutritious vegetarian food during the trek (including occasional serving of eggs), breakfast, hot lunch (en route), light evening snacks/refreshment and dinner along with morning and evening tea. Rice (bhat), dal (lentils) and vegetables (sabzi) are most common to this region and expect simple meals with these in lunch and dinner.

Excellent licensed Trekking Guide , who will be a local to this particular area and has profound knowledge of the trekking trails around.

Permit Fee for Singalila National Park.

 Basic First Aid and Medicine kit.

Travel and medical insurance for a duration of 7 days including high altitude trekking (For Indian citizens up to an age of 60 years).

Exclusions:

Transportation from NJP/Bagdogra to Chitrey and back (approx ~ ₹ 2000 per person includes pick up and drop). Either you can reach on your own or may arrange one on request. Note that a Tata Sumo charges ₹ 4500 for NJP to Chitrey ( + ₹ 500 forest permit/toll per car) and ₹ 7000 from trek end point Srikhola to NJP/Bagdogra. This can accommodate up to 8 persons and usually gets shared among fellow trekkers. Pay directly sharing equally with the other trek members.

We assume that you will carry your personal rucksack/backpack with all your personal belongings. If you want to offload your rucksack/backpack and carry it by a personal porter then you need to spend additional charges. Charges are fixed as per Maneybhanjung Guide and Porter Association as ₹ 1000/day (wage) & ₹ 200/day (subsidised food expenses) i.e.  ₹ 1200/day. A porter can carry up to a maximum of 17-18 Kg (2 medium rucksacks). Alternatively we can arrange a horse which is approximately ₹ 1200/day but can comfortably carry 4 rucksacks. You pay directly to the porter/horse owner.

Still/Video camera charges inside the Singalila National Park.

Any tip /gratuity to the HT supports staff.

Anything which is NOT mentioned in the “Inclusions” or personal in nature.

Customised or Private Sandakphu Trek Cost Structure:

The following TREK FEE is based on the above inclusions and exclusions, i.e., the same as our group tours. Here it is for your group only and as per your preferred dates (if we are able to arrange). An additional 5% GST is applicable.

Additional ₹ 4,000 per person for foreigners and OCIs. This will take care of the additional Singalila National Park entry fees (₹ 500 per day for foreigners compared to ₹ 200 per day for Indians) and the guiding charge differences as prescribed by the Guide and Porter Association at Maneybhanjung.

• We assume that you have read and understood our “ Terms & Conditions ”  before Booking a trek/tour.
• To reserve your place in a scheduled Fixed Departure trek or a Customised/Private trek  pay 25% of the Trek/Tour Fee  as the initial  “Booking Deposit” . You can pay by Net banking/Draft/Cheque/Credit/Debit/AMEX cards. This will ensure your participation in the desired trek and we will reserve your place in the scheduled date. You need to pay the remaining amount at least  15 days before Trek Starting Date .
• If you book a Trek/Tour before 14 days or less from Trek/Tour Starting Date, you need to pay the full Trek/Tour Fee .

  Cancellations:

• “Booking Amount” i.e.  25% of the Trek/Tour Fee is Non-Refundable  at any stage.
• If in case you are not able to make it due to unavoidable reason(s), we provide you a  very flexible choice of Shifting to another trek within next one year . One year is counted from the starting date of the trek/tour you booked initially with us.
• In case you postpone your trip you need to inform  minimum of 15 days before  the trek/tour starting date. (Though we suggest to inform us earlier if known)
• In case you postpone a trek/tour before 15 days of the scheduled Trek/Tour Starting date or prior , you may shift to another group of the same trek/tour scheduled in the same season or within next one year. You may shift to another suitable route also. For changing any, you need our approval first. Your request must be in written communication through your registered email with us.
• If you cancel/postpone a trek/tour from  14 days to 8 days before tour starting date , your Booking Amount is Non-Refundable. We will not take any request of shifting dates. We will charge 50% of the amount as Cancellation Charges and process refund of remaining 50%. You may also shift to another group within next year but 25% Booking Amount will be deemed as Cancellation Charge and the rest amount will be transferred to the shifted group.
• If you cancel a trek/tour  7 days (i.e. a week) before Trek/Tour Starting Date or later , there will be NO REFUND.
• In case of any unforeseen incident including but not limited to natural calamities like flood, earthquake, landslide, forest fire or any political unrest, if we are compelled to cancel the trek/trip, you will be entitled to redeem the full amount for the same/similar kind of trek/trip within next one year.

If you need more clarifications write in to [email protected]

Tour Reviews

Did a customised trek to Sandakphu with my wife and our 9 yr old daughter. The experience was very good, right from the booking of the trek to the actual arrangements during the trek. The entire team was very helpful and will highly recommend Himalaya Trekkers to everyone..

Our team of four children and their fathers and myself just completed the Sandakphu trek organised end to end by HT. I very much appreciate the easy flow of communication by Mr.Sapto and HT team from the very beginning . The responses were quick and fast and with all relevant info.The arrangements were true to the words in their communications.We enjoyed the accommodation and food esp. Shikar Guest House Tumling and Sunrise Hotel, Sandakphu. . More than what we should expect on a trek. The guide Tshering and porters Manoj and Saroj made our trek comfortable. Tshering moved with the kids quite warmly and made the walks look easy for them. To sum up our experience with HT was very satisfactory. I wish them good luck.

We went to Sandakphu with 6 kids ranging from 10-13 yrs and the experience was fabulous. The guides Arpan and Jigmay were very helpful, polite and patient. The organisation was also very good. The available accommodations in the area are very basic (no heating) but the views of Kanchenjunga and Mt Everest more than make up for it. Thanks Rhik and team.

I was with HT at the Sandakphu in February 2021 with my two friends. It was my first time with HT and second time on trek. Had an wonderful experience with HT, great arrangements (good accommodation with spectacular scenery, delicious meals) with a very friendly guide Mr. Gazendra, having a lot of knowledge in Himalayan flora.

I have been to Sandakphu Trek on December 2019 with Himalaya Trekkers and it is my 3rd trek with them. Every time I choose them I feel so much satisfaction with their arrangement that I would love to be their repeated customer.

We completed the Sandakupu trek through Himalayan Trekkers (HT) in the month of Oct/Nov. Though we were a bit apprehensive initially , HT local guides make sure you complete the trek with clock work precision. Their local guides have complete knowledge of the terrain. We were also lucky to have some clear skies in Tumbling which helped us in getting an uninterrupted view of Kanchenjunga. Special mention – Hosts of homestay in Timburay were very caring and welcoming.

I had an amazing time doing the Sandakphu Trek with Himalaya Trekkers. Everything was well organized, from the providing me the necessary information about the trek (esp because I am a foreigner) and prompt replies for all my queries, the hassle-free reservation and payment for the trek, arrangement of transportation before and after the trek, the food and accommodations and our guides. Highly recommended!

As a solo trekker on her first Himalayan trek, I had my own apprehensions from the start. I had ventured on the Sandakphu Trek in April 2019. Aritra and his team were patient enough to wait for my confirmation till the last minute and unlike other travel agencies they did not rush me into booking my seat unless other arrangements from my end were sorted. All the communication, coordination was smoothly done before and even during the trek. Our guide, Jimmy made the journey all the more memorable. The homestays were cosy, the local people were all comfortable and warm in their welcome. Food was of standard quality. Although the inclement weather with hailstorms on the first day of the trek did dampen our spirits a little but the view from Sandakphu took away all our worries. Superb coordination and response from HT team. Until next time, cheers!

It was my first experience to trek and Sandakphu trek is the right place for beginners. learn lot of things about trekking through our guides and it’s will be help me for future journey. Thanks to HT for making my trek experience more beautiful.

Dear Himalaya Trekkers,

I wanted to thank you for organizing a really beautiful trek for us. I don’t know if we were just lucky with our guide, Amar, or if all your guides are that great, but we had such a good time with him. We found the trek rather easy – usually coming to our destinations well before planned, but Amar made it entertaining no matter what. We experienced all sorts of weather (snow, hot days, fog, clear sky, …) which was great and only added to the variety of each day. On the top of Sandakhpu we even experienced the beautiful view on the full mountain range – from Everest to Kanchenjunga. Last but not least, I have to mention the lodges and homestays which were just awesome and the food they served had no comparison. Thank you, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Best regards, Jan & Kristyna

I did Sandakphu trek with Himalaya trekkers. it was a wonderful trek and my team was also awesome. my guide Gazen was very friendly and helpful also… through out the trek the food arrangements was also tooo good… the people in the tea houses where very friendly… this was my first trek and very interesting also.. I will also try to plan my next trek with Himalaya trekkers..thumbs up guys….

Had a wonderful time in Sandakphu even though the weather got really bad. Met a few amazing strangers who were the nicest and friendliest thanks to Saptarshi and his team. Overall arrangements were well up to expectations. Would definitely recommend to trust them to make your experience amazing, if you’re a first time trekker or a seasoned one..

It was my first such trek and I came alone for it. But the group, the guide and the HT team member made the entire experience very comfortable and enjoyable. Being the only girl in the entire group was also never a problem. Looking forward to more such treks with HT.

Sandakphu trekking with HT was one of the best I have experienced – the lodging and food arrangements were wonderfully taken care of. Also, the guides and the porters who travelled with us were very good and friendly.

It was amazing to go for my first solo trek through HT team. We had great fun. The guide was super cool and the stay was perfect. All in all I had a great experience with team HT. Cheers guys!!

I had a great time and felt cared for with my guide. Would highly recommend you to friends for a trek… though likely a custom trek as they too would prefer faster pace.

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Submit this form that we can email you all the necessary details and call you to discuss., tour starting date: green boxed dates indicate starting of a scheduled fixed departure tour (day 1 of our tour itinerary). please check the calendar and choose a suitable fixed departure date (green boxed) unless dates are not matching or you are looking for a customised/private trip., i accept the terms & conditions.

Sandakphu Trek or by Car – a complete guide for trekkers and tourists

Treks & hikes , West Bengal

Last Updated on: May 9, 2021  

About this blog: Sandakphu Trek is one of the few treks from where you can see 8000m+ mountain ranges. In this blog, we have given a complete and comprehensive guide on Sandakphu and Phalut Trek.

Sandakphu is one such place from where you will get the view of four of the world’s tallest peaks. The Kanchenjunga family along with Lhotse and Makalu (4th and the 5th highest peak in the world) stands tall while the Everest , the highest one stands between, towering over them.

Sandakphu Trek starts from the picturesque village of Manebhanjan, near Darjeeling . Sandakphu Phalut Trek is spanned across 5 days through the Singalila National Park , giving you the magnificent and best views of Kanchenjunga ranges. In this Sandakphu Guide, we will give you all the information related to the Sandakphu Trek route, the campsites and other details.

The entire Sandakphu trek route is interspersed between West Bengal, Sikkim and parts of western Nepal. Sandakphu is the highest peak of the Singalila range as well as in West Bengal standing at an altitude of 11930 feet. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most picturesque treks in the eastern Himalayas with the Kanchenjunga cluster playing hide and seek with you at intervals.

What does Sandakphu mean?

Sandakphu literally means “height of the poison plants” . This is so because the poisonous aconite plants grow in abundance at Sandakphu, the highest point in the Singalila range. Medicines are extracted from the roots of aconite plants, but the small purple-blue flowers of the same plants can be quite toxic if you consume them.

How hard is the Sandakphu Trek?

Sandakphu is categorized under Moderate trek for an avid trekker. For the first timers also, the trek is quite manageable. If you are relatively fit, you can manage the trek upto Sandakphu without much problem. The distance between Sandakphu and Phalut is 21 km and has almost no settlement in between. This part is slightly difficult.

Why should you do the Sandakphu Trek?

Primarily because from Sandakphu, you will get an out of the world panoramic view of all the peaks of the Sleeping Buddha along with three other world’s highest peaks. Apart from these, there are many other reasons as to why Sandakphu should be on your trekking list.

1) Get the best view 4 of the world’s highest peaks, mainly the Kanchenjunga family

The Sandakphu Phalut Trek offers impressive views of some of the world’s highest peaks. The Kanchenjunga cluster is known as the Sleeping Buddha because of its appearance.   Mt. Kumbhakarna forms the head and face of Buddha, while Kanchenjunga forms the upper body. The other peaks of the Sleeping Buddha  are Kokthang, Rathong, Frey, Kabru South, Kabru North, Simvo, Pandim, Tenzingkhang, Jubanu and Narsing .

Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak at 8586 m. Lhotse and Makalu are the fourth and fifth highest peak standing at 8516 m and 8463 m. The jewel in the crown is world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest. You will get an out of the world panoramic view of these ranges from Sandakphu as well as Phalut.

The best thing about the trek is that the view of the ranges stays with the trekker throughout the trek. You don’t have to wait for a day; the first clear view of Kanchenjunga is seen on the very first day of the trek, at Upper Chitrey. Kanchenjunga plays hide and seek with you throughout the trek. After a tired and torturous hike, all your tiredness melts just at a look at the beautiful mountain ranges!

2) A trek with the best sunrise and sunset points

Sandakphu Phalut Trek gives you the best views of sunrises and sunsets. It is a humbling experience to watch the first rays of sun falling on some of the highest mountain peaks. See the sky changing colours from golden yellow to orange as the sun slowly showers its first rays on the snowclad peaks. Sunrise from Tonglu and Tumling is quite gorgeous. The climax is viewing the golden rays of the sun falling gradually on the snow-capped Kanchenjunga and then on world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest at Sandakphu. The icing on the cake is, however, the sunrise from Phalut. Each day, you see a new and a better sunrise – a speciality of the Sandakphu Phalut Trek.

The sunsets are also stunning at Kalipokhri and Sandakphu. Infact, Sandakphu has separate points for sunrise and sunsets.

3) The stretch from Sandakphu to Phalut is a perfect potboiler

The trail from Sandakphu to Phalut is a long 21 km but is full of twists and turns. You cross through rocky and muddy paths, go through forest trail as well as see the vast meadows under the clear sky. The landscape keeps changing. For us, we got the best is the view of Kanchenjunga ranges from the green meadows. The day is a long one and is packed with every delight a trek has to offer.

4) Food and lodging easily available throughout the Sandakphu trek route

There are trekker’s hut and home-stays throughout with very warm and hospitable people. They will go all out to make your stay comfortable. This is one of the treks where you do not have to worry about carrying tents and ration.

Home-stays are available at Chitrey, Meghma, Tumling and Kalipokhri. Trekker’s huts are available at Tonglu, Sandakphu, Phalut and Gorkhey.

5) Different view at different seasons

Sandakphu has a different look in different season. If you love colours, visit Sandakphu during the springs. See the rhododendrons bloom in a riot of colours. The whole path will be blasting in red, pink and white.

Autumn gives you the best view of the ranges. The sky will be clear and Kanchenjunga will appear with all her glory in front of you.

If you love snow, visit Sandakphu during December and January. The path will be covered with snow and you might even see a few frozen waterfalls on the way! Sandakphu will itself be snow-covered during this time.

6) A photographer’s paradise

Each day of the trek will give you different views of Kanchenjunga and Everest ranges. The path through the jungles will give you ample scope for photography. The sunrise and sunsets from the campsites are simply amazing.

You will also get the night sky and city lights together for photography! From Manebhanjan and Kalipokhri, Darjeeling city can be seen; and at night, little pecks lighting up Darjeeling city under the starlit sky is a great subject of photography.

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Sandakphu Trek Route with Phalut 

There are a couple of alternate routes for this beautiful trek. You can start the trek from Manebhanjan or Jhaubari. The Sandakphu Trek route that we present here is the one that we took to Sandakphu and further to Phalut.

Day 1: Reaching Manebanhanjan, the base camp

Manebhanjan is a quaint village near Darjeeling at an altitude of 7054 feet. The conventional and widely known Sandakphu trek route starts from here. It is better to arrive at Manebhanjan one day earlier for proper acclimatization. There are a number of hotels and homestays available at Manebhanjan for overnight stays. The local market also has a few grocery shops from where you can get your stock for the trek.

There is a Porters and Guides Welfare Association here from where you have to hire guides and porters. The landrover stand is also just at the end of the market.

Alternative Base Camp: Dhotrey is an alternative starting point for the Sandakphu Phalut Trek. If you take this route then your total trekking distance is cut down by 5 km.

Day 2: Manebhanjan – Chitre – Tonglu – Tumling

We had stayed for the night at Manebhanjan. Early morning, with much enthusiasm we started towards the Sandakphu trail. After about 10 – 12 minutes walk from the market area into the trail, we arrived at the office of Singalila Wildlife Division . You will get the permit for the trek from here.

Earlier the entire trek route was full of gravel and boulder. 4-wheel drive vehicles take the tourists all the way to Sandakphu. Now, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (GTA) has made another path for the trekkers through the forests and trees. But this trekking trail merges with the vehicle trail often within the entire trek route.

The first few kilometres of trail to Chitre is a steep uphill path. The first day of the trek is always difficult and the trail from Manebhanjan to Chitre did not make it easier for me. Within minutes I was panting, my legs felt like bricks and the thought that comes to my mind always came again – “why did I trouble myself so much?”

After 3 km of an uphill trek through forests of pine, fir and birches, we reached Chitre, a small picturesque village located at an altitude of 8340 feet. This part of the trek is quite steep and it took about 1.5 – 2 hours to reach Chitre.

There are a number of small shops at Chitre where you can rest and have food. There is also a small and beautiful monastery at Chitre.

Many trekkers start their trek from Chitre. They take a vehicle up to this point before starting the trek.

After Chitre, the ascent becomes relatively easier. The next village on the way is Meghma, 6 km from Chitre lying on the border of India and Nepal. There is a monastery at Meghma . The trail bifurcates from here. The trail on the right goes to Tonglu situated in India, while that on the left goes to Tumling, situated in Nepal.

Sandakphu is one such trek where borders between countries do not matter. There are many times when you will cross borders between India and Nepal. No paperwork is needed here, neither are there any restrictions for this trek route.

Tonglu is 2 km from Meghma. It is one of the highest peaks of the Singalila range known for its spectacular sunrise over the Kanchenjunga. On the hilltop, there is a trekkers hut where you can stay for the night. There is also the DM’s bungalow for night stay.

The route to the left goes to Tumling in Nepal, 4 km away. There are a number of homestays and lodges available at Tumling offering private rooms and dormitory beds.

If you wish not to stay at Tonglu and hike to Tumling, then just before the GTA lodge there is a bifurcation from the main gravel road on the left. It goes towards Tumling.

Both Tonglu and Tumling offers spectacular sunrise views. There is a viewpoint at Tumling from where you can get a spectacular view of the Sleeping Buddha. There are better and more accommodation options at Tumling. As for us, we took the route towards Tonglu, did not stop there for the night, but came to Tumling for the night stay.

Day 3: Tumling – Jhaubari – Gairibas – Kalipokhri (15 km, 6-7 hrs trek)

We started from Tumling after a hearty breakfast. After 1 km of the trek, we reached the arched gateway of Singalila National Park. This is the highest altitude national park in West Bengal and is the home to many exotic animals like red panda, Pangolins, Himalayan Black Bear, monals and many other Himalayan birds. We got our permits checked here.

As you enter the Singalila National Park Gateway , you will find the trail dividing into 3. One straight road goes to Gairibas. This road has been made into concrete and mainly used by the vehicles. Trekkers also use this route. The entire route is in India.

The trail on the left is a dirt trail going to Jhaubari in Nepal and then to Gairibas. Though this route is longer, but is more scenic going through the rolling meadows of Nepal. Excited we were to cross borders again, we took this route to Gairibas.

Another route is through the forests going all the way to Gairibas.

Jhaubari is a small village, 6 km from Tumling and it takes around 3 hours to reach there. From Jhaubari, we took a right turn towards Gairibas. From Jhaubari to Gairibas, the trail goes through a steep descent.

Once you reach Gairibas, you will see some shops here selling tea and different eatables. Gairibas has a number of lodges for a night stay if you so choose to. But during the peak season, it is usually difficult to find accommodation at Gairibas. You can rest here for some time because the next part of the trek to Kaiyakatta goes through a steep ascent.

After a rest, we started our ascent towards Kaiyakatta , another 2 km from Gairibas. From Kaiyakatta also, there are 2 routes – one going through India and the other through Nepal, finally both meeting at Kalipokhri. We took the route through India which was a gradual climb to Kalipokhri .

Kalipokhri is located at an altitude of 10400 feet and it takes about 3 hours from Gairibas. There is a small lake having black coloured water. This lake is considered sacred by the local people. At Kalipokhri there are a number of homestays. We stopped for the night at one such homestay. At Kalipokhri, we had one of the best dinners in the entre Sandakphu trek trail. The owner also served us Roxy , a local alcoholic drink made from rice or rhododendrons.

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Day 4: Kalipokhri – Sandakphu (6 km, 3 hours)

The distance from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu might seem only 6 km, but this stretch is clearly one of the most difficult ones in the entire Sandakpu trek route. You can see the Sandakphu Peak from Kalipokhri itself, but reaching there is not easy.

From Kalipokhri, the trail gradually ascends to Bhikeybhanjan, 2 km away. From Bhikeybahanjan, the climb to Sandakphu is the steepest. Haven’t you heard of the saying, ‘ great things do not come easy ’? The same happens in this case too. As it is, trekking at an altitude of 10000 feet is not that easy. And here the trail is also quite steep. The 4 km stretch can easily take more than 2 hours to cover.

We understood that quite well. The last few kilometres were literally a struggle for me. While we could see the Sandakphu peak near, but we were not arriving at the place. Finally, when the milestone saying “Sandakphu 0 km, Phalut 21 km’ arrived, we were simply ecstatic. But then there was another 500-metre steep climb from the milestone to the top.

All the pains that we took to climb simply vanished when we reached Sandakphu. The weather was clear with blue skies and balmy breeze and we could see the mountain ranges in front of us. we could see some of the highest and the most beautiful peaks of the world from Nepal to Arunachal. The place is surrounded by green conifers and time seemed to still at this paradise. It was such an overwhelming feeling!

There is a trekkers hut, a few private lodges at Sandakphu for staying overnight. We stayed at the Trekkers hut for the night.

Day 5: Sandakphu – Phalut (21 km, 12 hours)

The next morning we watched a magnificent sunrise at Sandakphu over the mighty Himalayan ranges. After that, we decided to trek towards Phalut.

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Phalut Trek

Phalut is another 21 km from Sandakphu and is one of the highest peak in the Singalila range at an altitude of 11811 feet.

The word Phalut is derived from the Lepcha word “ Fak-Luk ” that means barren peak . Infact the Phalut area and even the last few kilometres to Phalut is quite barren. This is in contrast to the greenery at the lower levels.

Sandakphu to Phalut Trek

The trek from Sandakphu to Phalut is perhaps the most dramatic one in the entire stretch. The way is quite a long one and there is only one settlement in the entire trail. 14 km from Sandakphu is the village of Sabagram or Sabarkum, which is the last settlement before you reach Phalut. So it is better to carry food and water on your way to Phalut.

The trek route from Sandakphu to Phalut is relatively easier with undulating gradients. There are both downhill and uphill stretches going through rhododendron forests, pine forests, vast meadows with the magnificent snowclad mountain ranges at the backdrop. You will see the Kanchenjunga family on your right and the Everest family on your left as you walk through the lovely meadows.

It takes about 10 – 12 hours to reach Phalut and experienced trekkers can do this in one day. Sometimes, trekkers prefer to stop at Sabagram, but accommodation option is limited here.

Phalut is basically a tabletop where there is a single GTA trekkers hut. The stay is quite basic here. but once you look around you, you will see the beauty all around. The Kanchenjunga ranges just seem to be at a stone’s throw distance. It is about 50 km on a straight line distance and appears gigantic and awesome. This is the closest view of the Kanchenjunga that you will get from the Singalila range. And believe me, the view id simply numbing. You will realise how small a place you occupy in front of the mountains and nature.

Phalut gets quite windy in the afternoon. The winds are quite strong, especially at night and it is better to stay indoors at night. The sunrise from Phalut is also spectacular.

Day 6: Phalut – Gorkhey

The next day, after watching a mesmerizing sunrise, we started our downhill trek. The trail is through beautiful forests of pine and conifers and bamboo blades. Gorkhey is about 15 km from Phalut. It is a lovely little village surrounded by pine trees. The Gorkhey Khola flows in between the village. There are about 30 families living in this village. There is a GTA Trekkers Hut and a few homestay options at Gorkhey for overnight stay.

The next day, we hiked from Gorkhey to Ribdi and then took a shared jeep to Jorethang. From Jorethang we took another jeep to Siliguri.

Return routes from Sandakphu

If you do not wish to trek all the way to Phalut, then there are a number of routes by which you can return from Sandakphu. Most of these routes pass through Srikhola.

Route 1: Sandakphu to Srikhola via Gurdum

This is the most common route and also the shortest one. Sandakphu to Gurdum is only 10 km and can be covered in around 3.5 – 4 hours. Gurdum has a private accommodation option if you want to stay there for the night.

Srikhola is another 1.5 hours walk from Gurdum. This trail passes through the jungles and the rhododendron forests. In spring (April & May), the forests bloom with rhododendrons. If you are lucky enough, you might spot a red panda or a Himalayan bear.

Srikhola is named after the river by the same name. There are many options for accommodation at Srikhola. Usually, trekkers, stop for the night at Srikhola and the next day take a shared keep to Darjeeling via Rimbik, Manebhanjan and Ghoom.

From Srikhola, you can also trek uphill another 7 km to Rimbik. You can stay there overnight and the next day take a jeep to Siliguri.

Route 2: Sandakphu to Srikhola via Molley (16 km)           

In this route, you have to trek upto Sabargram. Here the route bifurcates. You have to take the route on the right towards Molley, then to Rammam and finally to Srikhola.

Route 3: Sandakphu to Rimbik via Bhikeybhanjang

In this route, take the trail back to Bhikeybhanjang, 4 km away. From here, there is a direct trail to Rimbik through dense forests and steep downhill slopes.

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Sandakphu by Car (Land Rover)

Trekking is not the only way that you can reach Sandakphu. There are motorable roads where 4-wheel drives are required to manoeuvre the tricky gravel-boulder track. Landrovers are available from Manebhanjan all the way to Sandakphu and also to Phalut. Lately, most of the roads to Sandakphu has been paved partly with tarmac and partly with concrete.

Many tourists, who do not want to trek all the way to Sandakphu, now avail the facilities of the land rovers to travel to Sandakphu.

Remember: No private cars and bikes are allowed inside the Singalila National Park.

Some important information

Land Rover Fare Maneybhanjan to Tumling (round trip): INR 2500 + Night Halt Charge

Land Rover Fare Maneybhanjan to Sandakphu (round trip): INR 5500 + Night Halt Charge

Land Rover Fare Maneybhanjan to Phalut (round trip): INR 9000 + Night Halt Charge

Night Halt Charge for Land Rover: INR 1500 per night (applicable for night stays)

Vehicle Entry Charge: INR 100

Contact of Singalila Land Rover Association: 8145822708, 9800667075, 9647790545

Unlike trekking, guides are not mandatory for visiting Sandakphu by jeep.

Best season to visit Sandakphu

Sandakphu is a trek for all seasons. But during each season the region looks different. Each season has own speciality for Sandakphu trek.

Sandakphu in April (spring) – the season of rhododendrons

April is one of the best seasons to do the Sandakphu trek or visit Sandakphu by car. During this time, the entire forest burst into colours because of the blooming rhododendrons. Everything looks colourful and bright. Also, you can see some of the amazing wildlife that the place has to offer.

Sandakphu Trek in October & November (Autumn) – for clear views of the mountains

If you want to see the mountains in their full glory then autumn months of October and November are the best time to visit Sandakphu. The sky remains clear and you will get clear views of the mountain ranges and glorious sunrises. Of you trek into late winters like January and February, you will even get snowfall at various parts of the route.

How to reach Manebhanjan?

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and the nearest airport is Bagdogra.

Manebhanjan , the small village near the Indo-Nepal border is about 90 km from Siliguri. From NJP and Bagdogra, you can get a reserved car to Manebhanjan. A reserved car will take around INR 3000 from NJP/Bagdogra to Manebhanjan.

You can also avail shared jeeps, but in that case, you have to change the vehicle at Sukhiapokhri or Mirik. From Siliguri SNT Stand, you will get a shared jeep towards Sukhiapokhri and Mirik. From both these places, you have to take another shared jeep to Manebhanjan.

Alternatively, you can also reach Manebhanjan from Darjeeling. From Darjeeling shared jeeps are available from the jeep stand.

Where to stay during the Sandakphu trek?

You will get basic accommodations at almost all the places in the Sandakphu trek route. However, these accommodations are mostly basic lodges and trekkers huts. You might get a few homestays also. Almost all these places provide basic food like rice, daal, vegetables, eggs and sometimes chicken also.

How to book the GTA Trekkers Hut?

GTA Trekkers Huts are available at Tonglu, Gairibas, Kalipokhri, Sandakphu, Molley, Phalut and Srikhola. GTA Lodges can be booked only physically by visiting one of their offices at Kolkata, Siliguri or Darjeeling.

GTA Kolkata

Gorkha Bhavan, Salt Lake (GTA Lodge Booking & Info)

No. DD28, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata – 700064

Gorkha Bhavan is located opposite the City Center Mall.

Mobile: (+91) 99031 74047, Landline: 033 – 23377534

GTA Siliguri

Pradhan Nagar, Opposite Mainak Tourist Lodge

Hill Cart Road Siliguri. Cell: 9434007080

GTA Darjeeling

Laden-La Road, Phone: (0354) 2256683

Darjeeling Railway Station.

Other private accommodations at Sandakphu route

There are also a number of homestays and lodges coming up in the area. Here is a list of such accommodations along with their contact numbers. Care has been taken to collect these contact details, but these information are subject to change)

Camping options are available at Tonglu, Gairibas, Kalipokhri, Sandakphu, Molley, Gorkhey and Srikhola. If you are carrying your own tents, you can definitely find places to pitch your tent at these places. It is not possible to camp at Phalut because of extremely strong winds.

Are Guides required for Sandakphu trek?

It is mandatory to take a guide if you are doing the Sandakphu trek along with Phalut. However, if you are going to Sandakphu or Phalut by car, then guides are not mandatory. If you are starting from Manebhanjan, then you can get a guide from Highlander Guides and Porters Welfare Association , located near the roadside as you enter the village.

If you are taking a porter, then you can negotiate with him to also be your guide.

The rate for a Guide for Indians:   INR 1000 per day for Indians for up to 7 persons in the group; thereafter INR 150 per additional person.

Guide rate for foreigners is INR 1200 per day for a group of up to 7 persons, then INR 300 per additional person

The rate for Porter: INR  800 per day + INR 200 for food at Sandakphu and Phalut each.

Guides are also available at Dhotrey and Rimbik. At Dhotrey, you will get guides from Nature Guides Association. In Rimbik (in case you want to do the trek in the reverse way), you will get guides available at Rimbik Guide Association.

How to obtain permits for Sandakphu trek?

Entry into the Singalila National Park requires a permit. You can obtain the permit at Manebhanjan or at the Singalila National Park entry gate just after tumbling.

The cost of the permit is INR 100 per person for Indians and INR 200 for foreign nationals. Camera fees is INR 100 for still digital cameras and INR 400 for video cameras.

Note: Singalila National Park remains closed between mid-June to mid-September (for 3 months). This is the monsoon time and animal breeding season. So Sandakphu trekking cannot be done during this period. However, you can trek up to Tonglu and Tumling during this time.

Some Essential Information about the Sandakphu Trek & Phalut Trek

Mobile signal during the sandakphu trek.

Indian mobile networks mostly do not work in the trek route. You might get intermittent network from BSNL. Mobile network is available at Manebhanjan and once you reach Srikhola.

At some places, Nepal mobile services are available and your mobile tower might switch over to Nepal international roaming. So be careful before making long calls.

To be honest, we both remain very happy if no network is available. We would be happy to spend a few days away from mobiles and other vagaries of city life while on a trek.

There are no ATM facilities available nearby, not even at Manebhanjan. The closest ATM is at Sukhiapokhri. So carry enough cash while starting the trek.

Electricity

After Tumling, electricity is not available. But the people use solar panels for their minimal power needs. The hotel and lodge owners can charge your mobile phones and camera at some marginal cost.

Clothing, accessories & medication

Sandakphu can be quite cold during the winter months. So carry enough warm clothes and jackets along with scarves and gloves. We had done this trek in January and it was biting cold then.

Use proper trekking shoes and carry extra pairs of socks. It is advisable to carry rainwear because you cannot predict the weather in the mountains. A trekking pole can be helpful while trekking.

Also carry all the necessary medications like a pain spray and common medicines for cold, pain and stomach upsets.

Respect the mountains and be responsible

Last, but not the least, please respect the mountains and nature. Try to avoid using disposable plastic bottles like Bisleri etc. Carry a bottle with you and keep refilling it. The water is good here. Do not throw plastics and trash on your way. Try to have proper meals like rice, daal & vegetables instead of instant food like Maggi.

Finally, please be responsible for the mountains. Of late, we had heard that a young man lost his life while doing the Sandakphu Trek. This trek is not very difficult, but even at 10000 feet, the body needs some discipline. Refrain from having alcohol in the trek, how so ever happy you might be after completing the trek. Alcohol can be quite detrimental to your health. The same goes for those who visit Sandakphu by car.

Sandakphu Trek along with Phalut is one of the most beautiful treks in eastern India. These days, roads are made all the way to Sandakphu so that Land Rovers can take tourists all the way to Sandakphu without having them to trek. This will result in more people visiting the place and enjoying the heavenly views of Sandakphu. As an avid trekker, we can only pray that the place does not become over-commercialized. Sandakphu trek was beautiful and is still beautiful. Let it remain that way.

P halut and Sandakphu Trek in Pictures.

Did you like the post? Please let us know in comments below. Please share the post and pin it for a later read!

Agni Amrita

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50 comments.

Can I get the contact number or mail address to place my queries.

Please drop a mail at [email protected]

What a blog, very beautifully explained the beauty of Sandakphu and I can feel how great your trip was. It encouraged me to visit this place and will definitely try to visit it.

what a heartfelt adventure! Your photos are very inspirational and really fuel the wanderlust inside of me. For someone who have never been to Sandakphu or even heard of the place, you did an excellent job in making my travel juices flow. I love nature travel and after having read about this I feel like I need to add a trek in Sandakphu to my bucket list. And I definitely can see that it is a photographer’s paradise so I think I would enjoy a trip like this. Such a detailed itinerary would come in hand for when I decide to go, so I will make sure to save this post for that event.

Thank you so much, Ann!

I am big time into adventure travel, especially treks. While I have trekked all over the world, Sandakapu trek has always evaded me. I am completely sold on doing it as you rightly said here you get the best view 4 of the world’s highest peaks. Being a landscape photographer this would be an ideal trek for me. Love the amount of details you provided in the post.

Thank you Archana. Sandakphu is really beautiful.

Very interesting story about the poisonous plant up there, but the views of the mountains are amazing! I love the places with seasons changing them, that just means it has more to offer for the visitors. If I was close by, I would definitely be interested in doing some of the treks here.

Thanks Paula! Glad that you liked it.

I have a special place for mountains in my heart… I would love to trek to sandakphu… Viewing four of the highest mountains at once is a dream!

Thank you Mrinal. Sandakphu is really amazing. Easy trek, but with great views.

Beautiful post with all details required. Loved the pictures, may be one day will summit this

Thank you Pamela! May be we should go together! 🙂

What a thoroughly well-researched and informative post! I am not really into mountain trekking but after reading your post, I feel like exploring it too!

Thank you Noor!

OMG! Going on a Himalayan trek is a lifelong dream for me, but no, I haven’t done any preparations towards that! I know, that’s bad…. Happy to know that its only a moderate trek and not a difficult one. I’ve been on a few easy and one moderate so far. So I guess I’ll be able to do it. Good to know that food and lodging is available through the route. One point where you can see all 4 of the highest peaks? Wow! That’s convincing enough to take up this trek! Thanks for this very detailed guide.

Thank you! You can see the all the 4 of the highest peak from Sandakphu as well as Phalut.

Your narrative and pics were spot on. Looks like a great trek.

Thank you Rahul. Sandakphu is a beautiful trek.

My goodness, such a beautiful post and photos. The post covers every small aspect of the place.

Although I don’t go for trekking, now I would love to.

Thank you Jenifer!

no pain no gain, you can admire the beauty if you can take pain and reach out there. it’s so beautiful

Thank you Gurjeet! And truly said. The best views come after the toughest climb.

What incredible pictures. I would probably take three times as long to do the trek with all the picture taking and admiration of the beautiful views. Thanks for sharing. I would love to do one day.

Thank you Kristina!

A very very well captured hike. I enjoyed reading it from the reasons to get here to the actual day wise itinerary. The sights along the way are truly photo-worthy. Found the village of Jhaubari quite quaint and lovely. Thanks for selling this hike to me 😀

Thank you Ami! Glad that you liked it. 🙂

Its a beautifully written guide to the place, I would definitely visit this place!

Thank you Nitya. You must!

Wow this is an excellent and very detailed guide! I’ve never heard of Sandakphu before, so read this with great interest. I’m honestly not a good hiker, but would like to train for something like this one day. As an amateur photographer, I’d love to visit and capture some of these magical views. India is somewhere I’ve not yet been but would like to see one day.

Thank you Lisa! Sandakphu is a good trek for beginners as well.

This trek looks amazing! I have always wanted to see Mt. Everest and doing a less strenuous trek with these types of views would be just right for me. It’s amazing that you can see four of the five highest peaks together at once. The sunset views are so beautiful! It would be a toss up for me of wanting to do the trek in the fall for clear views of the peaks or in the spring with all the pretty colors blooming. Thank you for all the great info! Pinned!

Thank you so much. Sandakphu is stunning.

Trekking is not my cup of tea however you definitely motivated me to try this out . The view from the Day 1 trek was simply breath taking.

Thank you Anahita!

Such an informative post 🙂

While reading the post I felt like I was trekking and seeing the picturesque location. It would be a photographer’s delight I am sure to capture this nature’s beauty.

Thank you Manisha!

After reading this post, I got to thinking I should go on trips like this Sandakphu Trek. I am happy to read of the existence of trekker’s hut – so I dont have to bring heavy camping stuff along. The map you provided is a really good overview of what one is getting into . At the end the views at sunrise and sunset and the 4 of the 5 highest peaks is justification enough for doing this trek.

Thanks Adele. Sunrises are one of the best reasons to do this trek!

as much as I shudder at the idea of trekking, it looks worth it for so many reasons in Sandakphu as there is such stunning scenery to take in!

The place looks so calm and beautiful I really like the greenery and those amazing clicks

Thanks Pooja! Glad that you liked it!

hello there, its a good narration of the trip you took. two of us were planning to visit the area for trekking during the end of march. do you think that its a good time to go around that time? and can you please let me know about the total cost of the trip involved starting from NJP itself?

Great post Agni & Amrita. @Manish end of march is the beginning of spring in sandakphu. You will find rhododendrons all around.

Lovely pics. The place looks beautiful.

Amazing pictures ..

Reason 7 : during the trek, you can meet really nice people 🙂 Congratulation for the pictures. They are really beautiful.

That’s so true…. We met some wonderful people…

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NatureDiary » Blog » Travel Guides » Tourist Attractions

Sandakphu Trek – A Complete Guide

Sandakphu is one of the fascinating travel destinations in Darjeeling in the Himalayan mountain range. Being the tallest peak of West Bengal with 11930 ft. height, it is an incredible experience to ride at its top. The central part of the trek route lies inside Singalila National Park near the border of Nepal and India.

Before visiting, you need to get a permit from the office of the forest department of Singalila National Park at Manebhanjan. Whether you are planning to visit by air or train, you must reach Manebhanjan to arrange everything. They now have made it compulsory to hire a guide during the trek.

Trekking to Sandakphu is neither too hard nor very easy. In this article, you will get the latest travel guide that can help you plan the Sandakphu trek.

Sandakphu Trek at a Glance

The best trek routes to sandakphu and phalut.

Sandakphu is one of the top trekking destinations with easy to moderate difficulty. There are several routes for trekking to Sandakphu. For every trail, availing of the permit and hiring a guide is a must. Some of these trek routes are easy, and some are pretty difficult for beginners. Experienced trekkers can try the offbeat trek routes to Sandakphu and Phalut as they offer mesmerizing beauty of the mountains and forest from a different angle of view.

Sandakphu Trek Route-1

What can you expect in this trek route to sandakphu.

This trek route is the most popular one due to the low difficulty level that is good for beginners.

Starting from Manebhanjan, arrive Tumling and stay overnight to adjust body functionalities at a high altitude. There are a few good homestays at Tumling (9600 ft), where you get warm food and a goodnight’s sleep. Among all homestays, Shikhar and Siddharth Lodges are most preferable among trekkers.

The next day, start the trek in the morning around 7:30-8 AM. After walking for 15 minutes (approx.), the forest trail begins near a military camp. You have to walk uphill and downhill several times to reach Gairibas. This short hike is a real eye-opener for nature lovers. If you are lucky enough, you may find Red Pandas in this location. Barking deer is a common wild animal there and can be seen while hiking.

After Gairibas, you have to walk several kilometres uphill, which new trekkers can find difficult. But once you get used to it, the scenario will change. After trekking for 7 kilometres, you will reach Kalipokhri (10400 ft) . Here, you need to stay overnight. There are very few homestays at Kalipokhri that offer good accommodation and food. Please remember that at this place, there is no electricity available. So keep your power banks, mobile phones, or camera fully charged before leaving Tumling.

In the following early morning, go to witness the sunrise near the sacred lake of Kalipokhri. Some individuals may tell you that it is not worth it. But it can be a fantastic experience if you are lucky.

Afterwards, get back to the homestay and when completing breakfast, start for Sandakphu. The trail to Sandakphu is mainly on the constructed roads. But there are some shortcuts and alternative routes that guides know very well. The last hour to Sandakphu is much steeper than the rest of the trek route. But do not worry, it’s just a matter of time. Instead, look at the extraordinary natural beauty around.

After reaching Sandakphu (11930 ft), check in to your hotel, get refreshed and have lunch. In the evening, take a walk around to see the majestic beauty of the mighty Sleeping Buddha. After evening the sky mostly gets cleared to let you see the beauty of the starry sky. The Milky Way looks fantastic from Sandakphu. The beauty of Sleeping Buddha is extraordinary on a full moon too. So, mark your visiting dates carefully!

On the next day, wake up in the early morning to witness the beautiful sunrise at Sandakphu. The Sleeping Buddha looks wonderful, wrapped in red and golden sunlight at this time. The sea of clouds below the peaks is an enchantment to the eyes.

After breakfast, take a walk around and spend the rest of the day in leisure. In this way, your body will be energized for the next part of the trek. Have dinner and stay overnight at Sandakphu.

Gurdum is located 10 Km downhill to Sandakphu beside the Srikhola river. In this part of the trek, you will have another thrilling experience. The whole trek route lies in the deep forests of Singalila National Park .

This trail looks best during the spring season when flowers bloom all around. The Rhododendron, Magnolia, oak, and bamboo trees look mystic with a bit of fog. For this reason, the Sandakphu trek is popular in the months of March-April due to the colourful flowers.

After trekking through the forest for about 9 kilometres, you will reach a place called “Kalapatthar”. From there, the trail is steep down to Gurdum. Do not be hasty at this place. Take small steps at a time and slowly climb downhill. This is important because the whole weight of your body and rucksack falls on the knee and ankles. After reaching Gurdum, take a rest and stay at the homestay overnight.

On the next day, start for Srikhola after breakfast. This 6 Km is the easiest part of the trek. On the way to Srikhola, you can witness beautiful villages, waterfalls, and forests. There are several established hotels available in Srikhola around the bridge. Here you can take a bath and get delicious meals. The only attraction in Srikhola is the river and birds. The place is home to beautiful Himalayan birds. This is why birdwatching with a long-distance binocular can be an exciting activity there.

Sandakphu Trek Route-2

Phalut is another heavenly place to visit nearby Sandakphu. It is located 20 km away from Sandakphu in the northern direction. If you have two more days at hand, we advise adding Phalut to your itinerary. But such a long trek in a day can be hectic for beginners. For this reason, you can also hire a landrover and reach Phalut directly.

While descending to Srikhola from Phalut, you have to stay at a beautiful place called Gorkhey  with lush greenery and the river Gorkhey Khola. Gorkhey is situated at the border of West Bengal and Sikkim. After staying one night at Gorkhey, you have to trek down approx 21 Km downhill to Srikhola.

Sandakphu Trek Route-3

This trek route is quite similar to the previous routes we have mentioned. The only changes are the addition of Dhotrey and Molley to the itinerary. Dhotrey is a picturesque place surrounded by forest. To reach Tonglu from Dhotrey, there is a 7 km long forest trail which can be exciting for birdwatchers and nature lovers. From Tonglu , Tumling is easily reachable within a 2 km walking distance.

Molley is also a tiny village surrounded by a green forest and mountains. From Molley, the distance of Srikhola is around 16 km, which can be covered in a single day. Alternatively, you can also reach Grokhey instead of Molley and trek down to Srikhola.

Sandakphu Trek Route-4

In this trek route, we have included a small village called Rangit Majuwa . Though it is not much well-known as one of the conventional stops in trekking to Sandakphu, it is pretty good. Surrounded by the lush green forest and the Sawaji Khola river, this village is a perfect place for taking a deep breath before starting a week-long trek. We recommend staying here for a night to adjust the body and prevent high altitude sickness. Here you can get a chance to observe a village’s culture, the ways of living and get local food with drinks.

There is a beautiful trail to Dhotrey from Rangit Majuwa, hiking on which can be a thrilling experience. The rest of the trek is similar to the Sandakphu Trek Route-3.

Offbeat Sandakphu Trek Route-1

What can you expect in this Offbeat trek route to Sandakphu?

All the trek routes we have mentioned previously start from Manebhanjan. In this case, the journey begins from Hilley in Sikkim. On the first day of trekking, you have to reach Barsey, which is around 5 km away and takes 2-3 hours. Here, we must mention the mindblowing Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. The place gets fully bloomed with various Rhododendron flowers during March and April. This is one of the biggest attractions in this trek route to Sandakphu.

In the next two days, you have to trek 24 km to reach Kalijhar, a beautiful place full of various Himalayan flora and fauna. The trekking trail from Kalijhar to Phalut is genuinely adventurous. After Phalut, trekking to Sandakphu will involve another 21 km trail in your itinerary. The remaining part of the trek is similar to that of Sandakphu Trek Route-1.

However, the arrangement of this trek can be difficult as it is a non-conventional route, and it is not recommended for beginners. Unless you are well-experienced, we do not recommend trying this route. If you are planning to trek with a good travel agency, you can try this route. But make sure of the reputation and details of arrangements offered by the agency.

Offbeat Sandakphu Trek Route-2

This trek route is just the reverse of the Sandakphu Trek Route-1. While in the earlier route, you have to end the journey at Srikhola, and in this case, the trek begins at Srikhola. After passing through Gurdum, Sandakphu, Kalipokhri, and Tumling, it will end at Manebhanjan.

But why is this trek done in the reverse direction?

This is because of the point of view of witnessing the beauty of nature. Experienced trekkers who have already visited Sandakphu often take this route to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, forests, and flowers from an alternate angle. But, beginners will find this route to be challenging. The trail from Gurdum to Sandakphu is very steep, and without good body fitness, it can be challenging for some travellers.

Is It Safe To Trek To Sandakphu?

While trekking or hiking, safety is an essential concern among all of us. We often think about an unsafe trail, wild animals, or theft. But the trekking routes to and from Sandakphu are safe from these angles.

Safety Conditions of Trekking Trails

While trekking to Sandakphu, you have to ride a height of 12000 ft. Throughout the whole journey, there are a lot of uphill and downhill trails. Most of the path lies inside the forest with uneven roads, and some part lies around the newly constructed road for the land rover.

After the rain, some parts of the trail get slippery, for which trekkers must be cautious and take proper precautions. We highly recommend a trekking shoe with a good grip in such a condition.

The trekkers should follow the commands of their guides hired for the trip. They know this place much better than anyone else can. Always follow the trail with the help of the guide to be safe there. Do not get distracted while trekking, and always stay in a group.

If you prefer to visit Sandakphu by avoiding trekking, then a land rover is your only option. Check this fantastic Vlog by Tirthahikes for every detail of Sandakphu land rover travel-

Health Safety Concerns

The most common problem people face is High Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness . As per various reports of this illness around Sandakphu, we found that some travellers fell sick generally above 7000 feet. Although, there is no definite range above which someone will fall into high altitude sickness. So, you should consult a doctor when planning a trek to Sandakphu.

It happens due to low oxygen levels and reduced air pressure. Apart from the external factors, body capability, fitness, and food habits play a significant role here. The main symptoms of this sickness are headache, faintness, muscle pain, vomiting, swelling of body parts, and exhaustion. The nearest hospital near Sandakphu is located at Rimbik, 7 km from Srikhola. So, you need to carry all the essential medications.

We highly recommend consulting a doctor before commencing the trek to Sandakphu. Apart from the doctor’s prescription, we also recommend some medications that you should verify with the doctor. This is because medicines should be taken according to the condition of the individual’s health.

The Best Time to Trek to Sandakphu

Except for the monsoon, Sandakphu can be visited throughout the year. The Singalila National Park is closed from mid-June to mid-September due to heavy rainfall. So, travellers should avoid visiting in this period. The best time to trek to Sandakphu is during Autumn/ Early Winter and Spring/Late Winter .

Trekking to Sandakphu during snowy winter is also famous among experienced trekkers. But if you are a beginner, we recommend avoiding trek during snow in winter. The weather of Sandakphu is colder than the temperature of Darjeeling in general.

Autumn (October-November)

October and November are the two most popular months among adventure lovers and trekkers. After the rainy season, Singalila National Park awakens at this time. Nature lovers find the trek route greener and most comfortable during the early autumn. In late autumn, the temperature drops significantly. At this time, the day temperature is around 15 degrees Celcius, whereas the night temperature falls around 6 degrees Celcius.

It can rain anytime in the region of Singalila National Park. Though the chances are less during the month of November, you should be prepared with a raincoat.

Overall, the weather is perfect for trekking to Sandakphu, and we highly recommend travellers visit at this time. With little to no rainfall and a clear sky, you can comfortably trek through the misty mountains and green forestlands. You can witness millions of stars in the night sky along with the milky way very clear from Sandakphu in these months. The mighty Sleeping Buddha looks wonderful and can let you make the Sandakphu trek memorable.

Advantages of Sandakphu Trekking in Autumn

• Easier and more convenient.
• More Greenery.
• Clear weather for better photography.
• All the highest peaks, including Sleeping Buddha, are clearly visible.
• The amazing night sky for astrophotography.
• Comfortable weather.

Disadvantages of Sandakphu Trekking in Autumn

• Snowing cannot be experienced.
• Rhododendron flowers do not bloom at this time.

Winter (December-February)

Many trekkers and adventure lovers like to trek to Sandakphu during winter. The reason behind it is the snow-covered trail, forest, and mountains- everything is frozen. In this period, the temperature gets down to sub-zero temperatures. Even during the day, the freezing cold will be there. But under the sun, trekking is quite comfortable if you are prepared with good warm clothes. Rainfall in these months is a minimum for the whole year. The best attraction for the Sandakphu trek in winter is snowfall.

Winter is not a very popular time among trekkers due to its great difficulty. But if you are well experienced, you can plan trekking to Sandakphu during this season.

Advantages of Sandakphu Trekking in Winter

• Trekkers who love heavy snow might prefer trekking during this time.
• Extraordinary beauty around.
• Great for adventure lovers.

Disadvantages of Sandakphu Trekking in Winter

• Difficult weather conditions.
• Hard to trek without previous experience.
• Less greenery.
• Visibility is not so great.
• Rhododendrons can not be seen as flowering.

Spring (March-April)

This is the second most popular season for trekking to Sandakphu. The unique attraction of spring is the Rhododendron flowers. After the winter, Rhododendrons of various colours like red, pink, white, and even Lady Dalhousie Rhododendrons can be seen around Sandakphu.

During the day, the weather is very comfortable- around 20 degrees Celcius. The nights are colder as usual, with a temperature of around 6 degrees Celcius. From March, rain takes place and reaches the highest in July with more than 800 mm average rainfall. So, you must be prepared for a wet and rainy climate during this season.

Advantages of Sandakphu Trekking in Spring

• The mesmerizing beauty of Rhododendrons.
• Pleasant climate conditions.
• Medium-difficulty trek.
• The wet and green forest looks amazing.

Disadvantages of Sandakphu Trekking in Spring

• There is a high possibility of rain during this time.
• Avoid bushy wet areas where leeches can be present.
• Snow cannot be seen around.

Best Hotels at Sandakphu

Sandakphu is relatively more developed when compared to the other locations in the trek route. Here you can find some cosy hotels to get more food items, warm water, and a comfortable stay. We would like to mention two such places to stay.

Sunrise Hotel

It is the best hotel in Sandakphu in terms of the facility and the view of the Himalayan Mountain Range. As the name implies, you can witness the majestic sunrise by the side of the Sleeping Buddha from the hotel itself. They have a nice rooftop where you can get a fantastic view of the Himalayan mountain range.

Even at night, you can get to the rooftop for stargazing like I did in my trip, as the night sky looks impressive from that place. You can even witness the mighty milky way if the sky is free of clouds and fog. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, stargazing can always amaze you.

The food of Sunrise hotel is mouth-watering and feels delicious after a long trek. The rooms of the hotel are nicely maintained and very clean. As Sandakphu is a remote place, the hotel authorities need to carry water from the lower hills. If you need water for washing your mouth and getting fresh, you need to ask the waiter, and he will deliver a bucket of water to your room. Apart from that, the service is excellent and warm.

Sherpa Chalet Lodge

The Sherpa Chalet is our second favourite place to stay at Sandakphu. It has all the basic amenities like the Sunrise hotel, explained previously. Sherpa Chalet also has no running water but has a bucket system. In Sherpa Chalet, you can get traditional Indian foods like- rice, roti, vegetables, dal, fries, eggs, and chicken. All these food items are very nicely prepared and healthy.

In the evening the hotel authority runs a generator from 6 pm to 9 pm when you can charge your electrical gadgets including your mobile phone and camera. The best thing that we like about Sherpa Chalet is you can watch Kanchanjunga on one side of the hotel and sunrise on the other side with a 270-degree view.

Apart from these two lodges, Sandakphu also has several budget-friendly accommodations. GTA trekkers hut is ideal for such requirements with all basic amenities.

Arrangements For Trekking to Sandakphu

A typical itinerary for Sandakphu trekking involves 6-8 days. If you like to extend the trip to Phalut, another fantastic place in the lap of the Himalayan mountains, the total number of days may increase to 7-8 days. You need to prepare yourself for trekking and arrange everything.

To-Do List While Planning Sandakphu Trek

• When planning trekking to Sandakphu, you first need to book tickets for an Airplane or Train, preferably 3 months before the day of travel. The nearest rail station is New Jalpaiguri Railways Station, and the nearest airport is Bagdogra. The peak season for trekking to Sandakphu is during Oct-Nov and Mar-Apr. This time demand for a train or air ticket is also very high.
• The next thing you should do is hire a guide that can be done when you reach Manebhanjan. But we highly recommend contacting and hiring a guide much before trekking. Being local, they know the trails, forests, and mountains in that region better. You can contact Mr Rakesh Rai (Contact: +91 7872951399 ), one of the most renowned and trustworthy guides for the Sandakphu trek. He is associated with Singalila High Peak Expedition Guide and Porter Association.
• Booking hotels or homestays before trekking can be highly beneficial for the whole trip. Some places like Gurdum, Tumling, and Kalipokhri have very few numbers of homestays that can run out during the peak season. Most homestays cannot be booked online. You either have to call the owners or book them with the help of the guides. You can also contact some travel agencies, but most of them are costly, and we do not recommend them. We have suggested some of the best homestays and hotels in the Sandakphu trek route that you might like to check out.
• Next, you have to arrange proper gear and clothing for the trek. Before we proceed, you should keep in mind to bring only the trekking essentials . Unnecessary materials will increase the backpack’s weight and can cause great difficulty during walking for a long time. The clothing should also be lightweight and enough to prevent freezing cold. We also recommend taking a rain cover for the travel backpack and raincoat as rain is very uncertain in the location. We suggest arranging all travel gear and clothing much before the date of the journey.
• Before starting the journey, we advise working out and making the body fit for long trekking. We recommend consulting a doctor for a health check-up and preventive medicines needed during the trek. A common problem that many travellers face is high altitude sickness. Many trekkers return halfway from the trek because of these. This is why everybody needs proper medication and sufficient drinking water during the Sandakphu trek.
• Carrying a Govt. photo identity proof and its photocopy is necessary during the visit. Such identity proof includes Aadhar Card, Passport, or Driving License. Without these, the forest department won’t permit you to enter the national park. Being high-valued documents, you should keep them wrapped in a waterproof plastic cover inside the rucksack.

What to do after commencing the trek?

• After reaching New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra, hire a car that can be availed locally and then ride to Manebhanjan. Typically, the driver will charge around ₹3000 to ₹4000 for that distance. From Manebhanjan, you have to hire a land rover for Tonglu/ Tumling/ Dhotrey- wherever you start the trek. A landrover may charge you around ₹1000 to ₹1500. If you want to visit Sandakphu without avoiding trekking, you can also hire it for the whole trip.
• Next, you have to get entry passes to Singalila National Park from the checkpoint/ office at Manebhanjan. The entry fee to the park is ₹100 for Indian citizens and ₹200 for foreign nationals. The charge for carrying a camera is ₹100, and a video camera is ₹400. Apart from that, there is a vehicle charge of ₹100 if you have hired a cab.
• Keep some dry fruits and water in sufficient quantity to help you throughout the day. Please remember that while hiking through Singalila National Park, you may not find any food stalls nearby the trail unless you reach some checkpoint.

List of Essential Items for Trekking to Sandakphu

After trekking to Sandakphu several times, we highly recommend the following items that every trekker should carry. This includes documents, medicines, clothing, footwear, tools and equipment, personal items, and food.

Medicines and First Aid Essentials

• Fever, headache and pain: Paracetamol like Crocin or Calpol 650 mg
• Nausea and vomiting: Zofer MD 4 mg
• Loose motion or bacterial infection: Metrozil 400 mg.
• Acidity: Zintac 150 mg
• Water purification: Zeoline
• Cut and mild skin infection: Borolene, Neosporin cream and powder, band-aid, leukoplast, cotton.
• High altitude sickness: Coca 30 (Homeopathic), Camphor (for inhaling).
• Joint and muscle pain: Crape bandage, Volini spray.
• Cold and cough: cough syrup and any other medicine prescribed by the doctor.

Note: This list contains items we use during trekking after being advised by a physician. We highly recommend consulting a doctor before taking these medicines as medical conditions differ for different persons.

• Aadhar Card/ Passport/ Driving License with xerox copies
• Printout of booking by email (if any)
• Any other essential document.

Tools and Equipments

• Good quality rucksack that is lightweight and waterproof
• Sleeping Bag and tent if you plan camping on your own
• Mobile phone and charger
• Bluetooth speaker
• Camera and charger
• Binocular for watching birds, wildlife and the surroundings
• Solar charger for mobile phone and camera
• A Swiss knife
• Drone camera if you want

Clothing and Footwear

• Trekking Pant
• Trekking jacket for cold weather
• Undergarments
• Lightweight trekking Shoe

Personal Items

• Handkerchief
• Water bottle
• Tissue paper
• Toothbrush and paste
• Sunscreen lotion

Apart from the travel essentials , bring some dry foods like cashews, raisins, peanuts, and biscuits in a quantity that won’t burden you. You can try Happilo Premium International Healthy Nutmix, which includes a 200g pack of almonds, black raisins, cashew nuts, cranberries, green raisins, salted pistachios, and walnuts.

5 Amazing Things About Sandakphu Trekking

Trekking to Sandakphu is always unique because of the mindblowing scenic beauty, the culture of the small villages, meeting new people, watching wildlife, witnessing sunrise and sunset over the ocean of clouds, and viewing crystal clear night sky and more. Let us see why all of these are amazing.

1. Sleeping Buddha on the Himalayan Mountain Range

The most beautiful thing about Sandakphu trekking is the Sleeping Buddha. It is a series of Himalayan mountain peaks that look like lord buddha is sleeping. The head of the Sleeping Buddha is actually Mt. Kumbhakarna or Jaanu (25300 ft.), which is the 32nd highest mountain in the world (More on Wikipedia ) .

After that, the peaks of Kokthang, Rathong, Frey, Kabru, Kanchanjunga, Goecha, Shimvo, Pandim, Tinchenkhang, Jopuno, and Narsing complete the entire shape of the Sleeping Buddha. Generally, in the evening, the weather gets better, and you can get a clear view of Sleeping Buddha from Sandakphu.

Apart from it, we highly recommend two instants when you might be able to witness a more magical view of the Sleeping Buddha.

The first one is- during sunrise . While the orange fireball sun peeks from the eastern horizon, the white snow of the mountains turns to golden-red colour. It looks gorgeous and enchanting to the eyes.

The second one is- the night view . Watching the Sleeping Buddha at night can be quite an adventurous experience. If there are a clear sky and moonlight, it looks incredible among the endless stars. You can use a portable telescope to watch this magnificent beauty that looks best on a full-moon night. Even if there is a new moon phase, you might be able to witness the mighty milky way and an infinite number of stars.

2. Unforgettable Memory of the Small Villages and its People

Throughout the Sandakphu trekking route, you will encounter many villages and different people. Visiting these villages, you will learn about their culture and food habits. It is exciting to see how they make a living on their own in such remote places. Yet most of the houses in the villages are beautifully decorated and maintained.

These shelters for local people may be small but full of happiness. Many villagers from Tumling, Gairibas, and Kalipokhri stay in these houses for the trekking season only. Before the rain hits hard during July-August, they move to some other location due to a lack of availability of food and business in the off-season.

One of the most interesting things about visiting these villages is to witness how beautifully they maintain their homes and gardens and how they are always happy with limited resources. If you are a dog lover, these villages can be what you’re looking for. In almost all these villages, you may find friendly domestic dogs looking for your treat by wagging tails.

3. Connecting Soul to the Nature

Most of us love trekking and hiking because we love to connect with nature away from our busy daily schedules. We love the adventure of watching mesmerizing natural beauty, forests, and wildlife. We can observe the sustainable relationship between nature and humanity. Trekking to Sandakphu can give you such pleasure and a chance to witness it.

You may have some hard times stumbling on the trail, soaking in the rain, and getting your energy drained out sometimes but in the end, it can give you the confidence to feel the goods of nature and get your soul lost in it. After a memorable journey, you can get back to your home with refreshment and confidence that you can achieve anything no matter what the obstacle is. A similar landscape and forest can be observed during Kheerganga trekking in Himachal Pradesh.

4. The Ocean of Clouds

Most of us visited the seashore and witnessed how amazing the ocean looks. But what about watching the clouds from a mountaintop in a similar way? From an elevation like 10000 ft (Tonglu or Tumling), you might be able to witness such an amazing creation of nature. The scenery looks more beautiful during the sunrise and sunset.

As you climb more altitude, the ocean of clouds starts to look more fascinating. From Sandakphu (11930 ft), it is a soothing treat to the eyes. We love the way Sleeping Buddha looks over the clouds, and it is truly an incredible experience.

5. Cleanliness of Environment

The key to environmental sustainability is to maintain a healthy relationship with nature. There are many examples where travellers ruin natural beauty with scraps and leftovers. This garbage mainly includes empty liquor bottles, packets of chips, plastic bottles, etc. Due to the increased number of trekkers in 2017 and 2018, the trekking trails to Sandakphu got polluted over time. This time, many responsible trekkers and organizations that follow environmental sustainability guidelines came to the rescue. Presently ecotourism principles are adapted and being followed.

Organizations like the Himalayan Club from Kolkata, and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation from New Delhi did a great job back in 2018-2019. They collected waste from the trails and handed it over them to Siliguri Municipal Corporation to increase awareness about the cleanliness of the environment.

All the trekkers are requested to maintain the cleanliness of the paradise of Sandakphu. It is ours, and we must protect it in a very sustainable way. Drop the trashes at the designated garbage collectors/ dustbins. If there is no such thing around, please keep it in your backpack and dispose of them once you see a garbage bin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu is located in the Singalila National Park region, Darjeeling district of West Bengal in India. The peak of Sandakphu is situated near the border of West Bengal and Nepal. There is a small village and some hotels in the region.

You can hire a cab from the NJP railway station to Manebhanjan, where you have to collect permits to enter Singalila National Park. You can plan on trekking to Sandakphu from that location or hire a land rover and continue the journey.

You can witness snowfall in Sandakphu in the winter season, typically in December, January, and February. At this time, trekking is tough unless you are a very experienced trekker.

Rhododendrons bloom in March and April in the Sandakphu region. As it is the Spring season, you can see the blooming of other flowers too. You can see Rhododendrons in various colours this time- red, pink, white, and many different types.

Everyone, including a family, can visit Sandakphu unless there are some medical issues. We do not recommend children under 10 years and elderly people beyond 60 years for trekking to Sandakphu. Before visiting, the fitness of the traveller must be good. We highly recommend consulting with a doctor before planning for the trek.

In general, trekking to Sandakphu is considered to be of medium difficulty. But, in a broad sense, it depends on several factors- your experience, stamina, and body fitness. If you are at the peak of these factors, the Sandakphu trek can be straightforward.

Yes, you can visit Sandakphu without trekking. You have to hire a land rover from Manebhanjan at the starting point, and it can cover the whole route without any problem.

If you do not hire a land rover, a 6-day itinerary to Sandakphu will cost you approximately ₹15000 to ₹20000 per head. This includes all the basic expenses, including a charge for the guide, the cost of accommodations, and food. Please note that the increased fuel price has hiked the transport cost in that region.

Trekking to Sandakphu: Conclusion

Trekking to Sandakphu can be a memorable experience of a lifetime. The view of the Sleeping Buddha, the small villages, forests, and mountains are worth visiting Sandakphu. It can give you such refreshment and confidence that you start a new chapter of your life when you return to your home. Here you can watch the wilderness at its best with wild animals like the Red Panda in the Singalila National Park.

By carefully choosing the season to visit, you can see the beautiful natural beauty. Like any other trekking, you need suitable apparel, footwear, and a backpack to trek to Sandakphu. Go through the detailed list of items that you must carry and plan your journey.

If you have any queries, let us know in the comments. Share your journey with us. Happy trekking!

We hope that you have enjoyed this article. Let us know your experience! If you like us to write on any specific topic, send your request to [email protected] . Your feedback is highly appreciated. We will love to hear from you!

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• Treks in Himachal Pradesh
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Sandakphu Trek Guide 2024: History, Highlights, Best Time and Itinerary

Table of Contents

Sandakphu Trek offers panoramic views of the World’s highest 8000-meter peaks, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Kanchenjunga. Encounter Nepalese culture with no boundaries. 

Sandakphu trek is also referred to as ‘Trekkers Wonderland’. The apple of the trekker’s eye ‘Sleeping Buddha’ can be seen at the beginning of the trek which motivates them. The other peaks that contribute to this amazing view are KumbhakarnaKokthang, Rathong, Frey, Kabru South, Kabru North, Simvo, Pandim, Tenzingkhang, Jubanu, and Narsing.

History of Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu means ‘peak of the poisonous plants’ attributable to the presence of Wolf’s Bane and Himalayan Cobra Lilies there.

The highest peak of state West Bengal is Sandakphu. Award-winning Documentary film on  Conservation and Environmental, named Cherub of the Mist regarding the reintroduction of Red Pandas was based on Singalila NP which is covered in the Sandakphu trek.

Images of Sandakphu Trek

Highlights of Sandakphu Trek

• The Kanchenjunga cluster is also referred to as the ‘Sleeping Buddha’ as it appears like it.
• Kalapokhri literally translates to ‘black lake’. It is considered sacred by locals.
• Encounter Nepalese and Tibetean culture and cuisine.
• The vintage Land Rovers are classic. Sandakphu is called “Land of Land Rovers” as they are part of this route for easy access.
• Singalila National Park is a National park, home to many endangered species.

Location of Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu (11,929 ft) is the summit of Singalila ridge of the eastern Himalayas located on the Indo-Nepal border.  It is situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal and Ilam district of Nepal. 

Villages at glance are Bhareng, Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Srikhola ana Gurdum. Lhotse (8516m), Nuptse (7861m), Rathong (6679m), Kabru N (7353m), Koktang (6147m), Pandim (6691m), Mount Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8586m), Makalu (8462m) and other few high altitude peaks are visible from here.

Best Time to Visit Sandakphu Trek

Summer(March to May) : Rhododendrons and Magnolias are in full bloom from March to May.

Min Temperature: 5°c | Max Temperature: 22°c

Winter(October to January) : Clearer view and Snow covered peaks look more prominent. Birds are easily spottable at this time.  

Min Temperature: -5°c | Max Temperature: 12°c

How to Reach Sandakphu Trek

By Air :- Nearest Airport is Bagdogra, then reach Siliguri, hire or share a jeep to Sukhiapokhri then to Maneybhanjang.

By Train :- Railway station is New Jalpaiguri, then reach Siliguri , hire or share a jeep to Sukhiapokhri then to Maneybhanjang.

Itinerary of Sandakphu Trek

Day 1 : njp to manebhanjan.

95 km | 4 Hours – Reach to Manebhanjan via Sukhiapokhri, and rest in Manebhanjan overnight.

Day 2 : Manebhanjan to Tumpling

11 Km | 5 Hours – In the Ilam district of Nepal, Tumling. Iconic houses of ‘Gurungs’ provide positive vibes. Before reaching Tumling, walk through  ‘ Meghma ‘ which means through the clouds. It has an SSB check post and also has a small Chorten – Buddhist Stupa, then to Tonglu and eventually Tumbling.

Day 3 : Tumpling to Kalapokhri

11 Km | 5 Hours – The official check post of Singalila National Park is here in Tumbling. Crossing 2 villages and a valley we reach Kalapokhri.

Day 4 : Kalapokhri to Sandakphu

8 Km | 4 Hours – Silver fir and Pine trees are lined here, climb up to Bhikey Bhanjang then reach Sandakphu. Relish the beauty of ‘Sleeping Buddha’.

Read more: Hill Stations In West Bengal

Day 5 : Sandakphu to Srikhola via Gurdum

18 Km | 7/8 Hours – Gurdum is an aesthetically pleasing tiny village surrounded by dense trees. Srikhola has a soothing mountain stream. Stay overnight at Srikhola

Day 6 : Gurdum to Rimbik to NJP

130 Km | 5 Hours – Reach Rimbik early morning to avail shared jeep to NJP or trek down to Manebhanjan then from Manebhanjan to NJP via Jeep.

Kugti Pass Trek

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for Sandakphu Trek

Can i drive a car through sandakphu trek.

Yes, you can hire a Jeep or Car but the roads are very inconvenient and miss on grandiose views.

Is this a difficult Sandakphu Trek?

The answer is it is moderate but the walk for many hours is intense.

Nearest place to visit after completion of Sandakphu Trek?

You can visit Darjeeling which is 85 km away and might take 4 hrs to reach.

Are there any borderlines between Nepal and India here?

No, there are just markings that indicate either country’s border. No Jawans, no protection magical blend of 2 cultures.

Where Do the Landrovers go in Sandakphu Trek?

Maneybhanjang to Phalut.

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Sandakphu Trek

A trail that run right in the heart of 4 of the 5 tallest mountains in the world

Available Batches

Brief Description

Brief Itinerary

Detailed itinerary.

Make your way to Jaubhari (2240M)

Distance: 110 kms

Duration: 5 hours

Day 1 is reserved to make your way to Jaubhari which is first of the many small, quaint and soul-calming villages on our trek. This one doubles up as the trailhead as well. (You may choose to have us arrange for your transport from and to NJP for an additional cost as mentioned on the website). At a distance of 110 kms from the closest airport, Bagdogra, in Siliguri, the 5 hour drive to this small village is the start of a refreshing experience. It is a soothing ride on smooth, winding roads bordered with forests and tea gardens on both sides – the route as clean and green as it can be. The 5 hours go by in a jiffy. Jaubhari exudes the quintessential vintage village vibe with step farming all along its mountain faces, people on bicycles carrying produce and the colourful houses with small fields in front of each home against the tall trees of mountain forests and the most glorious sunsets.

The village does not have too many shops, so remember to carry all that you need for the trek before getting on this ride.

We should get here by early evening. The rest of the day is reserved to get settled into your accommodation (homestay), get used to the mountain air, discuss some do’s and don’ts as well as the happenings of the next few days, go for an acclimatization walk on the beautiful roads of this village and finally to savor some delicious home-cooked dinner before tucking yourself in.

Jaubhari (2,240M) to Tumling (2,875M)  (Click to View GPS data)

Distance: 9 kms

Duration: 7-8 hours

The first day of our trek is going to be as rewarding as it is long. The sun comes out fairly early. Since it is all bright outside by 04:30 AM, it does not seem like too much effort to start your day early. The morning is misty and enchanting when the clouds come to visit and the sun is feeling playful enough to engage in a game of hide and seek. We have an early cup of tea to enjoy the shenanigans of the elements of nature. It is a relaxed morning with no rush. On the agenda is packing up with all you need for the trek and having a hot breakfast before we start off on this mesmerizing trail. 

There is electricity in Jauhari, use it to your advantage and charge all your gadgets that you might need during the trail. Airtel and Jio networks are also available till this point but start to get sketchy farther along on the trail.

We start between 08:30 AM and 09:00 AM. It will take close to 10 minutes to cross the village with houses vertically lined up on an elevation. After close to a 60M ascent, we exit the area of habitation and enter a thick forest. In an hour and a half, we reach a cemented road. The trail for this trek crisscrosses between isolated areas and the motor able road, so expect this to happen all the way through to the last day. Five minutes on the road and we enter the forest again and trek through the closed canopy of tall trees to the sound of barking deer, different species of birds and if we get lucky might even have a chance to spot the red panda. Along the way the forest cover reduces – trees giving way to bushes. Some points of the trail, we are close enough to the motor able road to hear the sound of cars but not so close so as to see them. 

At the mark of 2.5kms, the elevation on the trail becomes less steep – almost flat in places and in some going into a descent. The gain in elevation from here on is gradual. There are also sections with roughly laid out stairs which take you through the forest but most patches are dirt trails carpeted with freshly fallen leaves from the vegetation around - the air nippy from the dropping temperature.

Remember to carry ample water although there are water sources available each time we cross a village like Chitrey, Lamaydhura and Meghma. The Nepal border begins at Chitrey. A 3 km walk from here will get us to Lamaydhura which is a small village with a few Tibetan families. At the mark of 6 kms, we hit the cemented road again. One hour of following this road, we reach our lunch point in a small homely-looking dhaba which serves home-cooked food serviced with a warm smile! Interestingly enough the lunch point is Meghma which is in Nepal. We quite literally start the day in India and by afternoon are already across the border. Here begin our flirtations with the Indo-Nepal border which will be a constant throughout this trek.

Do not forget to turn off your phone/data, unless you have an international roaming pack on your phone, to avoid long-running phone bills.

After a total elevation gain of over 600M for today, expect to reach the homestay at Tumling between 3 and 4 PM to some freshly brewed tea and snacks on the house!

Tumling (2,875M) to Kalapokhri (2,990M)  (Click to View GPS data)

Distance: 15 kms

Duration: 8 hours

The one thing that’s different about the Sandakphu trek as compared to others is that you spend your nights in warm and comfortable beds and wake up well rested and fresh to start the next day’s adventure. Today is a little longer than yesterday but the terrain and the surrounding beauty is enough to keep weariness at bay. 

We wake up to our first view of The Sleeping Buddha in the first light of the day. The Kangchenjunga range of peaks give it the shape from which it gets its name. The cluster of peaks forming the Buddha seem even more reverential in the morning as the peaks shine golden soaked in the sun’s light. Remember to ask your local guide to name the peaks in this cluster – each one is of significance and might be a name you’ve heard before.

Today’s trek is a total of 15 kms. Notice the two roads diverging as you start the trek. We trek on the Nepal road & reach the Singalila National Park entry point within 15 minutes where we need to get our permits checked at the check post before continuing on. Once we enter the national park, if the skies are clear, we get a clear and unobstructed view of Mt. Everest.

The trail that leads to Gairibas to Kaiyakatta and from there to Kalipokhri (which translates to Black Lake) is stone-paved in some sections, in some sections a dirt trail - a few sections of steep ascents and a few sections with stairs. One of the steepest sections today is a 300M ascent over 2 kms right after our lunch point but overall the trail is fairly pleasant and easy to navigate made even easier in the company of the many different kinds of birds and their many kinds of sounds which are a constant throughout the trail. The little pockets on the mountains act as homestays for clouds weary of their long travels. Since the trail takes you through the National Park, it is rife with varieties of birds, animals and fauna waiting to be discovered – it’s quite literally a pleasant walk through the jungle full of peculiar trees. The setting is a queer mix of all the colours made transient only by the comings and goings of the gentle mist in the air and the thin clouds that dance around you the whole time.

Five kilometers from our lunch point, we reach a lake embellished with hundreds of colourful prayer flags. The village is right around the corner from here – right at the edge of India and Nepal. We should reach our home stay by early evening with enough day light remaining to explore the lake and its surroundings.

Kalapokhri (2,990M) to Sandakphu (3,627M)  (Click to View GPS data)

Distance: 5 kms

Duration: 2-3 hours

Today seems like a quick walk after the long distances we covered over the last few days. With only 5 kms to go, we have more than enough time to take the day slow and soak in all the beauty around us with absolutely no need for haste. Even though it is a short day, we start early so as to not miss the early morning view of the snow clad peaks.

From Kalipokhri the trail gradually ascends to Bikheybhanjang which is a small hamlet whose name literally translates to the ‘poisonous valley’. It gets its slightly scary name and reputation from the poisonous Aconite plants that are aplenty in the area. For the first two hours, the trail is fairly straightforward after which it is a steep and continuous incline all the way to Sandakphu. The last 200M are especially tiring for their gradient. The trail for today, too, like other days plays touch and go with the cemented roadway leading up to Sandakphu. There are shortcuts available which can be used to avoid the motor able road altogether but these sometimes get damaged due to excessive rains.

The viewpoint is less than 200M from the home stay. We go there at the crack of dawn to get the best panoramic view of four of the highest mountains in the world - Mt Everest, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse along with other reverential peaks like Chomolhari, Pandim, the Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna, and many more. You’ve made your way straight to the climax of the trek. Pray for clear skies!

Sandakphu (3,627M) to Phalut (4,508M)  (Click to View GPS data)

Distance: 20 kms

Today is the day of beauty. We wake up at the crack of dawn to head to the viewpoint for a view that trumps all views – Everest to one side and Kangchenjunga on the other standing the tallest in the cluster of peaks forming The Sleeping Buddha. After soaking in this stunning visual bathed in the first light of the sun, we head back to the home stay to get prepped for our trek today. Like all days on this trail, today is really long too but just like all days, today is filled with mesmerizing beauty too. We leave early, right after breakfast at around 0730 AM. 

Since it is mostly flat, we would have already covered 6-7 kms within the first two hours of the trek to reach a lake. The two difficult patches for today are a 400M steep climb over 3 kms to get to Sabargram and a 250M steep climb over 2.5 kms to get to Phalut.

The stunning view that we started our day with, of Everest to one side and Kangchenjunga to the other, follows through for the entire day. If you are here in April or May, the landscape is packed with blooming rhododendrons of all shades, shapes and sizes – it is quite literally a walk through a mesh of colours on all sides – a carpet of rhododendrons, walls of rhododendron trees on both sides and a shower of rhododendrons from above. Rhododendrons in the foreground and rhododendrons in the backdrop – it is like they have invaded and taken over the entire landscape of the region.

The trail today takes us through a mostly bushy landscape so there is no place to rest in shade. The only respite from the sun or the rain (whichever whether you encounter) comes at the lunch point which is a small makeshift shelter that we get to after 13.5 kms and 650M of total ascent. Phalut is only 7 kms from here.

There are no water sources along the way, so remember to carry enough water to last you the entire day of trekking. Expect to reach the stay at Phalut by early afternoon. The shelter for accommodation is in an isolated region with no sign of people or habitation as far as your eye can see – we get to own the view.

It has been a long and tiring day, so we retire for the evening after a hot dinner and as soon as we can tear our gaze away from the beauty that surrounds us.

Phalut (4,508M) to Gorkhey (2,400M)  (Click to View GPS data)

Distance: 12 kms

Duration: 4-5 hours

Today is long as well, but it is mostly descent since we are going from the height of 4,500M to 2,400M. It is a pleasant walk through the forest with a brutal attack of rhododendrons for the first half and then that of bamboo in the second. We leave between 0900 and 0930 AM to start on this steady descent through the thick forest. It is a walk on a bed of fallen leaves; be careful with your balance because the terrain can get slippery. Expect to reach Gorkhey, which is a small village resting on a mountain pinnacle with fields in its backdrop and a river resting at its foot by early afternoon to a hot lunch waiting to welcome you at the homestay. The structure and interior of the houses, the cutlery, the food, and the warmth of the people all scream of the local culture giving us a glimpse of their faith and lifestyle - adding to the pleasant vibe of this quaint little village which seems to welcome you with every single grain!

Gorkhey (2,400M) to Sepi (1,900M)

We start early today since there is a lot of ground to cover but like yesterday, it is mostly descent. Walking through Sammamden and Rammam villages, we will reach Sepi by late afternoon. It is a long but satisfying hike and a perfect finish to the entire experience of Sandakphu. The trek ends here. Sepi to Bagdogra is a total of 140 kms and is a 5 hour drive. You can book your onward journey accordingly.

What's Included

• Veg Food as per menu on trekking days. Three Meals a day
• Forest Permits/Camping Charges/Permits, Trek Permit Fee/IMF Permission (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
• Camping tents, Temp rated sleeping bags, mattress
• Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
• Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with Wilderness Emergency Responder & Rescue. course from NIM Uttarkashi
• First Aid Certified Local guide, cook, helpers
• Porters or mules for carrying common luggage

What's Not Included

• Meals during road journeys
• Any kind of Insurance
• Any expense of personal nature
• Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
• Carriage of personal rucksack
• Meals during Hotel Stay
• Additional Forest/Camping charges for foreign nationals. Approx INR 2000/- to be paid extra by the foreign nationals.

Are you Eligible for this Adventure?

Whether you are an avid trekker in search of a new territory or are beginning your journey into the world of trekking, Sandakphu is a trek worthy of consideration.

Max Altitude

BRS Level Required

Sandakphu Trek is a level 2 adventure on the Bikat Rating Scale.

Since it is a beginner’s trek, you need no special prior experience. Although one is required to have mental preparedness and stamina before he/she begins the trek.

If you do not know what level of BRS trek would suit you best, worry not! Fill out this Form:

we will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.

Resting between the borders of India and Nepal, the trail to Sandakphu is breathtaking to say the least. The highest point of West Bengal may not be very high, but it’s got everything going for it. The thing that probably earned it the title ‘Trekker’s Wonderland’ is the constant company of expansive forests full of blooming rhododendrons of all warm and cool shades of colors spread as far as your eye can see and thick layers of milk-white clouds that literally conceal the world underneath. We may have seen a lot, but we’ve never seen anything as beautiful! It is quite literally a walk through heaven! What’s more is that this 3,627M peak brings some of the tallest mountains and places them right in front of you. Bound by four of these – Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu, Sandakphu remains one of the very few moderate level treks which offers such splendid views and puts you bang in the middle of 8,000M peaks. There is no end to the wonders this trek has to offer. The trail of Sandakphu goes through the Singalila National Park which is a biodiversity hotspot that boasts of innumerous species of flora and fauna. In fact, the trail lies on the infamous Singalila Ridge which forms the border between Sikkim and Nepal running down the Kangchenjunga (also called the Kanchendzongha) Range earning it yet another name – the Singalila Ridge Trek.

Prequisite Skills

The trek demands a few mountain skills:

fitness benchmark

If you can do the following, physically you are ready to take on this trek:

Packing List

This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.

Trekking Gear

• Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
• Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
• Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
• U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1 Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking.
• Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each
• Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1
• Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1
• Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2
• Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
• Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
• Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
• Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
• Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
• Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
• Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1
• Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
• Woolen cap. Qty-1
• Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1
• Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
• Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors.
• Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1
• Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1
• Plate. Qty- 1
• Spoon.Qty-1
• Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1

Miscellaneous

• Camera (Optional)
• Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
• Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility, is this adventure good for me, what’s a good fitness benchmark for this adventure, what skills do i need to complete this adventure, what is the minimum and maximum age limit, about the activity, where is it located, what are some of its highlights, what are some of its challenges, what is the best season for this, what is the accommodation type, what is the temperature like here, is it technically challenging, connectivity, how do i reach the starting point, is there cellular network available throughout, where is the nearest atm, if i choose to travel to the base with you, what is the pick-up point, what time is the drop-off on the last day, what are the nearby attractions that i can explore, equipment & gear, what equipment is provided to us, what can i rent from you, where will i receive the rented items, where do i have to return the rented items, what gear do i need to bring, are there local shops to rent/buy equipment, facilities & additional services, can i offload my bag, can i leave any extra luggage i carry at the base of this adventure, what are the meals like, what are the washroom/ toilet facilities like, what should i do if i get my period on this adventure, what are the medical facilities available to me on this adventure, are there any electricity charging points on this adventure, mandatory documents, what documents do i need to carry, do i need insurance for this, do i need a permit for this, certification, do you provide a certificate of completion, when and how will i get the certificate of completion, international travel, will i need a visa, when should i apply for the visa, what kinds of insurance do i need to travel here, what is the specialty of this when compared to other mountain ranges, till which month can i make a booking for this, what is the qualification of the outdoor leader provided to us, how do you choose your outdoor leaders, is it safe for women, what is the ratio of outdoor leader to participants, what do you do in case of an emergency, what are the rescue options on this adventure, how do you choose your equipment, can i attempt this adventure if i have a specific medical condition, sustainability, what kind of camping do you practice on your outdoor adventures, why are you against fixed camping in the outdoors, how do you manage overcrowding on certain trails, what are some things to remember when using a dry toilet, why should i avoid wet wipes in the outdoors, where should i dispose of my sanitary waste if i am on my period, why should i carry my own utensils on an outdoor adventure, booking process, what happens after i make the payment, do you create a whatsapp group of participants before the start date of the activity, do i need to submit a medical certificate, do i need to submit an undertaking form.

Small Group Size

Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek. As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.

Qualified Trek Leaders

We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures

Guided Progression

Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.

Equipment Quality and Check

All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.

Support Systems

Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.

Communication

Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.

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• This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.

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Sandakphu Trek - A Complete Trekking Guide -

• World of Adventures

Sandakphu Trek – A Complete Trekking Guide

• September 19, 2019
• Resham Bhatia

Ranging from the Bay of Bengal in the south to the Himalayas in the north, West Bengal houses a wide range of opportunities for trekking. And if we talk about Sandakphu trek , it is a standout amongst the most pleasant treks around Sikkim . The most noteworthy point in West Bengal, the trek offers a phenomenal perspective of the Himalayas. The valley enhances itself, with clear all-encompassing views of snow-topped mountains, as you begin your adventure from Chitrey towards Sandakphu. The fascinating thing is, you traverse India-Nepal border a dozen times because Sandakphu majorly lies between India and Nepal.

Sandakphu, as a town, is prominent on the grounds of West Bengal as it is the most elevated peak in the territory of that region. What makes it all the more astounding is its summit, from where you can see four of the five most elevated tops on the planet — Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu, in a sweeping perspective.

Why is Sandakphu Trek so famous? 

• One of the most admirable rhododendron excursions; trek in spring to see the magnificence with your own eyes as you hike to the Sandakphu summit.
• Visit the amazing monasteries and stupas around; explore the lively Buddhist culture as you begin your trek from Chitrey town.
• Don’t forget to do camping in Singalila National Park as the view from the camp is memorable. Appreciate the outdoors amid North East’s radiance; wake up to dawn on Singalila range to catch a glimpse of blue bamboos in the wilderness.
• Nestled on the bank of the river, Tumling lies on the Indo-Nepal outskirt where you can take a stroll to the numerous tea plantation land and also gander at the whole Sandakphu trail from Tumling.
• After Tumling, set your eyes on the journey, as you would see the pristine lake, Kalaphokri or Black Lake. Even during harsh winters, it refuses to freeze. The lake is believed to be holy, surrounded by prayer flags, fluttering with the wind.
• The magnificent perspective of Sleeping Buddha (Kanchenjunga and sister tops) and a 180 degree perspective of world’s most noteworthy mountains including Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamling, Chomolonzo, Machapucchare, Chomolhari and different pinnacles of Annapurna run.

How To Reach Sandakphu Through Trekking?

• Desiring to see the ravishing dawn, I woke up at the first light to watch the mesmerizing sun peeping out from Mount Kanchenjunga. Post a delightful breakfast, I left for my adventure and descended till the town of Joebari. From here, the trail was steep, and in around 1.5 hours, I reached border check-post in Gairibans. Post lunch, I proceeded with the trek for around 2.5 hours along a trail that was steep, and achieve the town of Kalapokhari.
• Don’t forget to see the reflection of the breath-taking sunrise from Kalapokhri Lake. After a delightful breakfast, I started the trek to Sandakphu , which was around 6 KM from Kalapokhri. Hiking constantly for around 2 KM, I halted at a place called Beekaybhanjan and took a break to breathe the fresh air.
• In the morning I had a tea at the edge of the mountain and took a panoramic vista of the entire sleeping Buddha-range. After a scrumptious breakfast, I took my belongings and started walking towards Samandin Village. Explored the beautiful town and proceeded towards the town of Rammam. Then, I descended towards Srikhola and stayed overnight to retain back my energy. After a good breakfast early in the day, I drive to NJP/Bagdogra airport. Your fabulous trip will finally come to an end here and you will return home with some wonderful memories.

An alternative way to Sandakphu: The Motorable Road

There is also a motorable road, a 33 km track from Maneybhanjung to Sandakphu. The most convenient way to access the road is through a ride in the British-era land rover that adds drama to your journey. You can hire it easily for around 3000 INR. Since the roads are in bad shape, the ride can be quite bumpy. It is utilized by the locals, the carriage of merchandise/supplies, nearby neighborhood travelers and vacationers.

When travelling through road, the journey could be discomfort for many due to acclimatization reasons. It might get you to Sandakphu in 7/8 hours but many individuals might feel sudden altitude gain. Breathing issues, headache and feeling too much cold are general indications. So we suggest you choose trekking as an alternative or take your time to get your body to adjust to the higher elevation.

Information on Permits, Guides and More

You needn’t bother for any permits to do this trek, however having an individual guide (who take about ₹800 every day) is compulsory within the Singalila National Park, which begins after you cross Tumling, towards Sandakphu. Hire one from GTA Tourist Reception Centre or Mane Bhanjhang.

Maximum height: 12,000 ft.

Trek Time : 6 Days

Distance Covered : 48 km

Level : Easy

Start/Finish : Chitre and Srikhola

Nearest Airport : Bagdogra airport

Nearest Railway Station:  New Jalpaiguri Railway Station

Best Time To Trek Sandakphu

A trek to Sandakphu is reachable throughout the year apart from the rainy months. April and October is the best period as during this time the rhododendron flowers add life with a blush shade to the trek. Not only rhododendrons, but you also get the chance to see numerous rare birds and diverse animals.

On the off chance that you luck out, you could even come across the slippery red panda! September, October and November offer clear mountain perspectives to appreciate sublime sights of dawn from Sandakphu and Phalut. If you wish to trek later in winter, the path could be quite challenging, however, the experience of early snow at Sandakphu is impressive!

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Sandakphu Trek – The Complete Guide

Introduction

The trek details, 1. difficulty level, 2. height and distance, 3. weather conditions, 4. expenses, your packing checklist, how to prepare for the trek – fitness, frequently asked questions (faqs), is sandakphu trek for beginners.

The Sandakpu Trek is a moderate level trek of altitude of 12,000 feet and can be achieved in 6 days.

What is the best time to visit Sandakphu?

The ideal time to visit Sandakpu is March to May when the temperature ranges from 8 to 15°C and is comfortable for trekking.

Is Sandakphu trek difficult?

Although the terrain isn’t as challenging, the long-distance might seem tiring. You would be covering around 8-9km per day, for 6 days.

How long is the Sandakphu Trek?  

The entire trek is approximately 48km and it will take you 6-7 days to cover the distance.  

FootLoose Dev

Travel blog by an Indian travel blogger.

Sandakphu Trek — All You Need To Know

As I finished my Sandakphu trek, a signpost welcomed me. It didn’t say the name of the place, or anything about the trek I did, but something far unusual. “Pollution Free Zone” the sign read! 

Singalila Ridge Trek (or Sandakphu trek, as is often called) is the most popular trek in the state of West Bengal, and the highest point in West Bengal.

As you start waking from Mane Bhanjang and begin your Sandakphu trek, the valley beautifies itself with clear panoramic views of snow-capped mountains. You cross India-Nepal border a few times because the trek divides the two nations and is more or less the borderline between India and Nepal. And the towns that come on the way, including Tumling and Sandakphu are owned by both countries.

The trek concludes at a town called Sandakphu, hence the name.

The town is popular because it is the highest peak in the state of Ilam, in Nepal and West Bengal, in India.

What makes it more amazing is its summit, from where you can see four of the five highest peaks in the world — Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu, in a 360-degree panoramic view. From Tumling you can see three peaks.

Sandakphu Trek

When I did Sandakphu trek, back in 2016, it was very different. There were only two ways to do it. One, of course, was walking the entire route (which takes 5 days) and two (you do it in a classic Land Rover). Back then, the road was very risky too, demotivating many people to do it in a jeep and prefer walking.

And then the road construction work started. Just like most places in the Himalayas – whether it is a Delhi to Manali route or Manali to Leh – Sandakphu trek also got a needless makeover.

In 2018, the road work was completed, making it so easy to do this route that almost any car can now reach the last point. This also increased the number of tourists who visit this place, making it an unavoidable prey to over-tourism.

Here’s a picture of how the road looked back in 2016. Now if you will visit, it will be a proper tar road.

So yea, the charm of following any Sandakphu trek itinerary – whether you walk all the way to the last point or do it in a jeep – is somewhere lost. But if you still decide to visit it and wondering how to self-plan it, here is how…

How To Reach Sandakphu

From wherever you’re coming – Darjeeling, Gangtok, or even Kolkata – your taxi will drop you off at Mane Bhanjhang. From Mane Bhanjang there are two ways:

• trekking (and trust me, that’s the best way)
• renting a 4*4 (and not doing the trek at all).

The Sandakphu trek is well-marked and goes right parallel to the motorable road, making it easy for those trekking without a local guide.

As I said, back in 2016, the route was dominated by Classic Land Rovers. Back then, it was possible to only hire a Land Rover for 3000 Rupees.

Today, many other 4*4 and private vehicles also go this way.

Sandakphu Trek Route Map

Here’s a Sandakphu trek route map itinerary you can follow with all distances. Though road conditions have improved and more crowds can be found, the distances and the map remain the same.

Now let’s discuss the 5-day Sandakphu trek itinerary in detail…

Day 1: You start from Mane Bhanjhang. Follow the trek, bypassing a few villages on the way, and reach Tumling in 6-7 hours. Stay in Tumling for the night, which has a few lodging options (my recommendation: Mountain Lodge. Find the lady with the name “Keshari” she runs and owns the lodge). Distance from Mane Bhanjhang to Tumling is 11 km.

Day 2: Start early from Tumling and reach the town of Kalipokhri. Right after Tumling, you enter into Singalila national park, which is home to some of the nastiest and deadliest plants in the Himalayan region. So don’t try to eat any berries. Tumling to Kalipokhri is a 9 km steep walk. Stay overnight in a trekker’s hut in Kalipokhri.

Day 3: Kalipokhri to Sandakphu is 8 km, and can be done in under 5 hours. Enjoy the panoramic views of Mt Khanchendzonga and Everest and the scenic forests underneath, as you the viewpoint. Also, be ready for a cold and harsh night.

Day 4: Start the trek back towards Tumling and reach Tumbling.

Day 5: Tumling to Mane Bhanjhang, and the journey back home.

And now, this is what the entire trek route looks like. Polished as new…

Permits And Guides For Sandakphu Trek

You don’t need any permit to do this trek, but having a personal guide is mandatory within the Singalila National Park, which starts right after you cross Tumling.

Hire one from GTA Tourist Reception Centre, or from Mane Bhanjhang. To save money, hire one from the village Tumling, or perhaps hitchhike like me and escape it.

Best Time To Do It

Just like most treks in the Himalayas, Sandakhphu trek there is no point in thinking of doing it in winter because of heavy snowfall. Monsoon season also makes for a bad time to do it because of heavy rainfall in the national park area. This leaves us with two seasons: spring and fall.

Among the two, and throughout the season, the best time to do the Sandakphu trek is between September and November. This is when the weather is perfect, the crowd is less and everything is comparatively greener (right after the monsoon).

The months of April to July are also good to do this trek but it can be quite crowded with accommodation and taxi prices being the highest.

Another beautiful trek I recommend is: Panchachuli Base Camp Trek

You have explained the whole journey so beautifully..I liked it more because it has good amount of information and the detailed itinerary is very helpful..nice blog.

I want to do this trek but how to avoid hiring a guide.where could i get the permission to do so

Do you recommend this trek for beginners? ( By beginners I mean an extremely lazy woman who is clumsy and not very fit but she is interested to try) If not, could you recommend some other trek?

Hi Dev, I’m doing a trek to sadakphu next week. Wanted to know what shoes do you recommend. I have low cut trekking shoes but I hear everyone saying mid cut ancle support shoes is safer. What do you think?

I think a low cut is good enough too. If it snowed then it may create a problem as snow or sludge can enter in your shoes. Otherwise, it’s all good.

How did you escape from hiring a guide or porter..? I just want the same, hitchhike alone.

There is no requirement (lawfully) to do so. People may ask you to hire one (even army people may force to make sure you’re safe) but if you’ve experience of trekking and you know you can do it alone, you can do it alone! All you need is a permission from the SDM office in Dharchula.

Would it be possible to hitch hike passed the entry to national park. And then continue solo on the trek? What are your thoughts? Planning to go next week. Cheers Martins from Latvia

Me too. At least I would like to hitch-hike past the entry to the national park. And continue hike in my own time. Would that be possible Dev? Your thoughts.

Martins from Latvia Darjeeling

Thanks for the information

I did Sandakfu trek last year it is actually a very nice trek. Took us 5 days to compelte as you have mentioned.

Hi Dev, can you please share any information about the Mountian Lodge, do you have any contact details of the person who owns and runs it?

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Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Darjeeling, West Bengal

Easy to Moderate

Maximum Altitude

INR 11,000/- (NJP to NJP) Jan to March

INR 11,500/- (NJP to NJP) April onwards

Available Date

21st Jan to 27th Jan 2024

11th Feb to 17th Feb 2024

1st Apr to 7th Apr 2024

10th May to 16th May 2024

About Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Sandakphu Phalut is not just a trekking trail, but a trail of dreams, which comes true when you place your footsteps in the beautiful Villages of Darjeeling and Nepal. The inter-connected trails between India and Nepal take the traveler through the beautifully decorated Villages of Hills, beautiful Buddhist prayer flags, Monasteries, a nostalgic era of the trekkers. The only trek in the Himalayas where the trekkers can get the amazing view of the four of the Highest Peaks of the Himalayas, Everest, Makalu, Lhotse , and the amazing gigantic view of  KhanchenDzonga  leaves the traveler spellbound. The Trail runs through India and Nepal in such a way that one will eat their meals in Nepal and will sleep in India. The trail between Sandakphu to Phalut which is approximately 21kms, but a bit challenging for its lengthy distance to be covered in a single day, but one of the most beautiful day of the entire trek, for the Khanchendzonga with Sleeping Buddha ranges  and the Everest family,  will follow throughout. Phalut,  is like a junction and meeting point of three regions i.e. Darjeeling,Sikkim and Nepal. Phalut,  one of the most serene place which everyone can feel when one reaches there, is an isolated mountain top, with amazing 360 degree view of the highest peaks. One could never forget the Phalut,  for its own uniqueness and the peace and serenity one could feel over here.  The trail of Sandakphu is one of those special trails which can take a special place is everyone's heart, specially the amazing villages, like Dhotrey, Gurdum, Maneybhanjyang, Tumling, Kalipokhri, Jaubhari, Gairibas, and Sandakphu, Aahl, Thokum, Sabargram, Molley and finally to Phalut and mesmerizing Gorkhey and Samanden . The path runs through rhododendron forests, meadows, and one could spot, deer, red panda. The amazing sunrise and sunset on every spots leaves the traveler spellbounded and amused. The fogs rises like a curtain and embraces the human soul, the clouds flow beneath the foot, and the Gigantic Sleeping Buddha blesses the travelers soul. 

Arrival at NJP station, pick up from NJP station, and transfer to Maneybhanjang/Dhotrey/Gurdum . Briefing and registration to be completed , spend the evening leisure time exploring the base camp villages. Overnight stay at Homestay.

After morning breakfast Trek will start from Maneybhanjang/Dhotrey/Gurdum via Meghma, LameyDhura to Tumling/Tonglu  (12kms). Overnight stay at homestay.

After morning breakfast,trek to Kalipokhri (13kms)via Jaubhari, Gairibas, lunch at Kaiyakata.  Overnight stay at Homestay. Explore the beautiful serene black lake Kalipokhri, considered as a very holy lake.

After morning breakfast, trek to Sandakphu (6Kms) via Bikeybhanjyang , the entire trail is uphill today. After reaching Sandakphu enjoy the hot lunch and explore the Sandakphu , with amazing sunset over the highest peaks of the world. Overnight stay at homestay.

Get up early morning to witness the spell bounding sunrise over Sleeping Buddha and Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse,Chamlang and Chomolanzo . Today is an important day, so we will complete the breakfast as early as possible, and start movement to  Phalut (21kms), via  Aahl, Thokum, Sabargram, Molley.   Through the beautiful ridge, meadows, forest and mostly through the mountain tops and ridges of the Singalila region, one could view rhododendron forest through. Overnight stay at Hut.

After breakfast, Descending trek to Gorkhey (16kms). This trail brings back the beautiful rhododendron forest and the beautiful greeneries throughout, the entire trail is amazing for its surreal beauty. On reaching  Gorkhey,  enjoy the amazingly mesmerizing beauty of the village, and river Gorkhey Khola flowing through. One could also visit  Samanden,  which is just 1km from  Gorkhey,  another hidden paradise on this trail. Overnight stay at Homestay.

After early morning breakfast, short trek to Bhareng  (3kms), then drive to NJP. We will leave you in NJP Railway Station/Siliguri Railway station/Tenzing Norgay Bus terminus. Leave only footprints, take back sweet Himalayan Memories.

"What included"

Cost of transportation to and from.(NJP to NJP)

Cost of accommodation in huts/hotels/homestays., cost of fooding while on trek (morning and evening tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner- meals will be provided. breakfast-roti, sabji/maggi, etc., lunch/dinner-rice/roti, sabji, dal, achar, etc.).(day 1:  evening tea to day 7: morning breakfast), cost of permit fees ..

"What not included"

Cost of Personal expenses. Cost of emergency due to bad weather conditions. Cost of personal porter. Meals during transit i.e. meals while on road or travelling will not be provided. No meals will be provided in Last day (Day 7) Cost of personal porter to carry his/her backpack.

Things to carry on a trek, photo gallery.

Have a question in your mind?

call us or whatsapp

+91-9748955458   +919674715111

Click the whatsapp icon to start whatsapp chat

to know our office location and more details

Booking Policy:

To book your trek, you need to pay 30% of the trek fees as advance. Rest 70% to be paid in cash when you reach the basecamp, to be collected by the team leader.

One can pay the amount online(Net Banking, GPay, UPI ID). 

Details to be shared on request.

Cancellation Policy:

30 days before the trek date, full refund of the paid amount

15 days before the trek date, 50% refund of the paid amount.

Cancellation less than 15days to the start date of the trek, no refund possible

In case Himalayan Passion cancels the trek or trip, full refund will be paid.

One has option to send another person on their behalf.

One has option to adjust the paid amount on any other trek, if a person cannot join the trek he/she paid for. 

Check out our Sandakphu vlogs on                          Youtube Channel

Ravindra Joisa

Photographer | Traveler | Trekker | YouTuber | IT Engineer

Sandakphu Trek | An adventurous 7 days hike with spectacular views

The Sandakphu Trek is a 7-day trek in West Bengal, India, that takes trekkers through the enchanting landscape of the region. The trek offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including some of the highest peaks in the world, such as Kanchenjunga and Everest.

The Sandakphu Trek is unique in every way. It gives a stunning sight of four of the highest peaks in the world. However, it is also a journey where the natural world and culture coexist. Greater still is the “Sleeping Buddha” to your right. Eerie similarities exist between the massif and a sleeping human shape. The most notable peak in this oddly formed massif is Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. A view of these three magnificent peaks combined is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The sleeping Buddha greets you as you rise from our Sabalgram campground. Trekkers frequently cry when they see the scenery.

The ideal location to see sunrises and sunsets is the Sandakphu hike. In addition, hikers should be prepared for windy circumstances and huddle with a cup of soup beside a brazier. While hiking through forests and meadows, the walk also provides the chance to learn about local legends.

Of course, Singalila National Park is popular among our trekkers. There are some of the densest bamboo and rhododendron woods in the world. These woodlands are breathtaking. Walking beneath a canopy of bamboo trees is a unique sensation. The tall bamboo stalks soar above, forming a natural canopy that diffuses sunlight into a delicate green radiance. The dense and crowded bamboo stalks give off the impression of entering a tunnel and entering a mysterious, mystical realm.

A very magnificent moment is created each spring when rhododendrons blossom, covering the slope in dazzling blooms of pink, crimson, scarlet, and white flowers. While hiking through these woodlands, you could see red pandas. On this walk, it’s unlikely but not impossible to see a Himalayan black bear, a red panda, or a clouded leopard. We also anticipate the Indo-Nepali culture of the journey. Our hike route often enters and exits Nepal. At some of our sites, our sleeping tents are in India, while our kitchen tents are in Nepal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How do I reach Srikhola or Sepi?

A typical trip in a hill station is the journey from Bagdogra Airport/NJP Railway Station to Sepi. The roads go past quaint hillside towns and the well-known Darjeeling tea gardens. Enjoy the scenery as you begin to ascend from your taxi. I would advise arriving a few days early and taking advantage of your stay in Darjelling, as I did. You may take a shared cab from Darjelling to Manyabanjan, but I decided to visit the village of Kopidhara instead, where I had lunch.

Here, you may enjoy some real momos (dumplings) and thukpa (noodle soup). Nearly every other restaurant along this road serves these meals. You may find more traditional delicacies like Gandruk, Churpi (Yak Cheese), Ningro, and the well-known chili Dalle Khursani at a few teahouses. After lunch, the taxi continues uphill to Srikhola, or Sepi. You’ll pass via Sukhiapokhri, Dhotrey, and Rimbik on the route. These are all quite lovely towns that fit in with the peaceful surroundings, remote from the busy city life. These places are well connected and an ideal place if you want to work remotely.

Srikhola is a site with several areas that are covered in tree groves, moss-covered rock walls, and ferns that grow out of every crack and crevice. Human habitation bestows high and low on the landscape as the Srikhola spring runs through the community. There is a suspension bridge to cross, and the area is beautiful enough to be included on postcards for tourists. If this doesn’t give the location enough personality, several locations, including the trekker’s hut building, are said to be haunted.

On this day, if you arrive early, explore Srikhola and take some time to relax by the creek and the suspension bridge. The feeling of strolling on this suspension bridge is really pleasant, with the prayer flags flapping in the breeze. Take pleasure in the little tremors as you pass this bridge. Learn from your guide about the five components of these prayer flags. Just beyond the suspension bridge, which serves as both a marker and the beginning of the real hike, sits Srikhola. Rest well in the cottage beside the stream, where you may hear the sound of the water flowing all night.

Trek from Srikhola to Samanden

It’s time to lace up your boots and set off on your adventure after a restful night at the riverside cottage in Srikhola. You may get some exercise for the day by walking approximately 3.5 kilometers to Ramam. Up until Ramam, there is a manmade road that meanders past a number of homes and step-cut fields on each side of the road. However, as you go along the road, these start to diminish. You can locate a waterfall as you climb the slope. Keep in mind that landslides frequently occur in this area during the monsoon.

A short while further, you arrive at a tiny clearing of the government school grounds, surrounded by dense pine trees that foreshadow the remainder of the path. You enter the woodlands just across the clearing, and an emerald glow envelopes you right away. You entirely travel through a deep forest over the next several kilometers until you get to a bridge. There are stone benches along the route that are inscribed with the names of the townspeople who have since passed away. The wonderful idea behind this is that by giving trail users a place to rest, these individuals who have passed away continue to serve the community.

Samanden, the mini Swiss

The path then gradually ascends until you reach Samanden, a sizable open area with a gently sloping landscape scattered with farm fields and wooden cottages. This location is just as picturesque as the Swiss Alps communities. Large pine trees surround the huts, which have Victorian-style architecture. You spend the night in one of these huts and are shown really kind hospitality. Before going to bed, take in the tranquility and simplicity of this location in the middle of a field of corn, wishing you had a modest hut in this adorable little community.

We toured Samanden hamlet the following morning in the early hours before hiking another kilometer to Gorkey, another adjacent village. Another lovely campground where you can spend the night is this one. On the way, in the heart of the community, there is a little waterfall. The place is well known for stargazing, which is ideal if you are into astrophotography.

Trek from Samanden to Molley

The whole way from Samanden to Molley is a steep climb, so today is going to be hard. Today is the day you work out the hardest and for the longest time. The beautiful path, on the other hand, makes you feel better and encourages you to keep going. Today is the day to find out if there is magic in the woods. Today, you will hike through three different types of wood, each different from the others.

You go up almost 3,000 feet. In mountain terms, that’s a big gain in elevation. Besides that, there are no water sources along the way. The only way to get to Molley is through a thick bush. To begin the trail, you will go through a part of the forest that is mostly made up of pine and oak trees. The green oak starts out first, and as you go higher, it gives way to the golden oak. As a result of being lower than most woods, there is a good chance that you will come across some rare Himalayan wildlife.

Asian black bears are known to live in these woods, and some hikers have even gotten very close to them. The moon-shaped patch of white hair on their chest makes them easy to spot. They are usually not mean, and if you get too close, they will move out of the way. If you ever see a mother bear with her kids, you should stay still and keep your distance, or slowly back away until she goes her way. There are also other wild animals in the area, but you are less likely to see them as you go higher up. In addition to animals, these woods are home to many types of birds.

As you go further, you’ll also go through thick bamboo woods. On either side of the path are groves of bamboo. There are places where the bamboo forest is so thick that you can only see a few meters into the bush.

From the ground up, all you can see are green sticks that arch over the path. You might see the shyest animal that lives only in the Himalayas, the Red Panda, in these woods if you’re lucky. The red panda is rare and hard to find. They look for food in these woods because bamboo shoots are mostly what they eat. If they are nearby, you need to keep your eyes open and walk as quietly as possible so you don’t scare them away. Being able to see them in their natural environment is one of the best things you can do and then take back with you.

As you walk through the bush, you can see a lot of different-colored mushrooms and plants. You’ll need 7–8 people just to go around the trees’ stems, which are so tall and wide. After a few hours, the forest changes into one with lots of bamboo trees. Even here, the forest is so full of trees that the sun barely reaches the ground. After a few paths that go up and down hills, the rhododendron belt starts.

You finally come out of the forest after walking through it all day. You will need to walk another 200 meters to get to your camping spot near Molley. Where you left off in the bush, the camping at Molley is very different from it. It has no plants at all and is where the track starts in the real mountain fields.

You can get some snacks at Molley’s bush hut. You have a full dinner and then sleep in tents here for the night or in the government guest house. There will be times when you think back on the exciting adventure you had during the day. To see the alpenglow on Kanchenjunga, walk 500 meters toward Sabargram from Molley.

Trek from Molley to Sabargram or Ahal Camp

Today you will hike above the trees and reach the ridge. If the weather is good, you will be able to see the world’s four largest peaks. From Molley to Phalut, the road is 6 km long and goes straight. On the left, you can almost touch Nepal. It will take you about two and a half hours to finish this. Over the course of about 15 minutes, there are a number of gentle descents, high ascents, and level field walks. After this, you’ll walk across a flat field for half a kilometer and then climb steeply for one kilometer. You can get around this by cutting corners.

The locals call the hikers’ hut Phalut Bungla. Keep an eye out for it as you go. From here, it will take about thirty minutes of steady climbing to get to Phalut.

The trail has one of the best views of the “Sleeping Buddha,” which is the group of hills around Kanchenjunga called the Kanchenjunga range. From the left, you can see Kumbhakarna, Kanchenjunga, and Simvo in the distance. South Kabru, North Kabru, Kabru Forked, Goecha, and the hill of Pandim just ahead of Simvo are all below Kanchenjunga.

The Goecha La is the valley between the ridges of Goecha and Pandim. It is a famous and beautiful walk in Sikkim. It’s amazing to see how these mountains, which were made billions of years ago, look almost exactly like the awakened one himself, Buddha, while he is sleeping.

When you see the “Sleeping Buddha” for the first time, you feel like you’re in a spiritual dream. It leaves an impression on your mind and stays there. When you get to Phalut, the viewpoint is on the hill to your left. Get there early to get a great view of all the mountains and hills in the area. You may camp at Sabargram or continue further and camp at Ahal or Aal Camp, where there is a small shop and a view point.

Trek from Sabargram or Aal camp to Sandakphu

In the event that you slept at Sabargram camp instead of Aal camp and rested there, you will wake up to a bright and fresh morning. Your legs might be tired from all the worry of the last two days. At Sabargram, however, you should not miss the morning because you can see the sun rise above the clouds.

You’ll be ready to go after breakfast and morning tea. As you get ready for the trip today, the crisp, cold morning air fills your breath. The day will be long, but not too stressful. This day’s trip starts where the last one did, but instead of going toward Phalut, you walk away from it. The trail goes all the way to the top of Sandakphu along the Singalila mountain, which is right on the border between India and Nepal. There are a number of worn-out roads that cross the land. They all look pretty much the same. The path that leads to Sandakphu is the clearest and most reasonable.

When it comes to unique views, the tracks are the best part of this trip. There are tall pine trees all over the landscape. Some of them look like they’ve been cursed and mummified, with pointy tips and few or no branches. Some appear to have received lightning strikes and internal burns. In April and May, the path has a huge number of rhododendrons that are in full bloom. Local cow farmers built and occupied small wooden huts along the path. They add to the peacefulness of the area. The Buddha, who is said to sleep forever, is in the background of the scene. It feels like you’re walking through a picture with depth.

You will reach a small pond called Kaly Pokhry about halfway through the trail. There is also a trekker’s hut there. You’ll eat lunch here, which is called Thokum. This is not the same as Kali Pokhri, though, which is a different way to get to Sandakphu from Manebhanjan. You can take a break here for a while before going on. Some paths go into Nepal. There are also lots of rhodo bushes along the path. In April and May, they bloom in white and pink. Rhododendron red flowers are good for you, but rhododendron white and pink flowers are harmful and should not be eaten.

To keep things simple, remember that India is on the left side of the path you began going on. There is also a campsite at Aal. If you don’t want to go to Phalut, you can choose to stay at Aal Camp the day before. Early in the morning and late at night, the view from Aal Camp is breathtaking.

Aal is 1 km ahead of Sandakphu. It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to get here. The view point is on top of a small hill, just 100 meters before the group of houses and shelters at Sandakphu. Your camp is in Sandakphu. You need to see the sunset from the top of Sandakphu, so you can leave your bags at the camping spot and walk up to the peak. In the evening, the rising clouds from the hillsides make for a beautiful view. It gets very cold very quickly after dark. But go outside at night and look at the Milky Way and the other galaxies, nebulas, and planets that are close by.

Trek from Sandakphu or Aal camp to Gurdum

While the sun is rising, you get up early to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area. If you want to see the mountaintops light up with the first rays of sunlight, you should be there. A crimson-gold color lights up the faraway hills, which is a beautiful sight. In the Himalayas, it’s one of the most beautiful natural sights you can see.

This spot’s 180-degree views of one of the world’s most sought-after landscapes are its main draw. In the west, you can see Himalayan peaks such as Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamling, Chomo Lonzo, Machapuchare, and others in the Annapurna range. In the north, three sister peaks stand tall, and in front of you is the Sleeping Buddha. In the east, you can see Bhutan’s highest hills. Chomolhari, the country’s highest peak, stands out from the rest.

You keep going on the path after taking pictures and saving them on your memory cards and cameras. As a general rule, you should start going down on the left path at the split you see after the Sherpa Chalet Hotel and the Sunrise Hotel. You don’t have to go down the right road that leads to Kalipokhri. The trail goes over a hill and straight to Gurdum from here. Going up and down a few small hills with easy slopes takes about two hours. When you get to a small pond, you can eat lunch and take a break. You will see three stupas on your way to Gurdum. We will stop for a break at one of them.

Next, you’ll go down all the way to Gurdum, which is about 3.5 to 4 km away and takes another 1.5 to 2 hours. As you get closer to Gurdum, you’ll start to see bamboo plants again, which will let you know that you’re almost there.

Gurdum is another beautiful village like Samanden. It has a wonderful rural charm and is a great place to finally relax and rest. The local Nepalese residents have set up a homestay for you to stay at. This is known as Gurdum Homestay. The hosts are friendly and warm, which makes our trekkers love staying at this homestay. While the service at these homestays isn’t the best, it’s better than a lot of commercial hotels.

Should you be able to work from home, this is a great spot to connect because it has a strong 4G connection and beautiful views, which I’m sure you will enjoy.

Trek from Gurdum to Sepi or Srikhola

The following morning, there will be a full drop through the same kind of greenery as the second day of the trip. You started your walk in the same place where you are now. It takes about 4 km to get there, and you’ll get there around noon.

The closer you get to the Sepi suspension bridge, the more town homes you will see along the way. Different roads come together like streams that flow into one big river and lead to the Sepi or Srikhola Bridge. You eat lunch when you get there and then leave for Bagdogra airport or the NJP train station.

From the Himalayas to the India’s Southern Hill station, discover the 3 days of Top Secret Cycling in Munnar Tea Estate Hideaways .

How difficult is the Sandakphu Trek?

Depending on how hard you want it to be, the Sandakphu Trek is somewhere in the middle. From Sepi, which is 6,400 feet above sea level, you’ll climb to Sandakphu, which is 11,930 feet above sea level. Molley and Phalut are also about the same height. From Phalut, the trail goes down steeply to Samanden at 7,760 feet and then to Sepi at 6,400 feet, where the hike ends.

There aren’t any big rises or descents on the Sandakphu trek every day. The trip, on the other hand, makes you walk a lot every day. The walk takes about 7 to 8 hours every day, and some days it takes even longer. You walk more than 11 km most days of the trip. It takes a lot of strength to do this. During wins, when winds are strong and stay strong, this can get harder.

This is the right thing to do. You should make sure that your hiking shoes fit well because you will be on your feet for a long time and over long distances. Break them in at least two to three weeks before your trip. You also need good support for your ankles. That being said, make sure your shoes are soft and give your feet room to breathe.

The Sandakphu trek distance is 47 km, and it is a must-do trek for those who love trekking. The trek offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and an opportunity to explore the enchanting landscape of the region. The trek is moderately difficult and requires a certain level of fitness. It is best to go on the trek between October and April.

Even though this is a DIY trek, you can book your hiking tickets with some of the leading trek organizers, like Indiahikes , Trek the Himalayas, or YHAI . You can go solo until the basecamp and then with these groups. So, that was my experience of hiking to this place. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my  FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter . Consider  subscribing to my YouTube channel .

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2 Replies to “ Sandakphu Trek | An adventurous 7 days hike with spectacular views ”

Thank you for sharing such a captivating piece on Sandakphu! Your detailed account and vivid descriptions can transport anyone to the breathtaking landscapes of this enchanting destination. Reading your post felt like a virtual journey,

Your passion for the place shines through, making it evident that Sandakphu holds a special place in your heart.

The way you captured the essence of the trek, from the challenging ascent to the awe-inspiring views at the summit, was truly inspiring. It’s evident that Sandakphu is not just a destination; it’s an experience that leaves an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to embark on the journey.

Your photographs were a feast for the eyes, providing a visual feast that complemented your eloquent storytelling. Each image seemed to tell its own story, capturing the beauty of the landscapes, the charm of the local culture, and the camaraderie among fellow trekkers.

I appreciate the practical tips and insights you shared, creating a valuable resource for anyone considering a visit to Sandakphu. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and after reading your post,

Thanks again for sharing your wonderful experience! Looking forward to more travel tales from you.

Best regards, Sandakphu Trek

I’m glad that you liked it. Consider sharing it with others. I have made YouTube videos of each of the trek days. You may even “embed” my videos on your website.

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Stunning Sandakphu Trek (Guide and Photos) | India

The Sandakphu Trek. Located in West Bengal, India and sharing the border with Nepal, this relatively short trek has no shortage of views and stunning scenery.

With views of the Himalayas from the Everest Range to Kanchenjunga and beyond, it’s sure to impress. Through this article I’ll hopefully give you enough information so you can add this trek to your future travel itineraries.

How to get to Sandakphu?

Sandakphu, the highest peak in West Bengal at 3636m is situated in a perfect location for viewing the 3rd highest mountain peak in the world, Kanchenjunga. Also, being only a few hours drive from Darjeeling means this trek in fairly easy to access.

For myself and a lot of other people, the first part of their trip is getting a flight to Bagdogra. This airport is located near the city of Siliguri in West Bengal and is the closest airport to both Darjeeling and Sandakphu.

If you are like myself and booked through a travel agency in Darjeeling ahead of time, you will be met by a driver at the airport who will take you to your first nights stay which for myself was about 1.5 hours away in Makaibari at a homestay there.

However, if you haven’t pre-booked your trek and you aren’t an Indian Citizen, then you will need to find a guide as foreigners are required to have a guide for the trek. So once you arrive at the airport, you will want to arrange a taxi or driver to take you to either Darjeeling or Maneybhanjyang. In either of these two places you should be able to find a guide for your trip and they will help you with organizing your trek.

Darjeeling will give you the most possibilies as it’s a bigger city than Maneybhanjyang and is where all the travel agencies are. However, you are likely to pay a higher price there by going through an agency. I’ve heard you can hire guides directly by going to Maneybhanjyang as that is the beginning of the trek for a lot of people.

For myself, since I went through an agency, my arrival to the start of the trek was seamless and everything was organized in advance. Below, I’ll share my itinerary with pictures so you can get a feel of how the trek is. There are many alternatives of this trek, and you can even do this trek without hiking by going by jeep, so the itinerary below is just one variation you can do.

Day 1 – Bagdogra Airport to Makaibari

My first day, I was met at the airport by my guide and we drove 1.5 hours to where I would spend the night at a homestay in Makaibari. Makaibari is known for its tea plantation and my homestay was surrounded by the beautiful tea plants. Even as we drove away from the airport in Bagdogra I saw so many tea plantations as the area around Siliguri is know for it’s Assam Tea.

The drive is very scenic, but was told by my guide that most people will not drive these roads at night as there are wild elephants in the area and they typically are active at night and thus it’s not so safe to be driving the roads past dark.

As we neared the homestay, the roads started to snake up the hills and we were past the flatter lands around the airport. The roads are narrow, but somehow cars manage to go both directions.

The homestay was nice and I had a beautiful room to myself and the seperate bathroom had a western toilet and shower if I wanted. They served me delicious dhal for dinner and eggs and chapati for breakfast. It was run by a family from Nepal and they had a roadside stand as well that numerous people stopped at as they drove towards darjeeling to get a snack or tea.

Day 2 – Makaibari to Dhotrey to Tonglu

After waking up and having breakfast, I met my driver and guide and we drove for roughly 2 hours towards Dhotrey where we start the 2nd day of the Sandakphu trek.

Dhotrey is a great starting point if you don’t have a lot of time your first day. Most people start the trek in Maneybhanjyang and hike to Tumling, but if you want a shorter day, starting in Dhotrey and hiking to Tonglu is a better option and is more or less a shortcut.

On the way to Dhotrey we stopped in Maneybhanjyang as that is where the first checkpoint is, so I had to go into a small office and write down my passport details and let them know where I was heading with my guide. It was a very simple process.

After that, it was a quick 30-45 minute drive to Dhotrey and got there around lunch. So we stopped at a small restaurant and had a delicious meal of Thukpa (traditional noodle soup) and momos (dumplings). Was a great meal to get energy for the first day of trekking.

From Dhotrey, the trek starts out in the woods, before coming up into the hills above the main tree line. It’s a nice, relatively simple trek up to Tonglu and only took us about 2 to 2.5 hours to do.

We didn’t have a reservation for a place in Tonglu, so the first guesthouse we stopped at didn’t have any available beds. Thankfully, the second guesthouse did and so we decided to stay there. The 2nd guesthouse is the more famous one anyway as it has a small pond behind it that is amazing for photographs (although it was frozen where we were there) and also has easy access to some amazing viewpoints.

Just behind the lodge is a small hill and at the top has prayer flags and the whole are is just absolutely stunning.

So should you stay in Tonglu or Tumling?

A lot of people choose Tumling over Tonglu for their first night of trek because it’s a larger village and the lodges are of better quality. Even though this is true, the views from Tonglu are much more spectacular in my mind and are worth the less sleep you might get that night from being a little more uncomfortable. Although, the room where I stayed was adequate enough and did provide enough blankets to stay warm during the night. It was a really cold night and super windy, so was thankful for all the blankets. Kanchenjunga range from Tonglu is spectacular and you can see all the way to peaks in neighboring Bhutan!

I highly recommend if you are staying here to go to the small hill behind the lodge for both sunset and sunrise as the views are absolutely spectacular.

Day 3 – Tonglu to Kalipokhri

The trek from Tonglu to Kalipokhri is a nice trek, but in typical fashion for this part of the world, it’s a lot of up and down through the hills. This is also a longer day than the previous day and will take anywhere from 5-6 hours to complete with breaks included.

If you are starting in Tonglu, it’s a quick 20-30 minute trip down to Tumling. From here you can walk through an area of woods called the Black Forest which is quite nice and peaceful or you can follow the road.

We took the black forest route and it was quite nice. A few days prior though it had snowed, so we did encounter some quite snowy sections and had to be a little careful on the trail to not slip and fall.

Whether you take the black forest route or the road, you will have to descend a good 500 to 600m to another checkpoint.

Then from there, you will ascend 600m or so to get to Kalipokhri. Kalipokhri is mostly in Nepal and there are a lot of guesthouses to choose from of varying quality.

Kalipokhri itself doesn’t have any of the major mountain views, but the views of the surrounding hills is quite nice. Kalipokhri means Black Lake and there is a lake here that is worth going to in the morning for sunrise.

Day 4 – Kalipokhri to Sandakphu

Kalipokhri to Sandakphu is a pretty simple trek day as it should only take you a few hours to finish this part of the trek. From Kalipokhri you can easily see Sandakphu peak and is quite nearby. It’s just a long slog uphill to get there. The trail which mostly follows the road, winds back and forth as you gain altitude to reach the peak 500m higher than Kalipokhri.

As we took the trail, we encountered a lot of snow from the storm that rolled through a few days prior before we had started the trek. Because of that snow, no jeeps were heading up to Sandakphu, so we had the road entirely to ourselves. In some places the snow must have been close to a foot deep.

As you finally reach the village of Sandakphu, you realize why so many people come here to see the views. From left to right, you have views of the entire Everest Range, the whole way to the right where you can even see some peaks in Bhutan.

The village of Sandakphu actually feels quite large with numerous guesthouses. We choose the one highest on the hill and I was quite surprised by the quality of the lodge. There was a wood heater in the dining room (which was amazing since it was so cold there) and also the rooms had private bathrooms which was also great to have. Prices for the lodge are likely higher than some others in the village, but I liked having those amenities. Also, the nice thing about the lodge we chose, is it had a rooftop with incredible views of the mountain range.

So, in the morning and afternoon, all I had to do was go up to the rooftop to get amazing pictures, without having to go further away or be outside for long.

There are some small rocky peaks near Sandkaphu that a lot of people go to for sunrise and sunset, however, because I had just as nice a view more or less from my lodge rooftop, I didn’t visit those peaks. Also, it was incredibly cold, so didn’t want to venture too far from the lodge.

Day 5 – Sandakphu to Molley

In most typical itineraries for the Sandakphu trek, this day will go from Sandakphu the whole way to Phalut. A whopping 21km and a good 7-8 hour hike depending on your speed.

This was my plan too, however, because of the snow, we had heard groups were turning back from Phalut because the snow was too deep and just wasn’t worth it. So we decided to go to Molley instead. The nice thing about this change, is that the path follows along the normal path from Sandakphu to Phalut except for the last few km’s.

Many say that the views just after Sandakphu on the way to Phalut are some of the best and I would agree. You follow mostly a ridge line and have great uninterrupted views of Everest to Kanchenjunga! Also, the path is quite nice and it’s not too difficult.

I highly recommend leaving Sandakphu early as fog and clouds typically come in around noon, especially around the time of year that I did this trek. So for best views, start early.

So the trek from Sandakphu to Molley for us took around 5 hours. We also had a small lunch break. Molley is deep in the forest and quite a bit lower than Sandakphu. The whole afternoon though it was deep in fog and there was not much of a view. Even in clear weather, there isn’t the view of the mountains like our other stops. However, the place has it’s own charm being so deep in the woods.

There is only one lodge at Molley and was nice enough for the night. The food there was prepared well and we ended up being the only guests there that night. Like my previous place, I got to have a private bathroom as they put me in the 4 person room even though I was traveling alone.

Day 6 – Molley to Timburey

This was our final trekking day and mostly a long way down in elevation. The majority of the day was in the woods and at the beginning had to negotiate a few slippery snowy sections, but beyond that it was quite an easy day.

As we dropped in elevation, the temperature got warmer and that was nice.

After working our way through the village of Srikhola and asking the people there how to get to Timburey, we finally reached the village after only about 3 hours of hiking.

The elevation in Timburey is only around 1800m, and its’ near a stream so was quite a nice location to relax in the afternoon.

So I was finally able to shower (with hot water in a bucket) and also was able to feel a bit warmer as well. The lodge here was really nice with my own private bathroom. The food served here was very good and well prepared as well.

Day 7 – Timburey to Darjeeling

Our final day we had a later start and walked about 30 minutes to the road where we met our driver from before.

He came and picked us up and we drove through Rimbik and onwards to Darjeeling. The first section of road was quite narrow and scary, but later on it got better. In total, it took us 3.5 to 4 hours to get back to Darjeeling. Close to darjeeling we stopped at a small roadside stand to get some momos before entering city life again.

Darjeeling was quite different from the mountains, but had it’s own charm.

Even in Darjeeling, you can see Kanchenjunga range, just not as close as in Sandakphu.

Tips for the Sandakphu Trek

• Best time to go on the trek is October/November. This is when the weather is the best with clear skies typically and slightly warmer weather than winter. Second best time is April/May when the flowers are in full bloom. I can also recommend December as that is when I went, just make sure you are prepared for snow and cold.
• If you are going in winter, make sure you take a good sleeping bag. The lodges all have blankets, but it still felt cold without the sleeping bag. The nights got down to -10C and more when I was there. So also should have good gloves and jacket.
• If there is snow, be ready for some slower days and if there is too much snow, you may not be able to take jeeps or have a quick exit if something would happen.
• If you are doing the trek independently without an agency, you can arrange in either Darjeeling or Maneybhanjyang. If you want a porter, they can be arranged in Maneybhanjyang as that is where we picked up our porter and there are fixed rates for them.

Where to Stay in Darjeeling?

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links through booking.com, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

At the beginning or end of your trek, you are likely going to want to spend some time in this beautiful city. Known as the “Queen of the Hills”, there is plenty to do here and you can gets views of Kanchenjunga here too, however, they are more spectacular on Sandakphu. The city has a ton of hotels and homestays, so would like to recommend some here:

Darjeeling Heights Home Stay – I stayed here for 2 nights and it was such a great decision. Beautiful rooms with heated bed and a rooftop with commanding views of the city and Kanchenjunga. About a 10 minute walk to mall road and the owner usually cooks dinner for guests in the evening if they want (small extra charge). All in all a great, quiet retreat from the bustling main part of Darjeeling.

Treebo Trend Dekeling Hotel – Another hotel with great views and nice rooms. Typically gets good reviews and is in a great location in the city.

There are many many hotels in Darjeeling though, so recommend checking them out online before booking. You can see them here: Darjeeling Hotels .

So there you have it. The Sandakphu trek is a beautiful stunning trek and I would highly recommend it to everyone. You don’t have to be a super trekker to do the hike, but it does help to have some hiking experience. If you have any questions or comments about the trek, please let us know in the comments below!

Also, if you are looking for another amazing trek in India, check out our article: Zanskar Trek, top 5 reasons to go !

Zanskar Trek, Top 5 Reasons to Go: India

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Sandakphu Trek: A Complete Guide

Hiking in Himalayas is not a physically demanding activity, but it’s an odyssey plunging trekkers into the world of natural marvels and astonishing landscapes. Sandakphu Trek features amidst the myriad celestial trails and stands tall as a beacon that beckons adventurous souls seeking an unbeatable combo of equine challenge. As we delve deep into this fascinating journey, let us now unfold which are the divisions that make Sandakphu a personification of trekking excellence.

Introduction

The Sandakphu Trek is a heavenly journey that slowly reveals the wonders of the Himalayan panorama. At the border of India and Nepal, located in the eastern yet famous Darjeeling district, this trek leads to a divine journey that elevates to not only higher altitudes but also transcend the worldly affairs to bond with the ravishing beauty of the world’s highest mountain range.

Location and Landscape

The highest point of 11,941 feet above the sea level, Sandakphu, offers the breathtaking view of the Four Great Peaks – Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga. The trek takes one through varied terrains like deep rhododendron forests and the most exotic countryside carpeted with a kaleidoscope of wildflowers.

Best Time to Visit

The Sandakphu Trek could just be the experience of a lifetime that’s why choosing the perfect time to do it is very important. Spring shows off the trail’s blooms of rhododendrons while autumn gives crisp air and clear skies for the best view of the snow-headed peaks on display.

Getting There

Reaching this place through road or the toy train, i.e., by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, all of which initiate from Darjeeling, and arriving in the quaint village of Manebhanjan, is practically like the first step to this adventure. Just reaching the place for the trek itself is like an appetizer giving a quick snapshot of what it has on offer.

Permits and Regulations

Most of the permits are supposed to be arranged before the commencement of the climb, meaning trekkers have to wade through red tape. Apart from being a requirement by the law, ensuring that every piece of paper is procured assures hikers of continuous trekking with minimum inconveniences.

Contents in the Itinerary

Going on the Sandakphu Trek is part of a well thought out step by step process which unfolds over the course of a number of days. With each leg trekkers get closer to their ultimate destination which lies in majestic splendor at the summit of one of the Himalayas’ finest peaks at an altitude that can be gradual rather than sudden.

Accommodation

Your choice of accommodation goes a long way to have a comfortable trek. From comforting tea houses and homey charm, to sleeping under starlit skies your choices add a personal element to the experience as well as establish a bond with nature more personally.

Flora and Fauna

Apart from the physical challenges, Sandakphu also offers its trekkers a beautiful panaroma of flora and fauna. Exotic orchids, colourful rhododendron, and some of the most acutely sought-after wildlife make this hike an enchanting experience to be part of.

Challenges and Precautions

While the trek is an ode to nature’s grandeur, it comes with its own share of challenges. Be it altitude sickness caused due to a gradual increase in altitude or harsh weather conditions dampening one’s spirits, preparedness and precaution need to be taken to ensure a safe and pleasant trek. “Discover the Charm of Sandakphu with Darjeeling Tourism : A Picturesque Haven Awaiting Your Visit.” 

Physical Fitness and Training

Physical preparation is one of the basic parameters for successful conquest of Sandakphu and this requires much more than mere sense of adventure. The trekkers must be well-prepared to negotiate each arduous step of the journey with a good training regime that takes care of cardiovascular exercises as well as strength training.

Cultural Highlights

The propelling journey is more than conquering physical heights; it is a moment to connect cultures with people. The warm-hearted offered several opportunities to interact on the journey adding a cultural dimension into trek, making it a memory out of the physical challenge.

Tips on Photography

For shutterbugs, Sandakphu is a visual paradise waiting to get captured. The tips on the perfect-shot framing, right gears selection, and welcoming the changing light conditions ensure that every photograph articulates vivid stories of your trekking adventure.

Personal Experiences

The trekking fraternity is a real bank of stories. Real life experiences and testimonies from fellow trekkers bestow invaluable insights, tips and encouragement for the novice trekkers to Sandakphu.

Alternate Routes

Other trekking routes in the same region even for the trekkers who want to venture beyond Sandakphu give a different taste of the Himalayas. Comparison of these helps the trekkers land on the best form of their adventure depending on the choice given to them.

As trekkers round off for finishing the trek, they take back home a miscellaneous finely woven tapestry of enduring memories and memories of really proving themselves in life. Sandakphu, with its immense summits and gorgeous panoramic views, pricks to feel trekkers with affliction forever after.

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Guide To Choose The Right Outdoor Knife For Your Adventures

People say, a trek teaches you lessons for life, changes your perspective on regular events. I did not know the truth of the sentence in its entirety until I finished the Sandakphu Trek very recently. Sandakphu Trek, known for many good reasons is one of the Best Himalayan Treks that you can possibly be on. The trail also takes you through Singalila National Park, which boasts of the endangered Red Pandas and beautiful Rhododendrons. One of the major highlights of the trek is its location, which is right in the borders of India and Nepal. You could be walking in India during the day and at night, retreating to slumber in Nepal. The views of Kanchenjunga is out of the world. It is one of the very few treks from where you can spot so many Himalayan peaks, Mt Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, to name a few. 

Sandakphu Trek is doable almost the entire year, except for the few monsoon months. Different seasons offer different experiences all year round. Shades of rhododendrons adorn the trail during months of spring and the snow in winter months turn it into a winter wonderland. However, it is the months of October and November which are known for the most clear skies. During these months, nights are perfect for stargazing.

In most cases trekkers opt to go on treks with trek operators, sole purpose being convenience. But the Sandakphu trek is well connected with decent roads and there are many options for accommodations all along the trail where you can spend a comfortable night after long days of walk. This blog is a ready and complete guide on how to plan the Sandakphu Trek by yourself and have the best time in the lap of Himalayas.

Details about Permits

How to find a trek guide, how to reach manebhanjan, where to stay in manebhanjan, where to stay in tumling, where to stay in kalpokhari, where to stay in sandakphu, where to stay in sepi.

Day 6 : Sepi to Siliguri

Best time to go for Sandakphu Trek

Things to remember if you are going to sandakphu, share this:.

You do not require any special permit to trek to Sandakphu. All you need is a ticket for Singalila National Park for 2 days as you would be walking through the Singalila Range over two days. The tickets cost 120 per person for each day and can be obtained from the Forest Check Post in Manebhanjan. 

You also need to produce photocopies of your identity proof, register your name and contact number in the register of the Forest Check Post. This was recently imposed after a trekker went missing in the trail. This entire process takes not more than 15 minutes if there is no queue.  Make sure you keep the tickets safe as you’d be required to produce it at the entry point of Singalila National Park when you start trekking from Tumling on the second day.

Please note that it is mandatory to go on this trek with a guide. You can easily find a guide from Manebhanjan. One of the places you can contact is Highlander Guides and Porters Welfare Association in Manebhanjan. You can walk in and ask for a Guide. We went on this Trek with Roshan Rai (9635689162); you could get in touch with him beforehand to check if his dates are free. Roshan was a young and enthusiastic guide who became a friend in no time. It was because of his immense knowledge about the area that our trek became even more memorable.

You need to pay INR 1000 per day to the guide which comes to INR 4000 for the entire trek and about INR 200-300 extra for his dinner at Sandakphu. Rest of his expenses are covered in the per day cost.

Sandakphu Trek Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive at Manebhanjan

Manebhanjan happens to be the base of Sandakphu trek. Its a small town located 25 kms from Darjeeling. There is a small market in Manebhanjan and you can buy the last moment essentials and medicines from here.

• Fly to Bagdogra Airport or train it to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.
• From the Airport or Railway Station, you can get a reserved Tata Sumo to reach you to Manbhanjan. A reserved vehicle will cost you about INR 4000 . Please note that 5 seater cars can not to to Manebhanjan because of the road conditions.
• From the Airport or railway station, take an auto to Siliguri Junction and follow this route : Siliguri – Ghoom – Sukhiapokhri – Manebhanjan.
• You can hop onto a shared cab till Ghoom. From Ghoom you will get another shared Sumo till Manebhanjan. If you do not find a direct vehicle, break the journey at Sukhiapokhri. The entire journey will cost you about INR 400 .

There are many homestays and hotels in Manebhanjan. Most of these places will offer basic facilities and they have a meal inclusive pricing. I stayed at Druk Homestay (9635224131) where we paid INR 900 per person including 3 meals and evening snacks. You could get in touch with them on call or whatsapp. This place is run by a lovely host and her family who will also help you with further bookings.

Day 2 : Manebhanjan to Tumling (12 kms)

Start your first day of the trek from Manebhanjan by 8 am. You will need to spend about 15-20 minutes to get your tickets at the Forest Check Post. The first 3 kms from Manebhanjan to Chitrey is a steep climb. You can either take the motorable road or the shortcuts at a few places. The first halt at can be at Chitrey . You can explore the Chitrey Monastery on the way. 

After starting from Chitrey, you will walk through vast meadows and cutting through clouds, making your first day of the trek very thrilling. Stop for lunch at Lamey Dhura. Once you cross Lamey Dhura, you won’t find any more places to have lunch. 

Upon reaching Meghma, take the left route which goes through Nepal and avoid walking towards Tonglu. Another 3 kms later, you will reach Tumling. Trekkers with moderate fitness can easily cover the 12 kms distance between 5-6 hours.

Satkar Lodge (+977 9814920430) | Siddhartha Lodge (+977 9742636578) | Shikhar Lodge (091488 24227)

We stayed at Satkar Lodge in a triple bedded accommodation with private washroom. It costed us INR 1500 for the room and about INR 400 per person for dinner and breakfast. You can send a whatsapp message beforehand and wait for them to reply. The phone numbers are of Nepal so regular calls would not get through. If it is not a peak season, walk in bookings can also be made.

Mobile networks are very irregular and only Airtel works fine in some points in Tumling. However, do not expect the availability of internet on cellular networks. Most of the homestays will have WiFi on chargeable basis (INR 100 per device to connect for a day).

Day 3 : Tumling to Kalpokhari (13 kms)

Start from Tumling by 8:30 am after a sumptuous breakfast. Ask for Tibetan Bread and Alu Dum, if available. It is a very tasty Nepalese delicacy that would keep you full for the first half of the day. After a couple of kms, you’d reach Tumling Fata k, a small village, crossing which you’d reach the entry point of Singalila National Park. Here, you’d be asked to produce the tickets that you had obtained on the previous day.

From this point onwards, the trail goes through dense forests of Singalila National Park. You can spot uncountable beautiful birds, wild horses and beautiful flower. If you happen to trek during spring, you would be welcomed with countless numbers of rhododendrons, all of different varieties and colours, making the trail look absolutely magical. The first 7 kms that goes through Singalila National Park is a downward trail. After covering the first 7 kms, you will reach Gairibas, which is a nice stopover for lunch. After such a tiring walk, a bowl full of waiwai, loaded with veggies would taste heavenly.

Starting from Gairibas, the next 2 kms is a steep climb and most of the trekkers find this stretch very difficult to ascend. If the shortcuts get difficult because they are more steep, you can follow the motorable road which are less steep but will take more time for you to cover the same distance.

As you finish the 2 kms steep climb, the remaining 4 kms is a flat walk till Kalpokhari. As you get nearer to Kalpokhari, you will find more fully bloomed rhododendrons on the way, during spring. Kalpokhari area falls under Ilam, Nepal and thus, cellular network is totally absent from this point onwards. There is no surety of electricity being stable either. And due to the altitude, the costs of accommodations start to go higher from this point onwards. On an average, it takes 5 to 6 hours to cover this 13 kms.

The beautiful lake – Kalpokhari is a bean shaped lake that some people say is the footprint of Shiva. The lake is of spiritual significance to both Hindus and Buddhists. 

Chewang Lodge (You can get in touch with Tenzing  at 9635224131, who runs Druk Homestay at Manebhanjan to get the booking done for Chewang Lodge).

The accommodations with shared washrooms are cheaper and would cost about INR 300 per person . The private rooms are about INR 2100 for triple bedded accommodation . Food comes up to INR 150-200 per meal.

Day 4 : Kalpokhari to Sandakphu (6kms)

The last and final day when you reach the summit is the most thrilling experience of the trek. The air starts to become lighter and the altitude higher as you walk forward. Start the trek early on this day so that you can reach Sandakphu as early as possible and have the entire day to relax. Even though the distance seems to be only 6 kms, it takes about 2 hours to cover the same. The last bit of the stretch is really steep and if you are trekking during winters, there is a possibility you will have to walk through snow on the metaled road, making the trail super slippery. 

After a 6 kms walk, you will finally reach Sandakphu, the trekkers paradise, situated right between India and Nepal, offering glaring views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. You can either stay at the Nepal side, where there are many hotels or walk another 1.5 kms further to reach the accommodations in India’s side. 

Do not miss on trying Tongba , a millet beer which will keep you warm on the chilly night. You can also try this on the other nights in Tumling and Kalpokhari. You can also try the rhododendron wines, for a change.

In Sandakphu, there are trekkers huts as well as budget private rooms. One of the best accommodations of the area is Sherpa Chalet . Sherpa Chalet offers rooms with shared washrooms as well as private washrooms which are a bit on the expensive side ( INR 4500 for triple bedded accommodation and INR 6000 for four bedded accommodation which includes dinner and breakfast). 

Day 5 : Sandakphu to Sepi

Wake up before sunrise on the fourth day to witness the first light fall on the Sleeping Buddha Range. It is an enchanting sight that you will never witness elsewhere. The Sleeping Buddha range comes to life with the sunrays falling on it. During winters, Sandakphu transforms itself to a winter wonderland. The chilly winds and gleaming sunrays weave together to give the trekkers an unforgettable experience.

You can choose to start the walk a bit late on the day you are going to descend down to Sepi . Start your walk around 9 am and you will reach Gurdum by 1pm. The downward hike takes you through a well demarcated trail with bamboo forests, pine trees on both sides. Ask your guide to arrange for lunch at Gurdum. The lunch will cost about INR 200 per person. Another 2 hours of walk from Gurdum will reach you to Srikhola. Many trekkers choose Srikhola as their night halt but 1 km further down is a beautiful village called Sepi which is a good choice for a stopover on the last night. 

Relax in Sepi and enjoy around a bonfire. Ask your homestay owner to arrange for a barbecue and they will be happy to take your request.

Pritam Homestay is a budget friendly homestay right on the main road. The prices are about INR 700 per person which includes your stay, snacks and dinner. 

You can ask the host at your Homestay to book you a seat at the shared vehicle that goes to Siliguri. The first vehicle would leave at around 5:30am. You’d need to pay INR 600 for a seat in a shared Tata Sumo to reach Siliguri from Sepi. It takes about 5 hours for this journey so make sure your flight/train is scheduled post 3 pm to avoid risking the situation.

Take an e-rickshaw or auto from Siliguri Junction to the airport or railway station.

If you have a morning or afternoon flight, it is advisable to stay over in Siliguri for a day and book your flight the next day. The traffic conditions are uncertain in mountain roads and you’d never want to miss your flight.

Recommendation for accommodation in Siliguri : Mulaqat BnB

Sandakphu Itinerary – In Brief

Day 2 : Manebhanjan to Tumling

Day 3 : Tumling to Kalpokhari

Day 4 : Kalpokhari to Sandakphu

Day 7 : Fly Out from Bagdogra

Sandakphu Trek is accessible throughout the year except for the monsoon months. Each season has its own charm. The spring season that spans through April and mid May is when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom , making the trail look picture perfect. If you are lucky, you might even experience snowfall like we did in end April. October and November are known to be the months that offer best views of the snow capped Himalayan peaks. The skies are blue and clear, making the scenery look dreamy. Winter months, again are known for the snowy trail . Snow covers the entire trail, starting right from Lamey Dhura. If you are not an experienced trekker, it is advisable not to go during winters.

• Carry enough cash. There are no ATMs even in Manebhanjan and the homestays do not have any provision for online payments except for a few places.
• It is advisable to carry dry fruits to keep you on the go but avoid carrying eatables with plastic packets. If you do, please carry the plastics back with you. 
• Carry enough paper napkins and newspapers. They come handy at many places.
• Always stay with your group and your guide . There have been cases when bears attacked men and injured them in the forests. The guides know every detail about the forest better than you and are equipped to deal with any emergency.
• Do not pluck the rhododendron flowers from the trees. If at al you need pictured with those, pick one from the ground and leave them there after you have taken a picture because you might be fined if caught with a rhododendron flower.
• Avoid littering the trail at any cost.

If treks in the North East Region interest you, you must definitely read about the Dzukou Valley Trek , an offbeat and enchanting trek in Nagaland.

To plan your travel to North East India , check these following itineraries:

• 15 Days in North East India
• A 7-Day Travel itinerary for Arunachal Pradesh
• Backpacking through Eastern Himalayas – 15 Day Travel Itinerary
• A 7-Day Travel itinerary for Meghalaya
• 10 Day Sikkim Travel Itinerary
• 7 Day Kolkata – Kurseong – Darjeeling Travel Itinerary

Hailing from the foothill town of Siliguri, Michelle takes keen interest in storytelling, through words and photographs. Having a home so close to the mountains is what she considers a gift. A law student and freelance content writer at present, she often takes time out to travel to the mountains and pen down her experiences. She believes in giving back to the community through volunteering in local projects and strongly supports community tourism.

9 thoughts on “How to plan the Sandakphu Trek on your own – A Complete DIY Trek Guide”

First of all, thank you for all the information you shared with us. surely this will help in our trekking plan. And one thing you didn’t mention here is the contact number of the Sherpa Chalet Lodge stay in Sandakphu. Please share this with us too.

Sandakphu trek seems interesting and amazing trek in Easter region. If I ever plan for Darjeeling, I would definitely visit sandakfu . Lovely post

Sandakphu is a great trekking option, often quite neglected. The views are great and trail is beautiful. This trek has different beauty in different season. There is another option to trek to Sandakphu – via Tonglu instead of Tumling. That is also an equally lovely trail. Did you visit Phalut, as well?

Sandakphu is a common trek from West Bengal. Though i have not done it yet , many of my friends have . However none of them have been able to provide such as comprehensive list of necessary information . Will surely come handy when i finally visit this peak .

Wow. This is such a great place that I haven’t heard about. Superb ya. Thanks for such detailed information. This will surely help when we plan something!

Sandakphu Trek seems so mesmerising and an experience in itself. Love the way you have detailed each step especially on how to connect with the hotels considering connectivity issue. Very informative blog

The Sandakphu trek looks to be a really amazing one that takes you right into the lap of nature. The best part is that it can be done almost throughout the year, and one can see the many avatars of the landscapes. The colourful rhododendrons are definitely one of major attractions to do this trek.

The stunning beauty of these forests are on every trekker’s mind when planning for a treks. The thick forests and beautiful landscapes, dense flora and fauna make it one of the favorite attractions of tourists and adventure seekers in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar and many other places — it is even used as the theme for movie “Black Rain”! If you want a unique experience of hiking up a mountain, this adventurous activity is best suited for outdoor lovers. A lot of people enjoy hiking because the nature they get a chance at it to take their heart to tears. Many people like hiking with friends who shares their experiences while hiking, so during our trip to Bhutan we took advantage of this opportunity, we hiked along the trail as well. But if your travel destination is somewhere else but Bhutan and this seems to be a too adventurous thing for you then, well yes, that’s a different matter we all know too! So here comes the plan that will surely take you to where you want you want to head. This will help you understand how one should go about planning for trekking or hiked on their own — the important factor being planning it is a different matter than it gets confusing while doing….

nice blog. .Go beyond the norms, break the typical STEREOTYPE mindset that says you need someone to explore the world. TRAVEL SOLO , get on a backpacking trip to the mountains , challenge yourself, you only live once!!

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When it comes to trekking in West Bengal, one of the most popular names that come up is the Sandakphu trek. Boasting spectacular views of the world's highest peaks from Nepal to Bhutan and all the way up to Tibet, Sandakphu is your one-stop trek that covers all major 8000ers in the Himalayan region. Sandakphu, trek height is 3,636 m/11,926 ft. It is West Bengal's highest point in the District of Darjeeling. Sandakphu trek best time is March to May (flowering time) and October to December. (January & February - peak winter or snowing time).

The major difference between the Sandakphu trek and the Sandakhphu + Phalut trek is the extra day's trek to Phalut top and Gorkhey which is not included in the regular Sandakphu trek itinerary. 

A wondrous adventure for nature lovers

The Sandakphu trek route trails along the Singalila Ridge and into the Singalila National park. You can expect to find charming wildlife along this patch which may be of interest to naturists. The birds, animals and even the flora found on this trail are extremely diverse and incredibly fascinating to explore. Some of the exquisite species you can expect are - Red Panda, flowers such as Rhododendrons, Magnolias in all hues and shades.  

Views of the mighty giants

Undoubtedly one of the reasons The  Sandakphu trek  is super famous is because of the front row seats you get to view the world's highest mountains. The spectacular panoramic view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Janu, Chamlang, Baruntse, and Mt. Kanchenjunga is what you get to see when you do this trek. Need more reason to do this trek? You also get to see the famous Sleeping Buddha, a stretch of peaks in Sikkim that have been formed as a Buddha sleeping peacefully. You can also clearly get a glimpse of Mt. Kanchenjunga massif from the Sandakphu trek! 

Dreamy villages along the trail

Ever dreamt of running away and settling in one of those peaceful villages with a nice small hut and smoke coming out of a chimney? Well, the villages of Samanden and Gorkhey are just that. Not to mention, when you set your eyes on them you'll feel like you're looking at a quaint wallpaper. With small patches of pine trees, wooden huts, small farmlands, you'll definitely fall in love and want to stay back here. Tucked away from civilization, this will reintroduce you to a simpler, minimalistic life that we all dream of. 

Long trails that reach the horizon

Ever thought of long roads that you can see for kilometres? Well, imagine that but in the mountains. The Sandakphu trek gives you long-distance views as far as the eyes can see. You'll notice the clouds touching the horizon and the sun setting below you. Now that's a trek we wouldn't want you to miss!

You get to be in two countries at the same time! 

Ever heard of this saying before? Due to its extremely close proximity to Nepal and no actual border, you keep going back and forth from India to Nepal making you tick Nepal off your bucket list. You end up camping in India, having dinner in Nepal or vice versa. The only way you'll know when you've passed a border is an old pillar that marks the borders along the trail. Now isn't that interesting?

To check out Sandakphu trek cost, click here .

• Incredible view of the world's highest peaks in a panoramic layout including Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and may more
• Comfortable stay at Tea houses and huts or homestays all along the trail
• Opportunity to interact with the locals and understand their culture
• Picture-perfect villages along the trail
• Chance to see Himalayan Red Panda!
• Explore the diverse flora of the Singalila National Park which include Rhododendrons and Magnolias
• Sightseeing in Darjeeling. 

You need more information?

• Day 1 - Arrival at Bagdogra (IXB) & transfer to Mane Bhanjang 
• Day 2 - Trek to Tumling from Mane Bhanjang
• Day 3 - Trek to Kalapokhri from Tumling
• Day 4 - Trek to Sandakphu from Kalapokhri
• Day 5 - Trek to Srikhola from Sandakphu
• Day 6 - Travel to Darjeeling
• Day 7 - Sightseeing in Darjeeling
• Day 8-  Departure from Darjeeling to home city

Sandakphu Trek Itinerary:

Day 1: mane bhanjang.

Travel Distance:  80+ km Time Taken:  3-4 hr Altitude:  1928 m / 6,325 ft Accommodation:  Hotel/Lodge stay Meals Included:  Dinner at the Hotel/Lodge

Today you arrive in Bagdogra and you are driven to Maneybhanjang where you will rest and get acclimatized to the altitude. 

Day 2: Tumling

Trek Distance:  13 km Time Taken:  5-6 hr Altitude:  2,970 m / 9,744 ft Accommodation:  Hotel/Lodge stay Meals Included:  Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks, and dinner

You have an early breakfast today and complete all required formalities to enter the Singalila National Park. Once you do that, you start your trek towards Tumling. The sandakphu trek route here is steep with a short trail to Chittrey. You keep climbing for one and half hours from Chittrey and reach a small village called Meghma. The trail from Meghma flattens out and is relatively easy. From Meghma it is a two-hour-long easy walk to the village of Tumling. You arrive in Tumling and rest for the day. 

Day 3: Kalipokhri

Trek Distance:  12 km Time Taken:  6-7 hr Altitude:  3,186 m / 10,453 ft Accommodation:  Hotel/Lodge stay Meals Included:  Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks, and dinner

On day 3, you will see that your trek is relatively easy as you walk majorly on flat ground, your destination being Singalila National Park check post. But before you start your trek, you must make sure you don't miss out on the beautiful sunrise from your campsite. The sleeping Buddha gets drenched in early morning sun rays gleams sublime across the sky. If you're lucky and if the skies are clear, this is a perfect opportunity to see the entire Kanchenjunga range and the mighty Mt. Kanchenjunga Peak along with Kumbhakarna and Shimbo peaks in the background. You also get a good glimpse of the  Goechala trek  somewhere along the trail, one of the popular Himalayan treks in Sikkim. 

We start the trek with a walk to Singalila National Park check post. From here we cross over into Nepal through a motor road and reach Gairibas, via Jaubair, both villages in Nepal. Garibas is approx 5 km from Tumling.

You'll notice that Gairibas is a small village with a few hotels and guesthouses on the Nepal side. Towards the right-hand side is India with its SSB camp and the Singalila National Park Entry check post. You will take a break here to pay the entry fee to enter the Singalila National Park to proceed with the trek.   

Once you take a break and are ready to trek again, you start proceeding towards Kaiyakatta which is 2 Km from Gairibas. The trail to Kaiyakatta includes a 1.5 Km steep climb with steps that have been cut out into the mountain for trekkers. Once you reach the top, you will have to descend for about 10 minutes and you will reach Kaiyakatta. This is where you will break for some hot lunch. 

Your final destination of Kalipokhri is about 4 Km from Kaiyakatta. And from Kaiyakatta you take the motor road, vehicles are not allowed to pass through this stretch. You will encounter various species of birds on this trail and after 1.5-2 hours of trek you will reach a lake which is surrounded by Buddhist Prayer flags. This is your destination for the day Kalipokhri which loosely translates to black lake. You'll see a beautiful Buddhist temple on the other end of the lake and this is where you would be standing on the border between India and Nepal. 

You'll hike a little further from the Black lake to where your tea house is located. Spend the night at the tea house.

Day 4: Sandakphu

Trek Distance:  7 km Time Taken:  3-4 hr Altitude:  3,636 m / 11,930 ft Accommodation:  Hotel/Lodge stay Meals Included:  Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks, and dinner

The trek on Day 4 to Sandakphu is relatively shorter as compared to the previous day's treks, however, you gain an incredible altitude in one day which is why trekkers need to be sufficiently fit for this trek. The trail today starts off with a gradual ascent for about 30 minutes which is then followed by a steep climb for about one hour post that you trek on a motor road. This whole stretch is about 6 Km long 

Once you reach the flat road of Bikheybhanjang you'll get a good glimpse of the Sandakphu summit which is about 4 Km ahead. The route is a good zig-zag trail all the way up.

After about an hour-long climb, you start seeing the huts and teahouses and Sandakphu on the horizon. You continue trekking to the summit from this point, you get a splendid 180° view of Sleeping Buddha and other highest peaks in the world such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamling, Chomolonzo, Machapucchare, extending to the Annapurna family of peaks broadening out to the West. You stay overnight at a teahouse/hotel today. 

Day 5: Srikhola

Trek Distance:  16 km Time Taken:  4-5 hr Altitude:  2,103 m / 6,900 ft Accommodation:  Hotel/Lodge stay Meals Included:  Breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks, and dinner

On Day 5, the last day of the trek, you trek from Sandakphu to Srikhola to Gurdum which is a picture-perfect tiny village and valley surrounded by dense forests. From Gurdum you will reach Srikhola in about 2 hours. Srikhola also known as Sirikhola is a place named after a mountain stream which also has the same name (the word khola means stream). You stay overnight at Srikhola. 

Day 6: Darjeeling

Travel Distance:  60+ km Time Taken:  3 hr Altitude:  2,042 m / 6,699 ft Accommodation:  3-star hotel stay Meals Included:  Breakfast at the Hotel/Lodge

On Day 6 you travel to Darjeeling from Srikhola.

You reach Darjeeling and check into a 3-star hotel and stay the night there. 

Day 7: Darjeeling

Altitude:  2,042 m / 6,699 ft Accommodation:  3-star hotel stay Meals Included:  Breakfast at the Hotel

On Day 7 you wake up leisurely and go sightseeing to some of the touristy spots in Darjeeling - Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Himalayan Zoo, Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee Centre, Japanese Temple, and Peace Pagoda. 

You stay the night in Darjeeling. 

Day 8: Darjeeling

Travel Distance:  70+ km Time Taken:  3 hr

Day 8 is when your Sandakphu trek comes to an end. You will be transferred to Bagdogra Airport from here you will take flight back to your home town. 

If you are interested in sandakphu trek booking, click here !

Trek Insurance

Trekking in the Himalayas comes with its own set of risks. While adventure is fun and can be extremely thrilling, nature can be unpredictable, and to help secure you during your trek, it is of utmost importance that you are covered with insurance.

We've gone a step ahead and made sure that you don't have to worry about scouting for the best insurance option out there. When you trek with us, your insurance comes as a part of your inclusions.  To know more about the benefits covered and sum insured, click here .

Risk and Liability 

We will endeavour to make your program smooth and as pleasant as possible. However, the entire course of trekking depends on the ranges of the mighty mountains, physical health, and environmental conditions. Therefore, TrekNomads shall not be responsible for any changes in the itineraries due to unavoidable circumstance and natural disasters such as landslide, road blockage, flood, snowing, cancellation of flight and delay, any types of sickness including altitude sickness

Fitness Criteria

High-altitude/Himalayan treks require every participant to maintain a certain form of physical fitness that will help them trek with ease. A good fitness regime followed by a healthy diet can help you get fit for a Himalayan/high-altitude trek. However, it is advised that you consult with your doctor and then participate in a Himalayan/high-altitude trek.

• Begin your training about 6 weeks before your departure
• Focus on building your stamina through Aerobics, Running, Stair Climbing, Swimming or Cycling about 3 - 4 times a week
• Build your core strength with resistance training through Squats, Lunges, Hip Hinging, Step Ups, Planks at least 3- 4 times a week
• Work on developing a breathing rhythm and expanding your lung capacity with deep breathing and Yoga
• As your trek approaches, head out on smaller treks to help you acclimatise yourself
• Don't miss out on exercising if you can help it, even a 30-minute workout regime followed religiously can take you a long way.

Do’s and Don’ts:

• We believe in leaving the mountains in a better condition, which is why we follow a no-litter policy on our treks. Each trekker will have to bring back the waste that is created during the trek.
• Trekking is best enjoyed when you’ve worn comfortable clothes. Try and avoid wearing Jeans, bright colours and heavy apparels as much as possible.
• A lighter backpack always helps you have a better trek, try and carry just as much as needed.
• Always be in sight of your trek lead, if you feel the need to stop for any reason at all, please keep the trek lead informed.
• If you do come across any reptiles, animals or even insects during the trek, please keep your calm and let it patiently pass by. Any kind of noise and panic will scare them as well.
• Do not venture out into the forest/waterfalls on your own as it may be dangerous.
• Trekking is a good adventure, having said that, it is our primary responsibility to take good care of ourselves and be compassionate towards fellow trekkers
• If, at any point, during the trek, you feel uneasy or unwell, please inform the trek lead immediately
• Tune in to the sounds of nature while on a trek and avoid carrying speakers or playing music during the course of the trek
• To help you enjoy the trek to the fullest, we avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol, and other intoxicants during the course of the trek

What is included in the tour

• Airport pick up and drop from Bagdogra Airport
• Transportation from Srikhola to Darjeeling in a private vehicle
• Vehicle for sightseeing at Darjeeling (Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Himalayan Zoo, Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee Centre, Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda)
• 2 nights 3-star hotel stay with breakfast at Darjeeling
• 5 nights hotel/lodge/homestay stays during the trek days
• Accommodation on a double/triple sharing basis
• National Park Entry Permit Fee, Guide Fee & Driver Bata
• Standard vegetarian food for breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner during trek days
• 8 days trekking with an experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek guide and assistant trek guide (Number of guides depending on the group size)
• 1 Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader
• Insurance, meals, transportations daily salary of guide & porter
• Basic First aid Kit 
• Personal accident insurance
• All government, local taxes and service charges
• TrekNomads Fee, Trek Captain support and expertise
• Personalised Dri-Fit T-Shirt 
• TrekNomads goodies

What is NOT included in the tour

• The cost to reach Bagdogra and back
• Personal trekking gear
• Tips for guide, chef, porter, etc (calculated per person)
• Excess baggage charges, if it exceeds 10 kg
• Local sightseeing and entrance fee, camera fee, etc
• Mineral water or any type of soft drinks
• Hot water for shower, etc, during the trek 
• Extra meals apart from inclusions
• Food during travel
• Lunch and dinner at Darjeeling 3-star hotel stay
• Any other expenses incurred apart from inclusions
• Any other tickets like toy train, cable car, etc.
• All personal, medical, evacuation and emergency expenses like extra day stay or vehicle charges due to delays, landslides, evacuation

Altitude Map:

• Mane Bhanjang: 1,928 m / 6,325 ft
• Tumling: 2,970 m / 9,744 ft
• Kala Pokhri: 3,186 m / 10,453 ft
• Sandakphu: 3,636 m / 11,930 ft
• Gorkhey: 2,347 m / 7,700 ft
• Srikhola: 2,103 m / 6,900 ft
• Darjeeling: 2,042 m / 6,699 ft

Other Details:

• Trek Gradient: Easy to Moderate
• Trek Distance: 45+ Km
• Assembling Point: Bagdogra/Mane Bhanjang
• Average Temperature: Minimum winter temperature: −4°C to −8°C. / Minimum summer temperature: 5°C to 20°C
• Travel Distance: 200+ Km
• Best Months to trek: March to May (flowering time) and October to December. (January & February - peak winter or snowing time)

Sandakphu Trek FAQs

Where does the sandakphu trek start.

First, you arrive in Bagdogra. Next, you transfer to Manebhanjan, from wheresandakphu trekking starts.

How challenging is the Sandakphu trek?

The sandakphu trekking is considered to be an easy to moderately complex trek. Although many external factors, such as sudden weather changes and natural calamities, may make the sandakphu trek challenging.

Is acclimatization essential in Sandakphu Trek?

Yes, it is crucial that you get good rest to acclimatize because you will be gradually trekking to an elevation as high as 3,200 m (10,500 ft). At Sandakphu altitude, you require acclimatization.

Which mountains will I get to see on the Sandakphu trek?

You get an incredible view of 4 of the five world's highest peaks in a panoramic layout. Mt. Everest, Mt. Kangchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu can be seen from the Sandakphu trek.

How much distance will be covered in the Sandakphu trek?

Sandakphu trek distance covers 45 to 50km.

What is the temperature like on the Sandakphu trek?

The minimum winter sandakphu temperature is observed to be as low as −8°C. The minimum summer sandakphu temperature could be anywhere between 5°C to 20°C. Sandakphu trek best time is supposed to be mainly in winters.

What is the best time to take the Sandakphu trek?

March to May (flowering time) and October to December. (January & February - peak winter or snowing time) is supposed to be sandakphu trek best time. On sandakphu trek Darjeeling can also be visited. Darjeeling to sandakphu distance is 26.4km. The best time to visit sandakphu is peak winter.

Can I opt for single-sharing accommodation on the Sandakphu trek?

Yes, you can opt for single-sharing accommodation at an additional cost. You can customize your trek at your convenience. If you are a solo trekker looking for single housing, the same can be conveyed to us at the time of booking, and the revised cost as per your new accommodation will be shared with you.

I want to extend/decrease the number of days of the Sandakphu trek. Can I do that?

Customization shall be done only if the group size is five people or more . We create customized trekcation experiences which means that while we have set departures, we keep your time in mind too. If you wish to reduce/increase the number of days in your departure, the same can be discussed and done upon request and at an additional cost.

What should I carry on the Sandakphu trek?

We will share a detailed checklist of all equipment and essential items you would need to carry on the Sandakphu trek once you register. If you need assistance in buying/understanding what to buy for the trek, our team will be happy to help you.

I have motion sickness. How can I cope with the travel?

Don't worry. You're not alone. A lot of trekkers have motion sicknesses. There are a few simple tricks to prevent this:

Take any motion sickness-stopping tablet an hour before the journey starts. Consult your doctor before taking any medication.

Sit at the window seat in the vehicle and avoid sitting on aisle seats. Preferably sit in the first two seats at the front.

Avoid eating heavy fried food before travel. Eat light. This helps keep motion sickness at bay.

Avoid reading a book or reading something on your Kindle while traveling. Instead, listen to music or use this time to catch up on some sleep.

Avoid drinking alcohol (during or before the trip), and avoid smoking or any kind of toxications during the trip and trek.

Do I need to carry a medical kit?

Our trek lead/captain will carry a basic first aid kit. We recommend that you carry your medication and consult your doctor on the medicines you are required to take for the trek.

Do you practice responsible trekking on your treks?

We do not allow plastic on our treks; this means that we do not provide plastic bags, bottles, or even lunch boxes on our treks. You will have to carry your own lunch box, water bottle, and cutlery that you will use during the trek. Not only does this help you go plastic-free it also helps prevent litter.

Will there be an A.T.M. on the Sandakphu trek route?

You will not find any A.T.M.s on the Sandakphu trekking route, not even at Manebhanjan. The closest atm you may find is at Sukhiapokhri. Sandakphu height in feet is 3,200 m (10,500 ft) where there are no ATMs available.

What is the Nearest railway station for the Sandakphu trek?

New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station to Sandakphu.

What is the Nearest airport for Sandakphu Trek?

Bagdogra airport is the nearest airport to Sandakphu trek. It is located in Siliguri, which is around 100 km from Darjeeling.

What types of stays/accommodations will be available on the Sandakphu trek?

Comfortable stay at Tea houses and huts or home stays will be available all along the trail.

Is a good cellular network available on this Sandakphu trek?

You may get weak signals from Airtel and Vodafone on the Sandakphu trek.

What is the altitude of Sandakphu trek?

Altitude of Sandakphu trek is approximately 3,200 m (10,500 ft).

Will there be toilets/restrooms on the Sandakphu Trek?

Bio-toilets will be set up along each campsite. A bio-toilet has a deep pit where one can answer nature's call.

Do get in touch with us for Sandakphu trek package and Sandakphu trek cost details. 

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How to do the Sandakphu Trek on Your Own

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Category Trek FAQs

By Akshay Upreti

Want to do a trek without any trek company? Say yes to Sandakphu Trek!  Sandakphu is a good trek to start trekking on your own. You have reliable sources around the area to take shelter or to have a cup of tea. In addition, one of the strong points of this trek is its connectivity with roads. Unlike the treks of Himachal and Uttarakhand, you won’t be feeling isolated. Therefore, the Sankaphu trek is not risky. However, this trek is not to be done entirely on your own. According to the rule, it's mandatory to take a guide always, this could be a bummer, but it will help you, especially if you are doing this for the first time.

How to get a guide 

Guide charges as of 2020: Approx Rs 1000

1. Mane Bhanjang : Mane Bhanjang is a small village surrounded by a few shops. This route for trekking is active and popular. There is an association of Land Rover Owners; from there, people can also book cars for their trips. There are two guide associations in the small market of Mane Bhanjang; its setup is like an arcade. You can find association offices on the right and left sides of the road. Approaching them is easy, you have to explain your requirements, like the date and time of your trek, and your guide will be allocated.

Your trek will start from Mane Bhanjang, after crossing Tumling and Kaliphokri, you will reach Sandakphu, and then you can choose your exit point.

2. Srikhola: This route is three hours drive from Mane Bhanjang.Unlike Mane Bhanjang, this route is less crowded and doesn't have connectivity with the roads. So, you won't see many people moving around in a car on this route. 

The route to Srikhola is through Rimbick, a crowded place similar to Mane Bhanjang, the distance between Srikhola and Rimbick is 40 mins. You can buy essentials and also approach a guide in Rimbick. However, there is only one Guide Association in Rimbick called Rimbick Tours and Associations; from there, you can get in touch with a person who can assign you a guide. But, nobody usually prefers this route for trekking because it's not very popular or active.

Take this route if you wish to do the Sandakphu-Phalut trek on your own.

Things to remember when you are looking for a guide 

Registration of guides with associations as per their location, and the forest division office is essential. The range officer will have the list of registered guides of Maneybhanjan and Rimbick. You should remember the following things while looking for a guide:

• The guide should be registered with the association and the forest division office

How to obtain the permit 

The entire trek runs in Singalila National Park. You will have to pay for the following:

• For yourself 

Two approaches for the payment 

1. Pay it concurrently: There is a forest office in Maneybhanjan near the entrance of the National Park; over there you will get all the permits.

2 . Pay on the go: Once you enter the National Park, you will come across different forest beat offices; you can take the permits for each day.

In detail, there is no fee for Mane Bhanjang to Tumling because you are not in the National Park yet; however, when you go towards Kalipokhri from Tumling, after a 10 min walk, you will reach a forest beat office from where you get your necessary permits. There are two separate fees for visitation and Camping.

• For Indian Citizens: Between Rs 120 to 150 per trekker per day, for tents: Between 100 to 150 rupees, and for mules: 400 rupees.
• For foreigners: Per trekker per day: Rs 400

Our Suggestion 

Since the trek moves in and out of the Singalila National Park, we recommend getting permission daily at each forest check-post, based on the route you choose every day.

What to expect while trekking on your own

You can find many tea houses during your Sandakphu trek. Those are the homes of the people, they provide lodging as well as food. So, it is like a hotel, but the setup is more intimate. Also, during your trek, you will come across many spots for having lunch or snacks. 

Advantages of Sandakphu trek

1. Evacuation is easier compared to any other trek. If you want to discontinue the trek, you can with the help of people around the place. However, getting a car will be expensive

2. Good connectivity with roads. 

3. Not an isolated trek; you can always reach out to people. 

4. Safer than any other trek 

Expected Expenditure 

1. The only concern in this trek is the guide. The cost for a guide till 2020 was 1000 rupees.

2. The six days of trekking would include the following places: Tumling, Kalipokhri, Caral, Sabalgram, Samande, and at last, Rimbick. So, the cost for the guide would be 6000 rupees for six days. 

3. Stay in tea houses at Tumbling, Kalipokhri, Caral, Sabalgram, and Samande for  five days. However, there are no tea houses in Sabalgram; you can see a small forest office and a room office. The in-charge of the office permits people to stay there, he charges 500 per day for the room and provides basic snacks.

4. The charge for the remaining four days would be 800-1000 per day If you reach at a tea-house during the evening and leave by breakfast. So, 800 rupees for four days would be 3200 rupees. You will have lunch on the way and at least one snack each day, costing around Rs 1000. So, the following is the cost breakdown of guide, stay, and accommodation:

1. Guide: Rs 6000

2. Stay at four places: Rs 3200

3. Lunch and snacks on the way: Rs 1000

4. Sabalgram stay: Rs 700-800  

Therefore, the total budget would be around Rs 10,900. 

One more add-on to the cost is the permission. The charge for the permission is 150 rupees. You will have to take a permit for four days. You have to take permits for Kalipokhri, Caral, Sabargram and Samanden. Therefore, the cost for four days' permission would be 600 rupees. So, your total cost would be Rs 11,600. 

This trek is more expensive compared to other DIY treks; however, I would like to recommend this trek for people who like to trek on their own but have no idea about it, because this trek is safer and you will feel more secure. 

When NOT to do the Sandakphu trek on your own 

From Mid-December to Mid-January, as it's near Christmas and new year, the place will be crowded. So, during this time, many people from Darjeeling and Nepal come to this site to spend their holidays. Due to that, there will be a shortage of tea house accommodations. Also, the cost of tea houses will be much higher than in other seasons, and the quality of hospitality will also be affected.

Key takeaways:

1. Always take a guide, and don't forget to look for their registered ID card. 

2. Choose the popular route, as that would be safer. 

3. We recommend getting permissions daily at each forest check-post, based on the route you choose daily.

4. Avoid doing this trek from December mid to Jan mid, as it will be challenging to find a place to stay.  

So, What are you waiting for?! Pack your bags and go one step ahead in the world of trekking and explore it on your own.

If this is the first time you are doing a high-altitude trek and do not want to do it on your own, Indiahikes organises the Sandakphu Phalut trek.

Check out the Sandakphu Phalut trek

Akshay Upreti

Trek Leader

About the author

Akshay Upreti has been a Trek Leader with Indiahikes for over an year. He is a computer science engineer who has found his way to the unchartered trails of Himalayas, away from the comfortable life in a city. Akshay is from Delhi. But he is a pahadi at heart with his ancestral roots in Nainital. A couple of years ago, while working with a leading MNC, he realised it’s his dream to work in tandem with nature. This dream led him to Indiahikes. Gradually, he expanded this vision by wanting to connect people with their true self. Adding to it, his strong leadership and communication skills pushed him to take trek leading as a career. Akshay hasn’t looked back since then. Till now Akshay has led 28 batches to various treks like Hampta pass, Bhrigu Lake, Sandakphu, Goumukh Tapovan. As a Trek Leader, Akshay strongly believes in sustainability and sees himself as a future outdoor educator. Trekking with Akshay can be a life-changing experience. He recently handled a severe AMS case at 14,000 feet. This has strengthened his drive for safety practices. His intelligence and attention to detail makes him a valuable team player at Indiahikes.

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Sandakphu Trek Or By Car: Know From Team That Goes Each Year

Sandakphu: close down to the highest peaks of the world.

Sandakphu is an amazing destination at the edge of Singalila National Park in West Bengal, near the Indo-Nepal border. The peak is the highest point of the state of West Bengal. Sandakphu used to be a trekkers paradise now it is fast gaining popularity among common travelers too. With the new roads being constructed till Gairibas which is almost half of the Sandakphu trek, it is becoming more accessible. We believe with more and more tourists coming in Sandakphu stands to gain a lot more popularity across the country. It is not easy to ignore what’s on offer from nature here.

Sandakphu: A surreal Visual Delight

The small hamlet of Sandakphu actually stays above the normal clouds level. This is why Sandakphu offers uninhibited sighting of 4 top Peaks in the world, almost throughout the year. One can experience the magnificent broad range of snow-capped peaks.

In between Mt. Lhotse( 8516 m) and Makalu (8463m), the fourth and fifth highest peaks, we can see Mount Everest (8848 m) in the full glory. On the other side, we can see a congregation of smaller peaks with Mount Kanchenjunga (8586m), the third highest peak in the world. The mountain formation is famous as “Sleeping Buddha” as the appearance resembles the head, face, upper body, and feet of the sage Lord Buddha.

The blue sky and the green forests topped with snow-covered mountains and freezing weather create a surrealistic atmosphere here. This small hamlet was always a beautiful spot, but lesser known in the British period. Since that time, the road was the sole connection with the outer world. There were tea gardens around this place and the planters used Land Rover cars to go in the hilly terrains since 1930.

Sakdakphu and the Famous Old Land Rovers:

The locals re-purposed these multi-terrain vehicles as commercial local transport to Sandakphu from Manebhanjan. The roads are almost non-exiting, as it is mainly a trekking route. Only these 1960s make old Land Rovers mostly driven in Kerosin oil instead of Deisel can take the trouble of plying through these so-called roads.

The hilly roads wind across the mountain through the canopy of the forest. India and Nepal are two countries on a very friendly term and this is reflected in this region too. There is no clear international boundary on the road and it passes through both the countries, like Jaubari or Tumling, both of these villages lie in Nepal and on the road to Sandakphu.

However very recently Govt. made new roads until Gasiribas covering a whole host of trekking rest points namely Manebhanjan, Chitre, Meghma, and Tumling. This makes it easy for both travelers who want to trek or wants to go by car. So, as of now almost half of the trekking route is motorable. That’s quite a sigh of relief for the lazy travelers who is not a trekking enthusiast.

There are some magnificent trek routes that run around this place. The long trekking route never feels tiring for the beauty of nature, the flora, and fauna as well as the melodious song of the rare birds along the way. It is a memory that you will cherish all your life. The adventurous trekkers prefer to go by foot from Manebhanjan which is the gateway into this natural haven on the ridge.

Sandakphu Height

Sandakphu is the highest peak in West Bengal and one of the tallest points in India too. The peak lies at a height of 11930 feet or 3636 meters from mean sea level. The average height of the base camp is around 6400 feet or 1951 meters. It gradually increases from thereafter.

Sandakphu Weather

Summer months in Sandakphu is comfortable with an average temperature around 10-15 degree Celsius. There is little to no precipitation in this time. Though in nights temperature can go down up to 4-degree centigrade here.

In the monsoon time, the lower parts and the road ( Like Chitre, Meghma, Tumling Etc.) to the place receive heavy rainfall. Minimum and maximum Temperature vary between 4-7 degree centigrade on the lower side and 13-17 degree centigrade on the maximum side in monsoon.

In winter, the temperature goes well beyond freezing point and it receives heavy snowfall. From the last part of December to February, the peaks and the surrounding area remains covered in snow. In January, you will find snow on the trekking route from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu. In winters Temperature varies between -5 degree to 10 degrees on Celsius scale.

After the monsoon ends in September, October weather is pleasant. The sky remains clear in the day with chilly nights.

In early December, snowfall starts with a sudden fall in temperature. The sky remains cloudy for days before it happens, and a high wind starts to blow, which is not suitable to stay in the tents. After the snow-fall, if the sun comes out, the weather becomes very pleasant. Although, there is the chance of slipping in the melting or fresh snow while trekking in narrow roads bordered with stones. Hence, you should take proper precaution and pack all the necessary gears if you looking for a snow trek.

Sandakphu Temperature

In the following table, we can see the temperature range in degree Celsius for this region throughout the year:

Sandakphu: Best time to visit

It is a small trekking village. Pollution and other ill-effects of civilization have little or no impact on this place. Fresh air and green forest welcome you in here throughout the year. All the seasons come with their full glory and unique beauty.

In late spring and summer, from the months of April to June, the weather is pleasant and the temperature(as seen in the table above) stays over freezing point. The flowering trees are in full bloom, the Rhododendron flowers redden the hill, and chirping of the songbirds accompany you across the trails. It is a nice time to go for a hike in the nearby trails into forests. Flowering in the Singalila Range of mountains adds extra color to the journey towards Sandakphu.

The next high season is from October to December. This shows the true magic of Sandakphu, with sunny days and chilly nights. The temperature may go below the freezing point, with frequent snowfall. The snowy roads make for a great trekking experience.

If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can opt to go in January, when the temperature dips below zero degree and the roads may be closed due to knee-deep snow layers. The electricity might get cut and drinking water will be scarce, but the beauty of this place will compensate for all of this.

The silent night under a starry sky canvas will enchant you. If you are a non-risk taking traveler, avoid visiting this place in monsoon and also peak winters. Heavy rain haunts the roads to Sandakphu and landslide occurs. The cars have to go slow through the muddy roads and the wheels skid even then. The verdure forest and smell of the fresh leaves draw out the adventure lovers even in this season though.

Sandakphu Hotels:

There are a few hotels for the night stay in and around Sandakphu and in the night stay locations on the way for the trek. While none of them provides luxury, the comfort offered varies from the budget and location of the property. Magnolia Lodge in Gairibas offers basic food and lodging. Sherpa Chalet Lodge offers a pretty comfortable stay and nice food in a homely ambiance, along with a great 360° view. Chewang Lodge in Kalipokhri is another great option, in the budget segment with friendly owners. You can get hot water served in your room in a bucket for a few bucks.

They also provide firewood if needed in the room or for a bonfire. Most of the properties include food and lodging options as travelers do not like to go out to eat in the chilly nights.

Do not expect great levels of service or amenities any of the hotels on this trip. The void though gets filled by the heartfelt hospitality of the earthen people here.

We have tied up with the best hotels and homestays in the place and in different stopovers to Sandakphu, which we offer in our package ( described later in the post).

How to go to Sandakphu: A Detailed Guide

Sandakphu is known more as a trekking destination, however, if you are lazy enough to trek we have a car package for you too. With the construction of new roads now the journey will not be bumpy and even kids and elderly can make it Sandakphu now without much hassle.

To go to Sandakphu you got to come to Shiliguri first. You can reach here from your city either by train ( You reach New Jalpaiguri Station) or by Air ( You got to reach Bagdogra Airport). From here onwards we can make all the arrangements for you.

We have great packages for both trekking and the car route. In the following part, we will elaborate about 3 different routes that you can probably take.

Completely by car

Trekking all the way, one side trek, one side by a car, 1. sandakphu by car :.

Once you reach Shiliguri, our representative will be there to take you to the car. Then the car will leave for Manebhanjan. The first stopover towards our destination.

It will take you around 3.5- 4 hours to reach Manebhanjan from New Jalpaiguri railway station or from Bagdogra airport with a few stopovers. Manebhanjan is around 85kms away from New Jalpaiguri town.

Manebhanjan is a small town where the trekking or car journey starts towards Sandakphu. It’s a nice place among the pine forests, do not miss the opportunity to stay a night in our Jungle Lodge in Manebhanjan. This lodge is situated near a small gurgling river and will set your mood for Sandakphu.

Next day get up early and get ready for the journey after breakfast. Our car will take you through the mesmerizing route of Chitre, Meghma, Tumling, Gairibas to the Sandakphu peak. Take some small stopovers in these small villages while you enjoy photography, warm tea and casual chit chats with the locals. It will take you around 3-3.5 hours for you to reach the Peak. This time was considerably more before the new road.

Once you reach Sandakphu soak yourself in the crisp air and shining sunlight along with the magnificent view of the sleeping Buddha.

We have tied up with the best hotels here and you can choose according to your budget. However, as told before expect very basic amenities here. If you are looking for a luxurious resort here, you are probably in the wrong place. However, you will barely feel like staying in the hotel and you would love to explore the majestic views around the place. At night enjoy fire session with a barbeque with the fellow travelers.

You can customize your days of stay here.

Sandakphu to Phalut

The next destination will be Phalut. Phalut is the second highest peak in Singalila ridge after Sandakphu at an altitude of 11,811 ft. It is around 26-27 km away from Sandhaphu and it will take 1.5-2 hours in the car to reach the Phalut summit.

The journey from Sandakphu to Phalut is something that you will remember forever. With both Kanchenjunga and Everest range glaring on 2 sides of the road, it is a very humbling experience. Probably one of those moments when you realize why people say nature is god. Nature knows you are closing down to the highest points of the world and she has decked up to the occasion. Certainly heart melting, mind blowing experience.

Spend some time in the Phalut Summit before we begin our descent.

Your summit is over, however, while coming down you may want to spend a day at Tumling or you may want to stay a day in the ” Queen of Hills” Darjeeling. If you are in a really big hurry we can get you down to New Jalpaiguri, the same day.

Sandakphu trip by car can be done in a long weekend with 3n4d kind of short trip as well as in 6n7d kind of midsized holiday too.

We suggest you work out your customized plan with us by Enquiring Here .

Here are a few Great Places Close to Darjeeling which you can Club with your trip

As we go ourselves every year and send many people like you, we can probably fetch you the best price along with comfort and peace of mind. These places are not at all expensive.

2. Sandakphu trek:

There are a few different trekking routes in this region. Depending on the season, the physical fitness of the participants and the total number of allotted days, we can work out the Trek routes.

We will describe the most preferred route by travelers. This trip is not a hurried one and this gives travelers enough time to rest each day. Hence, suits a varied profile. However professional and expert trekkers can shorten the time considerably.

Day 1: Joubari

It starts from the base camp in an ethnic Sherpa village named Joubari, in the India-Nepal border. The road that leads to this place runs through lush green tea gardens and villages. At a height of 6400 ft. or 1951 meter, it is a good place to rest for the day and acclimatize.

Day 2: Tumling

The second day, the trek takes you to Tumling. Tumling is a small village and sits at a height of 9450 ft. or 2880 meter. It takes approximately 6 hours to reach this place. The trek is moderate, with a steeper climb for the initial part, followed by gradual ascent, some downward slope and level walks in the later part. You can start in the late morning or early afternoon, especially if you are going in the monsoon season.

The journey takes you through thick forest for the initial part. After the first initial climb, you can get a nice view of the village valley below. After that, the gradual climbs take you through a wild valley of flower that blooms in spring.

In the last part, often you have to walk around or on the motor roads, and find the occasional sight of cars carrying tourist to Sandakphu or Phalut. There are a number of nearby night stay options in both the India and Nepal side of the village. If the weather is free from fogs, you can see the “Sleeping Buddha” very well from here.

Day 3: Kalipokhri and Gairibas

On this day, you will need to trek to Kalipokhri, and the whole trail offers a magnificent mountain view. The final destination lies at a height of 10400 ft. or 3170 meters and it takes 5-6 hours to reach this place. After a gradual ascent, you reach Gairibas in a downward slope. After that, there is a steep ascent, followed by a level walk to the motor road.

At the start, the “Sleeping Buddha” and Mount Kanchenjungha welcomes you in the journey when the fog curtains are removed. You may go via the motor road, but the hiking trail is more scenic and passes through forest and verdure meadows.

Before Gairibas, there is a small hillock which shows the way ahead to Sandakphu. Take a break in Gairibas for the steep climb ahead, and pay the entry fee in the check post in here.

The road to Kalipokhri is actually on the Indo-Nepal border and it is a heaven for birdwatchers. The motor roads lead to Kalipokhri, which is a holy black lake here, and bathing in it is prohibited. There is a small Buddhist Monastery on the bank of the lake too.

Day 4: Sandakphu Summit

On the fourth day, you trek to the summit, the highest point and the destination of the trek, at a height of 11950 ft. or 3640 meters. It takes around 3 hours to reach the place. This moderate trek has gradual ascent for the first part, a steep ascent followed by a winding path by the motor road.

You will have the option to choose the route from Bikheybhanjang while gazing towards Sandakphu in front of you. One route goes by Nepal, takes more time but it is a gradual ascent. The shorter route zigzags up the hill with a steep ascent. Before entering Sandakphu, the two trails merge.

There are a few tea shops in here, along with the highly coveted 180-degree panoramic view of the great Himalayan peaks. In the west, you will find the Makalu, Lhotse, Chomo Lonzo, MachchiPucchare and Everest, the highest peak of the world.

In the front, you can see the Sleeping Buddha and the holy mountain Kanchenjungha. Three sister peaks lie in the northern direction and in the east, you can see Chomo Llhari, one of the highest peaks of Bhutan.

Only in this place, you may find a weak mobile network while the trail is entirely devoid of any cellular reception.

Day 5: Sabargram on the way to Phalut

On the fifth day, the descent begins. The trek is moderate because you have to cover a lot of ground, so you should start early too. The roads are rocky, and there are few ascents which are tough in monsoon season. On this day, you have to stay in Sabargram at night at a height of 11807 ft. or 3599 meters.

You can see a huge variety in the scenery on the way, from mountain ridges, meadows and deep forests. In April-May, the bloom of the Rhododendron colours up the forests and mountainsides. You have to get your entry tickets checked in Thukumb check-post on the way. The trek takes 7-8 hours to complete when you reach the Forest Check Post of Sabarkum. The campsite is just by this place.

Day 6: Phalut to Gorkhey

This route takes you to Gorkhey via the second highest peak in West Bengal i.e. Phalut. It is an easy to moderate route that takes around 6 hours to complete. There is an initial descent from Sabargram followed by gradual upward slopes, and downward inclination before Phalut. There is a steep descent just before Gorkhey. This route provides an amazing Kanchenjungha view along with a nice panoramic view from Phalut.

There are very few stay options in there, so for the night stay, you have to come down in Gorkhey, especially if the weather is not clear. There is a deep forest on the way with a few openings with Mountain View. After the steep descent through the fields to reach Gorkhey, walk by the village across the bridge on Gorkhey River and enter Sikkim, for the beautiful nature experience on the path.

Day 7: Ramam

On this day, you will come down to Sepi via Ramam. It is an easy trek with a few ascent and descent, mostly with level roads. You will pass Samamden and Ramam, two quaint and picturesque mountain villages where you can take a break and enjoy the beauty of the place. You will cross a bridge at Srikhola to reach Sepi, at the height of 6230 ft. or 1900 meter. Have your lunch there and take a car to get back to New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra for your journey back home from there.

From Rammam you can easily take a car to New Jalpaiguri or your next station.

We have been trekking to Sandakphu through this route and you can connect with us to get the best rates and all other help.

3. One side trek, One side by a car

This is basically a mixture of the first trip described through the car and the trekking route. While the car is comfortable, trekking has its own fun.

We can customize your tour according to your need. If you are looking for a relaxed trek then take the car on the upside and trek the downside from Phalut onwards.

However, if you are more towards the trekking zone, we will suggest to trek the upside through Tumling, Kalipokhri, and Gairibas till Phalut and take the car downside from Phalut. This way you will experience the breathtaking views slowly and also will cut down on effort and time.

If you are planning a trip here we will be more than happy to help you out.

Cautions for Sandakphu travellers:

Sandakphu trek is one of the best treks in the whole of East India. But, when you are going for this trek, you need to keep some important things and cautions in mind, which are:

• This is a really high road, so, you might face breathing trouble. So, you should keep the emergency medicines, portable oxygen tanks and inhalers with you.
• You should also consult a physician and undergo tests before you go for this trek if you have a history of breathing troubles
• In winter, the temperature drops suddenly in night and snow-fall will start at a sub-zero temperature. Bring enough protective and thermal clothes to stay safe from frostbite and other problems.
• Never go without consulting a professional or an expert agency. Weather changes are sudden and sometimes can put you to trouble. They will help you with all the relevant information and local knowledge. We suggest you work out your customized plan with us by Enquiring Here . Here are a few Great Places Close to Darjeeling which you can Club with your trip

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Explore The Sandakphu Phalut Trek With Us

This discussion is regarding the must-know information about the Sandakphu Trek. It talks about how to find the average Sandakphu Temperature, Sandakphu Trek Cost, Best Trek Route, and the Sandakphu Trek best time so you can enjoy good weather and astonishing views during your journey. It also talks about what you need to pack before going on Sandakphu Phalut Trek and much more.

Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Difficulty level

Trek Altitude

Trek Distance

Trek Duration

Sandakphu Phalut Trek Cost

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• All meals from day 1 Lunch to Day 8 Breakfast
• Experienced Guide and other support staff
• All equipment like, tents, sleeping bags etc
• All trek permits

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Top-selling sandakphu tour and trek packages await.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our top-selling Sandakphu tour and trek packages. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas while enjoying exclusive perks. Explore the highest peak in West Bengal with confidence. Book now for an unparalleled journey into nature's wonders

Sandakphu and Phalut Trek

Sandakphu Trek

• Sandakphu Land Rover Trip

• Phoktey Dara Trek

Sandakphu and Phalut Land Rover

• Tonglu Day Hike

SANDAKPHU TREK PACKAGE

• Duration : 7 Nights 8 Days
• Trek Destination : Dhotrey to Srikhola
• Trek Cost : Starting From Rs 12,800/- per head $250 -->
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Trek to Sandakphu

• Trek Duration : 5 Nights 6 Days
• Trek Cost : Starting From Rs 9,600/- per head $250 -->

Land Rover trip to Sandakphu

• Land Rover trip Duration : 2 Nights 3 days
• Land Rover trip Destination : Maneybhanjan to Maneybhanjan
• Land Rover trip Cost : Starting From Rs 5,000/- per head $250 -->

• Red Panda Tour
• Red Panda Tour Duration : 4 Nights 5 Days
• Red Panda Tour Destination : Dhotrey to Dhotrey
• Red Panda Tour Cost : Starting From Rs 9,500/- per head $250 -->

• Tonglu Day Hike Duration : 2 Night 3 Days
• Tonglu Day Hike Destination : Dhotrey to Dhotrey
• Tonglu Day Hike Cost : Rs 5,000/- per head for a group of 8. $250 -->

• Phoktey Dara Trek Duration : 5 Nights 6 Days
• Phoktey Dara Trek Destination : Dhotrey to Dhotrey
• Cost : Starting from Rs 1500/- $250 -->

SANDAKPHU PHALUT TREK DETAILS

SANDAKPHU PHALUT TREK is a popular activity among tourists all over the world. The four massive peaks bound this trek – Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu offer stunning views of the Everest region.

This trek follows the famous Singalila Ridge, a high ground that lies at the southern end of a long crest, which runs down from the Kanchendzonga range and forms the border between India & Nepal.

The trek can be challenging, but it is also an excellent opportunity to explore the Himalayan landscape. Here are some things you need to know before embarking on your journey to Sandakphu.

The trek is a moderate to strenuous trek that takes about Eight days to complete. The trailhead starts at Dhotrey, which is about a four-hour drive from NJP. From Dhotrey, it is about a Three-day hike to reach Sandakphu. The first day of the trek is relatively easy, but the second day involves a steep ascent of nearly 1,000 Feets.

The best time to trek is from March to June or from October to March. These months offer the best weather conditions for hiking, with clear skies and mild temperatures. Avoid trekking during the monsoon season from June to September, as the trails can be wet and slippery.

Discover the allure of Sandakphu Trek, a premier trekking destination nestled within the enchanting realm of Darjeeling Tourism .

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SANDAKPHU PHALUT TREK: A SHORT GUIDE ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

With an altitude of 3,636m, the trek offers a spectacular view of the Kanchenjunga range. It holds a vantage point to witness the Sleeping Buddha in its full glory. Situated in the Singalila National Park, it also boasts of its rich flora and fauna. Wetrekkers offers you the best tour and Trek Package to experience the beauty of Sandakphu within your budget.

SANDAKPHU TREK ROUTE

There are several varied trekking routes in this region. We can arrange the trek route depending on the season, participants' physical fitness, and allotted days.

SANDAKPHU TREK ROUTE MAP

SANDAKPHU PHALUT TREK ITINERARY

Day 1: drive from njp/bagdogra to dhotrey distance: 105 km duration: 5 hours altitude: 8,500 ft time: 10 a.m.

Your journey with us starts upon reaching the frontier town of Siliguri. Depending upon your mode of arrival, pick-up will be arranged from Bagdogra, NJP, or Siliguri Junction. The transport cost from the pick-up point to Dhotrey is Rs 6,000/- and is shared by the trekkers.

The road takes you through the bustling town of Siliguri initially, but soon you will be journeying through the tea gardens and lush forests. The ascent starts after reaching the beautiful lake of Mirik. From there to Dhotrey, it's a constant meandering journey through beautiful tea gardens and mountain forests. On the way to Dhotrey, you will cross the hilly settlements of Sukhia Pokhari and Maneybhanjan.

Apart from these, it's just you and the tranquil nature for the company as you reach the beautiful base camp of Dhotrey. Nestled within a thick pine forest, Dhotrey is truly a sight to behold. If you are lucky, you will get your first glimpse of Kanchenjungha from here itself. Have an early dinner and call it a day, as you need ample rest before your trek tomorrow.

Day 2: Dhotrey to Tumling Distance: 6 Kms Duration: 3 Hours Altitude: 10,000 ft Time: 9 A.M

Today will be your first day of the trek. It will be a relaxed climb of about 1,500 ft and will mostly warm you up for the difficult terrain up ahead. From Dhotrey, it's initially a gentle climb towards Tumling. You will walk through rich forests of Pine and Coniferous and some occasional appearances of Rhododendrons as you slowly gain altitude.

The forest is rich in flora and fauna, and you will have multiple sightings of numerous birds. At the halfway point, you will find a beautiful resting stop comprised of flat land, with mountain views all around and a peak of the Dhotrey village down below. From there, it's a steep climb until you reach Tonglu. From there, it's just a km of flat walk to reach your destination for the day, Tumling.

Reaching there, you will receive warm mountain hospitality as you sip on some tea while taking in the breathtaking views all around. This is the place which gives you a brief trailer of what treat awaits you once you reach your summit. After having a hearty dinner, sleep to the sound of nature as you prepare for the journey ahead.

Day 3: Tumling to Kalipokhari Distance: 13 Kms Duration: 5 Hours. Altitude: 10,500 ft Time: 8 A.M

Wake up early to catch the beautiful sunrise from Tumling and catch The Mt Kanchenjungha in its full glory. After a quick breakfast, we start early as we have a long journey ahead. A short distance into the trek, we will reach the entry point of Singalila National Park. We will need to complete our entry formalities here. You will need to pay for a camera permit here if you carry any.

Your trek guide will help you through the process. The Singalila National Park houses a great number of animals like the Himalayan Bear, Leopard cat, Barking Dear, Pangolin, and the famous and elusive Red Panda. We will have a relaxed flat walk till we reach the settlement of Jaubari. All along the way, our trail will flirt with the Indo-Nepal border as we crisscross through our neighbor lands. From Jaubari we will have a descent till we reach Gairibas.

Here you can have a small break and also indulge in some snacks. Gairibas houses a rhododendron research centre and has a detailed accounting of the various varieties of Rhododendrons available in the region. From Gairibas we will face the first difficult phase of our trek as we traverse a steep climb all the way to Kalipokhari. After a strenuous but rewarding climb, we will reach the high-altitude lake of Kalipokhari. After a steaming hot beverage to soothe your aching muscles, you can visit the lake's calm waters and feel your tiredness ebbing away.

Day 4: Kalipokhari to Sandakphu Distance: 6 km Altitude: 11900 ft Duration: 4 hours Time: 9 A.M

Today is the most challenging phase of your trek, and The trail will test your endurance to the limit. Make sure to fill up your water bottles before starting, as there will be no settlements between here and Sandakphu. We will climb through barren mountain roads with scarce vegetation as we would be almost above the tree line. You can take shortcuts in between, which will cut down the time but will considerably increase the strain on your legs. Milestones along the way will motivate you as you will see the destination come nearer and nearer. Once reaching the summit, all your hard work will pay off, as you will witness the wonder called Sleeping Buddha at its full glory. Sandakphu has the distinction of offering the view of 4 of the world's top 5 highest mountain peaks. Apart from Kanchenjungha, it also offers the view of Mt Kanchenjungha, Makalu, and Lhotse, along with several other high peaks of the Himalayas. On reaching Sandakphu, you can settle down for a bit and then set out to explore the area. Your aching muscles will beg you to call it an early night, but make a mental note to wake up early enough to catch the most beautiful sunrise ever.

Day 5: Sandakphu to Molley/Phalut Distance: 21 Km Altitude: 11,700 ft Duration: 7 Hours Time: 7 A.M

After witnessing the magnificent sunrise from the highest point of west Bengal, you will get ready for the next phase of your trek. We have a lot of distance to cover today so we will start quite early. This will be the longest trek stretch, but it is effortlessly the most beautiful part. The magnificent view of the highest peaks of the world will be your constant companion.

As you are above the tree line, you will not witness many trees along the route other than some stretches of Rhododendrons. If you are trekking in the March-April season, you will also witness the mesmerizing view of the Rhododendrons in full bloom. The route is fairly flat, with some ascents and descents along the way. At the halfway point, you will find “Char Ratey,” a resting point for Yak Grazers of the past, where they used to wait for four nights while their livestock used to graze.

As we will have a good amount of distance to cover today, you will be given a light-packed lunch today. From Sabarkum, the route divides into two parts. One goes towards Phalut and the other towards Molley. Depending upon the availability of the time, we would choose our route. Our stay for the night would be Phalut or Molley. On reaching the campsite, you will relax with hot beverages and some light snacks. A while later, your dinner will be served.

Day 6: Molley/Phalut to Gorkhey Distance: 14 Km Altitude: 11,400 ft Duration: 6 Hours Time: 8 A.M

If you are staying at Molley, you will start your day pretty early and take a hike towards Phalut. You will retrace your steps back to Sabarkum, and there the trail will be a gradual ascent. In Phalut top, you will see one of the most unobstructed and up-close views of the Sleeping Buddha range that you ever have or can experience. The Mt Everest, Lhotse & Makalu are also prominently visible. If the stay is at Phalut, then you would have to trek 1 km to Phalut top to witness the view. After having breakfast at Phalut, we would start our descent to Gorkhey.

As you start your descent, the trail will quickly change from vast open fields to green forests. You will also travel through some bamboo canopy forests. Once there, keep an eye out for the elusive red panda. If you are lucky, you can easily spot one in this region. Soon, you will be greeted with a gurgling sound of a mountain stream to indicate that you are very near to your destination. Your forest path will suddenly open up to a vast open land of the beautiful village of Samandin. A little more descent will lead you to Gorkhey, your pit stop for the night. It's a beautiful mountain village, straight out of an artist's rendition. After lunch, you can visit the river and get amazed by its crystal-clear water. Enjoy the evening at the homestay, where a bonfire will be arranged, before you call it a night after your dinner is served.

Day 7: Gorkhey to Srikhola Distance: 16 Km Altitude: 6,900 ft Duration: 5 Hours Time: 8 A.M

Today is the last day of your trail. As we will have a steady descent, it will be a fairly easy route. It s advisable that you use kneecaps today, as the steady descent can be quite taxing on your knees. The trail will go through dense forests, and you will be greeted by whistling birds at every turn.

The sun will rarely penetrate the thick canopy of the forests. But soon, the trail will open up to the settlements of Rammam, and you will know that you are halfway towards your destination. Further down the trail, you will reach Rimbick, and from there, it's just 1 Km from your destination, Srikhola.

Once reaching the homestay, enjoy the hospitality while you revel in the glory of completing your trek. You can relax by the river while your celebratory dinner is being prepared. Enjoy a sound sleep as the gurgling river sing you a lullaby, and your aching muscles receive a much-needed rest.

Day 8: Drive to NJP/Bagdogra Distance: 130 Kms Duration: 6 hours Time: 9 A.M

Today you say goodbye to the Singalila National Park as you drive down towards NJP. Post breakfast, you can take some cool insta worthy photos at the hanging bridge in Srikhola. After that, your journey takes you back to the chaotic city life along the mountain paths. The cab fare to Siliguri is Rs 8,000/- and will be shared by the trekkers.

You will pass through the settlements of Rimbik, Dhotrey, and Maneybhanjan, after which the familiar tea garden vista will greet you. You will be able to attend a tea testing at the Gopal Dhara tea garden on the way. Where from you can source some authentic Darjeeling tea for yourself. Finally, your journey will come full circle at NJP, from where you can depart for your onward destination with fond memories from the trip.

SANDAKPHU TREK BEST TIME

The Sandakphu trek can be done during almost eight months of the year except from June to September. SANDAKPHU TREK Best Time is November to January for the clear view.

The trek gives you a new flavour every season, from the rhododendrons and magnolias in spring to the golden scenery of autumn and, finally, the light winter snow. The view, landscape, flora, and fauna change from season to season. This is one of the best Himalayan treks for bird watching.

If you are not particularly fond of experiencing something like a clear view of flowers or snow, Sandakphu is an excellent trek when it is open for eight months of the year.

During the monsoon season, the trek is closed for the visitors from June to September.

Sandakphu Trek Best Season

Spring Trek

Spring arrives in March, and this is a fantastic season for trekking in Sandakphu. The Different magical beauties start to unfold in this season. The main magical sight is the blossoming rhododendrons which will give your eyes an excellent experience throughout the trek route.

The whole path is covered with different kinds of flowers. Red, pink rhododendron and white magnolias dominate the landscape. Towards the end of April, the rain becomes more frequent. You may still be able to trek. But it's not that funny.

Views: Full of flowers all around, this season provides a beautiful sight but occasional showers might turn the trail foggy or prevent the views of long-distance peaks and ranges.

Flora & Fauna: Rhododendrons and Magnolias are in full bloom. This is the best time to see the flowers.

Temperature Overview: Daytime temperature Between 15 °C and 20 °C and Nighttime Temperatures will drop between 1 °C and 5 °C.

Presence of snow: You will not find snow in Spring

Autumn Trek

Autumn starts from the last week of September and lasts till November. This season is famous for the clear views of mountain peaks and spectacular clear sky. Crisp air and sunny days make Sandakphu a dream world for trekkers.

Autumn is also famous for its golden color Mountain view, especially during the sunsets and sunrise. This also a great season for bird watcher.

The only downside to trekking in autumn, especially in October, is the number of people on the trail. During the Durga Puja holidays in the month of October, many tourists come to here.

Scenery: The air is clear and the view of the distant peaks is amazing.

Crowds: A popular time to visit. Not only trekkers but also tourists on the trail.

Seasonal Highlights: Easy bird watching on the trail and spectacular golden mountain peaks.

Temperature Overviews: Day time Between 13 °C and 18 °C and Night time Will drop to temperatures between 5 °C and 0 °C.

Presence of snow: You will not find snow on the trek in Autumn.

Winter Trek

Winter starts from November to March. During this period, the temperature here ranges from 1 to 10 degrees Celsius, and weather is extremely cold. The region receives fresh snowfall towards the end of December.

The snow gradually begins to form a white layer on the ground, and by the month of January, the entire area is covered in thick snow. January is the coldest month of the year in Sandakphu, with the most snowfall. The region usually continues to receive snowfall till the first half of March, after which the mercury levels rise by a few inches, and Sandakphu starts experiencing pre-summer effects.

The average temperature in winter: The average temperature during is 7°C during the day and 1°C at night.

Summer Trek

The summer season usually starts from April and lasts till mid-June. During this time, the temperature in Sandakphu is between 17 to 15 degrees Celsius and the weather is pleasant and charming. On the other hand, the sky remains clear providing an uncompromised view of the nearby mountain ranges.

Average Summer Temperature: The average summer temperature is 24°C during the day and 12°C at night.

SANDAKPHU TREK IMAGES

Discover Sandakphu's beauty through captivating trek images. Plan your adventure with our stunning collection.

SANDAKPHU TREK HEIGHT

With an altitude of 3,636m, the trek offers a spectacular view of the Kanchenjunga range. It holds a vantage point to witness the Sleeping Buddha in its full glory. Situated in the Singalila National Park, it also boasts of its rich flora and fauna. Sandakphu is not only the highest peak in West Bengal. The peak is located at an altitude of 11930 feet or 3636 meters above sea level. The average elevation of the base camp is about 6400 feet or 1951 meters. Then it started to increase gradually.

Sandakphu height in feet

The highest elevation of Sandakphu is 11930 feet and offers a spectacular view of the world's highest mountain range. Before embarking on the trek, every trekker should be aware of this altitude which will help him to avoid any medical hazards.

Sandakphu Altitude

Located at an altitude of 11,930 feet, Sandakphu is home to magnificent alpine vegetation such as the ever-present rhododendron, fir, birch and even towering bamboo trees. The trek is one of the rare high-altitude treks that offers accommodation in a cozy teahouse.

QUICK FACTS

• Duration: 1D/2N(Min) to 8D/7N(Max) (Depending On Your Package)
• Altitude: 11,930 ft
• Trek Difficulty Level: Easy To Moderate
• Trek Distance: Around 65kms (Depending On Your Package)
• Temperature: Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 5°C
• Best Time For Trek: March to May, October to March
• Nearest Railway Station: NJP
• Nearest Airport: Bagdogra
• ATM: You can withdraw money at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) or anywhere in Siliguri
• Sandakphu Trek Starting Point: Dhotrey (Depending On Your Package)
• Ending Point: Srikhola (Depending On Your Package)

TREK HIGHLIGHTS

• Unobstructed view of the Famous Sleeping Buddha group of mountains.
• With Mount Everest on the horizon you will love every bit of Trekking!
• Despite its offbeat essence, the Kalapokhri lake is a major attraction on the trek route. Kalapokhri Lake , the Mystery of the Holy Black Water.
• Experience one of the highest north-south mountain ranges, the Singalila range that divides West Bengal and the Himalayan range.
• Rhododendron and Magnolia flowers turn the forest red, pink and white in spring.

TREK PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:

• Accommodation: (Min 1 Night 2 Days to Max 7 Nights 8 Days Depending On Your Trek Package) Accommodation from Day 1 to Day 8 (Depending On Your Trek Package) at a private tourist lodge/government trekkers hut on sharing basis.
• Food: All meals during the trek. Regular Indian-style nutritious vegetarian meals, breakfast, hot lunch (en route), snacks, and dinner with coffee/tea/soup during the trek.
• Trek Guide: An excellent mountain guide who will be local to this area and have deep knowledge of trekking trails.
• Camping Charges: Singalila National Park permit fee and forest camping charges are included in the trek package.
• Safety equipment: First aid kit, oxygen cylinder, oximeter, etc., will be with the guide/trek leader in case of emergency at the campsite.
• Expert Trek Support Team: The mountain staff of this trek includes certified guides, cooks, helpers, and porters.

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Sandakphu trek experience.

In spite of its relatively low altitude, the trek holds quite a distinction among the various treks of the Himalayas. Most importantly because it allows the visitor, the rare vista of Four of the Five highest peaks of the world, and that too from a single viewpoint. Moreover, this is the only “Tea-House” trek in India, a term more common among the treks in Nepal, where in you don't need to camp while trekking, but rather enjoy boarding in the homestays and trekkers' huts along the way.

Sandakphu is home for numerous exquisite flora and fauna. The trail is the home of over 600 varieties of orchids, the highest in a single location. The Singalila National Park, which houses the trail has 18 recorded species of Rhododendron. Anyone who has visited the trail in the summer time, has been mesmerized by the brilliant display of color, the trail has on offer during that time.

The Singalila National Park is famous for being the habitat of the famous Red Panda as well. The shy creature is abundantly visible in this region if one is vigilant and lucky enough. The park is also the home of numerous other animals like the Himalayan Black Bear, Leapard, Clouded Leapard, Pangolin, Barking dear and many more.

The most unique experience in the trek is it's multiple offerings. It changes it's rewards with the seasons. If you want clear sky and magnificent summit views, you should visit it during late Autumn and Winters. You will bear witness to one of the best views of your life. The magnificent Sleeping Buddha will appear in front of you at full glory.

You will also witness some of the best Sunrises and will be able to capture some stunning photos. However, comes summer, the beauty of the trail is beyond words. The Rhododendrons at full blooms, paints the whole mountain side, red. The play of colors is absolutely spell bounding. But bear in mind, the view of Kanchenjungha and other peaks is purely dependent on your good fortune.

To summarize, whatever the time you choose, you will take home one of the most unique experience of your life.

Sandakphu Trek Review

Thrilled clients rave about their unforgettable experiences with us, praising our exceptional service and memorable journeys

Best organisation for conducting learning based expedition and trekking experiences. Trek leaders are experienced and well learned, creates a great motivational environment for all the fellow trekkers. Thank You Wetrekkers

Excellent experience...great work guys and for sure if i plan any further activity.. It will be sure with Wetrekkers ... Cheers for ur great work put together

Arindam Poul

It was my first ever peak climb and Wetrekkers made it a memorable and successful climb. Special thanks to Weterkkers team and our expedition leader who made it possible through his technical skills. Climbing equipment were best in class.

Mayank Trivedi

Package trek cost.

Cost is an important factor for every trekker and before starting a trek a trekker must check the cost of his trek and what is included in the itinerary.

At Trek, we always provide reasonably comfortable accommodation at the best price and high-quality food facilities which are essential in every trekker's journey. Another important thing about the trek is the trek guide, we always provide highly trained trek guides and experienced travel staff which are included in our trek package cost.

We offer a variety of treks and tour packages from short treks to long treks which makes us stand out from the crowd. Our shortest tour package is Land Rover Ride to Tonglu with a duration of 2 days and 1 night and the longest trek package is Sandakphu Phalut Trek with a duration of 8 days and 7 nights.

From all the trek packages we are very well known for Red Panda Tour and Sandakphu Phalut Trek which we provide to every trekker at a very reasonable price. Sandakphu Phalut trek package cost is INR 12,800 per person and our trek cost includes your accommodation and food from your arrival at Dhotre till the end of your trek at Srikhola.

All accommodations.

All meals from day 1 Lunch to Day 8 Breakfast.

Experienced Guide and other support staff.

All equipment like, tents, sleeping bags etc.

All trek permits.

Transport to and from the station/airport.

Food during transit.

Any personal expenses.

Camera Charges.

Singalila National Park Entry Fees.

Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

SLEEPING BUDDHA VIEW

Essential Things to Carry For Sandakphu Trek

Sandakphu village is far from the city. So every trekker needs to carry all his essentials and also remember that his bag should not be too heavy to travel with. When you're packing essentials, we're here to help you write down some of the mandatory and recommended items you should carry.

These are documents required for legal purposes by Wetrekkers and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

• Original and photocopy of government photo ID. Only a passport or voter ID is accepted as valid ID proof in Nepal.
• Disclaimer certificate. This is a legal requirement. Read carefully and sign. It must be handed over to your trek leader when registration at the base camp.
• Medical certificate. It has two categories. A practising doctor must complete the first part. You must fill in the second part. Without a medical certificate, the forest department will not allow you to travel. It is a requirement by Wetrekkers.
• 2 recent passport size photos.
• A sturdy ruck-sack with support rod(50-60 ltrs).
• A small day pack(15-20 ltrs) in case you are offloading your bag.
• A trekking shoe with ankle support.
• 4 pairs of polyester T-shirt.
• 3 Pairs of quick dry trek pants.
• A sweatshirt.
• A lightweight Hollowfill/Feather jacket.
• A set of thermal inners(For winters).
• A fleece Jacket(For winter).
• A Raincoat/Poncho.
• 4 pairs of cotton socks + 2 pairs of woolen socks.
• 1 Pair of gloves.
• Coca 30: 30 ml.
• Crocin: 6 tablets.
• Avomine: 4 tablets.
• Avil(25 mg): 4 tablets.
• Combiflam: 4 tablets.
• Norflox TZ: 6 tablets.
• Digene: 6 tablets.
• ORS: 6 sachets.
• Band Aid: 6 strips.
• Cotton: 1 Small roll.
• Eno: 4 sachets.
• Betadine or any antiseptic ointment.
• Pain spray.
• Knee cap and crepe bandage.

Toiletries:

• Moisturiser.
• Hand Sanitizer.
• Toothbrush & paste.
• Toilet Paper.
• preferable quick dry towel.
• Hand Wash/Liquid Soap.

Accessories:

• A pair of sun shades.
• A cap/sun hat.
• A head torch.
• Trekking Pole.
• Water bottle.

THE AGE RANGE FOR SANDAKPHU TREK

The trek is open to adventurers of all ages. However, we recommend that trekkers should be at least 12 years old before attempting this challenging hike. A parent or guardian must accompany those under the age of 18.

SANDAKPHU BY CAR

We have two options for tourists. Tourists can reach the base camp by car and proceed further. Another is to complete Sandakphu by car, which means you don't have to walk, just sit in the Land Rover and reach to the top, enjoy the place and be with nature. The place is also famous for its Land Rover car trip.

Land Rover trip to Sandakphu and Phalut

• Land Rover trip Duration : 3 Nights 4 Days
• Land Rover trip Cost : Starting From Rs 6,800/- per head $250 -->

Sandakphu Land Rover trip

• Land Rover trip Duration : 2 Nights 3 Days

• Land Rover Ride to Tonglu
• Land Rover Ride to Tonglu Duration : 1 Nights 2 days
• Land Rover Ride to Tonglu Destination : Maneybhanjan to Maneybhanjan
• Land Rover Ride to Tonglu Cost : Starting From Rs 4,500/- per head $250 -->

FITNESS REQUIRED FOR THE TREK

“Health is wealth” is an old adage we have been hearing for ages but a trekker needs to realize it at every step of his journey especially if it is mountain trekking.

Moderate treks like Sandakphu require you to walk an average of 6 - 10 km where you will find steep ascents and descents. You will often encounter tricky patches (such as snow or scree) on this trek with increasing elevation, for which you must always be prepared and skillfully traverse them.

Your goal is to complete 5 km in 35 minutes.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO BE FIT BEFORE BEGINNING A TREKKING TRIP?

The higher we go, the thinner the air. To cope with reduced oxygen levels, we need to develop fitness.

Defying gravity and long walks up steep slopes with a backpack expect average strength and endurance training levels.

We do not face this kind of geographical adversity in our daily life and for that our body is not used to such adversity.

The points mentioned above are jointly required for this trek, and it is a requirement that takes time and effort to identify.

A comprehensive list of exercises, which will help you to overcome this trek with ease and fun.

Without further ado, get ready to cross this difficult path easily with some simple physical exercises and enjoy the thrilling scenery beyond this difficult path.

We recommend one month of preparation time before the day of the trek. The measures below will help you achieve the level of fitness required for different levels of Himalayan treks.

For upper body

• Push Up: Treks carry a heavy backpack over long distances. Since it requires upper body strength, push ups are recommended to strengthen the upper body.

For leg strength

• Uphill Training: Himalayan treks have steep climbs. So hill training is a basic exercise you should start your fitness regime with. Climbing stairs at every opportunity will improve your uphill endurance.
• Squats: Squats help with core strength. A good core strength is essential for maintaining balance during the trek.
• Jog: Jogging helps increase cardiovascular strength. As the lungs and heart adapt to the increased activity and help build lung capacity so you can walk for longer periods of time.
• Crunches: Crunches also work to improve core strength. The advantage is the ability to maintain good balance during the trek.
• Skipping: Skipping is really helpful in achieving an overall fitness. That's because when skipping, you're constantly using your lower body to balance yourself and propel your body upward, which increases muscle strength. The shoulders and arms are constantly moving, working the muscles of the arms. Since it also includes the abdominal area, it is a way to work core strength.

IS SANDAKPHU TREK SAFE?

At the trek, we take the safety of those we work with, and the processes we follow and the equipment we carry reinforce our work. The great news is that the trek has no technical or complicated parts. It is a great trek for both new and experienced trekkers.

Emergency Exits and Closest Hospital

Emergency Exit: Sandakphu is one of those rare treks where it is easy to exit the trail in case of any emergency.

If any medical emergency occurs during the days of trek, immediate and quick evacuation is done. Because there is also a motorable road.

On the other hand, if you are in Sabargram and there is a medical emergency, you will be taken to Rammam via Gorkhey. It is about 14 km from Sabargram.

Nearest Hospital: The nearest hospital on the trek is Sukhia Pokhari before reaching Sandakphu. To reach this hospital you have to drive through Maneybhanjan. After you cross Sandakphu, the nearest hospital is at Rimbik.

AMS On Trek

The exertion and cold exposure of this rapid ascent and trek can trigger the development of altitude sickness in some people. If you do not feel comfortable at a camp location, inform your trek guide immediately.

The difficulty of Sandakphu Trek

This is a moderate trek that ranges from easy to difficult on the difficulty scale. The Trek does not have huge climbs and slides on a daily basis. Treks, however, make you travel long miles each day.

Weather Wise Safety

Weather plays a big role in your safety on the track. Here are some weather-related factors that can play an important role in your Sandakphu - Phalut trek.

Above 12,000 feet it can snow at any time. Precipitation on the lower slopes often results in light or heavy snowfall in the upper regions.

Make sure you level up well for this trek. Carry a windcheater to help stay warm in the wind. Especially in winter, you must be well-layered. And In all seasons Raincoat is a must.

Carry a minimum of 5 layers. Extreme winds on this trek increase the chances of mild hypothermia or even AMS.

CONNECTIVITY ON THE TREK ROUTE

• Last ATM: You will find it in Sukhia, which is a 15-20 minutes drive from Sandakphu. Please always try to withdraw cash from Siliguri. Do not rely on ATMs on the trek route, as availability is scarce and which are available are often out of service or out of cash.
• Electricity: This is available for most of your overnight stay.
• Mobile phone network: You will get a network at your night position, but it is not fixed. If international roaming is enabled you will get a specific network.
• Internet Connectivity: You can get a 4G network at the base camp. Apart from this, there will be no internet connection.

SANDAKPHU TREK GUIDE

Why you should hire a trekking guide at Sandakphu Trek?

• Trekking Routes: The trek is full of confusing trekking routes passing through dense forests, narrow paths, unsigned roads, etc. Even experienced trekkers get confused about such places. There are many junctions, bends, switchback roads etc., which is the most confusing part of this trek for solo trekkers. Local people won't be there every time to ask for help with the route. So, you need an experienced guide to guide you throughout the trek.
• Language: While trekking, you get a chance to visit and explore wonderful remote villages. People living in these villages do not speak English fluently. If you are trekking independently, you will not get a chance to interact with local people. If you need something or are lost and want to ask for help, you can't express yourself because they don't understand you. But if you travel with a guide, a guide will translate for you. So, you must hire a guide so that there is no language barrier problem.
• Safety: Trekking at high altitude poses many risk factors. You have to be very careful while trekking on this trail. But accidents and illnesses are not reported. So while trekking alone, if you suffer from altitude sickness or any accident, it becomes difficult for you as there will be no one to help and rescue you. But if you have a guide with you, he will do what needs to be done in such a situation. If it is a serious case and requires immediate medical attention, they will provide assistance as per the facility. So, always hire a trekking guide while trekking in Nepal to ensure your safety.

Is Guide Necessary For Sandakphu Trek

It is essential to hire a trekking guide for Sandakphu Trek.

Sandakphu Trek Guide Contact No

Sandakphu Trek Guide Contact Number 7001608599, 8240923170.

SANDAKPHU TREK BLOG

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

We have always wanted the trekkers to be well informed before embarking on the Himalayan trek. The difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one is knowledge. This is the difference between a healthy experience and a superficial experience.

This Blog has in-depth information about each trekking day, what to expect, and how you should prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this subject. Trekkers find it extremely useful.

Tips on managing your Travel for your Trek

Travelling via Flight:

Siliguri is connected via air through the Bagdogra airport. If you are flying from any major city like Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore, you can directly book your flight to Bagdogra. We recommend taking the flight one day prior to the trek start day and spending the night in Siliguri. In case the flight to Bagdogra is too costly or there is no direct flight from your city to Bagdogra, you can take a flight to Kolkata and take a train/Volvo bus to Siliguri.

You can take a reserved cab or shared auto from the Bagdogra Airport to Siliguri town. Also plan your stay in Siliguri in advance. There are also public modes of transport like buses available to SIliguri. Take a shared auto from the airport to Bihar More to catch those.

Our pick-up from Siliguri to Dhotrey will be at around 9 A.M on the Day 1 of the trek. You can coordinate your pick-up by talking to the driver in the morning.

Travelling via train:

If you are joining us from Kolkata or taking a flight to Kolkata instead of Bagdogra, you need to take a train from Sealdah to NJP or Siliguri Junction the day before your trek. The flight options to Kolkata are much cheaper compared to Bagdogra. But do ensure that you take a flight which reaches Kolkata by 5 P.M otherwise there might be a chance of missing your train. There are various modes of transport from Kolkata Airport to Sealdah station. Online cabs and Meter taxis are abundant. You can also book a pre-paid from the airport booking counter. You can also take a bus, which is really cheap.

Please make sure that you take a train that reaches NJP or Siliguri Junction by 8 A.M. We recommend Darjeeling Mail (12343), Kanchan Kanya (13149), and Uttar Banga Exp (13147) for the travel.

If you are reaching Siliguri one day before the trek start date, you can take any train from Howrah or Sealdah at your convenience. In that case, do plan your stay in Siliguri beforehand.

Coordinate your travel to Dhotrey by talking to the driver in the early morning. The pick-up will leave for Dhotrey from Siliguri at around 9 A.M

Travelling by Volvo:

Traveling to Siliguri via Volvo bus from Kolkata is also possible. The buses start from the Esplanade area. It is the centre of the city and very easily accessible from any part of the city via cab, bus and other public transports.

We only recommend choosing this option, in case of unavailability of tickets in train as the journey is quite tiring and sometimes the buses overshoot their scheduled arrival time, in which case it might be difficult for you to reach Dhotrey, our base camp.

Our pick up from Siliguri is scheduled at about 9 A.M. You can choose your bus accordingly.

Onward journey after returning from the trek

Via Flight:

Bagdogra airport doesn't have any flight after dark and so you will have to book your flight on Day 8. It is advised that you plan your stay in Bagdogra itself and not Siliguri so that there is no inconvenience in catching your flight in the morning.

You can take an overnight train to Kolkata on day 8 (Depnding On Your Package) itself. Just make sure to book a late night train. We recommend Darjeeling mail (12344), Kanchankanya (13150) and Padatik Exp (12378) all of which depart at around 8 P.M and reach Kolkata early in the morning.

If you are flying out of Kolkata after reaching via train, only choose to fly out after 8 A.M. otherwise you might miss your flight.

You can also choose to travel to Kolkata via Volvo bus on day 8 (Depending On Your Package). Just make sure that you book your bus after 8 P.M.

Staying in Siliguri.

There are various options of staying in Siliguri. We don't recommend staying near NJP as the accommodations are not up to the mark there. While returning, it's better to stay at Bagdogra if you are flying out the next morning.

You can find various options in Air BnB and other OTAs. Please give us a call if you need any suggestions in choosing your hotels.

Where Is Sandakphu Trek?

Sandakphu is situated at an altitude of 11,950 feet above sea level. Even if the altitude doesn't seem remarkable in itself, what makes the trek extraordinary are the majestic mountain ranges and peaks you'll see on the trek.

Is Sandakphu a trek for beginners?

Great trek for beginners. But be prepared for a long walk every day. In 8 days, you have to cover 65 km, up to 11 km per day on average.

Are there hotel accommodations at Sandakphu?

You will find two privately maintained hotels (Hotel Sunrise and Hotel Sherpa Chalet) on the Nepal side and the Government Trekkers Hut and PWD Rest House on the West Bengal side.Click Here To Visit All Sandakphu Homestay

How long is Sandakphu Phalut trek?

Sandakphu Phalut Trek is 7 Nights & 8 Days long.

Can Sandakphu Trek be done alone?

Yes, you can.

Sandakphu is an easy trek and has the most scenic route with the Kanchanjunga range visible throughout the route.

But, always hire trekking guides while trekking because Trekking at high altitudes poses many risk factors. You have to be very careful while trekking on this trail. Accidents and illnesses are not reported. So while trekking alone, if you get altitude sickness or any accident, it becomes difficult for you as there will be no one to help and rescue you. But if you have a guide with you, he will do what needs to be done in such a situation.

Is guide necessory for Sandakphu Trek?

Yes, You should hire a trek guide because trekking at high altitudes poses many risk factors. You have to be very careful while trekking on this trail. Accidents and illnesses are not reported. So while trekking alone, if you get altitude sickness or any accident, it becomes difficult for you as there will be no one to help and rescue you. But if you have a guide with you, he will do what needs to be done in such a situation.

Is the Sandakphu Trek worth it?

Sandakphu Phalut trek is one of the most sought-after treks on the planet as it is located on the banks of the Teesta River. It is a paradise for Trekkers and a perfect place to unwind after a tiring day of walking. The landscape of the area is full of fauna and flora. It is worth the trip to experience this unique landscape. It is individual nature. It has stunning views of the peaks within the Himalayas and the entire 8000ers. The most prominent peak to climb is Sandakphu, at 3636 m/11926 ft, and Phalut is the second-highest peak in the Singalila range. Three peaks can be seen from this place.

Sandakphu Phalut Trek is one of the very few treks in the world from where you can see the 8,000-meter peak. At an altitude of 11,950 feet, you can see Sandakphu and the Everest cluster to your left.

Sandakphu Trek in October?

On your journey from Dhotrey, you even crossed the Indo-Nepal border a few times. Sandakphu’s proximity to the border gives you a chance to witness the perfect blend of Indian and Nepalese culture and traditions. When walking the trail, you are often right on the border of two countries. Interestingly, the cities of Tumling and Sandakphu are part of both countries.

The average temperature in Sandakphu in October ranges from 0°C to 10°C. Nights can be colder. Due to the cold weather, you need to carry warm clothes and suitable trekking gear. A professional tour operator can help you make the necessary preparations.

On a Sandakphu trek in October, you can get clear views of the Annapurna and Kanchenjunga ranges. Several high peaks are easily visible, including Everest. Undoubtedly, the Sandakphu trek is one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the country. You even pass through several forests with silver fir, magnolias, rhododendrons and drumstick primulas. If you want to plan a trek, contact our experienced trekkers and guides to discuss your requirements. Just click here.

Sandakphu Trek in November?

November is the perfect month as winter sets in and trekkers get a chance to see the entire region under clear skies. While trekking from Manebhanjan, you will cross the Indo-Nepal border several times and you will indulge in traditional Northeast Indian and Nepalese culture, traditions and lifestyle. One thing that might interest you is Sandakphu City and Tumling are two cities that belong to both countries.

The average temperature of Sandakphu in winter, October varies from minus 1 degree to 8 degrees Celsius. Nights can be cooler, thus, you need to carry nice warm clothes with you.

While trekking Sandakphu in November, you will get a clear view of the Kanchenjunga mountains. Other high peaks like Everest are also very clearly visible. While hiking through the forest you will see rhododendrons, drumstick primulas, silver firs, magnolias etc.

Can We Go Sandakphu Trek in December?

Mountain ranges and high altitudes really face a cold climate. Temperatures vary from minus two degrees to eight degrees Celsius. This is undoubtedly a teeth-gnashing situation. However, cold can never hold back a trek lover who loves to travel.

The highest peaks of West Bengal offer a mesmerizing view of far-reaching snow-capped mountains with rhododendrons spread all around. Sandakphu, at an altitude of 11,800 feet above sea level, makes it possible for trekkers to witness views of four other tall mighty mountains within the Himalayas: Lotus, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Everest.

The trek is little bit risky in December due to heavy snowfall, which melts during the afternoon making the climb slippery, but the view you will get is amazing.

Sandakphu Trek in January?

To plan a good trek in January, you need to carry warm clothes and suitable trekking gear to protect yourself from the cold. The average temperature in Sandak Phu in January is minus 5 degrees Celsius to 6 degrees Celsius. This is one of the coldest periods in the region, and only seasoned trekkers plan to visit this month.

Sandakphu is a Himalayan trek that is open during the winter months. For this reason, many backpackers visit the region during the winter season, when it is less crowded, allowing them to soak in the magnificent scenery of the northeastern Himalayas.

Sandakphu Trek in February?

The weather becomes soothing in the daytime, with the expected temperature being around 9°C, whereas the Sandakphu temperature in February at night remains around -7°C.

Sandakphu Trek in Merch?

During this month, the Sandakhphu temperature is quite pleasant, and occasional snowfall occurs. The Sandakphu temperature in March is somewhat near -3°C to 11°C.

Sandakphu Trek in April?

The temperature in the daytime becomes normal and is around 16°C, and one doesn’t require winter garments. But the nights are quite cold, and the Sandakphu temperature in April is about 1°C at night.

Sandakphu Trek in May?

Since this is the peak season to visit Sandakphu, it is best to consult a professional tour operator to plan the trip. This allows you to avoid the tourist hordes and limit yourself to the group you are traveling with in this beautiful region. The average temperature in Sandakphu in May ranges from 6°C to 12°C.

Although Sandakphu is open throughout the year, this is the best time to embark on an enchanting journey. Renok Adventures has been offering tours and treks in Sandakphu for quite some time. For a Sandakphu trek in May, contact our experienced trekkers, guides and support staff to discuss your requirements. Click here.

Sandakphu To Srikhola Trek Distance?

Its 10 km from Sandakphu to Gurdum and another 6 km to Srikhola, which takes 4-5 hours and 2-3 hours respectively. This trail is a pure trekking route through the dense forests of Singalila.

Sandakphu Trek in 3 Days?

Tonglu Day Hike is the best trek for 2 NIGHTS AND 3 DAYS

Sandakphu Trek 4 Days?

Red Panda Tour is the best trek for 4 NIGHTS AND 5 DAYS

Sandakphu Trek Best Season?

Sandakphu Phalut trek is best during the winter season as there will be no humidity in West Bengal. Winters are cold and summers are pleasant in the region of Sandakphu Phalut Trek. The best time to trek Sandakphu Phalut is from October to March when there will be a sheet of snow to step on. The entire Sandakphu trek region and the surrounding hills will provide a pleasant environment. You can witness the snow-laden ranges of some of the highest peaks in the world like Mount Everest.

Sandakphu Trek Operators?

Wetrekkers.in Is One of The Best Sandakphu Trek Organizers.

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• Sandakphu Trek Package
• Trek to Sandakphu and Phalut
• Sandakphu Tour Package
• Sandakphu and Phalut Land Rover Trip

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