Sandakphu, located in the North West of Darjeeling at an altitude of 11,900 feet is the highest peak of West Bengal State. Sandakphu trek has everything going for it. After all where else you will see 4 of the world's highest mountains - Mt. Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse. The heavenly experience of walking through the Forest of blooming rhododendrons, giant magnolias, spruce and a wide range of amazing orchids is something you will find nowhere else. Sandakphu is part of Singalila range. The trekking route passes through Shilgalila National Park which is another attraction of this trek. The park boasts rare animals like Red Pandas and Pangolins & a wide variety of birds. Offering you epic views of the Kanchenjunga range known as the "Sleeping Buddha", Sandakphu Phalut trek is a moderate trek ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers alike looking for a simple yet stunning display of landscapes and scenery. Being one of the best treks in the Eastern Part of India close to the Sikkim border, Sandakphu Phalut trek is best done from September to April making it one of the best winter treks there is. The starting point of the trek, Jaubhari is approx. 5 hours drive away from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) which is the closest railway station. If you want to travel by Air then closest Airport is Bagdogra. Most of the trail on Sandakphut trek is now accessible by road. Thus, we suggest you go for Goecha La trek in Sikkim instead. Although, Goecha La is more difficult compared to Sandakphu, if you want to do a trek in Sikkim, it is your best bet!
Arrive in Jaubhari
Arrive at Jaubhari by evening. Team introduction in the evening. From Jaubhari the closest railway station is NJP & closest airport is Bagdogra. The travel time from NJP/ Bagdogra to Jaubhari is approximately 5 hours. On this day we stay in Jaubhari. Trek will start the next morning.
Jaubhari to Tumling
Today we begin the trek to Tumling. The trek is moderate with flat sections & some steep ascents. Today we will cover a distance of 10 Kms approx. Be careful as the trail can be slippery during the rainy season. The trail constitutes rocky paths, some muddy sections & meadows. Fill your water bottles at the start of trek. Water sources are available only at Chittrey, Lamaydhura and Meghma. We will halt at Chittrey Monastery. India Nepal border starts at Chetrey. From here India is on your right & Nepal is on your left. From Chittrey there are stairs made till Meghma. Chimla and Magnolia flowers are in abundance on the trail. If you are lucky, you can also spot a Red Panda in this region. From Chettrey walk for another 3 kms to reach Lamaydhura which is a small village with few Tibetan families. From Lamaydhura walk for another 3 kms over a flat terrain to reach Meghma. Then we reach SSB checkpost where our IDs will be checked. Foreigners should keep their Visa & Indians should keep their photo identity card with them. Tumling is on the India Nepal Border. We will stay at Tonglu which is a few hundred meters before Tumling.
Tumling to Kalipokhri
Wake up early to view sunrise over the Kangchenjunga range of peaks which is also known as sleeping Buddha owing to its shape. Ask your guide for the names of various peaks visible from here. Today’s trek is approx. 13kms. Notice the two roads diverging as you start the trek. We trek on the Nepal Road & reach the Singalila National Park entry point. Once we enter the national park we can see Mt. Everest. Next place is Gairibas which is 5 kms away and takes about 3-4 hours with a few staying options on the Nepal side of it. From Gairibas, Kaiyakatta is at a distance of 2 km. From Kaiykatta, Kalipokhri is about 4 kms. Kalipokhri translates to the Black lake and is exactly on the Nepal India border. There is a small Buddha temple near the lake. We camp near the lake tonight.
Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
Start early so that you do not miss the view of Snow clad peaks. Today’s trek is an easy one of 7 km & will take about 4-5 hours. From Kalipokhri the trail gradually ascends to Bikheybhanjang which is a small hamlet. It literally means the “Poisonous valley” because of the Poisonous Aconite plants that grow here in plenty. The trail just before you reach Sandakphu is very steep. At places, you might have to use all 4 limbs to climb. All the pain of steep climb will be gone in seconds when you reach Sandakphu from where you get a panoramic view including 4 of the highest mountains in the world - Mt Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Chomolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna, etc. Ask your guide for more information about the peaks. Overnight stay at Sandakphu.
Sandakphu to Sabargram
Start trekking early morning from Sandakphu to reach Sabargram. Today’s Trek is moderate but a long one covering 15 km in approximately 8 hours. Today’s trek is a treat for the eyes as the scenery is one of the best. Rhododendron trees are in plenty & in full bloom if you happen to come here in April or May. Camp for the night at Sabargram.
Sabargram to Gorkhey via Phalut
Today's trek is an easy one with mostly a descending trail. Views of Kangchenjunga on your left will keep the photographer in you alive. Trek will take about 5 hours to reach Gorkhey. Once we cross Gorkhey river we enter Sikkim. Camp overnight at Gorkhey.
Gorkhey to Sepi
Start early from Gokhey. Walking through Sammamden and Rammam villages, we will reach Sepi at around 2 PM. Trek ends here.
Sandakphu Phalut trek is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers. For the novice, Sandakphu Phalut is a great start to enter the world of trekking. It can get a bit rigorous for the first timers. Therefore, it is recommended to the first timers to maintain good physical stamina and read extensively. Any experienced trekker would love to go on this weekend trek for the love of its views and trekking.
Sandakphu Phalut trek is apt for the first-timers. Those coming for the first time should prepare and read extensively about the trek. A basic knowledge about how to use a sleeping bag, toilet tents, sleeping tents, and mountain mannerisms will come in handy.
Fitness Benchmark
One should be familiar with the following:
September to April is the best season to do this trek.
Click here for packing list.
The starting point of the trek is Jaubhari that can be reached from NPJ. NPJ is easily accessible by rail or flights from all parts of the country. The nearest airport is Bagdogra.
An intermittent network of BSNL and Airtel.
The minimum age limit is 9 years. However, minors aged between 9 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
On trekking days accommodation will be on twin/triple sharing basis in 4 season tents.
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward, provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
You will be provided with good quality of gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
Yes there will be snow on this trek in the winter season between December to March
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
It is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
We will pick you up from NPJ railway station. Drop off point remains the same.
Expect to reach your destination by evening.
Please carry your ID card (Soft copy should be sent to us over email).
If you are arriving at NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra Airport, then, you can avail transportation till Jaubhari through us.
Expect to reach NJP by late evening.
It is mandatory to carry ID Proof for the trek. (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried along)
Sandakphu trek is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers. For the novice, it is a great start to enter into the world of trekking. It can get a bit rigorous for the first-timers. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain good physical stamina and read extensively. Any experienced trekker would love to go on Sandakphu trek for the love of its views and trekking.
Since Sandakphu is a beginner’s trek, you need no special prior experience. Although one is required to have mental preparedness and stamina before he begins the trek. Running is recommended.
1. Jog/Run for 3 Kms in 30 mins and
2. Hold your breath for 20 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
1. How to choose a right rucksack: It is essential that you choose a right rucksack for the trek since you are going to carry it all the time while trekking. Make sure you don’t make these common mistakes while buying a rucksack.
2. How to pack a rucksack: Trekking in mountains become more fun when your rucksack is well-organized. It also makes it easier for you to carry without being much load on your shoulders. Follow the guidelines on how to pack a rucksack.
The best time to do this trek is between the months of October to April.
Click here for packing list.
The start point of Sandakphu trek is Jaubhari. There are no direct buses or trains to this place.
By rail:
The nearest railways station to Jaubhari is New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP). it is located 120 km from Jaubhari. There are a number of trains from Delhi to NJP that you can board like Avadh Assam Express, Ndls Njp Sf Express. The jeep ride from NJP to Jaubhari will take about 5-6 hours. Get an early morning taxi from the taxi stand at Siliguri Railway Station. Avoid travelling in night since the road condition is bad.
By air: The nearest airport to Jaubhari is Bagdogra Airport, about 150 km from Jaubhari and 12 km from Siliguri. There are direct flights from New Delhi to Bagdogra. The jeep ride from Siliguri to Jaubhari will take about 5-6 hours to reach. For backward journey, the taxis are easily available from Jaubhari to bagdogra/NJP/Siliguri. Start your road journey in the morning.
Intermittent network during the trek.
The minimum age limit for Sandakphu is 9 years. However, minors aged between 9 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
At Jaubhari your stay will be made at a local guesthouse. The rooms will be provided on either twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email a few days prior to the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
You will be provided with good quality gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
In winters, during the day, the temperature will range from 10-15 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0 to -8 degrees Celsius. The higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets.
You can expect snows from December to March. It is difficult to expect snow during summers or monsoons.
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Do not leave anything for last minute buying as there will be no time for shopping because of immediate transportation to Jaubhari. It is advisable to come prepared with all the necessities,
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Sarthak Madan 21 May 2021
Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
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