Sandakphu trek
I along with my three friends decided to go for the Sandakphu trek in Feb 2014. This place is a paradise for adventure lovers. This is the highest peak in Bengal. We chose a different route for Sandakphu. The normal route is via Maneybhanjan but we decided to go through Ribdi which is situated in West Sikkim. This was our base camp.
Sleeping buddha from Sandakphu
Sandakphu trek itinerary [Different route]
- Day 01- NJP to Ribdi [West Sikkim], Distance 128 km [4-5 hours] by car, night saty at Ribdi.
- Day 02- Ribdi to Gorkhey. Treking Distance –6 km [3-4 hours], night stay at Gorkhey.
- Day 03- Gorkhey to Phalut. Trek Distance – 14 km [7-8 hours], night stay at Phalut.
- Day 04- Phalut to Sandakphu Treking Distance – 22 km [9-10 hours], night stay at Sandakphu.
- Day 05- Sandakphu to Sepi Treking Distance – 15 km [8-9 hours], night stay at Sepi.
- Day 06 – Sepi to NJP Distance – 126 km [5-6 hours] by car.
Ribdi village
DAY 1-We reached NJP (New Jalpaiguri) station from Sealdah via Darjeeling mail around 8 am. From NJP we booked a car and went to Ribdi. We reached Ribdi around 8 pm. After a long journey, we were tired but when we reached this place we felt very charged up and adventurous. Ribdi is the perfect point for starting a trek in this region. It’s a beautiful forest village located on the hill. Our trek guide was a local guy name, Krishna. He arranged everything for us.
way to Gorkhey from ribdi
DAY 2- On day 2 after breakfast, we started our trekking from Ribdi to Gorkhey. Ribdi to Gorkhey is around 6 km. We went through a deep forest. Day 2 we stayed at Gorkhey. It’s a beautiful valley on the border of Bengal and Sikkim. When you enter this valley you must get a permit for your camera. Here you can find the Gorkhey Khola river. This valley is surrounded by beautiful hills. We had a beautiful experience of a one night stay here.
Gorkhey village
Gorkhey homestay
DAY 3- On Day 3 after breakfast, we started our trek from Gorkhey to Phalut. We started our trek early morning because Gorkhey to Phalut is around 18 km. This route is very difficult because this is a steep upward trek. As we began the day Krishna said that this was the most difficult part of this trek. We walked through deep forest, waterfalls beautiful trees, and hills. Walking through the deep forest was a thrilling experience. Within a few hours after we started, we ran out of snacks and drinking water. We still had a long way to go. Luckily we found an army camp and they gave us drinking water. Moving on further we felt a sudden drop in temperature. We finally reached our destination hungrily and tired. When we reached Phalut I felt the beauty of the valley was breathtaking. Phalut is one of the highest peaks of the Singalila range and is located in Darjeeling district at an altitude of 11,811 ft. This is the second-highest point in the Singalila range after Sandakphu (11,929 ft). The next day we woke up early in the morning at 5 am and went to Phalut top. The sunrise at Phalut top was majestic. We had an amazing experience.
Phalut top at 5.30 am
DAY 4- On day 4 after breakfast we started our trek at 7.00 am from Phalut to Sandakphu which is about 20 km. We packed a good amount of lunch with us because this is a full day trek. It was chilling cold. we had our lunch and found that even the drinking water we were carrying had completely frozen. We walked through the clouds. During the trek, we found snow in some places. This trekking experience was mind-blowing. We reached Sandakphu around 4 pm. The beauty of Kanchanzangha from Sandakphu was amazing.
Phalut to Sandakphu trekking
Way to Sandakphu
Sandakphu trek
DAY 5- on day 5 we started our trek from Sandakfhu to Sepi via Gurdum and Srikhola. Sandakphu to Sepi is around 17 km and steep downward trek with some steps being slippery. We went through a deep and beautiful pine forest. We reached Sepi via Gurdum and Srikhola. We had our lunch at Gurdum. Sepi village is a small and beautiful hamlet. On that day we stayed at Sepi and we arranged a campfire at night. This was the last day of our trek.
Srikhola
Srikhola bridge
Sepi homestay
DAY 6- On day 6 after breakfast, we hired a car and came back to NJP via Darjeeling. From here we took an overnight train to Sealdah. Back in the crowded city, I missed Sandakphu very much. I recommend all of you to visit this place at least once.
Sandakphu height is 11,930 feet above sea level.
Sandakphu is the highest peak in the Singalila national park. Therefore, the weather plays a vital role in planning a trip. the trek is open throughout the year. But the best time to visit in Sandakphu is From March to June, the whole valley is going to be filled with Orchids, Rhododendrons flowers. Most of the trekker prefer this time because avoid the chilling weather at nighttime time. and also the second season is Oct to Dec because most of the probabilities that the sky is going to be clear and people will get the view of all the peaks. you’ll also visit Jan to Feb if you enjoy the snowfall at Sandkaphu.
Mid-March to mid-June [Summer]- Temperature 15 to 25 degrees
July to Aug [monsoon ] – Temperature 10 to 20 degrees
Sep to Oct [autumn]- Temperature 5 to 15 degrees
Nov to Feb [winters]- Temperature -5 to 5 degrees
Sandakphu trek is considered a beginner trek. So it’s not very difficult it’s a moderate trek. Sandakphu height is 11,930 feet above sea level. The high altitude can cause problems and climatic conditions may change frequently. Therefore, you would like to require a good guide and also the necessary precautions before going.
A famous and common route for the Sandakphu trek is via Maneybhanjan but you’ll also try via Ribdi.
Route1- Maneybhanjan-Tonglu-Sandakphu and return by an equivalent route- 112 km [5 to 6 days]
Route2- Maneybhanjan- Tonglu- Sandakphu- Phalut and return by the same route -152km. [6 to 7 days]
Route3– Ribdi – Gorkhey – Phalut – Sandakphu – Gurdum – Srikhola – Sepi -65 km [4 to 5 days] [Recommended route-3]
Hotel Sherpa chalet [Sandakphu] – 9933488159/8509252318
Hotel Sunrise [Sandakphu] – 9679256795
Hotel Paradise [Gorkhey]- 9733293722 / 9733279901
Keshavs Homestay [Manebhanjan] – 9232695120 / 9564797551
Serpa lodge [Dhotrey] – 9883946880 / 9476386379
Himalayan sherpa lodge [Gurdum] – 9609818551 /9933602476 / 9733361799
Lippohochha Homestay [Sepi-Srikhola] – 8972859231
Sikhar Lodge [Tumling] – 9232695120 / 9564797551
Highlander Guides and Porters Welfare Association [Manebhanjan] – 9734056944 / 9933369449 / 9476151523
All Trekkers Hut under the management of DGHC Tourism. Advanced Booking will be done through DDT, DGHC Tourism. Contact- Deputy Director of Tourism, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, silver fir, Bhanu Sarani, Darjeeling.
+91 354 2254879/2255351, Fax : +91 354 2254214
Before you visit Sandakphu trek, you would like to possess a register trek guide and potter if you hear the tour operator they’re going to arrange all like potter, guide, permit, etc. you also need to get a permit from a check post for entering the Singalila national park. you have to make sure that you have booked the trekker’s huts/guest houses in advance otherwise you are carrying your camping equipment with you. you also need to carry a valid photo id proof and foreigners need to carry valid passport and visa for India.
Jio network is accessible in some places but not everywhere. But you’ll get the complete network of BSNl and Airtel
.