Sandakphu Trek 2021, Cost, Fitness, How to Reach?

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Sandakphu Trek-2021
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Overview

• Region - West Bengal
• Duration - 6 Days
• Grade - Moderate
• Max Altitude - 12,000 Ft.
• Approx Trekking Km - 46 Kms.
• Sandakphu throws open an incredible panorama of
  worlds highest snowline, swerving from the snow
  ensconced peaks of Nepal to Bhutan and farther
  east to Tibet. The trek route zigzags along the
  Singalila Ridge and moves this side and that of
  the Indo-Nepal border, switch backing and
  switch-bordering towards a enchanting visually
  charged summit that makes it all worth it.
• The charming wilderness and wildlife expected of
  a Himalayan Trek is met as we pass through
  Singalila National Park, making the hike also one
  of keen naturalist interests. There are
  innumerable intriguing bird life, animals, and
  flora that you would be fascinated to explore in
  the diversity along this trek routes sub-alpine
  and temperate coniferous, broadleaf, and
  subtropical coniferous forest biomes.

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• Makalu- one of the eight-thousanders of the world
  and the fifth highest stands at 27, 838 ft.,
  visible in the Everest range of peaks along the
  horizon from Sandakphu summit on a clear day.
• Lhotse- Meaning the south peak in Tibetan is
  part and parcel of the Everest massif and forms
  one of the most marked climbing routes of the
  worlds highest summit through Everests South
  Col. Lhotse is also the fourth highest peak,
  toweringly present from the vantage point of
  Sandakphu.
• Everest- The worlds highest peak towers over the
  above two. A pair of powerful binoculars will
  bring the Lhotse Face zone of the Everest
  climbing route closer, where it joins with South
  Col, when looking on from Sandakphu. The view
  from Phalut trekking in India, extending further
  from Sandakphu will bring this glorious ice
  capped tower even closer.

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• The route is not really out of civilizations
  way. Lined with quaint localities inhabited even
  through long winters and their economy depending
  largely upon the Sandakphu Phalut Trek and
  tourism which run round the year, the route is
  logical, realistic, and safe in many regards.
  Sandakphu-Phalut trek is also one of those few
  high-altitude Himalayan treks which are provided
  through and through with comfortable teahouse
  accommodation.
• Highlights-
• A Mesmeric High Peak Panorama
• What stand Sandakphu out as a journey are many
  thingsthe replete hairpin bend ridden Old Silk
  Road route to the base camp, the impeccable
  hospitality of the people of Sikkim and Nepal
  along the way at the teahouses, the charming
  green haven of Singalila, and the theatre of the
  clouds. But its the absolutely mesmeric peak
  view that brings a climax so superb!
• The greatest of the greats unravel and shine
  their glory beams on this Everest view trek as
  the sun comes up every day and we are moving
  inches closer to the top-

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• The Ultimate Vision of Kangchenjunga
• The Kanchenjunga family of peaks had to come as a
  different pointer. The sunlight streaming upon
  this ice ensconced conglomerate becomes a vision
  to behold from early on, on this trek. Looking
  out of your Tumling teahouse at dawn reveals the
  Sleeping Buddha structure of the Kanchenjunga
  in its relentless glory, and comes to get bigger
  and sharper as we approach summit.
• Gold and amber spreading through the crystal
  vision of Kanchenjunga up close at sunrise and
  sunset on this prized trek in West Bengal, makes
  moments you should reserve for your most prized
  photo-ops.
• Rhododendron and Magnolia Spring
• Spring comes in these mountains in plenitude of
  colours. Cottony white Magnolias and pink-red
  rhododendrons sweep the slopes with the spirit of
  summer mirth. There is a festive feel to the days
  of Singalila forest walks on this trek in the
  north east at the height of spring that you must
  look out for.
• The Elusive Red Panda
• The Singalila National Park is the natural home
  to red pandas. These charming but elusive
  creatures move inside the jungles hopping in the
  trees and you just might get lucky enough to
  catch one in your photo frame!

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• Kalipokhri- The Black Lake
• On Day 3, we will reach the Kalipokhri settlement
  build around the small lake of Kalipokhri.
  Literally meaning black water, this little
  waterhole makes for a quiet, contemplative, and
  picturesque site cradled amidst the gorgeous
  mountainous terrain with the Kanchenjunga
  beckoning in the distance. This area is well
  within the Nepal border and shows the signs of
  the ethno-religious Buddhist community of Nepal
  living in the Kalipokhri settlement. Prayer flags
  strung around the lake flutter in the wind as the
  sun starts to dip behind ice peaks soon after we
  reach the site on Day 3.
• Sandakphu happens to be a mixed terrain trek with
  no abrupt height gain and mostly swinging through
  a tree cover, therefore remaining clear of the
  risks of Altitude Sickness. However, the sheer
  distance can be challenging and one must prepare
  for lasting stamina to make this trek a success.

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• Brief Itinerary
• Day 01- NJP/ Bagdogra to Kopidana
• Altitude 6,400 ft.
• Distance 84 KM (By Drive) (5 hrs. Drive)
• Accommodation in Tea house
• Pick up time 1230 PM at parking of NJP railway
  station/Bagdogra airport

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• Day 03- Tumling to Kalapokhri
• Trek Distance 14 km (6-7 hours)
• 9700 to 10400 ft
• Hot lunch on the way
• Accommodation in Tea house
• Day 04- Kalapokhri to Sandakphu
• Trek Distance 6 km (3-4 hours)
• 10400 to 11929 ft
• Hot lunch at Sandakphu
• Accommodation in Tea house

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• Day 05- Sandakphu to Sepi
• Trek Distance 15 km (6-7 hours)
• 10400 to 6230 ft
• Hot lunch on the way
• Accommodation in Tea house
• Day 06 Sepi to NJP / Bagdogra
• Distance 140 KM (By Drive) (5 hrs. Drive)
• youll reach NJP between 100 pm and 200 pm.

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• Who can go
• Anyone above the age of 12 with sporting
  abilities
• First timer can apply, should have some interest
  in trekking and mountaineering
• The climber must be fit and have sufficient
  stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 45 minutes
  without a stress
• The climber should be able to carry a 10 kg
  backpack
• Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and
  epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission.
  The climber must not have the conditions
  mentioned above

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• Detailed Itinerary
• Day 01- NJP/ Bagdogra to Kopidana
• Today we will pick you up from Bagdogra Airport
  or NJP railway station and cover an uphill road
  of 84 km to Kopidana, our base camp at 6,400 ft.
  This is going to be a 5 km drive and breakfast
  and lunch will be outside the TTH trek package.
• Day 02- Kopidana to Tumling
• We start off from Kopidana, a lesser used but
  beautiful basecamp village for treks in West
  Bengal. We begin early morning after breakfast on
  this 5-6 hour trek covering mixed ascents. Hot
  lunch will be provided on the way. Tumling is
  where the border between trekking in Nepal and
  India blurs and we are suddenly ushered into
  another country after crossing a check-post where
  you must keep your visa and IDs handy. There are
  hardly ever any restrictions for entering the
  place whether you are an Indian or a foreigner
  with Indian visa. From other access points to
  Tumling, it is even more of a freeway. The tiny
  hamlet of Tumling is located at an altitude of 9,
  600 ft., within motor road access from
  Manebhanjam and Jaubharithe other points of
  ascent on the Sandakphu-Phalut trail besides
  Kopidana.

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• Day 03- Tumling to Kalapokhri
• Another beautiful sunrise to look forward to on
  the Sanndakphu Phalut Trek comes on the morning
  of our 3rd day, waking up in Tumling. The
  magnificent Sleeping Buddha washed in the first
  rays of the sun gleams sublime across the sky.
  The entire set of Kanchenjunga peaks unveils if
  the sky is clear and the vision starts your day
  in the right mood. Look out for the prominent
  three in the backgroundthe Kanchenjunga main
  flanked on two sides by the Kumbhakarna and
  Shimbho peaks. In the fore, you can make out the
  peaks of Goecha, the Kabru set of peaks, Rathong,
  Koktang, and Frey. You can also trace the hollow
  of Goecha La somewhere along the frontline peaks
  one other of our popular treks, located in
  Sikkim.
• We start our journey towards Kalipokhri today
  through the charming forests of Singalila
  Natioanl Park. An interior Nepal-bound motor road
  runs close to our hiking trail that we often
  catch glimpses of. The forests are famed for its
  rapturous summer colors when the rhododendrons
  and magnolias come in full bloom. We move through
  the thickets to our first stop at Gairibasa- a
  tiny settlement consisting of a few hotels and
  rest homes, and falling under the Nepal side of
  the border. Here we will come to an Entry check
  Post again and need to produce an entry fee to
  access the trek. The Gairibasa check post
  settlement is a good place to take a tea-break
  and ensure some rest for the legs before
  embarking on another 2 km trek to the next
  settlement at Kaiyakatta. Also because, a steeper
  climb is coming!
• Going a little beyond Gairibasa, on the
  Kaiyakatta way, we will find steps cut into the
  elevation, easing out the ascent for the
  trekkers. At one side we also find the motor road
  twisting its way across closer to the Nepal side.
  An hour into our ascent from Gairibasa, we will
  reach Kaiyakatta, in time for a hot lunch at the
  settlements Nepali enclaves.
• Kalipokhri- our final stop or the day is another
  4 km from Kaiyakatta. The trail gets greener and
  more scenic. This stretch is also home to many
  bird species and a site attracting migratory
  fledglings. Within a two hour trek on this route
  you will come across a black water lake nestling
  near to a settlement, surrounded with prayer
  flags fluttering in the wind and a t one side a
  small Buddhist temple.Your teahouse is just a
  short walk from this point.

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• Day 04- Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
• The trail from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu should be
  an easy trek for those sufficiently fit. The
  trail goes on an initial gradual ascent covering
  the forst 30 minutes, followed by a steeper climb
  for about an hour, and after that falling on a
  winding motor road. Its going to be a 3 hour
  jaunt covering about 6 km.
• Reaching the flats of Bikheybhanjang, you will be
  looking at the vast panorama of the Sandakphu
  summit ahead of you. From this point, its
  another 4 km up a zigzagging route.
• After an hours climb, you can make out teahouses
  and huts marking the horizons of Sandakphu. Soon,
  we will be closing in on the summit point from
  where a 180 degree sweeping panorama of the
  tallest Himalayan peaks open up before us. On a
  clear day, the glitterati of ice-peaks shows
  Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Nuptse, Baruntse,
  Chamling, Chomolonzo, Machapucchare, extending to
  the Annapurna family of peaks broadening out to
  the West. The vision of Sleeping Buddha which
  stayed with you on and off through the trek now
  lies in prominence before you, and to further
  North, you can make out the Three Sisters peaks.
• Our camp lies a little down from the summit near
  a small water point.

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• Day 05- Sandakphu to Sepi
• After viewing a soul-stirring sunrise over the
  magnificent peak panorama, one of the best found
  on trekking in India, we get ready for our
  descent to village Sepi located in West Bengal.
  This is going to be our longest trek in the whole
  journey but the descent will make it less
  exhausting.
• Our trail will pass through a different kind of
  forest today, that of bamboos where its the
  natural habitat of Red Pandas and Bears. A
  winding forest trail will take us to Gurdum at
  mid noon where we will be served hot lunch. Here
  you can try ordering a drink of the exotic
  rhododendron blossoms thats full of medicinal
  benefits and makes for a good dessert.
• The next village we will be crossing is
  Timburaya settlement of a few houses and tea
  shops. Here, we will come across the beautiful
  Sri River known in the local tongue as Sri Khola,
  khola meaning river.
• After crossing a wooden bridge over the stream,
  we will reach the village of Sepi in the
  afternoon.
• Day 06 Sepi to NJP / Bagdogra
• After spending a night of rest in the scenic
  idyll of Sepi, we get on board this morning,
  driving towards NJP. Scheduled time for arriving
  at NJP station is approx 2 pm, so you can safely
  book a night train/flight home on the 6th day,
  qualifying Sandakphu for a nice long weekend
  trek.

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How to Reach

• By Train -
• New Jalpaiguri or NJP is a major railway station
  located in south west of sikkim. There are many
  long distance trains arrives or pass through the
  NJP station. You can choose to come to Kolkata
  and take one of the many trains to NJP. If you
  are coming from Delhi or north part of India, try
  to take any north east train which directly goes
  to NJP by passing Kolkata.
• By Flight-
• Flying to Bagdogra is another option that you can
  choose though flights to Bagdogra tend to be
  pricier than those to Kolkata. Most of the flight
  foremost metros in the country come here.
• TTHs Tata Sumo or similar vehicles will pick-up
  you from NJP Railway Station at 0100pm.
• Pick-up is included in the cost of the trek
• You will reach Kopidana by 600 pm

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