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About Sandakphu Trek
The only trek in the country that actually takes you to the top of the world!
- Trek Difficulty - Moderate
- Highest Elevation - 11,950 feet
- Trek Duration - 6 days
- Trek Distance - 46 km
- Region - West Bengal
- Base Camp - Jaubhari
- Nearest Railway Station/Airport - New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station. Bagdogra is the nearest airport. But the flights to Bagdogra are expensive as compared to flights for Kolkata.
- Best time to do - Mid September to April.
- Approximate Temperature Range - -5c to 15c
How about being at the top of one of the highest mountains peaks and getting a chance to witness the four highest mountains in the world? You wouldn’t want to miss this golden chance, would you? Sandakhu peak is a trekker’s wonderland because of the views and experience it gives. Get excited to treat your eyes with the never-ending line of the world’s highest snow line having the peaks of Nepal, Bhutan, and even Tibet.
Relish being at the top of the world while treating your eyes with the sights of Everest and Kanchenjunga along with nearing to the Indo Nepal border
Being at the top is the best feeling in the world, isn’t it? Okay, so when you trek to the top of Sandakphu trek, you are able to see the highest peak ever, Everest, with your bare eyes along with the views of other 3 highest peaks in the world.
Who gets to do that? Well, only the achievers!
Is this trek even for real? I mean how has nature blessed the Sandakphu peak in such a way.
Sandakhphu peak is the highest peak of West Bengal along with being the highest peak in Mechi (one of the 14 zones of Nepal). This peak is at an altitude of 11930 feet which is incredibly high. The geographical placement of this peak with the altitude makes it give its travelers the most unique sights of the world. If you are an adventurer, you have to try this trek for savoring your eyes with the world’s top spots.
We would love to call this trek the winner’s trek.
When you are at the top and move towards the left, you see the towering Everest. Also, did we just tell you that you can witness the 4 highest peaks of the world from here? We were actually lying. Because from the left side itself, you can also see the 5th highest peak in the world from this spot which is Makalu along with the 4th highest peak, Lhotse.
The views of Everest are a long distanced one. In this trek, you will see a lot of distance views of the sky where it seems that the clouds are settling in the ground below you and not above you.
Now, moving your eyes a little towards the right side, you will see the 3rd highest peak in the world which is Mount Kanchenjunga. Kanchenjunga is never alone and it is always with its family of peaks waiting for you to look at them all. The name of this family altogether is ‘The Sleeping Buddha’ because of how they all look from a distance. The peaks of this family are Kokthang, Rathong, Frey, Kabru South, Kabru North, Simvo, Mt. Pandim, Tenzingkhang, Jubanu, and Narsing. Kanchenjunga itself forms the body of the sleeping Buddha and Kumbhakarna makes for the head and face of the sleeping Buddha. This family surely has a lot to give.
Do you know the best part? The views of the Family of peaks remain for 4 days on the trek. So, in a way, this family stays with you for 4 days.
And if we missed out, you also get to see the K2 peak from this spot.
Are you still waiting for more worthy things to excite you for this trek?
Well, okay then! You said it, you got it. Look out for more.
Hiding in India and Seeking in Nepal
By this, we simply mean that the Sandakphu Phalut trek takes you along the Indo Nepal border and you are in both the countries where you are here. Being here actually makes you feel how humans have actually divided this beautiful never-ending land with barriers. It is like for a minute you are in India and suddenly you cross a line and you are in Nepal. Quite an experience to summarise! On the third day of the trek, when you are trekking from Tumling to Kalipokhri, you will be able to see the Indo Nepal border up close and personal and experience all the things we just said above.
Getting the countryside views
We are never saying that you would get bored with the sights of the hills and peaks, especially to an adventurer. We dare not do that! But, this stunning trek also lets you witness the countryside views of the Gorkhey and Samanden villages. These are beautiful small villages that have thick pine and bamboo forests to surround. These are just like those little French villages that we see in the movies that also have a little cute river cutting through it. This little village is filled with wooden huts, farms filled with veggies, and also some of the pretty little gardens. It is an ideal place to rejuvenate here.
Exploring the base camp
Unlike a lot of other treks, the base camp of this trek is in an eco-village named Jaubhari. It is a pretty offbeat village that is totally away from the human hindrance and has just 10 to 12 houses in all. It would be a different kind of experience to stay here, feel nature, and then get prepared to hike from the next day.
Package Details
Sandakphu Trek - Short Itinerary
Day 1 - Bagdogra airport to Jaubhari
- The drive is for 4 to 5 hours and the distance is 112 km.
- Our base camp in Jaubhari will be set in the tea house.
Day 2 - Jaubhari to Tumling
- The trek is for 6 to 7 hours approx covering a distance of 9 km.
- We will rejuvenate post the hectic day again in the tea house.
Day 3 - Tumling to Kalipokhri trek
- The trek distance is 12 km and it would take 7 hours for the trek.
- If we get up early, we get to see the Sun’s rays falling on the sleeping Buddha from today onwards.
Day 4 - Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
- It is a small 3-hour trek to cover a distance of 6 km.
- We start to see a lot of peaks from this spot along with coming closer to the India Nepal border.
Day 5 - Sandakphu to Sabargram
- This one is a hectic day to cover a trek distance of 12 km in 7 hours.
- While we will be walking on a lot of ridges today, we will also be witnessing enough exotic flora and fauna.
Day 6 - Sabargram to Gorkhey via Phalut
- It is a 16 km trek to be done in 6 hours.
- Now we gotta get ready to view the Kanchenjunga from this day more prominently and spend some time in Phalut and countryside like villages.
Day 7 - Gorkhey to Sepi and back to Bagdogra from Sepi
- It is an 11 km trek that can be done in 5 hours.
- The day is to live our French countryside fantasies by being at the pretty villages.
Sandakphu Trek - Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting the day to the base camp at Jaubhari
- Trek Distance - 112 km
- Trekking Time - 4 to 5 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - N/A (there is no trek involved)
- Pickup/Drop Point - The pickup is from the Bagdogra Airport.
The drive from Bagdogra airport or from the New Jalpaiguri station begins for Jaubhari. We told you previously that Jaubhari is hands down the most beautiful campsite ever and is also tiny with just 10 houses. We get to stay in the tea houses today and get ready for the next day. Staying at the tea house is quite an experience to add to our travel journal.
Day 2 - Jaubhari to Tumling
- Trek Distance - 9 km
- Trekking Time - 6 to 7 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - Moderate
- Water Sources - Meghma, Chittrey, and Lamyadhura
Today we have to get ready for this moderate level trek day. Just pray that rain does not interfere because that makes it tougher by making the terrain slippery. The trek starts from the homestay at Jaubhari. The trail will take us up the hill to Upper Chittrey. We will be crossing thick forests throughout the trek. After continuous climbing, we would get some time to stop and relax at a village called Lamaydhura. We will come across a lot of magnolia and chill trees post crossing this village. The trek ends at Tumbling which is on the Nepal border.
We start getting a lighter glimpse of the sleeping Buddha from today.
Day 3 - Tumling to Kalipokhri
- Trek Distance - 12 km
- Trekking Time - 7 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - Moderate
- Water Sources - Garibas and Kaiyakatta
Once we start with this trek, we enter the famous Singalila National park. The National park is a beautiful one to witness some amazing flora and fauna. The path leading is a beautiful one filled with meadows and the dense forests throughout. Once we reach Gairibas, a place 5 km from Kalipokhri, we can see India on your right and Nepal on your left. After taking a halt at Kayakatta, we resume the trek to Kalipokhri. In this trial, we will see some of the prettiest birds ever. When we reach the bean-shaped black colored lake, you have reached Kalipokhri. There is also a small Buddhist temple to explore here.
Day 4 - Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
- Trek Distance - 6 km
- Trekking Time - 3 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - Easy to Moderate
- Water Sources - Bhagsa and Bikheybhanjang
Today is the day to start the trek to Sandakphu, finally! The Sandakphu landscape is filled with tea stalls and huts throughout. The trail is also quite zig zag from Bikheybhanjang. The main sights that are hyped about from this spot are the Himalayan panoramic views. We will see Everest the sleeping Buddha, the three sisters, and also Chomolhari. It is going to be a day to witness most of the mountain peaks from here. We could spend the day just watching these high peaks and they are enough to be your companion for the day. We would love being at the top and witnessing the highest peaks all around us. The feeling is quite surreal.
Day 5 - Sandakphu to Sabargram
- Trek Distance - 12 km
- Trekking Time - 7 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - Moderate
- Water Sources - Sandakphu. This route is a little scarce in terms of water sources. Make sure to get more bottles filled from Sandakphu.
This day has to be started quite early because of the hectic and long ahead. The trail is the most diverse here filled with meadows, ridges, exotic flora and fauna, full bloom rhododendrons, and everything picturesque. It is mostly just walking today to complete the distance and reach Sabargram. The good thing is the trail that keeps bringing new things in the picture.
Day 6 - Trek to Gorkhey from Phalut
- Trek Distance - 16 km
- Trekking Time - 6 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - Moderate
- Water Sources - There is a stream in Phalut to fill the bottles. So, again make sure to carry more water because of the scarcity of the water sources.
Today we will be trekking to Phalut and the views that you get from this place are amazing. Sabargram to Phalut is again a zig-zag trail trek. Phalut is basically a grassland that has very little or no vegetation. After reaching Phalut, we begin to descend to reach Gorkhey. The rest of the time can be spent exploring the scenic village of Gorkhey. We could actually chill here and spend some serene time in the village. The sights of the village are like that of a French village. We all must have our cameras handy with us to click some fancy and offbeat pictures from this trek.
Day 7 - Gorkhey to Sepi from Samanden and Ramam and then depart from Sepi
- Trek Distance - 11 km
- Trekking Time - 5 hours approx
- Day’s Difficulty Level - Easy
- Water Sources - Ramam
The target of the day is to reach Sepi. We will take the Ramam route from this spot. We have to cross a forest that has gradual and steep ascents throughout. In this route only, we will pass another village called Samanden that is again totally quaint and picturesque. While going to Sepi from Ramam, we will also cross a wooden bridge at Srikhola. We will enjoy your lunch at Sepi and then move for Bagdogra. This is where the trek ends.
Temperature/Weather
The temperature in Sandakphu is around 15 to 17 degrees Celsius during the summers. During the winters, the temperature even drops down to -5 degree Celsius at night time. This is both a summer and a winter trek. During the winter months, it is likely to witness snowfall. So, it is always advised to take winter clothes and winter boots for trekking.
Peak Information / Height
Sandakphu peak is the highest peak in the West Bengal and in India and also in Mechi in Nepal. So, it is the highest peak in two different countries. The height of the peak is 3636 meters or say it stands at an elevation of 11930 feet. Sandakphu peak trek becomes more special not only because it is the highest but also because from here one can see 4 different highest peaks in the world.
Difficulty Level
The difficulty level of the trek is moderate. Some of the trails during the trek are zig zag and that makes it a little more towards moderate to difficult side. Other than that, it is an easy to moderate level trek. If it rains, then things become challenging because the trail gets slippery. It is even a great trek for beginners.
Snow Trek
Sandakphu trek is both a winter and a summer trek. It can be done throughout the year to experience the different landscapes there. But, this trek cannot be done during the monsoons. There is snow to experience during the winters in the months of December to February at this trek. The mountains are still visible in the snow.
ATM Connectivity
There are no ATMs in the trekking route and the last ATM can be found at the New Jalpaiguri town. The trekkers must get an estimate of their personal expenses and withdraw a sufficient amount of money from this last ATM spot.
Mobile Connectivity
The last mobile connectivity that is strong and good is at Jaubhari, the base camp. Make sure you do all the important calls from this place itself. After Gorkhey, you will get some intermittent signals throughout. Also, the networks that works the best are Airtel and BSNL as compared to the other mobile networks.
Inclusions
- Forest Entry charges and all the necessary permits and entry fees
- All the meals from Dinner of Day1 to Breakfast of Day 6 will be provided.
- Camping accommodation in the tents/guest house
- Qualified trek lead and trained local guide
Exclusions
- Personal Expenses
- Insurance of any kind
Cancellation Policy
- 50 % refund if notified via phone, Mail 5 days prior to the Date of Travel.
- No refund if the cancellation is requested is less than 5 days of day of travel.
- No show, no refund.
- Booking cannot be transferred to another date against cancellation.
- In case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases the our service partner will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity.
- For all the above choices, you can transfer your tickets to your friends. We would be more than happy to have them on board and you could save your hard earned money.
- The company reserves the right to cancel the trip due to unforeseen circumstances, in case of such cancellation your amount will be refunded back.
Refund Policy
- The applicable refund amount will be processed within 10 business days
- All applicable refunds will be done in traveller's togedr wallet.
COVID 19 additional measures
- Members travelling should practice social distancing.
- If the trek/trip gets cancelled due to any pandemic or government’s order, there would be no refund instead the plan will get postponed.
- Everyone travelling should have the ‘Arogya Setu App’ installed on their phones.
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