SANDAKPHU TOUR
Sandakphu or Sandakfu is situated at an elevation of 3636 meters / 11941 feet) is the highest peak in the state of West Bengal, India. It is situated at the edge of the Singalila National Park in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal - Sikkim - Nepal border. It is the highest point of the Singalila Range or Ridge. Sandakphu has a small village on the peak with houses. Four of the five highest peaks of the Himalayan Range like Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu can be clearly seen from here. Varieties of rhododendrons with plants like Streptous simplex, Trilidium govanianum, Primula rotundifolia, Fritillaria cirrhosa, Llydia and flora like Iris, Anemone, etc is found in this region. The whole length of the Himalayan Range with the peaks of Kanchendzonga and Everest can be seen from its summit. Sunrise and sun set are brilliant. So is the snowfall and the scenic beauty around the place. Sandakphu can be reached by treking from Maney Bhanjan via Tonglu, Gauribaas, Kalipokhri or motor able only via the legendary Land - Rover rather the legendary monster 4 x 4. The weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges from - 20 C in winter to 15 C in summer. Snowfalls in winters are a treat to watch. Phalut is nearly 21 kilometers through the forest, meadows (Bugials) from Sandakphu. There is no settlement in this route and the road is scenic with brilliant scenery. It is a tricky route as any left turn will take you to Nepal. Phalut is always the most brilliant part of the trek, of course if guest do not travel to Gurdung, which is also a unique place. It is a pleasant walk with more or less a level ground and with not many ups and downs and the scenery of the purple hills was almost magical and dreamy. Water and ready food is all that you need during the trek. Phalut has only a single guest house but the house has space for many.
Trek- The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 28 kilometers from Darjeeling. The trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four stages. Manebhanjan to Meghma (2600 meters) is a 4hour trek via Chitre. There is another shorter route via Dhotre. The trekking route takes one directly to Tonglu or Tumling 5 kilometers. Next Meghma to Gairibas (2621 m): There are two alternative trekking routes. Both go via Tonglu (3070 meters) and Tumling (2900 meters). From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 meters). Gairibans / Gaurabas to Sandakphu 3636 meters is a steep 4 hour climb halfway up the climb is the village of Kala Pokhri (3186 meters). Sandakphu to Phalut (3600 meter)- This is the most pristine stretch of the trek and is a one-day trek via Sabarkum (3536 meters) covering 21 kilometers. But the main problem of this Sandakphu-Phalut route is that there is no water source in between, so trekkers have to carry enough water to reach Phalut. Since 2009.
Two standard route are Siliguri to Manebhanjan by car - Manenybhanjan - Garibas -Sandakphu - Sandakphu - Phalut - Rammam - Rimbik - Siliguri by car or Siliguri - Dhotrey by car - Gairibas Trek - Sandakphu Trek - Phalut - Gorkhey - Srikhola.
Places of Interest
- Sandakphu
- Phalut / Falut
- Tonglu
- Lamaydhura (Tibetian Family)
- Meghma or Megma
- Tumling
- Jhaubari
- Gauribas
- Kalopokhori
- Bikheybhanjang
- Singalila National Park
- Gurdum
- Ramam
- Rimbik
- Srikhola
- Gorkhey
Itinerary
Day 1
Pick up from NJP/ BAGDOGRA and transfer to MANEBHANJAN. Stay...
Pick up from NJP/ BAGDOGRA and transfer to MANEBHANJAN. Stay for a day and a night in a home stay surrounded by scenic beauty of tea gardens and hills.
Aout Manebhanjan (or Mane Bhanjyang) is a small mountain township located about 26kms from Darjeeling, 92kms from Siliguri, and on the border of India and Nepal at an altitude of 7,054 ft (2,150 m). Bhanjayang in Nepali means Junction, and Mane stands for Buddhist Stupas. So the name Manebhanjan means the junction of Stupas. This is the place from where the popular Sandakphu Trek begins.
Day 2
Transfer to SANDAKPHU vis Legendary Land Rover. Stay there...
Transfer to SANDAKPHU vis Legendary Land Rover. Stay there in a home stay or camps arranged on a prior basis. Adventure treks can be arranged as well according to your choice with prior information.
Day 3
Transfer from Sandakphu to Tonglu. Here you can stay in a ...
Transfer from Sandakphu to Tonglu. Here you can stay in a home stay or camp with prior information. The home stays will arrange camp fire as per your request.
About TONGLU-Tonglu is a small settlement and a mountain hamlet along the route to Sandakphu and located in Darjeeling district. This is usually where the trekkers halt for the first night at the GTA (Gorkha Territorial Administration) lodge. There is also a District Magistrate's (DM's) Bungalow which can also be booked through DM's office in Darjeeling and Siliguri. Tonglu is actually one of the peaks of Singalila range and located at an altitude of 10,130ft. Earlier in 1800s this place was part of Sikkim and known as Mount Tonglo. This was during the time when Sir Joseph Hooker came here and other places around on expeditions to discover the plantations of the area. The last stretch of the route to Tonglu from Meghma is quite steep and the it's an uphill climb all the way. However from Tonglu towards Tumling is a quick descend. It was only when I was approaching Tonglu recently in April, when I got the first glance of Rhododendrons (see the red flowers at the turning of the steep road).
Day 4
Transfer to MIRIK via Manebhanjan. Stay a night in MIRIK w...
Transfer to MIRIK via Manebhanjan. Stay a night in MIRIK with a lake side view. There are many activities you can do in Mirik like Horse riding, Boating, feeding fish in Lake and local tour.
Day 5
Transfer back to NJP/ BAGDOGRA after breakfast along with ...
Transfer back to NJP/ BAGDOGRA after breakfast along with the tea gardens and pine tree view.
Inclusions
ON TOUR BASIS
Exclusions
N.A