Sandakphu

Sandakphu, Darjeeling a trekkers paradise :

Darjeeling internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill resorts is also a veritable paradise for trekkers and adventure seekers. Trekking in Darjeeling is an experience which no lover of nature should miss. It takes one to places where nature is yet in her primeval majesty. It brings one face to face with the sublime grandeur of the Himalayas. 

The region abounds in rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas, orchids and ferns of numerous varieties. About six hundred different species of birds inhabit the emerald green forests on the slopes of the mountains.

This trek is perhaps one of the best and certainly the most popular of all the treks in Darjeeling for those having a limited time at their disposal. It offers the travelers an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga and the Everest group of mountain peaks in Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.  

Sandakphu (3636 m; 11929 ft) 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 border, and is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge. Sandakphu has a small village on the peak with a number of hostels. The peaks of Kanchendzonga and Everest can be seen from its summit.

View of Kanchendzonga or Sleeping Buddha as seen from Sandakphu

From Sandakphu the best view of the mountain Kanchendzonga is possible, which is known as the sleeping Buddha or the sleeping Shiva.

How to reach :

Sandakphu can be reached by trekking. The trekking starts from Manebhanjan via Chitrey, Meghma, Tonglu, Tumling, Gairibas, Kala Pokhri, Bekhey Bhanjan and finally to Sandakphu. One can return via the same route or further trek to Phalut and return through Gorkhey, Rammam. Srikhola, Rimbik, Dhotrey and then Manebhanjan.

Trekking :

The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas due to the grand vistas of the Kanchenjunga range and the Everest range which can be seen from the ridge, and also for the seasonal wildflower blooms and birding. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 51 km (1.5 hours by road) from Darjeeling.
The trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages.

• Manebhanjan to Meghma (2600 m): This is a 4 hour trek through the lower forest.
• Meghma to Gairibans (2621 m): There are two alternative trekking routes. Both go via Tonglu (3070 m) and Tumling (2900 m). The boundary of the national park passes though Tumling where a checkpost is located. From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 m).
• Gairibans to Sandakphu (3636 m): This is a steep 4 hour climb. Roughly half-way up the climb is the village of Kala Pokhri (3186 m).
• Sandakphu to Phalut (3600 m): This is the most pristine stretch of the trek, offering great views of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum (3536 m) covering 21 km. But the main problem of this Sandakphu-Phalut route is that there is no water source in between, so the trekkers have to carry enough water to reach Phalut.

The descent from Sandakphu can be accomplished in several ways:

• Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan.
• A steep descent to the village of Sirikhola on the banks of the River Sirikhola, via Gurdum (2300 m), and from there to Rimbick.
• There is now a 4WD motorable road to Sandakphu, so one can hire a cab down to Manebhanjan and Darjeeling via Tumling and Tonglu if needed. The drive on the gravel road, however, is very arduous.

 

Climate :

The temperature swings from -20°C (including wind chill factor) in winter to +15°C in summer. Sandakphu gets snowfall in late December to early February.