Sandakphu Trek: The Ultimate Himalayan Adventure to Bengal's Highest Peak

andakphu trek is an amazing journey taking one closest to the raw beauty of nature, leaving one to experience the awe-inspiring wonders and magic created by nature at the highest peak in West Bengal. The Sandakphu Trek is a splendid trek which has drawn numerous trekkers and adventurers from across different parts of the world, showering them with exclusive visuals of the panoramic mountain range with the very iconic view of the Sleeping Buddha. Each step you take while on this trek will unveil magic and new spectacles, sometimes surprising you with quaint hill village views, fluffy milky-white clouds in the clear blue sky and lush greeneries and sometimes with vibrant rhododendron blossoms throughout the valley, especially during spring.

Why choose Sandakphu Trek?

Sandakphu trek is one of the top bucket-list adventures for many for some of the most intriguing reasons. Take a look at these reasons which will compel you to try out this trek once in your lifetime:

↠ Splendid Panoramic View of the Himalayan Range:

Sandakphu trek is the only trek which offers some of the exquisite panoramic views of the world’s four highest mountain peaks, Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest, Makalu and Lhotse. The site is a paradise for all trekkers and photographers, which will remain etched in your memory for this lifetime.

↠ The Iconic Phenomenon of Sleeping Buddha:

Trekking to Sandakphu will let you experience and witness the exquisite alignment of the four highest peaks in the world, forming the iconic structure of a Sleeping Buddha, which is a spectacular view for all the people who climbed such a staggering height. It indeed is rewarding and a splendid discovery for the naked eye.

↠ Trekking through the magnificent Singalila National Park:

The rich biodiversity of the Singalila National Park with the scope to witness exotic flora, fauna and wildlife while on the trek route will be both a thrilling and tranquil experience while trekking on the route.

↠ Perfect to experience Serenity and Adventure:

Sandakphu trek is an experience which will surely soothe your soul with tranquillity and pump your heart with adventure and thrill and a perfect getaway from the chaos of city life and coming so close to nature. Here, you can only hear the birds sing and the wind causing the leaves to rustle.

↠ Explore Different Seasons

Whichever season you plan to trek Sandakphu, you will be content with the mesmerising views, whether the radiating rhododendron blossoms during spring or the clear blue sky with white fluffy clouds during autumn and milky-white snow covering the trek route during winter. It seems like a journey through different seasons.

Best Time for Visting Sandkphu Trek

The best time to visit Sandakphu for a trek depends completely on what you wish to see during this trek. However, it is advised to completely avoid treks during monsoons, due to frequent landslides and roadblocks.

The months of March to April are considered one of the best times as you will be greeted with clear azure blue skies added with the glamour of exotic floral blossoms and the enchanting fragrance of rhododendrons all through the trek routes. Also, you can witness varied species of wildlife and birds during this season.

The autumn season (October and November) is also another good time as you get a clear pristine view of the Sleeping Buddha with a blue azure sky and white fluffy clouds floating in the backdrop, making the entire scene look ethereal.

Sandakphu Trek Height and Elevations during Trek

Sandakphu trek height is 11,929 ft (3636 mts), making it the highest peak in West Bengal. This elevation is reached on Day 4, which is also the summit point for trekkers. Additionally, this easy-to-moderate trek covers diverse elevations, with different ascends and descends. Here is the elevation of the places considering the trek route provided:

NJP/Bagdogra → Dhortey → Tumling → Kali Pokhri → Sandakphu → Srikhola → NJP/Bagdogra

Dhortey Altitude: 8858 ft (2700 mt)

Tumling Altitude: 9744 ft (2970 mt)

Kali Pokhri Altitude: 10,433 ft (3180 mt)

Sandakphu Altitude: 11,929 ft (3636 mt)

Srikhola Altitude: 6234 ft (1900 mt)

The approximate number of days it takes to complete a 63 km trek is 7 days.

How to Reach Sandakphu?

The nearest railway station is NJP and the airport is Bagdogra Airport from where you can take a hired cab to Maneybhanjan, via Sukhiapokhri and then trek to Sandakphu which is about a 5-hour trek to cover 95 km.

Short Itinerary for the Trek

Here is a short itinerary for your trek in Sandakphu. You can also plan this trek itinerary as per your preference. Here the general plan is provided for 6 days.

Day 1: NJP/Bagdogra to Dhotrey

Day 2: Dhotrey to Tumling

Day 3: Tumling to Kali Pokhari

Day 4: Kali Pokhari to Sandakphu

Day 5: Sandakphu to Srikhola

Day 6: Srikhola to NJP/Bagdogra

Key Attractions Along the Trek

Here are some of the key attractions which you will witness while along the Sandakphu trek:

↠ Singalila National Park:

This National Park is famous for being a biodiversity hotspot, with a collection of fantastic wildlife, flora and fauna. You might be lucky to come across the Himalayan Red Panda, the Himalayan Leopard and radiant rhododendron blossoms with enchanting oak, rhododendrons and magnolia fragrances.

↠ Phalut:

This place provides the opportunity to get some exquisite and expansive views of the majestic Himalayan range and the solitude amid nature’s grandeur. Also, you can see some dramatic landscapes there.

↠ Trekking through the Quaint Villages:

A trek through the Sandakphu trek routes will take you through the quaint villages which offer some magnificent and rustic life and views of the mighty Himalayas, the charming hamlets and the lush green rolling hills, added with a unique charm of the hills. You will cross through picturesque settlements like Kalipokhri and Tumling. The overall trek is made memorable with the right degree of authenticity and connection with nature.

↠ Exclusive Photography:

The magnificent opportunity to click amazing photography during your Sandakphu trek awaits at each turn, with exclusive photography of the breathtaking mountain views and the stunning alignment of the peaks which form the Sleeping Buddha. Also, clicking pictures of radiant rhododendrons makes this a dream destination for all trekkers which gives you the glimpses of untouched raw beauty of Sandakphu.

Trek Preparation and Level of Trek Difficulty

The level of difficulty for this Sandakphu trek is easy to moderate and there are some strict trek preparations one must take to ensure the entire trek is safe.

Here’s a list of essentials which you need to carry while travelling to Sandakphu for a trek:

Personal Clothing

Toiletries

Head Lamp/Torch

Personal medicines

First aid kit

Winter Wear

Coca 30(30ml)- In case of altitude sickness

Trek equipment like sleeping bag

In addition to these essential things to carry while trekking to Sandakphu, you must also be prepared both physically and mentally to experience a wholesome trek.

↠ A very good preparation for the Sandakphu trek will require you to have cardio fitness and leg strength, which will need you to start this preparation well in advance, at least 3 months before the trek begins.

↠ You must also be mentally prepared for this trek besides getting into a routine exercise schedule which must include squats for strengthening legs and jogging for ideally 4-5 km to enhance stamina.

Information on Food and Accommodation

During your Sandakphu trek, arrangements for accommodation are mainly done in the quaint teahouses as well as the local homestays, which offer comfortable lodging with simple amenities for a cosy stay.

Food is mainly comprised of local cuisines and you can get to taste local delicacies like Gundruk (fermented leafy veggies), Thukpa and Momos, which is sure to win your heart with its simplicity.

Here are certain things to keep in mind:

Accommodation Availability: Especially during peak seasons (October to April), it is always recommended to pre-book your accommodation in teahouses and local homestays to avoid any last-minute hassle.

Network/Wi-Fi: it is recommended to not rely on network/Wi-Fi as connectivity, especially in higher altitudes is a big issue.

Charging and Electricity: There are limited facilities for electricity and charging points. Hence, it is always better to carry portable chargers.

Permits for the Sandakphu Trek

Indian Nationals: Indians must carry with them valid ID proof. However, no special permits are required for Indian citizens.

Foreign Nationals: Foreigners need special permits to enter the Singalila National Park, which is issued at Manebhanjang Check Post.

Singalila National Park Entry Fee and Camera Fee: there are additional charges applicable for camera and videography, besides an entry fee of 100/- for Indian nationals and 200/- for foreign nationals.

Tips for Safety

Acclimatization: Avoiding altitude sickness can be ensured by taking the trek slowly with gradual ascends and acclimatizing with higher altitude locations like Tumling.

Staying Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water during this trek is essential to keep yourself hydrated.

Carrying First-Air Kit: It is essential to carry a first-aid kit to attend to injuries and altitude sickness readily.