Sandakphu or Sandakpur is a 3636 mtr high mountain peak in the Singalila Ridge on the border between India and Nepal. It is the highest peak in the state of West Bengal, India. The peak is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park and has a small village on the summit with a few hotels. It is famous for offering breath taking view of four out of the five highest peaks in the world; namely Mount Everest, Mount Kangchenjunga, Mount Lhotse and Mount Makalu. On a clear day all these snow-clad mountains can be seen from its summit. It also affords a pristine view of the entire Kangchenjunga Range. The peak has a small village on the summit with a few hostels. A trekkers paradise, Sandakphu is the only place in the world where one can see the beautiful Rhododendron trees and silver fir forests together.
A true paradise for all adventure lovers; from Sandakphu, the best view of the mountain Kanchenjunga is possible, which is known as the Sleeping Buddha or the Sleeping Shiva. Sandakphu name derives from the Tibeto-Burmese- Lepcha language and translates as “the height of the poisonous plant”, in reference to once abundant poisonous plants, Aconitum ferox around a century ago. So great was the danger of fatal poisoning to sheep and cattle being driven through the area that they had to be muzzled to prevent them from grazing on these toxic plant species. Aconitum ferox is one of the most poisonous plant species in the world. Standing atop the peak the trekkers can see the fast-flowing river Teesta flowing far below. Adrenaline junkies can try river rafting on the Teesta, after coming back from trekking to top of Sandakphu.
The West Bengal Trek
The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular in the Eastern Himalayas, it not only provides stupendous vistas of the Kangchenjunga and Everest ranges, but also stunning visuals of seasonal wildflowers and birdwatching. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 28 kms from Darjeeling. To reach Sandakphu one must reach Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri by train from Howrah or any other railway station or Bagdogra airport from Kolkata airport.
Ascent
The Sandakphu Trek inside the Singalila National Park has four stages.
Stage 1: Manebhanjan to Meghma (2600 m): A 4-hour trek through the lower forest it goes via Chitre.
Stage 2: Meghma to Gairibans (2621 m): It has two alternative routes, that go via Tonglu (3070 m) and Tumling (2900 m) respectively. From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 m).
Stage 3: Gairibans to Sandakphu (3636 m) for end of usual trek.
Stage 4: An extension of trek from Sandakphu takes trekkers to Phalut (3600 m). It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum (3536 m).
Descent
The Sandakphu Trek ends by retracing the steps 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.
Villages enroute of the trek include Gorkhey, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Bhareng, Gairibas, Rammam, Molley, Srikhola, Sepi, and Gurdum.
A number of other Himalayan and sub-Himalayan peaks can be seen from Sandakphu and Phalut. These include Baruntse (7220m), Chamlang (7319m), Chomo Lonzo (7818m), Nuptse (7861m), Talung (7349m), Rathong (6679m), Kabru N (7353m), Koktang (6147m), Simvo (6812m), Frey (5853m), Kabru S (7318m), Kabru Dome (6600m), Kabru Forked (6100m), Pandim (6691m), Tenchenkhang (6010m), Jupono (5650m)
The Nepal Trek
While the trek from West Bengal, India is most popular, a trek from Nepal on the western part of Sandakphu peak is also gaining popularity. It starts from Sandakpur rural municipality of ward no. 2 & 4 in Ilam District of Province No. 1.
This trek has 2 alternate routes. The 1st starts from Ilam Bazar then moves to Maipokhari, then to Maimajhuwa, from there to Mabu, then Kala Pokhri, then to Bikhe Bhyanjyang and finally to Sandakpur. The 2nd route starts from Ilam Bazar then moves to Sulubung, then to Jamuna, from there to Hangetham, from here it moves through Piple and Kalipokhari to Bikhe Vanjyang and then finally to Sandakpur. On this trekking route, Jamuna is most valuable for trekkers for its scenic beauty whereas Hangetham is best suited for birdwatching. There are many other beautiful places enroute such as Dhap Pokhari, Choyatar known for red pandas.
Best Time to View
The best time to reach the top of Sandakphu peak in early morning before sunrise so that when the sun rises. In the clear blue sky the 4 lofty peaks of Himalayas are clearly visible. As such it best to reach the peak the previous night and sleep in the hostels and then wake up early morning for a mesmerizing view of the mountains. Standing atop Sandakphu, trekkers can also see to the east of Mount Kanchenjunga, the great Tibetan peaks of Narsing, Dongkya and Chola as well as Mount Chamolhari in Bhutan. As new roads have been constructed till Gairibas, which is almost half of the Sandakphu trek, the whole trek is now more accessible even to common tourists. As more and more tourists start coming to Sandakphu, its popularity across the country is set to grow.
Other Places Worth Visiting Enroute
Tumling
Tumling is a small Nepal village on the Nepal side iof the trek. Tumling is a salubrious night halt with assorted lodges dotting its sedate green environs. The lights of the towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Pasupati (Nepal), Siliguri and other settlements can be viewed on a clear night sky.
Tonglu
Tonglu at 3036 mtrs is the one of the higher peaks of the Singalila Ridge. Tonglu is famous for the view of the snow-capped peaks of the Singalila and the Kanchenjunga range. Tonglu is a small settlement inside the Singalila National Park in the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal in India near Nepal border. It is a roadside halt along the trekking route from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu.
Chitrey
Chitre is a small village about 3 kms from Manebhanjan located at an altitude of 2542 mtrs. The route up to Chitre passes through pine, fir, birch forests and bamboo glades. This part of the trek route is quite steep and really warms you up.
Phalut
Phalut is the second highest peak of West Bengal., located inside the Singalila National Park. The trek to Phalut is an extension of Sandakphu trek, which is near the West Bengal Sikkim Nepal border. A small bunkhouse of the Indian Army can be found on the peak. The indigenous tribes that live near Phalut are called Phalutians. They have worshipped the peak as a god for more than 300 years. They refer to the peak as “Omna Re Ay”.
Weather is Important
Summer months in Sandakphu is comfortable with an average temperature around 10-15 degree Celsius. Though at night time temperature can go down up to 4-degree here. During the monsoon, lower parts trek like Chitre, Meghma, Tumling receive heavy rainfall. Temperature varies between 4 to 7-degree centigrade minimum and 13 to 17-degree centigrade maximum.
In winter, the temperature goes below 0 as the whole area receives heavy snowfall between December to February with the Sandakphu peak and its surrounding area remain covered in snow. In winters maximum temperature varies between -5 degree to 10 degrees on celsius scale. As there is chance of slipping in the melting or fresh snow, so trekking on narrow roads should be done with proper precaution, if anyone is looking for a snow trek.
Best Time to Visit
Sandakphu is a small trekking village with few hostels to stay and little or no impact of pollution and other ill-effects of modern life. Fresh air and green forest are seen throughout the year. best time to visit is from April to June, when the weather is pleasant and the temperature stays over freezing point with flowering trees in full bloom. It is also the time to see the Rhododendron flowers ibn full bloom with birdwatching all along the trek trail. It is a nice time to go for a hike in the nearby trails into forests.
The next best time to visit Sandakphu is from October to December, when days are sunny and nights are chilly. The temperature frequently goes below the freezing point, with regular snowfall. The snowy roads make for a great trekking experience for anyone interested in going on a winter trek. The winters with clear blue sky are ideal for stargazing. For non-risk takers it is best to avoid Sandakphu during winter and rainy season. There are no hotels al along the route, only a few lodges and hostels though accommodation and food availability is decent in them. Trekkers and tourist can also look for any homestay in villages, if available for staying at night. During summer season people can also stay in camp sites.
