Sandakphu

Brief

Travel Tips

Things To Do

Getting Arround

How to Reach

Surrounding Attraction

Hotel

Travel Agent

Why To Go

Sandakphu or Sandakfu or Sandakpur is the highest peak in the district of Ilam, Nepal and West Bengal. With an elevation of around 11,930 ft., Sandakphu is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border and is located very close to Singalila National Park.

Sandakphu is one of the major tourist sites in the state of West Bengal The tiny village of Sandakphu is situated on the edge of the Singalila Ridge. Known for its snow covered terrains and rugged mountainous surroundings, Sandakphu is ideal for trekking. From vigorous and arduous valleys to lush green land lined with variety of flowers like rhododendrons, magnolias, wild colourful flowers, the trek to the summit is quite thrilling. The place is covered with 600 variety of orchids and a paradise for naturists.

It presents a magnificent view of some of the most famous peaks of the Himalayan Mountain range, including Mt. Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.

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Travel Tips

The best time to visit Sandakphu is during the months of March – April and October. If you love colours, visit the place during the spring season; see the whole path filled with riot of colours. There are occasional rainfalls but the terrain is at its most beautiful during this period. If you wish to witness the snowfall, plan a trip in between late December and mid February, but be aware since it is very cold during this time. Also, remember to carry warm clothes as the temperature is quite low around here. And remember to carry raincoats, as rainfall takes place irrespective of which month it is. For trekking, carry your own trekking gear and trekking shoes. Also do not forget to carry medical aid kit and necessary medicines.

Things To Do

If you are planning a trip to Sandakphu, make sure that you have remembered to pack your trekking shoes. The place is best known for trekking. There are several routes which are quite popular amongst trekkers. The cold climate combined with the difficult terrain presents quite a challenge to the trekkers. The most popular trek route is the one between Singalila Ridge and Sandakphu. The trek begins at Manibhanjan, which is around 24 km. from Darjeeling. There are several other trekking routes in the region. The trek from Manibhanjan to Meghma is 2.5 km long and takes around 4 hours to complete. From Meghma, you can go to Gairibans. There are two alternate routes here that you can take. On an average, the trek is about 2800 metres. From Gairibans, you can climb to Sandakphu. This is an extremely steep route and takes around 4 to 5 hours to complete. Stock up your food and water during the trek. On the way, you will come across many quaint villages where you may eat and replenish your food stock. On your way you will come across the picturesque village of Kalapokhri. If you are travelling in winter, you will be greeted by a snow covered Sandakphu. While the terrain is more or less barren, the snow covered landscape is quite a beautiful sight to see.

Getting Around

Walking is the only mode of conveyance that you have to opt while you are making a trip to Sandakphu. There are car routes but they operate within an extremely limited area. If you are to explore the area, hiking is your best bet.

How To Reach

FLIGHT

If you prefer to travel by plane, the nearest airport is at Bagdogra in Siliguri, which is around 115 km away. Direct flights are available from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai etc. From there, you can either take a taxi or a bus to cover the remaining portion of the journey. Cars for hire are easily available just outside the airport.

TRAIN

The nearest important railway station is at New Jalpaiguri. The rail station at New Jalpaiguri is connected to the stations in Delhi and Kolkata, and via them to the other major cities across the country. From New Jalpaiguri, you can take a bus or car to Darjeeling and from there go to Sandakphu.

ROAD

Reaching Sandakphu via road is the most convenient way. There are direct car routes between Sandakphu and Phalut. You can get up on a car or a jeep from the nearby important towns which will take you directly to the village of Sandakphu. You can also hire cars from Darjeeling that will take you to Sandakphu. The distance between Darjeeling and Sandakphu is around 58 km. Many private and government buses ply from Siliguri to Maneybhanjan via Sukhiapokhri. Buses are also available from Kolkata, Siliguri and Darjeeling.

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Surrounding Attractions

People visit Sandakphu majorly for trekking opportunities it provides. A surreal trek, stretching over a long distance of tranquillity and awe, the places in Sandakphu that are must visits are essential pit stops in this epic journey. With these 5 places your Sandakphu trek is going to be a glorious affair: Manebhanjan, Chitrey, Tonglu, Tumling and Bikeybhanjan.
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