Sandakphu Trek

• Easy
• North East
• Post Monsoon
• Summer
• Trekking
• Winter

Sandakphu also known as sandakfu and is the highest peak in West Bengal, Darjeeling district. One of the best trek around Sikkim and West Bengal. The Sandakphu Peak is located right next to the Singalila National Park. Sandakphu is popularly known as “Trekkers Wonderland”. Sandakphu trek is an ideal trek for beginners.
What makes it unique ?

Yes!! is its Summit, from where trekkers can see the astounding view of the four highest peaks in the world Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga (known as sleeping buddha or the sleeping shiva), Lhotse and Makalu. River Teesta flows through Sandakphu and offers you a great option for rafting.

REGION      – West Bengal
DURATION – 6 days
ALTITUDE   –  11,930ft
BEST TIME – April to May,October to December
GRADE –  Moderate.

 

Day 1-New Jalpaiguri  to Manebhanjan

Distance    – 95 km
Time taken: 5 hours
Route – New Jalpaiguri – Mirik – Pashupati Nath market – Sukhiapokhri – Manebhanjan

The route passes through scenic tea gardens, orange orchard and the cardamom plantations. There are several sharp turns along the way. One of the most beautiful view points in Darjeeling area known as Tingling view point. The view of the gardens on undulating slopes of the mountain is just wow!!!
The main attraction is the Mirik lake. Mirik is full of valley covered in tea bushes. Trekkers can enjoy boat ride in the lake and some resident offers you a homestay.
The total  trekking distance from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu is 32 kms.

 

 

Day 2- Manebhanjan  to Tumling

Distance    – 11 km
Time taken: 5 hours
Altitude      – 7,054 ft

Sandakphu trek start from Manebhanjan. Manebhanjan also known as Mane Bhanjyang. This is a steep climb 7km up to Meghma. Meghma is a small hamlet falls right at the border of India and Nepal. The name Meghma comes from the word Megh (clouds). The trail takes three various forms.

First is muddy trail through a thick forest. Second trail from the open meadows and the last one is stairway cutting through the mountains. However, all become the same.

On the way to Tumling, trekkers can see the small village called Chitre, 3 km from Manebhanjan. The trail passes through the Pine, Birch forest and bamboo glades. You can filk the water bottles from here. The trail ahead of Tumling ascends gradually.

Trekkers may spott the beautiful animals like Red Panda, Himalayan Bear etc. After few hours walking through the meadows, you will find the SSB check post. The road going straight to Meghma then trekkers will find the large camping site. There is also a tea banglows here serving snaks, coffee and meals. The route on the left from Meghma goes to Tamling.

 

 

Day 3- Tumling to Kalipokhri

Distance    – 9 km
Time taken: 5 hours
Altitude      – 9,600ft

Tamling known as Tonglu and is one of the peaks of singalia range. Trekkers may get a Nepalese valleys with the river Teesta on the east, the kashi on the west  flowing on clear days. After few hours walking, you will enter the Singalila National Park (highest altitude national park). The trail passes through the bamboo glades. The road going straight to Gairibas via Jhaubari (small hamlet) on the way to kalipokhri. It is a continuous walk through the rhododendron forest from Gairibas. During spring, you can see the colourful carpet of Rhododendrons and alpine flowers. After descend a bit, you will reach at the Kalipokhri.

 

 

Day 4- Kalipokhri to Sandakphu

Distance – 8 km
Time taken – 4 hours
Altitude – 10,400ft

There is a small pond at Kalipokhri which means Black pond. Kalipokhri, the word kali means black and pokhri stands for water area.
Walk towards Bikheybhanjang valley means “Valley of Poison”. The road descend to Bikheybhanjang valley. After few hours walking to Sandakphu, there is a various trail in front of you, you can take any route , all merge at Sandakphu.

And now the final destination and the 180 degree majestic view of the Himalayan peaks includes Mt. Everest, Lhoste, Makalu, Pandim, Kanchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world) which is also known as sleeping budha or sleeping shiva and three sisters in the east beyond Kanchenjunga. The snowy ranges of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal is visible from the top.

 

 

Day 5 – Sandakphu to Srikhola

Distance – 17 km
Time taken – 7 hours
Altitude – 11,930ft

The trail descends through the dense Sigalila forest. The forest is full of oaks, chestnuts, rhododendrons and magnolia. There are many trekking routes from sandakphu. After descend bit, trekkers will reach at the Gurdam. Gurdam is a small hamlet surrounded by dense forests.

It is a perfect place for nature lover. Trekkers may spot the animals like Monal, Himalayan Bears and Red Panda. About one hours walk from Gurdam, you willvreach Srikhola. Srikhola is wonderful sight in Darjeeling district. There is a place where many trekkers stay for the night.

 

 

Day 6- Srikhola to New Jalpaiguri

Distance – 130 km
Time taken: 5 hours
Depart for New Jalpaiguri with the heavenly experience of trekking. You will reach New Jalpaiguri around 7pm.

Additional information

Dates	Jan-May
Duration	6 days
Location	West Bengal
Physicality	Easy