Sandakphu Trail

Sandakphu is popularly known as Singalila Range trek, has always been known as the trekkers' paradise and located at north west of Darjeeling town at an altitude of about 12,000ft. This is the highest point (or peak) of the Singalila mountain range. Many tourists who find the 3 days trek too strenuous to bear, take a 4-wheel drive vehicle like a jeep or a Land Rover from  Maneybhanjyang and go all the way up to Sandakphu along the steep gravel road. The motor road is full of loose stones and boulders, and takes about 5 hours to reach.

The distance from  Maneybhanjyang to Sandakphu is about 32 kilometers. From Darjeeling, the distance to Sandakphu is 58kms (26km up to  Maneybhanjyang). But once you reach Sandakphu after a tedious trek, you will be rewarded with the real bounty of the nature. If you love snow peaks, then you will feel privileged that you made it up to this point and joined the group of few who have witnessed an end-to-end panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. And these include four of the five highest peaks of the world. I shall come to the view shortly

The name Sandakphu means "Height of the poison plants". This is because of the poisonous aconite plants growing in abundance here and Sandakphu being the highest point of Darjeeling hills where such plants grow. Don't worry, they won't reach any harm to you unless you try to eat the attractive purple blue colored flowers or the leaves of these handsome looking plants that are usually 1-meter in height. Sandakphu is also home to lovely flowering plants like primula and rhododendrons that bloom in plenty in spring.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rhododendron Trees
• Unique landscape
• Birds & Yaks
• Beautiful Sunrise
• View of High altitude PeaksKanchenjunga ,Everest, Makalu etc.
• Highest Point of West Bengal State
• Local Gorkha Village

BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 01) Darjeeling- Maneybhanjyang - Tumling/Tonglu: (2790mt / 9153ft) 12 kms - 5/6hrs
After Breakfast. Morning drive till Maneybhanjyang, Maneybhanjyang is the starting point of the trek. The day walk is uphill and the trail passes through small village of Chitre and forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias. The trekkers hut at Tumling (2790m) is located on a hill top overlooking the Himalayan ranges. Overnight at Tumling.

Day 02) Tumling/Tonglu - Kalapokhri: (3186mt / 10452ft) 14kms - 5/6hrs
After Breakfast we undertake a pleasant walk through the forest which is home to the rare Red Panda and the Tragopan. The entire trek route is the home of rare avi-fauna and wild flowers of vibrant colours. The day long trek which will cover14 kms to Kalapokhri (3010m). Reach Kalapokhri (famous for the pond of black water which never freezes and is revered by the local people) trekkers hut where we spend the night.

Day 03) Kalapokhri - Sandakphu: (3636mt / 11929ft) 5kms - 4/5hrs
After breakfast, start the trek to Sandakphu (3636m) which takes about 05hrs. Sandakphu is the place to view the mountains. On a clear day one can see the peaks of Lhotse (8501m), Everest (8848m) and Makalu (8475m) of the Nepal Himalayas and the huge Kanchenjunga massif (8586m) along with other peaks of the Kanchenjunga Range. Overnight at Sandakphu.

Day 04) Sandakphu - Gurdum: (2800mt / 9186ft) 11kms -5/6hrs

Continues Sandakphu Trek, This day very early morning after a grand sunrise show and the breathtaking view of the greater Himalayas , we will come downhill to Gurdum(2800m) through a forest after breakfast. Overnight at Gurdum.

Day 05) Gurdum - Rimbik- Darjeeling