The Sandakphu trek feels magical and is much like stepping into a living postcard, with nature’s grandeur and whispering of the cold and fresh wind. Once you complete the Sandakphu Trek , you can witness four of the world’s highest peaks, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Mt. Everest and Lhotse, realising the untamed wild beauty of the mountain stretches beneath you. The Sandakphu trek is full of surprises at every twist through the trekking trail, weaving stories and melodies for trekkers with nature’s finest artistry.
Why is Sandakphu Trek a Must-Do?
Exquisite Views of the Himalayan Range:
Trekking to Sandakphu offers some of the most exquisite views of the majestic Himalayas, which have four of the world’s highest peaks which form a perfect alignment creating the Sleeping Buddha formation, a unique and iconic sight in Sandakphu. This natural wonder is more prominent during sunrise with the first golden hue in the early hours of the morning casting on the peaks.
Experience of Unique Flora and Fauna:
This trek will make you transverse the magnificent Singalila National Park which will be an experience to witness the unique flora and fauna like the Himalayan Red Panda and the radiating Rhododendron blossoms. The spring season also showers tourists with exotic wild flowers like magnolias and primulas and the trek routes are almost always littered with rhododendrons.
Stunning Sunrise and Sunsets:
You shall witness some of the most exquisite sunrises while you trek through the trekking trails in Sandakphu. It is utterly magical to witness the glamorous golden hues cast a magical spell on the peaks which gets etched in the memory for a lifetime.
Solitude:
The trek to Sandakphu will help you experience solitude like no other, as you will feel tranquillity being away from the bustles of city life with very little crowd through the trekking trail. You shall not have many people to meet on this trek.
Experience of Dramatic Landscape amidst Nature:
The Sandakphu trek is an enchanting journey through the magical landscapes of the National Park, added with other diverse dramatic landscapes like the rolling lush green meadows, emerald green alpine forests and rugged terrain, all taking you closer to nature, opening you to the diverse raw beauty of nature.
Trekking Routes and Level of Difficulty of Sandakphu Trek
This is just a general trek route that you can improvise.
NJP/Bagdogra → Dhortey → Tumling → Kali Pokhri → Sandakphu → Srikhola → NJP/Bagdogra
The overall trek difficulty of this Sandakphu trek is easy to moderate, which is preferably best for trekkers with experience and also for those above the age group of 18 years to 62 years. However, those below this age group can try trekking through this popular trek with proper supervision. This Sandakphu trek is suitable for different ages, nevertheless, it depends entirely on the physical and mental fitness of the person.
Sandakphu Trek Height and Elevations during Trek
The Sandakphu trek is located at a staggering altitude of 3636 m/11,950 ft, making it popular as being West Bengal’s highest peak. The most unique aspect of trekking to Sandakphu summit is to witness the iconic Sleeping Buddha. The elevations have different ascends and descends throughout this trek. Here is the list of all the elevations throughout this trek, based on the trek route presented here. This Trek takes approximately 7 days to complete a total of 63 km.
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)
Information on Accommodation and Food
Accommodation and food options during the Sandakphu trek are simple, yet it is adequate for trekkers trekking on this route.
Accommodation: Accommodations during the Sandakphu trek are simple with shared rooms and basic amenities available at the teahouses and local homestays.
Food: You will get basic meals like momos, noodles, rice and dal which are usually available in local homestays and teahouses. It is advised to carry snacks for the trek.
Best Time To Go on the Sandakphu Trek
One of the fascinating facts about the Sandakphu trek is its accessibility throughout the year. Nevertheless, it is always recommended to avoid trekking Sandakphu during the monsoon, due to heavy landslides and roadblocks.
Selecting the best time to trek to Sandakphu is like selecting the right canvas which perfectly paints nature’s masterpiece. There are two best seasons to trek through Sandakphu. One is the Spring season which is from mid-March to May. the speciality of this season is rhododendron blossoms in varied shades, alongside the attractive floral display of magnolias and primulas which create a splendid tapestry. This season also has pleasant weather, which is perfect for enjoying the trek.
Another ideal season for this Sandakphu trek is Autumn when it gets very popular for the crystal-clear view of the mountains, when trekkers get the unobstructed view of the Sleeping Buddha, creating a magnificent view. Also, the weather during this season is pretty comfortable, which is ideal for trekking. Another reason for considering this season as one of the best for the Sandakphu trek is the spectacular view of starry nights, which adds tranquillity.
Trekking Permits and Requirements
These are the following trek permits and requirements for the Sandakphu trek:
Entry Permits:
An entry permit is necessary during this Sandakphu trek as this trek requires entering the Singalila National Park. The entry permit for the same can be secured from the Maneybhanjan check post or can also be obtained from any trekking agency which is registered.
For Foreign Nationals, it is mandatory to carry with them essential documents like passports, visas and Special permits to get permission to visit remote locations during the trek.
Border Consideration:
Since the entire Sandakphu trek moves along the India-Nepal Border, it is important to keep valid ID proof which is essential during security checks. However, there is no need for a visa for a friendly border trek trail.
Fee Structure:
There is an entry fee for the Singalila National Park, which ranges from approximately ₹ 100-200/- per person for an Indian national and a little higher for foreign nationals. There is also a separate fee for the local guide as well as a fee for the porter.
Local Guide:
It is mandatory to have a local guide for their expertise in guiding you through the trek route when entering the Singalila National Park. Local guides are available at Maneybhanjan.
You must ensure all these documents are present with you when on the Sandakphu trek and it is mandatory to adhere to the guidelines for a hassle-free Sandakphu trek.
Mandatory Safety and Travel Tips
It is essential to follow certain safety and travel tips to ensure that the Sandakphu trek is safe, delightful and successful.
Physical Fitness: physical and mental fitness are key to experiencing a successful Sandakphu trek. Hence, getting into a proper training regime at least 3 months before the trek is advised.
Clothing Gear: due to unpredictable weather conditions in Sandakphu, you must carry proper and comfortable trekking shoes, layers of clothes, a trekking pole and rain gear.
Staying Hydrated: it is advised to carry enough drinking water to remain hydrated throughout the trek.
Acclimatization: the staggering height of this Sandakphu trek requires one to acclimatize properly to avoid any unfortunate situations. It is advised to recommend a physician before the trek if there are conditions of altitude sickness and to avoid carrying alcohol.
Hiring a Local Guide: it is essential to hire a local guide during this trek as it takes through the Singalila National Park successfully and it is essential for a successful navigation of the trek route with safety.
Carrying Essentials: you must carry with you all essentials like a first aid kit, flashlight/headlight, energy bars and snacks, during the trek, which will not be available in such remote locations. These are essential for addressing any quick requirements during the trek.
Awareness about Weather: the unpredictability of weather in the Himalayas makes it essential to remain updated with the weather conditions and be prepared with all the essentials during the trek.
