Sandakphu Trek – A guide to Sandakphu trekking in West Bengal covering all the information needed to plan and carry out the trek including experiences of others and how to get there, etc. Sandakphu Trek (6 days) is one of the most beautiful Himalayan treks in the Sikkim Himalayas.
Arrival at Kalimpong
Upon arrival at Kalimpong airport (2,500 feet above sea level), transfer to the hotel by car. Relax. Evening: Visit Tashiding Gompa, for your night’s stay at Hotel/ Guest House in Kalimpong or Darjeeling or Siliguri, or Gangtok. Overnight at Kalimpong Hotel. Bagdogra Airport is situated about 20 km from Kalimpong town and is well-connected with regular flights from Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati.
Travel options from Bagdogra Airport are as follows: Shared Taxi – It is a better option if you are 2 or 3 people but if you are 4 or more then it’s not a good option as taxis will be full during peak hours of daytime and early morning. You can find shared taxis outside of Baggage International Airport.
What to do at Sandakphu
Sandakphu is a glacial massif situated at an altitude of 2,637m in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Sandakfu rises majestically from amid khajuri tehsil and is spread across areas of Sikkim, Nepal, and West Bengal. Sandakphu area is accessible via trekking trails only in Nepal. The South-West side route is through Sikkim while the northeast side route passes through the Darjeeling district in India. It takes around 10 days for trekkers to reach the Sandakphu base camp. Most adventure enthusiasts prefer the southwest side route as it has less challenging terrain than the northeast side route.
A visit to sandakphu offers you a lifetime opportunity to explore its natural beauty and gives you a chance to witness its kind panoramic views which are unmatchable anywhere else in the world. You can enjoy skiing during the winter season which falls between December and February every year.
Kalimpong – Sandakphu Base Camp
Sandakphu trek is a strenuous three days, two nights Sandakphu Base Camp that offers glimpses of every kind of adventure that Sikkim can offer. Besides admiring rare flora and fauna in its numerous valleys, you will walk past waterfalls and cross the snow line of Mt Kanchenjunga range. Our total journey distance is approximately 22 kilometers. Today we begin our trek after breakfast at Kalimpong around 9:00 AM and end it at Sandakphu(1540 meters) by 8:00 PM
Acclimatization at Sandakphu
To climb Mt. Sandakphu, it is necessary to have enough time for acclimatization before we start climbing so that our body and mind are prepared for such a huge challenge. We will do light exercises like trekking and cycling during Day 3 of Sandakphu Treks while spending our night at Trinkitika. If you feel dizzy or nauseous in any way then don’t worry as it is completely normal. This happens due to low oxygen levels in your blood which can be cured with proper rest and good food. Hence, we recommend you not to go too high on Sandakphu on Day 3 of Sandakphu Trekking but just go up to Trinkitika where you can enjoy fresh air, and beautiful views and also get accustomed to higher altitudes.
Sandakphu – Phalut trek.
Phalut is a hill station situated at 14,600 ft above sea level, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and green forests of pine. Overnight stay at Ghermu camp. Acclimatization Day at Phalut. Stay overnight at dormitory accommodation in Phalut. Rest day with free time for hiking and sightseeing around Phalut. Overnight stay at Sela pass (12000 ft). The final stage of the Sandakphu trek starts from Sandakphu, with two steep climbs over two high mountain passes Sela Pass (12000ft) & Kongma La Pass (16750ft). On these high passes, you will get mesmerizing views of sunrise and sunset over the Kanchenjunga range.
Phalut – Ghoom (2710m) – Gangtok (2290m) trek.
This is a relatively easy day, with just two short and gentle climbs. Ghoom is a wonderful little village, tucked below high cliffs. You might even get lucky and spot yaks grazing on nearby hillside pastures. Spend some time exploring or go for a walk up above all of it and you’ll find fantastic views out into Sikkim far below. Of course, if you have time, stay on a while and do Day too: It only gets better.
Hope you enjoyed the blog about the Sandakphu trek. If you have queries or suggestions, feel free to mail us, or comment below.
