Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek

Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek – A Guide to short trek to Sandakphu for Beginners

Sandakphu Trek is an ideal trek in Darjeeling for someone looking for an introductory trek in the Himalayas. And with good reason that with no technical difficulty is the best trek in the world for beginners. Also, Sandakphu Trek does not take up a lot of time but at the same time shows you just enough to introduce you to long treks in the near future, while also giving you expansive mountain views and a glimpse into the local Nepali and Indian  culture.

Trekkers visiting Darjeeling often add a few more days and go on a Trek to Sandakhpu as the trek route lies close to Darjeeling. Hikers could spend days on the Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek, but for trekkers with only a weekend to work with this is an ideal hike. The 50 Km trek to Sandakphu Gurdum loop though moderate can be exhausting, but the scenery is worth the effort. Hikers who prefer to avoid steep climbs and descents will appreciate this four day Sandakphu Trek. Although, the average time taken is four to five days,  but you can always shorten or expand the Sandakphu Trek according to your convenience.

Trek with Good Mountain views

There are places in the Himalayas where you can spot an eight thousand meter peak. But Sandakphu Trek gives you an opportunity to view the iconic Everest, Makalu, Lhotse on the left  and the Kanchenjunga Range on the right  in a single glance and this is really amazing for a short trek like this.

Sandakphu Trek in Darjeeling is a haven for peace and Nature lovers that will teach to give time to yourself.  A popular trek in Darjeeling and hence the most visited of all the combined  treks in the Himalayas. Sandakphu Trek an amazing trail that can exceed your expectations where you will enjoy every minute of the day.

The Oldest Trek Route in Indian Himalayas

Manebhanjyang  Sandakphu Trek Route has long been used as a trading route between Indian and Nepal since the last eighty years. For this reason, Sandakphu Trek can easily be certified as the oldest trek route in Indian Himalayas.

Who can do this Trek ?

Anyone with a moderate level of physical fitness and acclimatized to long  hours of walking can complete the Sandakphu Trek with ease.  However, one will have to remember, with an average distance of ten kilometer of hiking per day, certain amount of preparation is essential.

Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek with a gentle trail and with sufficient time to rest certainly makes it an altitude sickness free trek.

Sandakphu an amazing location for Bird watching

An added attraction of the Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek is Bird Watching. Favored by Bird watchers and nature lovers as you get to hike through the rich Singalila National Park which boasts of being home to two hundred and fifty species of birds and mammals.

Besides, Sandakphu Trek is also a great route for Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Sandakphu sits at the highest point on this trek, so opportunities for stunning photographs abound

Getting Around

Manebhanjyang an hour drive from Darjeeling and lying at the bottom of the Singalila Ridge is the starting point of the Sandakphu Trek and Rimbik is the exit point. Manebhanjyang is a small town standing at the border with India Nepal and is the trek head for the Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek. Singalila National Park’s office is located at the end of the Town and the Foreigners Registration Office and the Guides Office at the entrance of the Town. Sandakphu is 58Km from Darjeeling and 32Km from Manebhanjyang.  Starting from Manebhanjyang, the Sandakphu Trek passes through small hamlets of Chitre, Meghma, Tumling, Tongloo, Kalpokhari and finally to Sandakphu.

Trekking inside the Singalila National Park

The five day Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek cuts through the Rhododendron, Magnolia and Pine forest of the Singalila National Park. Before we forget, during spring the added attraction of this trek to Sandakphu is the huge number of birds that Singalila National Park attracts and the glorious infestation of Rhododendrons, Magnolias and wild flower blooms which seem to compensate for the loss in view of the mountain range. In fact, every season Sandakphu Trek offers it’s own unique landscapes and views, so you are faced with a problem of plenty.

Best time to Hike in Darjeeling

Trekkers setting out on Sandakphu Trek during the months of April and May can enjoy the beautiful colors of the Rhododendrons flowers and wild flower blooms. The Horizon may remain a little hazy for the mountain views but the colorful blooms will make up for the loss in mountain views.

While a trek in October – November presents clear skies with beautiful mountain views for one to capture.

Sandakphu Trek in December will see snow and sub zero temperatures. Snowfall will not be hard for the trail to get blocked, but just enough for one to experience snowfall.

Trek Grade and Accommodation provided

Darjeeling Sandakphu trek is a moderate to easy trek ascending up to Sandakphu (3636m) the highest point on the trek which makes it a beginners Trek.

Main baggage will be carried by porters/ponies. Accommodation will be provided in trekkers huts and lodges run by local families.

Lunch will be provided in tea houses located along the way. Dinners and Breakfast will be provided in the lodges of stay. Trekkers carry their day packs only with their essential Items in them and walk at their own pace.

TRIP FACTS:

• Style of Trek :  Tea House/Lodge Trek
• Duration : 8Days
• Number of Days on the Trek : 5Days
• Trek Grade : Moderate to Easy
• Minimum no. Of Participants : 2Persons
• Highest Point : Sandakphu (3636m)
• Highest Sleeping Altitude : Sandakphu (3636m)
• Starting & Ending Point: Bagdogra Airport/NJP Rail Station/Nepal Border
• Best Season:  March-June & September- December
• Trek Availability :  Join a Group on the dates given below
• Climate : Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be(general) very cold and in winter even below the freezing  point. Monsoon showers in summer (heaviest in July & August). Sometimes even in spring and autumn.
• Customized private trek can be arranged for a minimum of 2persons on request on a date of your choice

GROUP DEPARTURE DATES FOR DARJEELING SANDAKPHU TREK 2021

DARJEELING SANDAKPHU TREK  ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive at Bagdogra Airport / NJP Rail Station/Nepal Border. Drive to Darjeeling (1686m/90Km/3Hrs). Overnight Hotel.

Day 2: Acclimatization Day. Walking tour of Darjeeling. Overnight Hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Maneybhanjyang (1981m/1Hr). Sandakphu Trek in Darjeeling Starts. Trek to Tongloo / Tumling (3001m/13Km/5Hrs). Overnight Trekkers Hut/Lodge

Drive to Indo-Nepal border town of MANNEYBHANJAN (2134m/7,000ft) 20km away. You will be starting the Trek to Tumling a 1500m climb to your first day’s destination TUMLING (9500ft)  12.5km away. The 7 hrs trek is covered as follows:

• Trek from Maneybhanjyang (1981m) to Chitre (2800m) – Is a steep uphill two Kilometer on a jeep track in 02hrs. You will get to see beautiful panoramic views of Darjeeling and Siliguri plains down below.
• Chitre – Meghma (2900m): Easy undulating six Kilometer track through grassy knolls with views of the Kanchenjunga Range on the left horizon in 03 hrs.
• Meghma to Tonglu Top, (3070 m): Easy undulating slight uphill three Kilometer in 1.30 hrs and a one Kilometer Trek down to Tumling.

Day 4: Trek Tongloo to Kalpokhari (3100m/15Km/6Hrs). Overnight Lodge.

The first two hours is an easy down hill trek to JAUBARI 2750m 4km away, followed by another easy downhill trek of 5km to a small resting place called GAIRIBAS (2620m) then it’s a fairly steep one kilometer trek through thick decidious forest to a tea shop at Kayakatta and then gentle five kilometer trek of 4 hrs to Kalpokhari (2950m/9679 ft). where a black water lake, which does not freeze even in winter greets you at the entrance of this small settlement on the Nepal side of the border.

Day 5:    Trek Kalpokhari to Sandakphu (3636m/6Km/3Hrs). Overnight Trekkers Hut/Lodge.

In order not to miss out on the panoramic mountain views from Sandakphu we start the Uphill Trek to Sandakphu early  as you get to witness the mountain views twice, once as soon as you reach Sandakphu and again next morning before you start your dowhill trek to Gurdum.

The first two Kilometre to BIKHEBHANYANG is gentle and from Bikhebhanjyang to SANDAKPHU is a four Kilometer steep uphill of three Hours for a good walker and a little bit more for an average walker.

Day 6: Trek Sandakphu to Gurdung (2700m/10Km/4Hrs). Overnight Lodge.

The ten Kilometer trek to Gurdum is an easy downhill trek through dense Bamboo and silver fur forest till we reach the lodge at Gurdum

Day 7: Trek Gurdung to Rimbik (2331m/15Km/5Hrs). End of Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek. Drive back to Darjeeling.

The Fifteen kilometer trek to Rimbik goes through dense deciduous forest. Because of it’s density this forest is nicknamed as the black forest.  After lunch drive to Darjeeling. Driving Time – 4 Hours. Overnight Hotel.

Day 8: Drive to Bagdogra Airport/NJP Rail Station/Nepal border for Final Departure. End of  the Trek
Extension can be made to Sikkim, Bhutan or Nepal.

• Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek Costs : US$630/Person
• Indian Participants kindly enquire within for quotes in IRs.

SANDAKPHU TREK COST INCLUDES:

• Hotel accommodation – twin share including breakfasts.
• Twin share Rooms in Lodges with mattress during Trekking.
• Fully organized trek services with guide, porters, Ponies.
• Fixed three meals everyday during trekking.
• All road transport as per itinerary by car/jeep.
• Service of an English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees to monuments visited.
• All Permits for Darjeeling.
• Airport Transfers.

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Sleeping bag; personal clothing/equipment.
• Lunches and dinners during hotel stays.
• Bottled or alcoholic drinks.
• Tips, client insurance, evacuation costs.
• Any expenses of personal nature.

Note: The above itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participant’s safety, comfort and general well being.

(All relevant Terms & Conditions apply).