Sandakphu–Phalut Trek

The Sandakphu-Phalut Trek is the most popular trek in West Bengal, famous for its outstanding views of Mt Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak of the world. Both Sandakphu and Phalut provide a panoramic view of Kangchenjunga and its sister peaks along with Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu and Mt. Lhotse. Both the view points offer views of four peaks with heights often exceeding. The trek covers Sandakphu (3636 m), the highest point of West Bengal and Phalut (3600 m) the northern most point of West Bengal. Phalut is also the meeting point of the Indian state of West Bengal, Sikkim along with the neighbouring country of Nepal. Most of the route runs along the Indo–Nepal border crossing and re-crossing it innumerable times.

Understand
The trek route passes through the Singalila National Park. Both Sandakphu and Phalut are connected by motorable road from Manebhanjan however a trek route also exists. The trek route is different from the motorable road however they do overlap at many places. The entire route has lodges and tea houses serving meals. The route is open to trekking, jeep tour or a combination of both.

When to go

 * December - March: Very good time. Clear skies and great view of snow peaks. High possibility of snowfall. Very cold but enjoyable.
 * April - May: Very good time. Clear skies and great view of snow peaks. This is the blooming time of Rhododendron flowers. They turn the entire route into a bright shade of red.
 * June - September: Not a good time. Heavy rainfall. Chances of landslides. Poor visibility and hardly any views of snow peaks.
 * October - November: Again a good time. Good weather with clear skies and great view of snow peaks.

Prepare
The trek to Sandakphu is easy however the Phalut section is moderate. The trails are well marked and there are tea stalls every few kilometers till Sandakphu. During winter snow can make the Sandakphu - Phalut route difficult.

Permits, entry fee and other expenses

 * The entry fee for Singalila National Park is ₹120 per head per day for Indian nationals. For foreigners, the entry fee is ₹500 per day per head.
 * Digital camera fee is ₹100 and video camera fee is ₹400
 * Although the trails are well marked with proper signage a guide is compulsory for trekkers. For Indian nationals guide charges are ₹1000 per day for a group of 7, for each extra person the charge is ₹150 per day. For foreign nationals guide charges are ₹1200 per day for a group of 7, for each extra person the charge is ₹300 per day. The charges are inclusive of food and lodging
 * Porter charges are ₹800 per day and a porter carries a maximum of 20 kg load. The fee includes fooding and lodging through out the route except for Sandakphu, where an extra ₹200 is to be paid per day for fooding and lodging.
 * Lodging is available throughout the trek route and dormitory beds cost about ₹200 - 300 per person per day. Rooms are also available. The lodges are run by Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), formerly Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (​DGHC). GTA Darjeeling Contact: (0354) 2254879 / 2255351, GTA Kolkata contact +91 9903174047, (033) 23377534
 * Food is also available throughout the trek route and average cost is about ₹500 - 600 per person per day
 * Land rover tour
 * Manebhanjan - Tonglu/Tumling (round trip) ₹2500
 * Manebhanjan - Sandakphu (round trip) ₹5500
 * Manebhanjan - Phalut (round trip) ₹9000
 * Night halt charges ₹1500 per night

Get in
The starting point of the trek is or. Both the places are well connected to the nearest railhead New Jalpiguri (NJP) and the nearest airport Bagdogra. Both the places are linked with the nearby popular tourist spot of Darjeeling.

Distance
Manebhanjan is a small village right on the India - Nepal border. The village has several basic places for staying, and guides and porters can be arranged from here. On the other hand, Dhotrey is further up the road towards Rimbick. This is also a small village with a handful of basic hotels. Starting from Dhotrey will reduce the trek by a day. Places to stay in Maneybhanjan: Keshav's Homestay +91 9232695120, +91 9564797551; Hotel Exotica +91 9733044512 Places to stay in Dhoterey: Sherpa Lodge +91 9733048579
 * Bagdogra - Manebhanjan 82 km
 * NJP - Manebhanjan 86 km
 * Bagdogra - Dhotrey 101 km
 * NJP - Dhotrey 105 km
 * Darjeeling - Manebhanjan 25 km
 * Darjeeling - Dhotry 44 km

Itineraries
The route is open to jeep and trek there is a various combination of routes. There is also several combinations of treks. Even jeep tours and treks can be combined in a single trip.

Sandakphu Trek
Note: The 3 day trek from Manebhanjan / Dhotrey - Sandakphu can also be done in 2 days, with a night halt in Garibas
 * Day 1: Manebhanjan / Dhotre - Tonglu / Tumling (Manbhanja - Tonglu 11 km, 6 - 7 hrs, via: Chitre, Lamay Dhura and Meghna)
 * Day 2: Tonglu / Tumling - Kalipokhri (Tongli - Kalipokhri 15 km, 6 - 7 hrs, via Jaubari, Garibas and Kaiyakata)
 * Day 3: Kalipokhri - Sandakphu (6 km, 3 hrs, via Bikeybhanjan))
 * Day 4: Sandakphu - Gurdung (7 km, 3 hrs)
 * Day 5: Gurdung - Rimbick (13 km, 5 hrs, via Srikhola)

Sandakphu Phalut Trek
Note: The 21 km Sandakphu - Phalut trek can be broken down into 2 days with a stop in Moley. This would include a 2 km (one way) diversion from Sabarkum.
 * Day 1 - 3: Same as Sandakphu trek
 * Day 4: Sandakphu - Phalut (21 km, 9 - 10 hrs, via: Sabarkum)
 * Day 5: Phalut - Gorkhey (15 km, 4 - 5 hrs)
 * Day 6: Gorkhey - Rimbick (28 km, 10 - 11 hrs, via Rammam and Srikhola)

Jeep Tour
The route from Manebhanjan - Phalut is motorable. The Sandakphu is probably the only place in the world where Landrover is still in operation.
 * Day 1: Manebhanjan - Sandakphu
 * Day 2: Sandakphu - Phalut
 * Day 3: Phalut - Manebhanjan

Go next

 * Darjeeling