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SANDAKPHU - PHALUT

Cost: EURO 800

Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVAL DAY

Pick up: On arrival at Delhi airport Meal plan: B Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Half day sightseeing Welcome to India! Upon your arrival at IGI airport in Delhi, our tour representative will escort you to the pre-booked hotel. After completing check-in formalities, you can rest and afternoon you will be visiting DILLI HAAT and walk around the neighbouring streets to be familiar with the culture of Delhi before sinking into the cosines of your bed. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi. Dinner time Our guide will brief you about the Delhi sightseeing.

Day 2

DELHI SIGHTSEEING

Meal Plan: B L Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Delhi sightseeing After breakfast, you are ready to explore India’s power-centre for a splendid journey where you can explore Delhi’s culture, history, food, market-place and monuments. Delhi, the country’s historic as well as modern capital, has been shaped by various empires from different eras. Exploring Delhi’s iconic monuments and heritage sites, immersing in its flavourful culinary delights and diverse traditions, visiting landmark sacred sites, soaking in its history and culture and shopping at busy marketplaces — these are just some ways to experience the capital city, one of the most visited places not just in India, but the entire world! Today we will be visiting – Rajpath, Red Fort, Qutub minar, Lotus temple, India Gate, Parliament House and Connaught place.

Day 3

NEW DELHI – SILGURI

Activity: Obtaining Inner Line Permit Transfer: New Delhi to Siliguri by air Meal Plan: B D Accommodation: Hotel After an early morning breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for a journey to Bagdogra, where our representative meets you and drives you to Siliguri. Siliguri is located on the banks of the Mahananda river and at the Himalayan foothills, Siliguri is endowed with natural scenery and attracts numerous tourists all year. Views of the white snow-clad mountain peaks of the great Himalayan ranges from Siliguri are not to be missed. The Kanchenjunga stadium and the Hong Kong market are famous tourist attractions. Jadapara wildlife sanctuary, located nearby, is a great place to visit for a safari. Siliguri has several restaurants serving mouth-watering food. We arrive in Siliguri around noon and have the whole day exploring the town. We dine and overnight at a hotel.

Day 4

DRIVE FROM NJP / BAGDOGRA TO SEPI

Altitude: 6,400 ft Drive Distance: 130 km Stay: Teahouse Pick-up time is 10.00 AM from Hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included The journey to the beautiful Sandakphu trek begins today. Our team will pick you up from Hotel, and you will be driven towards Sepi, which will be the base camp for your Sandakphu-Phalut trek. It is an uphill drive of about 130 km to the base camp and takes about 7 hrs. You will be passing through the native tea estates of Darjeeling and Sikkim as you drive towards Sepi. Momos and delicious Thukpa is a delicacy that you must surely try along the way. They are simply mouth-watering. En route, your first stop will be Mirik, which is also a popular tourist destination in West Bengal. This picturesque and quaint hill station is located in the serene hills of the Darjeeling district. The climate and natural beauty of Mirik attract a lot of tourists here. We will reach Mirik at around 1:00 clock in the afternoon, where we will have our lunch. Try the local delicacies, they are simply great! After your lunch, we will resume our journey again towards Sepi, which is your base for the trek and is definitely also a very pretty campsite. The greenery surrounding Sepi makes it look very beautiful and feel pretty close to nature here. Srikhola spring also cuts through the village of Sepi, which adds to the beauty of the landscape. En route to Sepi, you will also cross some charming villages like Rimbik, Sukhipokhri, and Dhotrey as well. The more you travel uphill, the more tranquil it becomes with no noise of bustling city life all around you. Your accommodation for today will be arranged in a homestay. So, enjoy the hospitality and rest well as you begin tomorrow.

Day 5

TREK FROM SEPI TO GORKHEY via RAMAM-SAMANDEN

Altitude: 7,545 ft Trek Distance: 15 km Altitude gain: 1295 ft Lunch on the way Meal Plan: B L D Stay: Teahouse Wake up and lace up your trekking boots, today we are going to start our trek towards Sandakphu. Starting the day early, it's a considerably easy walk till Ramam with a gradual ascent and some steep sections. Maintain a steady pace and rest a few moments if needed. Ramam is approximately 3.5 km away from the Sepi campsite. The trail here is a constructed route for most parts and you will notice several cut fields and tiny dwellings on the way. Take a short break at Ramam if you need to and then we will head on towards Samanden. As you move out of Ramam, the trail becomes more secluded with the huts disappearing and the forest trail starting to open up. Walking through the quiet forest with the sound of nature all around you is a great experience in itself. The Singalila Range is quite popular for its abundance of greenery and you can now feel the same. For about 6 km you will traverse through the forests until you arrive at a bridge. After the bridge, it's a steep climb for 15 minutes or so, following which you will arrive at a zone where there are stone benches, each dedicated to locals that have passed away. The locals made these benches with the kind intention that those who have passed away can serve the passers-by even after their death by providing them with a place to rest. From this point on, the trail begins to ease out a bit for a few minutes post which you arrive at a clearing dotted with wooden huts and farmlands. This is the beautiful Samanden village. Samanden has a very picturesque setting and the locals here are very friendly. Chat up with the locals and hear their interesting stories and you will also be greeted with incredible hospitality. The simplicity and the tranquillity of the place may take you by surprise. A couple of kilometres more and you will arrive at the Gorkhey campsite. Gorkhey is a small village situated in the northern part of West Sikkim and is pretty close to the state border. Gorkhey is an ideal location to halt for the night before we continue on our Sandakphu trek.

Day 6

TREK FROM GORKHEY TO PHALUT

Altitude – 11450 Ft. Trek Distance – 15 Km. Altitude Gain – 3905 Ft. Hot lunch on the way at alu bari Meal Plan: B L D Stay: in camps Start your trek early in the morning from Gorkhey towards Phalut. It is about 15 km from Gorkhey. The beautiful Gorkhey Khola flows through the village of Gorkhey after which it is named. It is a tributary of the Ramam River. Crossing this picturesque setting we will head on towards Phalut. You will again cover long sections of forested trails today, be prepared as you have to continue ascending for a long distance and at some points, the ascent can be pretty steep. You may spot plenty of Oaks and Rhododendrons on the forested path. Maintain a steady pace along the trek. It takes about 5 hrs to reach Phalut. Phalut is one of the highest peaks of the Singalila Range, it is the second-highest point after Sandakphu Ridge. To reach from Gorkehy to Phalut, you also need to get permits, which can be acquired from the Gorkhey check post. En-route to Phalut, you will get to see the Singalila Range from up close and you will get to see a stunning view of the Kanchenjunga Massif as well. The closer you get to Phalut the more beautiful the landscape gets. At 11,450 m Phalut offers stunning mountain views. Your stay is arranged in camps and after a delicious dinner, you will rest under the canopy of a million stars. Keep in mind that Phalut does not have electricity and everything runs on the solar panel, so keep extra batteries and power banks with you for your gadgets.

Day 7

TREK FROM PHALUT TO THAKOM

Altitude – 11217 Ft. Trek Distance – 10 Km. Altitude Less – 233 Ft. Hot lunch on the way at Aal Meal Plan: B L D Accommodation in camping The next day we will start our journey towards Thakum. If you didn’t know Thakum campsite is located in Nepal, so we will be skirting the Indo-Nepal border into Nepal. Thakum is a beautiful valley that falls on the way to Sandakphu between Sabargram and Sandakphu and has a very soothing and relaxing vibe with beautiful meadows and a picturesque setting. En- route to Thakum, you may spot some Yaks grazing in the meadows and you have crossed the Indo-Nepal border into Nepal. Although it is a remote and unknown location, the views here are stunning and extremely admirable. The route to Thakum is also lined with a thicket of Rhododendron trees. Sleeping Buddha formation stays in the backdrop as you cross some abandoned huts and cattle grounds. From Thakum, several routes branch into Nepal. This is your campsite for the night. We will pitch our tents here and rest for the night.

Day 8

TREK FROM THAKOM TO AAL 

Altitude – 11600 Ft. Trek Distance – 11 Km. Altitude Gain – 383 Ft. Hot lunch at Aal campsite Meal Plan: B L D Accommodation in camping From Thakum, you will have to take the route that branches into the southwest direction towards Aal. Aal is the closest campsite to Sandakphu summit and is set in a scenic location. Today’s trek is not as tiring as other days and the trail is extremely tough today. A few kilometres ahead of Thakom lies the Aal campsite, which offers a very beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga Ranges and the adjacent peaks. Enjoy a hot lunch at the Aal campsite today and you have the evening to spend at your leisure exploring the area. From Thakom it's about an 8 km walk to Aal. Follow the trekking trail and it will lead you to the Aal campsite. On a clear day, you can see stunning views of the Sleeping Buddha formation. You will be staying in tents in Aal and you can see beautiful Himalayan views from here. You are still in Nepal territory and as you move towards Sandakphu you will again move to Indian territory. Rest well in Aal and tomorrow we will trek to Sandakphu.

Day 9

TREK FROM AAL TO TIMBURE via SANDAKPHU

Altitude – 6560 Ft. Sandakphu Altitude – 11930 ft. Trek Distance – 14 Km. Altitude Gain – 330 Ft. Altitude less – 3700 Ft. Hot lunch on the way at Gurdum Meal Plan: B L D Accommodation in Tea House The stretch from Aal to Timbure is about 14 km. As we start from Aal after 3km we will reach Sandakphu. We start early in the morning so that you can watch the sunrise from the top of Sandakphu. It is one of the prettiest sights we will ever see. The first rays of sun over the snow-capped sleeping buddha cover it in an alpenglow that is way too beautiful to be described in words. Watching the sunrise at Sandakphu and spending some time at the summit we will head towards Timburey, our next campsite. From Sandakphu it is about 10 km to Timburey and takes about 4 hours to complete. As you head towards Timburey, Gurdum is the first village that you will come across. Gurdum is a postcard-perfect village with only 4 to 5 dwellings. It is one of the remote Himalayan villages. Surrounded by forests and Himalayan mountains, Gurdum also offers a private stay for tourists in its scenic setting. Timburey is not far from here. After trekking for another 3 km you will arrive at Timburey, your campsite for the night. There are also a couple of home stays here and we will be staying at one of the local tea houses.

Day 10

TREK FROM TIMBURE TO SRIKHOLA AND DRIVE TO NJP/ BAGDOGRA via SEPI 

Altitude Less- Trek Distance – 3 km (1 hrs) Drive Distance – 130 Km (6 hrs.) You will reach NJP / Bagdogra between 7.00 – 8.00 PM Meal Plan: B L Accommodation - Hotel This is the last day of your trekking and also the last day in the mountains. Your beautiful journey to Sandakphu ends today. From Timburey, we start our trek towards Srikhola again. It's a 3 km descent to Srikhola and takes about an hour. Once we reach Srikhola road-head, a vehicle will be waiting for you that will drive you back to the Hotel. These are the same roads that you came in at the start of your journey. Reminisce about the mountains as you head back onwards on your journey, taking back with you wonderful memories of Sandakphu.

Day 11

BAGDOGRA TO NEW DELHI 

Transfer: Bagdogra to New Delhi by air Meal Plan: B We wake up to bid adieu to our newly made friends with promises and hopes that we will cross paths in the future. Following breakfast, we drive out to the airport and take the flight out to Delhi and further to other destination

Cost (Euro 800)

1, A minimum of Seven adults is required to operate the trip.

OPTIONAL

1, The applicable rate for a single supplement euro 120 Hotels in New Delhi, Siliguri

2, The price for a single tent for camping euro 100

3, Off Loading cost for Bag by porter or Mule - euro 75

Inclusion
  • Accommodation: Day 1,2 Hotel at Delhi, Day 3,10 Hotel at Siliguri, Day 4,5,9 Tea House, Day 6,7,8 Camping

  • Meals (veg + egg) As per itinerary 

  • Trek equipment: Sleeping bag, Mattress, Utensils, Tent (twin sharing) kitchen & dining tent, Toilet tent, Rope, Ice axe, Micro spikes Helmet, snow Boots and Crampon (If required)

  • Support: Mountaineering qualified & professional trek leader, Guide (number of guides depends on group size) High altitude chef, support staff

  • First aid: Medical kit, Stretcher, Oxygen Cylinder

  • Transportation: As per the Itinerary- New Delhi to New Delhi

  • Mules: To carry the central luggage

  • All necessary permits and entry fees and forest fees

  • Transport NJP to Sepi and return

Exclusion
  • Any kind of personal expenses, such as phone calls, room service, laundry or alcoholic beverages

  • Food not mentioned in Itinerary

  • Any kind of evacuation charges

  • Mules or property to carry personal luggage

  • Anything not mentioned under the head

  • Vaccination

  • Any cost associated with an early departure from the expedition

  • Tips for local staff (this is a discretionary payment but most team are happy to contribute and typically this will cost about euro 70 – 100 per person

  • Entry visa and Airfare

  • Any unscheduled hotels and restaurant meals

  • Travel insurance

  • Extra day accommodation

SINGLE ROOM AND TENT

You may reserve a single room in Delhi/Silguri during the trip for an extra fee of Euro 120.

A single tent for every camping night is available for an extra fee of 100 euros.

THE OFFLOADING OF BAGS

  • Offloading a backpack will cost you 75 euros and will involve a porter or mule. The bag needs to be water-resistant.  The backpack can only be 11 kg in weight. Bags, suitcases, and carts are not permitted.

Additional Information

Normally, BTA expects you to carry your personal belongings; but, if you'd want to entrust your backpack to a porter or mule, you can. For the duration of the journey, offloading fees are euro 75. (need to inform in advance). The backpack can only be 11 kg in weight. Should have a waterproof cover for the backpack. Bags, suitcases, and carts are not permitted.

The safety of our trekkers is our top priority in an emergency. Our Trek Leaders are skilled in dealing with medical situations, particularly those brought on by altitude. In more serious circumstances, the trekker will be taken on a stretcher as soon as possible to the closest hospital. The participant is responsible for covering any costs associated with using the medical facility. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Sandakphu Trek?

The Sandakphu trek is usually classified as an easy to moderate grade trek. It is certainly not one of the hardest Indian treks available. However, we advise a decent level of physical fitness. Also, it is advised that you have some hiking experience beforehand. The maximum altitude is 12,000ft and you will trek a total of approximately 68 km.

Is Sandakphu Trek for beginners?

Sandakphu Phalut is indeed a trek for both beginners and seasoned trekkers. However, one should be aware that almost every day on this trek is spent hiking for long hours. It is best to start preparing for the trek by keeping fit and exercising for a few months to build stamina, especially for beginner-level trekkers.

How difficult is the Sandakphu Trek?

On a scale of difficulty, Sandakphu has been ranked as a moderate trek. This is mostly because of the long days spent trekking and encountering sub-zero temperature levels on the second, third, and fourth days. No technical challenges block your way on this trail. The trek's highest point is at 3636 meters at the Sandakphu peak, so the change in height may cause Altitude Motion Sickness, which can subside after a while. However, if you've geared up properly and taken enough precautions, you have nothing to worry about.

When is Best time to visit Sandakphu Trek:

Sandakphu remains open to tourists for 8 months of the year, from September to April. You can enjoy the bloom of rhododendrons and magnolia in the spring from March to mid-April. This is the best season for bird-watching enthusiasts.
The autumnal months of September, October, and November offer breath-taking views of golden and orange-colored landscape along with a clear blue sky. It is the best time to see the Sleeping Buddha Range of Kanchenjunga and some of the world's highest peaks – Mt. Everest, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Chomo Lonzo.
In winter, the mild snowfall is quite enjoyable and does not at all block the trekking trail. Stunning sunrises and sunsets can be seen around this time, along with beautiful twilight skies. Be sure to gear up properly for whichever season you choose to trek in.

How to stay safe on Sandakphu Trek?

To stay safe while trekking the Sandakphu trail, make sure you have packed all the necessary gear. You will be provided with a guide at Manebhanjan, and it is advisable to follow his instructions throughout the trek. If you are a woman trekking by herself, remember to carry a stock of menstrual hygiene products and stay at private lodges to access clean and hygienic toilets. In case you are visiting Sandakphu in April, you will experience frequent rains. Take preventive measures to avoid slipping or catching a cold. In winter especially, remember to bundle up for the night as temperatures will reach sub-zero levels. Carry water-purifying tablets so that you don't get stomach troubles from the water available in this region.

Is Sandakphu Trek safe?

The trek to Sandakphu is perfectly safe for any tourist if they are physically fit. Being a moderate trek, it does not have any technical challenges on the trail. Furthermore, several exit points are spread out along the trail, facilitating easy evacuation at any moment.

Help can easily be sought from numerous small villages and hamlets full of amicable locals dotting the trail, in case of dire need. The nearest hospitals are in Rimbik and Sukhia Pokhri, flanking the trail on both its ends.

When Rhododendron flowering can be seen in Sandakphu?

Rhododendrons bloom in March and April in the Sandakphu region. As it is the Spring season, you can see the blooming of other flowers too. You can see Rhododendrons in various colors this time- red, pink, white, and many different types.

Can you visit Sandakphu with your family?

Everyone, including a family, can visit Sandakphu unless there are some medical issues. We do not recommend children under 10 years and elderly people beyond 60 years for trekking to Sandakphu. Before visiting, the fitness of the traveller must be good. We highly recommend consulting with a doctor before planning for trekking.

Is there snowfall in Sandakphu?

Yes, Snowfall can be seen here, Snowfall usually starts here towards the end of December and lasts till, the end of January

What are the Washroom Toilet facilities?

This is a treehouse trek, the washroom facility will be basic. Also, one-day camping will be done and we will set up toilet tents in which pit will be dug and you have to do your business in it. Later we cover it with mud and close it.

About the Trek

You can experience the trek of a lifetime along the trails of the Sandakphu peak through the Singalila Range of West Bengal.

If you are looking for a low-risk trek surrounded by the north-eastern Himalayan massifs on all sides, the Sandakphu-Phalut trekking is the one for you. Sandakphu is the highest peak of West Bengal at 3636 meters from where you can see four of the highest peaks of the world- Mt. Everest (8849 meters), Mt. Makalu (8481 meters), Mt. Lhotse (8516 meters), and Mt. Chomo Lonzo (7804 meters). You can also see the famous Sleeping Buddha range of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak of the world at 8586 meters.

Let us take a peek into some of the highlights that the Sandakphu - Phalut trek has to offer.

 

The ancient and enchanting trail

 

The Sandakphu trekking route is one of the oldest and most famous "Teahouse treks" in India. At a soaring height of 12000 ft, the Sandakphu peak stands proudly as the highest peak of West Bengal. The trekking trail constantly weaves around the Nepal-Sikkim border and offers a fantastic view of some of the world's highest peaks.

Besides the snow-capped mountains, you can spot several species of rare and enchanting mountainous flora and fauna. The rhododendron and magnolias are the main attractions of spring, painting the region with fantastic hues. At the same time, black bears, red pandas, and monas are often seen. Bird-watching is prevalent among tourists here as well as landscape photography.

The small villages and hamlets located along the trail offer a glimpse into the rustic life of the villagers in the mountains. The Srikhola river passing through the green mountainous vegetation is soothing to the eyes at the end of the trek.


 

WHY SANDAKPHU TREK ?

 

If you are wondering about whether or not to embark on the Sandakphu Trek, let’s give you an overview of what you will get there. Can you name a single place on earth where you get to witness four of the five highest peaks in the world, including the Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu, the entire Kanchenjunga cluster, Chomolhari, Three Sisters, Pandim, Kumbhakarna, and other peaks of Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal in one single stretch of snow? With over 600 varieties of orchids, and rare flora like magnolias, spruce, rhododendrons, you will never want to miss this chance of embarking on this trekking wonderland, irrespective of the Sandakphu Phalut Trek cost.

Overview

TRAIL TYPE : A Cross over trail

REGION : West Bengal

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 12000 ft

GRADE: Moderate to Difficult

DURATION : 11 days / 10 nights

TREKKING DISTANCE : 68 Km

GROUP SIZE : 12 – 15 People (Minimum requirement – 7 people)

EXPERIENCE : Beginners Trek

SUITABLE FOR : 10 + Years

FITNESS : Cover 4 Km of distance in 30 min without stress

BASE CAMP : Sepi

SEASON : April, May, September, October

SERVICE FROM : New Delhi – New Delhi (All Inclusive) 

MEALS : Meals while on Trek – veg + Egg

STAY : Hotel, Tea House, camping 

RAIL HEAD : New Jalpaguri, Siliguri

AIRPORT : Bagdogra

Important Links

Trek Preparation Document

25MB

Walking & Hiking Fitness Guide

25MB

Liability

25MB

Disclaimer & Declaration

25MB

Parents Disclaimer

25MB

Medical Disclaimer

25MB

Terms & Conditions

25MB

Προσεχείς εκδηλώσεις

Key Highlights

  • Visit the sparsely-populated Himalayan hamlets of Samanden, Gorkhey, Chitrey, Tumling Tonglu, etc.

  • Experience the greatness of the Singalila mountain range that divides West Bengal from the north-eastern Himalayas

  • Trek to the Kalapokhri Lake en route Sandakphu and uncover the mysteries of the ‘Sacred Black Waters’

  • Enjoy mesmerizing walks across the forests of blooming magnolias and rhododendrons during the Sandakphu to Phalut Trek

  • Soak in the majestic Kanchenjunga- the third highest mountain in the world, along with the other tallest peaks that form the fabled formation known as the ‘Sleeping Buddha’

  • Witness the giant Mount Everest on the horizon and others like the Lhotse, Makalu, Chomo Lonzo

Eligibility

  • Age: Anyone above 10 years of age. 

  • First time trekkers can apply

  • The participant has to be in good physical condition and possess the energy to accomplish 4 km in 30 min without feeling rushed.

  • The ascent should be possible with a 10- to 12-kg back load

  • Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60-90 per second)

  • Blood pressure reading must be between (Diastolic 75-85, Systolic 100-130 Hg)

  • Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 – 20 breaths per minute)

  • Should not have liver and kidney issues

  • Should not have diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, High BP

  • No pacemaker implant

  • Trekkers below 15 years should have a company of a parent / guardian

  • Trekkers between 15-18 years can come solo with the disclaimer form signed by parent/ Guardian

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