There are no such view points in the world from where you can see the four highest eight thousander plus peaks in the world and that of also with a moderate trek. That’s why Sandakphu Trekking is so crazy among trekkers and adventure lovers from every corner of the world.
Sandakphu throws open an incredible panorama of world’s highest snowline, swerving from the snow ensconced peaks of Nepal to Bhutan and farther east to Tibet. The trek route zigzags along the Singalila National Park and Indo-Nepal border, often making this trip thrilling. Basically you will never know when you are in Nepal and when in India. No boundaries, no check post, no guns, no red eyes of army jawans, no fear – its sheer thrill in every curve of your trek. Innumerable birds, flora and wildness of pure nature are enough to fascinate you by every means.
The Sandakphu Trekking Route is not really out of civilization’s way. Lined with quaint localities of Indians and Nepalese citizen side by side even through long winters this Sandakphu Phalut Trek and Tourism run round the year. Sandakphu Phalut Trekking route is logical, realistic, and safe.
Bagdogra Airport & NJP Station
It’s the first day of your Sandakphu Trek. As many of you will be coming from different parts of India rather world, so first we will meet at NJP Station or Siliguri Station. A warm welcome by our representative. After a short briefing and a small tea break, we will be heading towards our next destination – Mane Bhanjan.
NOTE: from Siliguri Station we can go up to Darjeeling more with small Toto rickshaw or Auto. Our Car will be waiting there. From Darjeeling more, we will board our car to rise up the hill and will reach our destination Mane Bhanjan.
From plain (NJP / Siliguri / Bagdogra) to the hills the journey is very enjoyable with sukna forest on both side, beautifully decorated army camps, the forest of Sal and Teak on both side, innumerable tea gardens, small huts of local people beautifully decorated with seasonal flower and of course ever smiling little children’s of hills.
After reaching Ghum Station, we will take left turn and proceed through Lepcha Jagat – a beautiful place shaded with lush green pine forest, Sukhia Pokhari, Simana Bazar and then we will reach Mane Bhanjan – A small hamlet adjacent to Indo Nepal border.
ManeBhanjan is the gateway for your most awaited Sandakphu Trek. From NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra, you will be reaching Mane Bhanjan around 1 to 1.30pm depending upon the road and weather condition. As many of you will be coming from far distances, we will spend the night here. After lunch take rest. Put on your Jackets or Pull over (as you are almost 1900m above sea level, you will experience chill wind) and set out to roam round the vicinity of Mane Bhanjan. There is small Buddhist Pagoda where you can visit, hear the sound of flattering flags in high winds. In the evening, stroll around the hamlet. Leisure and night stay at the hotel / home stay in Mane Bhanjan.
NOTE: Here one thing to remember that Mane Bhanjan is the hub of Singalila Land Rover Association with a fleet of 45 half century old British period giant beast. Though most of the iconic green color is faded away with the span of time, and has been replaced with metallic shinning silver sheet, but the charm and credibility is the same. They are the life line of this hilly rock paved roads.
With early morning wake up and a cup of hot tea, say Goooood Morning to Maney Bhanjan. With freshen up and breakfast done, get ready with your Rucksack. Take a last minute check. If required any gadgets (trekking boots, gloves, climbing helmet, trekking sticks etc), you can buy it from here.
Then let’s assemble at a place and start the Trek. Our next destination wills be Tumling or Tonglu (depending upon availability, weather and requisition). It is almost 13 km trek via Chitrey, Meghma and Tonglu.
Chitrey – It is a small picturesque village just 3 km from Mane Bhanjan. Located at a height of 8340ft above sea level, Chitrey is a wonderful hamlet and its serenity will mesmerize every traveler and trekker. Surrounded by high forest in one side and wide spread meadow other side the view from Chitrey is really spell bound.
Meghma – Is also a pristine small hamlet in the route of Sandakphu Trekking Package. Located at a height of 9,514ft and 9 km from Mane Bhanjan, most of the time this place remain hidden under carpet of cloud hence got the name as “Megh” means cloud in local language. Mother Nature has packed this place with all her treasures. This place is so beautiful that travelers get spellbound and wish to come here again and again.
Tumling – This place is regarded as the halt for all trekkers way to Sandakphu. Geographically located in Nepal with merely 15 people in total, this is a small hamlet and gateway to the Singalila National Park. Located at 10,000ft or 2970m from sea level, this is a great view point. In a clear sunny day, Mt. Kanchenjunga is clearly visible from here. Sun Rise on a clear sunny day is also mesmerizing.
After reaching Tumling, take rest. Stroll the surroundings. You are in Nepal and most of the families here are Gurung community. It’s a great place for photography and photo session. Evening free for leisure. Do whatever you want. Take rest, sing song, play guitar and take part in antakshari, arrange camp fire, dance around it and get warm-up. After all it will be shivering cold at night. From evening, the temperature start to fall and within night it becomes sub zero sometime. Sweet dream at Tumling.
With a very good morning at Tumling, try to catch the amazing view of early morning Sun rise from Tumling view point. Stroll around the concrete road and feel the freshness of air. Intake the pure oxygen as much as you can. You can perform Yogasana or Surya Namasker also.
Complete your breakfast, check your backpack and start trekking for Kalipokhri. From here Kalipokhri is almost 12km. It is a wonderful road up to Singalila National Park Check Post (1 km from Tumling and here you have to show your permits). Keeping Singalila National Park on your right side and Nepal on your left you will trek through the wonderful serpentine rocky narrow path full of small bamboo and rhododendron. If your trekking time is between Marchs to June, then you will get the best bloom of rhododendron everywhere.
From Singalila National Park gate, trekkers usually choose the left turn and trek up to Jhaubari. It is almost 5 km and the entire trekking route is in Nepal. The nature view on the route is extremely beautiful, serene, calm, windy and chill. Though out this trek, you may not encounter with any other living creature on this earth except dogs and wild mule. After 6 km trek you will reach Jhaubari – a small settlement with 5 to 6 homestay. You can take some rest if you need.
From Jhaubari you have to take the right side road up to Gairibas. It is almost 1km down steep road. Trekkers generally take a small tea or Momo break here. After having little rest, again proceed towards Kalipokhri – your next destination. The journey is extremely thrilling through the dense bamboo forest with moderate trek. Within next 2 km you will reach Kayakatta, a small settlement to take rest and Lunch. From Kayakatta, Kalipohri is almost 4 km. A moderate trekking is required, you may be exhausted but the scenery and view on your both side will mesmerize you on your entire journey. So many unknown flowers everywhere will welcome you with their grandeur. Exhausted you will reach Kalipokhri. The name Kali means Black and Pokhri means Pond. Hence it is named as Kali Pokhri. The pond is very sacred to the local Nepali people. You will find small stone stupa on the brink of the pokhri.
Take rest. Day is free for leisure. Enjoy the vicinity around Pokhri. It is awesome and best for selfie and photo session also. Night will be freezing cold. So take early dinner and go to bed.
After a chilling night, try to get up early if you want to behold the magnificent Sunrise from Kalipokhri. Return back to home stay. Complete your breakfast with hot ginger tea and start for the final part of your trek. Almost 6 hrs steep trekking route through the rocky boulder road is waiting for you.
With one and half hrs steep trekking you will reach Bikhey Bhanjang, a small hamlet where you can take little rest. As it is almost 10k+ altitude, trekking seems very tough as oxygen level drops. So proper rest is a must time to time. From Bikehy bhanjan, the “Valley of Poison” starts. It is because that in this region various type of poisonous herbs and shrubs grow, so better not to touch any colorful plants no matter how small it is.
From Bikhey Bhanjang, Sandakphu is another 4km. The trekking may be strenuous, but the natural beauty will fill your heart with joy and happiness. Every turn in this path is awesome, beautiful with jaw dropping cinerary. Enjoy it. After all you are here for that. Then suddenly the mile stone will appear before you with Sandakphu = 0Km. Yes, you are almost done. You are at the top of West Bengals highest point.
Sandakphu is a window to one of the finest view of the snowy mountains, from the mighty Everest in Nepal, to the revered Khangchendzonga in Sikkim and the legendary Chomolhari in the Bhutan. The whole snowy range of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal about 320km in length, a wonderful square mass of mountains looking like a wall of snow is visible but the gigantic height and breadth of touring Khangchendzonga with its attendant peaks, Kabru, Jannu and Pandim dominate the scene.
Take rest, enjoy the view for what you are doing this hard work for last three days. Behold the mesmerizing view of the entire Himalayan range with the Great Mt. Kanchenjungha calling you in front. Good Night sleep at home stays at Sandakphu.
Today we will start our return journey from Sandakphu. It will be another wonderful day as we will be trekking though some magnificent route that’s worth depicting. First we will set out for Gurdum which is almost 10km and can be trekked within 4 hrs through the dense Singalila forest full of blooming Rhododendron, Oaks and Chestnut trees. The path is extremely beautiful, full of serenity and carpeted with flowers of rhododendron between April to June.
Gurdum is a tiny picturesque hamlet at an altitude of 7150ft. Very small number of families live here. Having surrounded by dense forest, the ambience of the village is awesome and great spot to enjoy the nature’s beauty. After reaching here, take rest and have lunch at Sherpa Himalayan Lodge.
After an hour of lunch break, we will start towards Srikhola which is nearly 2 hrs trek. SriKhola is another wonderful place to behold. With an altitude of 6900ft, it’s a tiny village with a beautiful mountain streams. Here to mention that in local language the word “khola” means “Stream”. After reaching Srikhola, either you can take rest or can roam around the beautiful streams; in the evening you can enjoy campfire besides the stream also. It’s a wonderful experience. We will spend the night at Srikhola.
With a hot cup of tea / coffee say good morning to Srikhola. Roam around the vicinity and experience the morning glory once for all as we will start our final decent soon. After breakfast take a shared vehicle to NJP / Siliguri / Bagdora via Rimbik, Manebhanjan, Sukhiapokhri and Mirik. It will be a long journey; almost 160km and can take 6 to 7 hrs. Here your Sandakphu Trekking Package from NJP ends with sweet memories.
