Trekking into Sandakphu starts off from an altitude of 1,524 meters (5,000 ft) and gradually climbs up through forests of rhododendron, giant magnolias, spruce and other trees of sub-alpine region and more than 600 varieties of orchids-the largest to be found in one geographical area in the world. For flora worshippers, the months of April and May are the best time of the year for the trek while for those who have an insatiable thirst for a view of the mountains; the best months are in autumn. The view from Sandakphu is unsurpassed by any view anywhere. Where else can be seen 180 degrees of snow-capped mountains which includes Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Kumbhakarna, Kanchenjanga, Chomolhari in one single stretch of snows-an ethereal beauty. It is easy to understand why people leave hearth and home, traveling sometimes thousands of miles to walk through ripples of terraced fields of maize, rice, millet and barley, leaving the last traces of civilization far behind.
Darjeeling Sandakphu Trekking Itinerary
THT/ADV: 01 – Sandakphu
Day 1 - Reception at NJP rail station / Bagdogra airport. Drive to Maneybhanjan (85 km) in exclusive vehicle. The road to Manebhanjan follows the Hill Cart Road connecting Darjeeling with the plains. At Ghoom (The highest rail station in India) you leave the Hill Cart Road and it takes another hour from Ghoom to reach Manybhanjan. Check in at Hotel and free evening to acclimatize in the new environ.
Day 2 - Trek Starts from Maneybhanjan in the morning. Reach Joibari in the afternoon and Gairibans (2621 mt, 15km app) in the evening. Trails lead one through bamboo glades and farmlands. Night stay at Gairibas (alternatively Joibari).
Day 3 - Trek to sandakphu (3636 mt, 12 km app). Lunch at Kalepokhri. Sandakphu is the highest mountain in West Bengal with beautiful view of both Kanchenjunga and Everest range of mountains. Overnight at Sandakphu.
Day 4 - Explore Sandakphu. Wake up early in the morning for beautiful view of Kanchenjunga and Everest range. Walk among the rhododendron. Enjoy the high.
Day 5 - Early morning trek to Rimbik. No break during the day. Trek through the most beautiful forests of the Singhalila range. One of the few places in the world where you might see a red panda in the wild. Evening at leisure at Rimbik.
Day 6 - Morning Drive to Siliguri. Drop at NJP / Bagdogra. End of the Tour.
THT/ADV: 02 – Sandakphu & Phalut
Day 01 - Delhi - Bagdogra – Darjeeling
Take morning flight from Delhi to Bagdogra. Meet our representative and drive towards Darjeeling. On arrival transfer into hotel. Evening sightseeing and acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 - Darjeeling - Maneybhanjang – Tonglu
Arrive Darjeeling. Sandakphu Trek begins. Meet Himalayan Trekker representative. Drive to Maneybhanjang (1-1/2 hrs), the starting point of the trek. The days walk, about 06 hrs, is uphill and the trail passes through small village of Chitre and forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias. The trekkers hut at Tonglu (3020m) is located on a hill top overlooking the Sikkim Himalayas. Overnight at Tonglu.
Day 03 - Tonglu – Garibas
On second day of Sandakphu Trek, we undertake a pleasant walk through the forest which is home to the rare Red Panda and the Tragopan. After about 04 hrs the trekker's hut of Garibas (2620m) is reached, where we spend the night.
Day 04 - Garibas – Sandakphu
Sandakphu Trek continues. After breakfast, start the trek to Sandakphu (3636m) which takes about 06 hrs. Sandakphu is the place to view the mountains. On a clear day one can see the peaks of Lhotse (8501m), Everest (8848m) and Makalu (8475m) of the Nepal Himalayas and the huge Kanchenjanga massif (8586m) along with other peaks of the Sikkim Himalayas. Overnight at Sandakphu.
Day 05 - Sandakphu – Phalut
On Day 4 of Sandakphu Trek, The trail is along a ridge and can be considered as one of the most enjoyable and scenic walks in the Himalayas. The whole range of snowy peaks is always in view and the trail passes through high altitude vegetation and areas of dwarf rhododendrons and firs. The walk to Phalut (3600m) is about 07 hours. Overnight at Phalut.
Day 06 - Phalut – Rammam
Sandakphu Trek continues early morning walk up to Phalut Top to view the sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast start trek to Rammam (2560m) which takes about 05 hrs. The trail passes through the villages of Gorkhey and Samanden and the forest provides ample opportunities for birding. Overnight at Rammam.
Day 07 - Rammam - Rimbik
On day 6 of Sandakphu Trek, we move from Rammam, the trail descends to the bridge at Sirikhola and passes through a number of small villages to reach Rimbik (2280m), the road head. Overnight at Rimbik.
Day 08 - Rimbik - Darjeeling
After breakfast drive 4 hours to Darjeeling. End of The Tour.
Day 09 - Darjeeling - Bagdogra - Delhi (123 kms / 6-7 hrs)
Early morning drive to Bagdogra and take flight for New Delhi. On arrival at Delhi transfer to international airport to catch onwards flight.
The above itinerary is a guideline and standard pattern which we provide you. This Trip can be modified according to your time and requirements.
THT/ADV: 03 – Sandakphu & Phalut
Day 1 - Reception at NJP rail station / Bagdogra airport. Drive to Maneybhanjan (85 km) in exclusive vehicle. The road to Manebhanjan follows the Hill Cart Road connecting Darjeeling with the plains. At Ghoom (The highest rail station in India) you leave the Hill Cart Road and it takes another hour from Ghoom to reach Manybhanjan. Check in at Hotel and free evening to acclimatize in the new environ.
Day 2 - Trek Starts from Maneybhanjan in the morning. Trek to Tonglu through dense forests (3070 mt, 11 km). Reach Tonglu in the afternoon. Overnight at Tonglu / Tumling.
Day 3 - Wake up early in the morning for a rare and beautiful view of the mountains around. After breakfast start trekking. Reach Gairibans at 2621 meters, Trek time 3 hrs, approx 9 kms, Trails leads one through bamboo glades and farmlands. Lunch at Gairibans. Trek to Kalipokhari 3170 meters. Distance is 6 Kms and it is about 3 hrs walk from Gairibas. Overnight at Kalipokhari.
Day 4 - From Kalipokhari the trek route descends to Bikhebhangang. Trek from Bikhebhanjang to sandakphu is a steep climb of 4 kms and takes more than an hour. Sandakphu at 3636 meter is the highest mountain in West Bengal and commands one of the most spectacular views of the mountain ranges of Kunchenjunga and Everest. The mountain slopes are covered with rhododendrons and silver fir trees.
Day 5 - Explore Sandakphu. Wake up early in the morning for beautiful view of Kanchenjunga and Everest range. Walk among the rhododendron. Enjoy the high. Overnight at Sandakphu.
Day 6 - Trek to Phalut. The trek from Sandakphu to Phalut is one of the most spectacular. The silver fir and rhododendron forests comprise the most beautiful sight. The trek takes you through the top of a ridge and is relatively easy. Phalut is one of the loftiest peaks (3600 mt) in the Singalila Range.Halt at Phalut.
Day 7 - Phalut - Ramam. From Phalut the trail descends through the virgin forest of chestnut, pines, hemlock etc. till the trail reaches the the stream known as Gorkhey Khola. One can enjoy the bath and savor midday meal. Resume trekking via Samandin to Ramam Trekkers Hut. Its about 5 hours trek from Phalut or about 15 km. in distances from Phalut.
Day 8 - Ramam - Rimbik. From Ramam the road is almost level. walk for the first 9 km and again it descends to Srikhola. The road rises steeply for about 1 km where it levels out again till it reaches Rimbik. The trek ends at Rimbik. Overnight at Rimbik.
Day 9 - Drive to Darjeeling from Rimbik (54 km). Check in at hotel in Darjeeling. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Darjeeling.
Day 10 - Morning drive to Tiger Hill for a beautiful view of sunrise. Visit to Ghoom monastery and Batasia loop on your way back to Darjeeling. Drive back to Siliguri after breakfast. End of The Tour at Siliguri.
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