Sandakphu trek | Darjeeling
Sandakphu trek | Darjeeling
Info
This 8-day adventure takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Singalila National Park, offering breathtaking views of the world’s highest peaks, diverse forests, and vibrant Himalayan culture. Starting from Darjeeling, the trek winds its way to Maney Bhanjan, Tumling, Kalapokhri, Sandakphu, Phalut, Gorkhey, and finally back to Darjeeling, immersing trekkers in the beauty of the Indo-Nepal border region.
Highlights
- Panoramic Mountain Views: Witness sunrise and sunset over Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu, and other giants of the Himalayas from Sandakphu and Phalut.
- Unique Border Trek: Experience walking between India and Nepal, with no border fencing—just marked pillars.
- Rich Biodiversity: Trek through dense forests of malingo bamboo and rhododendron, with rare chances to spot wildlife like the red panda.
- Cultural Encounters: Visit picturesque villages such as Tumling, Kalapokhri, Gorkhey, and Rammam, experiencing local hospitality and traditions.
- Tea Garden Experience: End your journey with a visit to a Darjeeling tea garden for tea tasting and authentic souvenirs.
Some Glimpse Photo of Trips
Day 1 : Delhi/Mumbai – Bagdogra (by plane) – Darjeeling (2130 m) by car – 70 km, 3 hrs.
After breakfast leave your hotel and reach the airport to catch the flight for Bagdogra. Upon arrival meet with our representative at the airport and transfer to Darjeeling. The distance is 70 km from Bagdogra and it takes around 3 hrs drive to reach Darjeeling. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Darjeeling.
Day 2: Darjeeling – Maney Bhanjan (2134 m) 25 km, 1.5hrs – Tumling (3070m) 11km, 6/7 hrs.
Enjoy the beautiful morning in Darjeeling. After breakfast drive to Maney Bhanjan (34 km, 2 hrs) which is the starting point of the trek. Foreign guests need to do an immigration entry here which take only 15 minutes. Once the trek starts the trail climbs up steeply through deep forest. After walking for 45mins you can see some Buddhist prayer flags and a big Chorten -this is Chitrey. The beautiful Sleeping Buddha formation of Kanchenjunga and another group of mountains can be seen from here. After Chitrey we take a small trail into dense malingo (Small bamboo) forest up to Lamaydhura, a small hamlet. The funny part of this trek is that sometimes you walk in Indian side and sometimes in Nepal side. There is no border fencing here just some area pillar for marking. After Lamaydhura the walk becomes more beautiful as you see the view of Kanchenjunga on your right side. After 1 hr of the walk, we will reach a small settlement – Meghma. Tumling is just 1 hr walk from here and you will enjoy this walk. Once you reach Tumling you will be amazed to see the view of Kanchenjunga. Don’t miss the sunset view from Tumling. Overnight at Tumling.
Day 3: Tumling (3070 m) – Kalapokhri (3081 m), 13km 6/7 hrs.
We will wake up in the early morning for the sunrise view. It will be cold outside but the beauty of the sunrise will definitely warm your heart. Experiencing this grand view we will return to our place. After having a hearty breakfast we will start our trek for Kalapokhri – our stop for today. It will be all decent up to Gairibas, a small village in Indo-Nepal border then the trails goes up to Kaiyakata. From Kaiyakata to Kalapokhri the trail is gradual and it goes through the dense forest. You will enjoy this forest walk. Though rare but there is a chance of sighting Red panda here. Kalapokhri is distinguished with a small pond in the beginning of this small hamlet. You can see Sandakphu from here. You can’t see greater Himalayan mountains from here but the sunset of Kalapokhri has its own charm. Overnight stay at Kalapokhri.
Day 4 : Kalapokhari (3081 m) – Sandakphu (3636 m) – 6km, 4 hrs.
It will be an easy start today. The initial 2 km, up to Bikeybhanjan will be a gradient walk. After Bikeybhanjan it will be steep climbing of 4 km until we reach Sandakphu. Once we start ascending you will see Mt. Kanchenjunga on your right side. As it is the highest mountain in this vicinity you will get almost like a bird’s eye view while climbing up. It takes around 2 hrs to reach at Sandakphu from Bikeybhanjan. The primary attraction of Sandakphu is the panoramic view of world’s four of five highest mountain peaks. You can also see Mt. Chomolhari, Bhutan’s highest peak from here. Other than these highest mountains of the world there are some 7000 meter plus mountains you will find in the landscape like Nuptse, Baruntse, Kabru north, Kabru south etc.
In the afternoon we will go for the summit walk of Sandakphu. The 360’ view from the Sandakphu peak is something you will cherish forever. If one side has greater Himalayan peaks then the other side has beautiful villages of Nepal. You can also see Darjeeling town as well as plains of West Bengal from here. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Sandakphu.
Day 5: Sandakphu (3336 m) – Phalut (3600 m) 21km, 8 hrs.
Today we wake up early to see the sunrise from here. There is one word that can describe the beauty of this phenomenon – Magical! Not only Kanchenjunga, the first sunlight on the Mt. Everest also looks fantastic. Witnessing this spectacular view we quickly return to our place and get ready for the journey. After having a hearty breakfast we start our journey for Phalut – our stop for today. The distance of Phalut from Sandakphu is around 21 km and it will be the longest walk of this trek. But the best part is that most of the time it will be like a ridge walk and you will walk on the meadow. The panoramic view of Kanchenjunga, Everest, Makalu and other peaks will continuously will you up to Thakung. After Thakung we walk through dense Rhododendron forest up to Sabargram where the area is marked with a forest check post. During spring time when Rhododendrons bloom this area looks really spectacular. From Sabargram Phalut is just 6 km away and it takes around 2.5 hr to reach there. The view from Phalut is also very nice and during the sunset, the landscape looks dramatic. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Phalut.
Day 6: Phalut (3600 m) Gorkhey (2500 m) 14km, 5 hrs.
Phalut top will be just 20 min of walk from the place you are staying. To watch the sunrise we have to start early. You might feel that it’s the same sunrise just like you saw from Sandakphu but you have to wait until the Sun comes out completely to see the specialty of Phalut. Once the Sun comes out look at the Kanchenjunga, you will clearly distinguish the massiveness of the mountain and why not! it’s just 11 km flying distance from here. We will quickly come back to our place and get ready for our journey. Today our stop will be at Gorkhey, a picturesque village in this National park. Another exciting part of today’s journey is that we will walk through the dense forest of Malingo (a kind of small bamboo) most of the time. You will love this walk today. Once you reach Gorkhey you will fall in love seeing the beauty of the village. For the first time in this trek, you will see two beautiful streams – Gorkhey Khola and Rammam Khola. In the afternoon go for a village walk or relax yourself sitting on a rock beside any river. Overnight stay at Gorkhey.
Day 7: Gorkhey (2500 m) to Sepi /Rimbik (1800m) 21 km 5-6 hrs.
Your wake up in the morning with the gurgling sound of two rivers – Gorkhey Khola and Rammam khola. After breakfast, we will start for Sepi where our trek will end. We will pass through the picturesque Samanden village. After the village, the trek route descends to a stream and then it goes uphill to reach a beautiful village name Rammam. After Rammam the route becomes flat and then descends to Srikhola and finish our trek at Sepi.
We will have our lunch here and then drive to Darjeeling (4hrs). Overnight staying in Darjeeling.
Day 8: Drive to NJP/Bagdogra 130 Km 6 to 7 hours
Today you say goodbye to the Singalila National Park as you drive down towards Bagdogra airport . Post breakfast you can take some cool insta worthy photos at the hanging bridge in Srikhola. After that you journey takes you along the mountain paths back to the chaotic city life. The cab fare to Siliguri is Rs 8,000/- and will be shared by the trekkers. You will pass through the settlements of Rimbik, Dhotrey and Maneybhanjan, after which the familiar tea garden vista will greet you. You will be able to attend a tea testing at the Gopal Dhara tea garden on the way. Where from you can source some authentic Darjeeling tea for yourself. Finally, your journey will come full circle at NJP, from where you can depart for your onward destination with fond memories from the trip.
- Hotel in Yuksom
- All meals on the trek.
- Individual member climbing gear like sleeping bag, mattress etc.
- Kitchen tent, Dining Tent & Toilet tent, Table and Chair.
- Twin sharing tents for all members.
- Transportation from Airport to Airport.
- Horses to carry out the equipment / Food
- Inner Line Permit
- Camping Charges
- Experienced Guides, cook & helpers etc.
- Trek Certification
- Del-IXB & IXB-Delhi Airfare.
- No insurance for Clients
- Any costs arising from early departure from the expedition.
- Any extra costs incurred caused in the event of finishing the expedition early.
- Expenses of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, beverages.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
- Tips for Kitchen Staff, Climbing Guides, Horsemen.
- Other Expenses: Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
