Sandakphu Mountain Peak Conquering Ways and Trek Activities!

Sandakphu, Darjeeling

Sandakphu is the highest peak in West Bengal with a height of 3636 meters (11930 feet). This peak is the highest point of the Singalila Hills on the West Bengal-Nepal border on the edge of the Singalila National Park in Darjeeling. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu – four of the world’s five highest peaks can be seen from Sandakphu.

Sandakphu is a paradise for those who may not be great trekkers but love mountains. Perhaps that is why Sandakphu is called a trekker’s paradise. If there is no physical problem then it is better to walk as it allows you to enjoy all the beauty of Sandakphu trek. Even if the pain is a little, you will get a thousand times more joy.

Trek summary

Elevation: 3636 m (11930 ft)
Total distance: 31 km
Trek Duration: 4 days
Trekbasecamp: Manevanjansera
Time: October to November

Sandakphu – Phalut Trek can vary in temperature between 12-20 degrees Celsius during the day and minus 5 to 5 degrees Celsius at night depending on the season. High wind along with temperature is another challenge of this trek. you should prepare

Best time to trek

October to November is the best time to get a crystal clear view. At this time, Kanchenjunga can also be seen well. However, if you want to get snowfall, the best time is between January and March, but you have to remember that it is very cold during this time. And if you are planning to see rhododendrons, early April to May is a good time.
Note: June 15- September 15 is off due to rain.

Cost of Sandakphu Trek

Siliguri to Manevanjan car fare is Rs.4000
The entry ticket to Singalila Park is to be taken from Manevanjan but the trek can also be taken from another check post after Meghma. Singalila Park Ticket – Rs.500 per day
If there is a camera – 100 rupees
Guide to be paid per day – 1200 rupees
If you take a jeep – 400 rupees
Homestay/GTA trekkers hut cost only Rs 500-600 for stay.
Food 250-300 rupees per hour

Trekking Itinerary

Day 1: New Jalpaiguri Station / Siliguri to Manebhanjan. Stay awake at night.
Day Two: Manebhanjan to Tumling. You can also stay in Tonglu if you want.
Day 3: Tumling to Kalipokhri. Stay at night.
Day 4: Kalipokhri to Sandakphu. In the afternoon watch the sunset at Al. Overnight stay at Sandakphu or Al.
Fifth day: Gurdum via Srikhola or Sepi. stay at night
Day 6: Rimbic via Darjeeling or Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri railway station.

Required documents and information

Photocopy of passport: 2-5 copies (including visa page)
Passport size photograph: Carry 4 copies. It is better to have two copies of stamp size photo, it will be convenient to get mobile sim.

Necessary equipment and preparation

Trekking Boots: A trekking boot with good grip is very useful. 7 days of trekking through rocky terrain and literally up and down rocky roads so comfortable footwear is a must. Boots are preferably ankle-high. Don’t trek in brand new boots. Wear boots for five-six days before the trek. Take woolen socks with you.
Wind breaker: A parachute jacket (wind cheater) should be taken which is known as wind breaker.
Backpack: A good quality backpack is essential for a comfortable trek. It is better to use a backpack that has a good back system, takes weight equally on the shoulders and hips, does not put pressure on the shoulders. A 40-50 liter backpack is enough for this trek.
Monkey Cap/Balaclava: A balaclava is a lightweight, funnel-shaped piece of cloth. Monkey cap, head cover, ear cover, throat cover when needed. It is very important to have it in strong winds on the way to Falut from Sandakphu and Sandakphu. Be sure to keep the muffler.
Gloves: Take thick gloves.
Polybags: Pack everything separately in polybags to protect your belongings from water. Also carry some extra zip lock/plain polythene. There is always a risk of rain especially in late April-May.
Head Lamp/Torch: With extra battery. Always keep in mind that battery charge is depleted in cold weather. It can be quite necessary when trekking at night or going to the toilet at night, so a smaller size is better.
Sunglasses: Sunlight falling through the snow is magnified several times to our eyes. Trekking with bare eyes is therefore dangerous. Snow can cause blindness. So to see well a ‘polarized’ sunglasses should be carried. It will be necessary if you go to Sandakphu around January as it snows there.
Camera, memory card, power bank: There is no power supply in most parts of the trail.
Trekking Pole/Walking Stick: Try to get two poles. At least one. Using a trekking pole reduces the stress on the body.
Trek Kit: Needle, thread, safety pin, 100 feet of paracord. You can’t tell when it will work. These things always come in handy.
Trail mix/chocolate/lodges: Along the entire trail there will be small villages where light tea and snacks are available. Even then, you can pick up something to change the taste of your mouth along the way.
Water bottle

How to get to Sandakphu

Sandakphu can be reached by car or by trekking. The journey starts from Manebhanjan which is 28 km from Darjeeling. You have to take guide from Manebhanjan and if needed you can take porter from here. In fact, Sandakphu is known as a trekking paradise. So Sandakphu – Phalut is an ideal trekking destination for those who have just started trekking. Sandakphu-Falut trekking-journey from Manebhanjan can be divided into 4 stages.

From Manebhanjan one can ride a 1950 Land Rover to Sandakphu and Phalut. However, the car journey is not very comfortable due to the steep hilly road.

Manebhanjan to Meghma- Manebhanjan (7053 ft) to Meghma (8530 ft) total 4 hours trekking. This trekking route goes through the picture village. Understanding the time and situation, many trekkers start the trek from the image.

Meghma to Goiribas – From Meghma to Goiribas (8599 ft) this trekking route goes through Tonglu (10072 ft) and Tumling (9514 ft). Many people take a direct car from Manevanjan to Dhotre to Tonglu or Tumling and start trekking from there. The boundary of Singalila National Park is along this route. The National Park has a check post at Tumling.

Goiribas to Sandakphu – From Goiribas to Sandakphu you have to take a 4 hour steep trek to reach Sandakphu. Kalipokhri village falls on the way.

Sandakphu to Srikhola – On the way back, you can go down to Srikhola on the banks of the river Srikhola. Rimbic from there. After that Darjeeling by car.

Where to stay in Sandakphu – Sandakphu has developed a small number of hotels. Among them, Sherpa Chalet Lodge is quite good. There is also GTA Trekkers Hut.

Hotel accommodation in Sandak Phu

Manebhanjan – Hotel Exotica (Masterji’s Hotel) & Hotel Pradhan
Tonglu- Raju Home Stay
Tumling – Siddhartha Lodge
Kalipokhri – Himachuli Lodge, Pandim Lodge
Sandakphu – Sherpa Chalet, Hotel Sunrise, Namo Buddha Hotel
Al – Pinky Didi’s Home Stay
Srikhola – Goparma Lodge

Necessary medicine

Basic first aid kit medicines (gas medicine, pain killer, move, savlon) along with some cotton, gauze-bandage, povidone iodine, savlon, band aid. Carry an inhaler for safety. Those who have problems at high altitude must take medicine as per medical advice.

Mobile network

Mobile network coverage is not available most of the time in Sandakphu – Phalut Trek. Vodafone and BSNL network is available occasionally but that too is very weak.

A few essentials

While trekking, stand and take rest, try to breathe out through the nose instead of mouth, don’t sit, legs will catch.
Drink as little water as possible.
Keep your passport close, you will have to enter multiple times along the way.
Better not to trek in jeans, wear two trouser layers.
Trekking and mountains have a different addiction, so it is better not to get intoxicated during the trek.
Most of the entire trekking route does not have electricity supply. keep power bank

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