Sandakphu - A Winter Fairytale
Located at an elevation of 3636m, Sandakphu serves as a home for trekkers from all around the world. It is the highest peak in West Bengal, India and falls under Singalila National park. It is one of the few places on earth from where you can see four out of five highest peaks of the worlds, namely Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu, along with many other small clusters of eastern Himalayan peaks which include the three sisters, Baruntse, Nuptse, Chomolonzo, Chamlang, Kumbhakarna, Kabru, Ratong, Pandim, Narsing and many more.
Aerial view of Phalut.
Mt. Kanchenjunga as seen from Moley Base Camp, Sabargram.
First light in Phalut.
Winter Dawn.
The Sandakphu trek offers the unique experience of walking in India and having your dinner in Nepal. Or having your lunch in Nepal and having your toilet tents in India. These huts in the picture above are located in India while I was standing in Nepal while taking the picture.
Sunrise in Sandakphu.
The name Kan- means head, chen- means belly and junga- means knee. That is why Kanchenjunga is also known as sleeping Buddha.The view of the Sleeping Buddha starts from the first day and stays for a good 4 days in the trek.
Sandakphu-Phalut Trail.
Sandakphu-Phalut Trail.
This is Land Rover Series 1, the first vehicle manufactured by Land Rover and was built to tackle any terrain, weather condition or challenge. There are only 40 of these vehicles in the world and they can only be found in Sandakphu. Please refer the Land Rover website for more.
Eastern Himalayan Range as seen from the Sandakphu-Phalut Trail.
Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Baruntse, Makalu, Chomolonzo, Nuptse and Chamlang as seen from the Sandakphu-Phalut Trail.
The only place from where you get to capture four out of five world's highest mountain peaks, namely, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu.
Sunrise from Moley Base Camp.
This is Bruno from Italy. We met him in the hiking trail and he decided to join us for the rest of the journey.
Bruno prays to Sun God in Moley Base Camp during sunrise, as seen in the picture above.
Local kids from Gorkhey village
Encountered this crazy beam of sunlight in the hut, during our stay in Phalut while a local sips hot Darjeeling tea at -12 degrees celsius.
Himalayan Yak, long-haired domesticated cattle found throughout the Himalayan region. They transport goods across mountain passes for local farmers and traders and are an attraction for climbing and trekking expeditions.
Samanden, the silent valley, seen while descending through the dense pine forest.
Orographic clouds, also known as waterfall clouds, in Darjeeling
Watching the sun rays hit the mighty Kanchenjunga every morning, to see her majestic aura in all its glory, I find my most authentic self. At the foothills of the Himalayas, in a little town called Darjeeling, I draw my true strength. I feel home in you, Darjeeling!
How To Reach Sandakphu Phalut
To reach Sandakphu, you must first get to Darjeeling. The nearest railhead to Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and the closest airport is Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri.
Mane Bhanjang is the traditional starting point for Sandakphu-Phalut trek. From here it is a 3 day trek to Sandakphu, 1 day to Phalut and a further 2 days trek to Gorkhey and Sirikhola/Rimbick, where the trek ends.
The Sandakphu Phalut trek is a moderate trek on a difficulty scale ranging from easy to difficult.
Starting from Manebhanjang (1,928 m) you’ll trek to Sandakphu at the highest altitude of 11, 929 ft / 3,636 m. Moley Base Camp and Phalut also hover around a similar height.
From Phalut, it is a steep descent to Gorkhey/Samanden at 2,286 m and then on to Sirikhola/Rimbick (2,286 m) where the trek ends.The Sandakphu Phalut trek does not have big technical climbs and descents. The trek however, makes you cover long distances everyday.
The enitire circuit is around 90 km long. Starting from Manebhanjang (1,928 m) the trek takes you to the highest point in West Bengal – Sandakphu at 11, 929 ft / 3,636 m before heading down to Sirikhola/Rimbick (2,286 m) over a period of 6 days. Be prepared for long and at times steep ascents and descents. It is therefore essential that you physically prepare yourself for the trek by following a fitness regime.
Safety advice: The first thing you do even before you start the trek is to understand what AMS is and its causes, signs and symptoms. Go through everything there is to know about Acute Mountain Sickness.
Mandatory documents to carry for the trek: Carry an original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as driver’s license, aadhaar card, voter's ID or passport will do. You will need to submit your identification at the Singalila National Park check post in Mane Bhanjhang. Without these, you will not be allowed to trek.
