Sandakphu - east-himalaya.com

The name Sandakphu means the 'Height of the Poison Plant', a direct reference to the profusion of the poisonous aconite plants that grow near the peak. The loftiest peak of the Singalila Range, Sandakphu is the culminating point of many trekking routes in the Darjeeling-Sikkim region.

At an altitude of 3,636 m, it is located at a distance of 58 km. from Darjeeling. Trek to Sandakphu starts from Maneybhanjan, a small town near Darjeeling. Maneybhanjan can be reached from Siliguri via Ghoom / Darjeeling. After necessary entries in the Immigration check post and the last minute shopping and meal, the trek begins. You may also opt for overnight stay at Maneybhanjan to start the trek to Sandakphu early next day.

Sandakphu epitomises the wild elemental grandeur of the snows. Nature here is at her pristine best, and the vista at the top is worth all the hardship endured on the way. Aptly called the Paradise of Trekkers, the Sandakphu peak is a vantage point from where one can see four of the world's five highest peaks - Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse in a continuous snow-clad arc.

Sandakphu is resplendent with the ethereal beauty of magnolias, rhododendrons, primulas and other sub-alpine flowers. It also contains more than 600 varieties of orchids, the largest to be found in a single geographical area in the world. Maneybhanjan, at an altitude of 2134 mtr, is the gateway to the Sandakphu region. You can visit Sandakphu any time of the year. The monsoon months of July-August is not suggested.

Sandakphu Photo Gallery

Description of the trek to Sandakphu

View from Sandakphu As you start your trek, the first lap till Chitre passes quite steeply uphill on a good stoned path through lush greenery of pine, fir, birch forests and bamboo glades. It takes about an hour and half to reach Chitre (2530 m). Crossing the Buddhist settlement of Chitre one reaches Meghma. The trail bifurcates at Meghma. The right uphill route leads to the trekkers hut at Tonglu (3070m) in India. The trail in the left passes through Nepal. The roads meet again at Tumling (in Nepal).

Tonglu is famous for the view of the snow-capped peaks of the Singalila range and the Kanchenjunga range. Tumling on the other hand is a salubrious night halt with assorted lodges dotting its sedate green environs. The lights of the towns of Trekking in the cloud Darjeeling, Kurseong, Pasupati, Siliguri and other settlements can be viewed in a clear night.
The next day's trek from Tonglu or Tumling towards Sandakphu is rewarded with a wide variety of flora, fauna and avifauna as you enter the Singalila National Park. The trek route passes through the Indo-Nepal border. The area is also the house of wide varieties of Rhododendron and the playing ground of Red Pandas. Reach Goiribans (9 km. 2621 m) through Joubari (in Nepal). After some break move on to second nights halt at Kalepokhri (4 km from Goiribans, 3108 m, in Nepal). The trek from Tumling to Kalepokhri takes about 5 hours. At Kalepokhri there is a small crystal lake surrounded by pine trees and prayer flags. The dark color of the water in the lake leads to the name of Kalepokhri (kale = Black, Pokhri = Lake)

Trek route As the third day of trek unfolds, you realise that Sandakphu is within a short striking distance now (9 km app.). But hold your breath. You will be negotiating with an uphill climb today. After a tough trek for about 4 hours which will leave you panting and gasping, you will reach Sandakphu (3636m), the highest point in West Bengal. As soon as you reach Sandakphu, you will realise why it is called the paradise of trekkers. The views of four of the five highest peaks in the world.... Everest, Kanchendzonga, Makalu and Lhotse along with numerous other snow capped peaks great us in the morning. A day's halt at Sandakphu allows trekkers to view the surroundings.

From Sandakphu there are several trekking options available to the tourists. You can go down to Rimbik directly by a shortcut route through dense forests. You can move on to Phalut (3600m) from where you can further visit to Molley, Rammam, Gorkey or Rimbik. Rimbik is the road head on the other side of the trek. From here you will be taken to your next destination.

Our services in Sandakphu

Tents at Chitrey mytourideas organises treks to Sandakphu on a regular basis. Our treks are customised as per guest requirements. Sandakphu trek is ideally organised for a group of 6-15 although smaller or larger groups can also be managed.

Duration : 6 - 11 days.
Things to carry : Warm clothes, a good pair of sneakers, a rucksack and raincoat, windproof is all that you need to carry. Everything else is arranged by mytourideas.
Food : The staple diet is rice and chapatti. Food is sufficient and decent. For groups requiring different foods, such as international travellers, cook and food is carried with the group. All our tour are accompanied by highly experienced guides and porters and almost in all cases the food is carried along with the trek and cooked by trek support team members.

How would you like to proceed?

Check Trek packages to Sandakphu
Short (5 nights 6 days)
Long (9 nights 10 days)