Welcome to a trek that treats you to the dazzling panorama of the four tallest mountains of the world! Sandakphu means the height of the poison plant, true indeed for Sandakphu peak. This is because there are infinite poisonous Aconite trees growing in the vicinity of this glorious mountain. The Sandakphu mountain lies 58 km from Darjeeling at an elevation of 11,930 feet. It is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in the district of Ilam, Nepal.

The Sandakphu peak is the endpoint of numerous trekking routes in the Darjeeling-Sikkim region. The trekkers traverse through the forest trails peppered with green canopy and infused with red & white rhododendron, primula, grand magnolias, and silver fir trees. There are almost 600 varieties of orchids in the region that enamour you with their kaleidoscopic elegance. Undertaking this trek in the spring season is a truly heavenly experience.

The mystic trails of this trekking route are believed to be discovered by English Lords in the 19th century.

The trek is also known as Singalila trek because the trekking trail to Sandakphu goes all along with the Singalila range. The trek takes you to Singalila National Park. You spot rare fauna of the region such as the Red Panda, Pangolins, and exotic species of birds. It is one of the rare treks that offers comfortable Tea House stay all throughout the trekking route.

Note: If you want to cover Phalut then one additional day is required. Phalut is at a distance of 21 km from Sandakphu. You can even drive to Phalut from Sandakphu by car. It takes 2 hours to reach by car.

Phalut’s barren and secluded landscape is in stark contrast with the green vegetation of Sandakphu.

About Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Also called the "Trekkers Wonderland", Sandakphu Phalut trek is one of the highest treks in West Bengal. The trek is a bag of mixed terrain and offers a very balanced altitude gain throughout.

You explore the territories and culture of Sikkim and Nepal and capture the snowline of the 4 tallest mountains of the world.

You are treated to the surreal vista of Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, Mount Lhotse and Mount Kanchenjunga in a single unobstructed shot. All these plus sightings of Three Sisters along with some snowy peaks of Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. It is the eureka moment that the Sandakphu trek is so popular!

The Black Lake or Kalapokhri, nestled amidst the colossal mountain ranges is one of the most beautiful offerings of this trek.

A quick peek into Sandakphu Phalut Trek

• Region- Darjeeling, West Bengal Himalayas
• Altitude- 11,929 feet
• Trek Level- Moderate to difficult
• Distance- 47 km
• Duration- 6 days
• Start and end point- New Jalpaiguri (NJG)
• Base Camp- Kopidana
• Best Season- April to May and from October to November
• ATM- There are no ATM facilities at Kopidana and beyond. It is better to keep cash handy.
• Water availability- Carry a water bottle which can be refilled along the way from natural springs
• Mobile connectivity- There are sporadic connections of Vodafone and BSNL at some stretches of the trekking route. Most of the time Indian networks do not work along the trek. At times, your phone may automatically get connected to Nepalese roaming networks, so one has to be cautious.

How to Reach Sandakphu Phalut

By Rail:

New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station. From New Jalpaiguri you can take a taxi and reach Kopidana in 5 hours. Your trek starts from Kopidana and takes 3 days to reach Sandakphu.

By Road:

There are 2 ways to reach Sandakphu by road. You can either take a cab from NJG to reach Sandakphu directly, it takes 4 hours 40 minutes.

Or, if you want to experience the thrill of trekking, take a taxi from New Jalpaiguri and reach Kopidana in 5 hours. Your trek starts from Kopidana and takes 3 days to reach Sandakphu.

By Air:

Bagdogra (Siliguri) is the nearest airport. From here, you take a cab and reach NJG in ½ an hour. Take a cab from NJG to Kopidana. It takes around 5 hours. Your trek starts from Kopidana and takes 3 days to reach Sandakphu.

Weather and temperature at Sandakphu Phalut

Summer months of April to mid-June- Temperature ranges from 12 to 24 degrees. The skies are clear and the weather pleasant.

Monsoon months of mid-June to mid-September- Temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees. The skies are cloudy and the weather wet.

Fall months of mid-September to November- Temperature ranges from 6 to 18 degrees. The skies are clear and the weather fresh and pleasant.

Winter months of December to March- Temperature ranges from minus 4 to 10 degrees. The skies are clear and the weather bitter cold. The trails are covered in snow.

Best Time to visit Sandakphu Phalut

The months of April to May, and October to November are the most ideal time to soak in the beauty of this marvellous trek.

Between April and May, the temperature varies between 12 to 20 degrees. The region blossoms with the amazing beauty of blooming rhododendrons, orchids, and primula. The skies are clear and air fragrates with a crisp freshness. There is some chance of sporadic showers in May.

The months of October and November are beautiful when the panorama of the region blazes with beautiful fall colors. There is a slight nip in the air with temperatures fluctuating between 6 to 12 degrees. The skies are clear and this time of the year is best for taking picture-perfect shots.

Lately, trekkers have started embarking on this trek even in the winter months of December to March. The trekking is adventurous as you have to brave the bitter cold and tread through snow-layered trails with caution. You might need an experienced guide to help you navigate through trails that lie hidden under thick blankets of snow.

What to watch for during the Sandakphu Phalut trek

A heady cocktail of the world's tallest mountains- Can you beat it, you get stunning glimpses of 4 tallest mountains of the world! If you look west, Everest's family from the Nepal side enamours you with striking beauty. Stalwarts like Mount Everest (highest peak in the world at 29,029 feet), Mount Lhotse (fourth highest peak at 27,940 feet), and Mount Makalu (fifth-highest peak at 27,825 feet) look commanding. You are also flattered with Mount Chamlang (24,006 ft) that stands like a square wall of snow.

On the east side towards Sikkim, Mount Kanchenjunga (second highest peak in the world at 28,156 feet) displays a magnetic panorama. Also called “Sleeping Buddha” or “ Sleeping Shiva”, it is considered a sacred deity in Sikkim. The name literally translates to “Five Treasures of Snow”.

Looking further down East, one can spot the Great Tibetan peaks and Chomolhari peak in Bhutan.

Astounding view of Mount Kanchenjunga- Capturing majestic Kanchenjunga in its myriad glories is the most prized highlight of this trek. From Tumling to Kalapokhri to Sankadphu and Srikhola, each frame of this imposing mountain is exquisite and different from the previous.

Mount Kanchenjunga’s snowy summit shimmering in the magical hues of golden, red, and orange, at dawn and dusk is simply stunning. This celestial scene knocks you out of your senses and remains etched in your memory forever.

Singalila National Park- Visiting the highest national park in West Bengal is very welcoming. The park is the natural habitat of the Red Panda. You can spot many more rare animal species living in the most natural surroundings.

The trails of this trek are dotted with an expanse of red-pink rhododendrons, white magnolias, and numerous other exotic wildflowers.

Note: The Singalila National park remains closed from mid-May to mid-September.

Kalapokhri Lake- The sacred lake of Kalapokhri cradled amidst the colossal mountains is very inviting. It is flanked by colorful prayer flags all around. The lake lies within the Nepal border. There is a Buddhist settlement near the lake and you get a sneak peek into their culture.

Culture bag of India and Nepal- All along the trekking route you get glimpses of the unique Sikkim, Nepalese and Buddhist culture. At the end of this trekking bonanza you emerge enriched with the customs and traditions of not one but two regions.

Difficulty level of Sandakphu Phalut trek

While the trek might be easy for seasoned trekkers, the long and arduous route may not be so light for novice trekkers. One has to observe caution at high altitude as the oxygen level is thin and weather very unpredictable.

Fitness level of Sandakphu Phalut trek

One does require very good fitness and great endurance to embark on this trek. The trekking route entails long walking hours. One needs to prepare adequately by walking, jogging, running, and building cardiovascular stamina. You should start with this routine a fortnight before undertaking the trek.