Sandakhphu Trek - Highest Peak in West Bengal

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra to Chitrey – 100 Km – 5 hours

Stop At: Chitrey Monastery, Chitre, Nepal
Pick up from NJP railway station in the morning by 10 am and drive to Maneybhanjang (1980m, 6500ft). Distance around 110 km and takes 6 hours. The road goes through the foothills of Eastern Himalaya (also called Dooars) and gradually gains the height. There are two roads of which one goes through the hill town of Mirik and the other by Ghoom. The last 2 Km from Maneybhanjung to Chitrey is a steep road with several hairpin bends and eventually reaches the hilltop clearing at Chitrey (~ 2200 m, 7200 ft). Chitrey is a small hamlet with of handful houses and a solitary lodge. There is a colourful monastery and Buddhist Stupa beside. Walk up to the top of the hillock for sunset and a distant view of the hill queen Darjeeling city. All the major mobile networks work here.

Overnight accommodation in Homestay lodge.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay in lodge in Chitrey

Day 2: Trek to Tumling – 9 Km – 6 hours

Stop At: Sandakphu, Singalila National Park 734101 India
Our trek starts today. There is a motor able road to Sandakphu from Maneybhanjung and the distance is 33 Km. This is not at all advisable as the height gain is abrupt. Only few 1950/60’s made Land rovers ply between Maneybhunjung and Sandakphu on the bumpy road. These wonder cars ferry local villagers with loads of provision. Our trekking trail often crisscrosses with the road. We start walking and after few turns on the table top meadow reach the tea stall at Lameydhura in an hour. The trail ahead is clearly visible till Meghma while we slowly gain height. As the route often defines the border between India and Nepal so posting of Paramilitary camps of SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) at all the major points are common. From Meghma the the road splits and we take the left one. The one in the right leads to the top of Tonglu and then by descending eventually joins at Tumling. After traversing for an hour and half we reach the destination Tumling (~ 2900m, 9500ft). Total distance is 9 Km and can take 5 hours.

We stay for the night in a tourist lodge.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay in lodge in Tumling

Day 3: Trek to Kalapokhri – 12 Km – 6/7 hours

Stop At: Sandakphu, Sandakfu, Sandakhphu, West Bengal 734201, India
Wake up early in the morning to view the sunrise. High Himalayan peaks look magnificent in the golden hue. We start our walk on a level ground and reach the Check post of Singalila National Park in 45 minutes. From here we obtain the permit and get into the national park. Shortly after check post the road bifurcates. We leave the jeep road and take the left trail into Nepal.
Reach Kalapokhri by the evening, and stop there for an overnight stay.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay in lodge in Kalapokhri

Day 4: Trek to Sandakphu – /6 Km – 4/5 hours

Stop At: Sandakphu, Sandakfu, Sandakhphu, West Bengal 734201, India
Today we need to cover a short distance but will be gaining altitude. The lodges on top of Sandakphu can be seen from Kalapokhri. We traverse the mountain ridge to reach Bhikeybhanjung in an hour. This portion of the trail is inside Nepal and Indian road joins here from the other side of the mountain. There is a tea stall on our left and a forest check post on the right. The road splits and the newly built road inside Nepal takes a longer path on our left to reach Sandaphu. We take the straight road ahead and start climbing. The switchback road has several turns and we go off road in few occasions. On the right hand we can see one ridge after another meeting the horizon. Silver fir, variety of conifers dominate the treeline. After ascending for an hour and half we turn left and reach the top of the ridge Sandakphu (~ 3636m, 11930ft). The left side of the ridge is in Nepal and the right side in India. On both sides of road there are lodges and tourist huts. The top of the ridge is somewhat flat and the north side is open. There is no ridge higher than this point and so the view of the mountains are uninterrupted. Total distance we cover is 6 Km and can take 4/5 hours. Infrequent mobile signal is available. Overnight in private lodge.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay in lodge in Sandakhphu

Day 5: Sunrise at Sandakphu – Trek down to Srikhola via Gurdum village – 18 Km – 7/8 hours

Pass By: Sandakphu, Sandakfu, Sandakhphu, West Bengal 734201, India
Wake up early to observe the fascinating sunrise. During fall and winters this top remains cold, specially early in the morning. Wind blows directly from Kanchendzongha side. Expect a temperature between 0°C to -10°C (with the wind chill) in fall and winters. Strainght ahead is gigantic Kanchendzongha massif along with Jannu (Kubhakarna) to its left and Pandim to its right, forming as rightly said the “Sleeping Buddha”. Further left in the westward direction you can spot Three Sisters, Barunstse, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Chamlang. You will never forget the changing hue on Kanchendzongha.

Pass By: Srikhola Bridge, Darjeeling 434101 India
After breakfast, we start our descent. Today the trail is more likely you get in the other regular treks without an accompanying motor route. Intially the trail goes inside the conifers and later into bamboo forest. The slope of the descent is moderate at stretches and mostly gentle. In 3 hours we reach on the edge of the ridge and vast valley opens up. The picturesque village of Gurdum is seen below, along with the farming fields. After crossing the village we continue our descent till we reach Srikhola. This is a beautiful opening beside a stream called Srikhola (Khola means river in Nepalese language) along with couple of private lodge and one government oepratated GTA Trekkers Hut. Have your lunch/snacks here. An old suspension bridge connects the motorable road on the other side towards Rimbik. Distance is around 16 Km and can take up to 8 hours.

Accommodation in private lodge.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Stay in lodge in Rimbik

Day 6: Drive from Srikhola to NJP – 160Km – 6/7 hours

Stop At: New Jalpaiguri Jn., Nayapara, Siliguri, West Bengal 734004, India
Today morning after breakfast we take the car back to NJP/Siliguri. We will cross Rimbik, and roads goes either through Dhotrey or through Bijanbari to finally Siliguri. If you have few days extra to carry on with vacation, then you can move out towards Darjeeling town which is 90 Km from Srikhola and takes around 4 hour.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.