The name Sandakphu means the 'Height of the
Poison Plant', a direct reference to the profusion of the poisonous aconite
plants that grow near the peak. The loftiest peak of the Singalila Range,
Sandakphu is the culminating point of many trekking routes in the Darjeeling-Sikkim region.
At an altitude of 3,636 m, it is located at
a distance of 58 km. from Darjeeling. Trek to Sandakphu starts from
Maneybhanjan, a small town near Darjeeling.
Maneybhanjan can be reached from Siliguri via
Ghoom / Darjeeling. After necessary entries in the Immigration check post and
the last minute shopping and meal, the trek begins. You may also opt for
overnight stay at Maneybhanjan to start the trek early next day.
Sandakphu epitomizes the wild elemental
grandeur of the snows. Nature here is at her pristine best, and the vista at
the top is worth all the hardship endured on the way. Aptly called the Paradise
of Trekkers, the peak is a vantage point from where one can see four of the
world's five highest peaks - Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse in a
continuous snow-clad arc.
The place is resplendent with the ethereal
beauty of magnolias, rhododendrons, primulas and other sub-alpine flowers. It
also contains more than 600 varieties of orchids, the largest to be found in a
single geographical area in the world. Maneybhanjan, at an altitude of 2134
meter, is the gateway to the Sandakphu region. You can visit here any time of
the year. The monsoon months of July-August is not suggested.
SANDAKPHU 5 Nights – 6 Days
Trek
Day 1
Depart
Darjeeling at 8:30 a.m. Drive to Maneybhanjang. Trek starts. 12 km walk, approx
5 to 6 hrs. uphill. Night halt at Tumling (Nepal), altitude 3070m
Day 2
After
breakfast trek to Sandakphu (Nepal/India border). 19 km walk, approx 6 to 7
hrs. Altitude 3636m Night halt.
Day 3
After
breakfast trek down to Phalut (Nepal/India border). 21 km walk, approx 8 to 9
hrs. Altitude 3600m Overnight stay.
Day 4
After
breakfast trek down to Gorkhey (India). 15 km. approx 4 to 5 hrs. Altitude
3100m Overnight stay.
Day 5
Trek
down to Sirikhola (India). 16 km. walk, approx 5 hrs. Altitude
1900m Overnight stay.
Day 6
After
breakfast trek down to Rimbick (India). 6 km. walk, approx 1½ hrs. Altitude
1800m Depart for Darjeeling from Rimbick. 4 hrs journey. Tour ends.
Inclusion:-
Transportation from
Darjeeling to Maneybhanjang and back after the completion of trek on SHARING
BASIS. Guide. Meals available during trek only (tea, breakfast, lunch
& dinner). Lodges (during trek only)
Exclusion:-
Entry fee to
Singalila Range, the Govt. of West Bengal Rs.200/- each. Dry fruits, chocolate,
mineral water. Anything of personal nature. Meals not available during
Darjeeling stay. Optional tour. Insurance of any kind. Tips. Porter.
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