SANDAKPHU-PHALUT-SINGALILA RANGE TREK

Sandakphu-Phalut-Singalila Range Trek

For a clear view of the four of the five highest peaks (Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu), what wouldn’t any trekker do? It is pretty easy, all one has to do is trek to Sandakphu or Phalut. In recent years, this trek has gained much popularity and not because of the view to the four eight thousander peaks but for the beautiful trail that this trek entails across the forests of rhodendrons and magnolias and more.

Overview

 

• Destination: Sikkim/West Bengal
• Location: Sandakphu
• Departure: Darjeeling
• Google Map Co-ordinates: 27.0600° N, 88.0000° E
• Nearest City (Airport): Bagdogra
• Nearest City (Railway Station): New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
• Duration: 5 – 8 Days
• Dates: On request
• Months: April–May, October-November
• Level: Easy to Moderate
• Children Friendly: Available
• Guide: Available
• Price: On request

Experience

Trek to Sandakphu and Phalut is a pristine forest trek with charming beauty of panoramic Nepal/Sikkim Himalayan ranges.
Sandakphu is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border at height of 3636 m/11,941 ft. The peak is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park and has a small village on the summit with a few hostels.
Phalut is one of the highest peaks of Singalila range and located in Darjeeling district at an altitude of 11,811 ft. This is the second highest point in Singalila ridge after Sandakphu (11,929 ft). Phalut is also in the border of Nepal, Sikkim and West Bengal.
Along the trail, apart from the amazing view of the Singalila range, one is also treated to the magnificent views of the four 8,000 m + peaks – Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse. This is a low altitude trek and is perfect for first time trekkers, families and children.

There are multiple trekking trails with various durations along this route to Sandakphu-Phalur exploring the Singalila range. We have four such treks with different routes and durations. The itinerary is a guideline and standard pattern, which we provide. This trek can be modified according to your time and requirements.

1. Sandakphu-Phalut Trek: 8D/7N
2. Sandakphu-Singalila Range: 7D/6N
3. Sandakphu-Phalut Trek (short): 6D/5N
4. Singalila Range-Phoktey Dara Trek: 5D/4N

Itinerary

SANDAKPHU TREK ITINERARIES

ITINERARY 1: SANDAKPHU-PHALUT TREK: 8D/7N

The trek starts from Darjeeling and ends there. Throughout the forest laden trail explore the Singalila Range, stand on top at Sandakphu and/or Phalut to view an amazing panorama of the majestic Himalayan peaks including four of the highest mountains in the world.

DAY 1 / BAGDOGRA/NEW JALPAIGURI (NJP) – DARJEELING (2,042 M/6,700 FT): 67 KM/2.5 HOURS

Drive towards Darjeeling. On arrival transfer into hotel. Evening sightseeing and acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2 / DARJEELING - MANEYBHANJANG – TONGLU (3,020 M/9,908 FT): 5-6 HOURS

Sandakphu Trek begins. Drive to Maneybhanjang (1-1/2 hrs), the starting point of the trek. The walk about six hours, is uphill and the trail passes through small village of Chitre and forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias. The trekkers hut/camping site at Tonglu is located on a hilltop over looking the Sikkim Himalayas. Overnight at Tonglu.

DAY 3 / TONGLU – GARIBAS (2,620 M/8,595 FT): 4-5 HOURS

On second day of Sandakphu Trek, we undertake a pleasant walk through the forest which is home to the rare Red Panda and the Tragopan. It will take around four hours to reach trekker's hut/camping site of Garibas (2,620m), where we will spend the night.

DAY 4 / GARIBAS – SANDAKPHU (3,636 M/11,929 FT): 6-7 HOURS

After breakfast, we will trek to Sandakphu, which takes about 6 hrs. Sandakphu is the place to view the mountains. On a clear day one can see the peaks of Lhotse (8,501m), Everest (8,848m) and Makalu (8,475m) of the Nepal Himalayas and the huge Kanchenjanga massif (8,586m) along with other peaks of the Sikkim Himalayas. Overnight stay at Sandakphu.

DAY 5 / SANDAKPHU – PHALUT (3,600 M/11,811 FT): 5-6 HOURS

The trail is along a ridge and can be considered as one of the most enjoyable and scenic walks in the Himalayas. The whole range of snowy peaks is always in view and the trail passes through high altitude vegetation and areas of dwarf rhododendrons and firs. The walk to Phalut is about seven hours. Overnight at Phalut.

DAY 6 / PHALUT – RAMMAM (2,560 M/8,399 FT) VIA GORKHEY: 5-6 HOURS

The trek continues early morning walk up to Phalut Top to see the sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast we will trek to Rammam, which takes about five hours. The trail passes through the villages of Gorkhey and Samanden and the forest provides ample opportunities for birding. Overnight at Rammam.

DAY 7 / RAMMAM – RIMBIK (2,280 M/7,480 FT): 5-6 HOURS

We move from Rammam, the trail descends to the bridge at Srikhola and passes through a number of small villages to reach Rimbik (2280m), the road head. Overnight at Rimbik.

DAY 8 / RIMBIK – DARJEELING: 4 HOURS

After breakfast drive 4 hours to Darjeeling. Sandakphu Trek concludes.

ITINERARY 2: SANDAKPHU TREK-SINGALILA RANGE: 7D/6N

The trek starts from a beautiful hamlet, Uttarey in Sikkim and goes merges into the classical Sandakphu-Singalila trekking trail with a vista of beautiful Himalayan peaks including four of the top highest mountains.

DAY 1 / NJP/BAGDOGRA TO UTTAREY (SIKKIM). 2,316 M/7,600 FT: 6-7 HOURS

Drive to Uttarey valley in Sikkim. Bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, West Bengal and Nepal, Uttarey is a small village located on the northern slope of Singalila Range in West Sikkim. It is slowly emerging as a satellite township and is only 150 km from Siliguri and 140 km from Gangtok. Stay in a homestay.

DAY 2 / CHITRE (2,682 M/8,800 FT.): 5-6 HOURS

Trek to Chitre. Overnight stay in a camp/hut.

DAY 3 / KALIZAR (2,987-3,597 M/9,800-11,800 FT): 5-6 HOURS

The trail goes through the alpine forest with dense Rhododendron species forest and with an enviable view of Mt. Kanchendzonga, Mt. Pandim and Mt. Jupino. We trek to Phoktey dara and Singalila top from where we can see Mt. Kanchendzonga and the adjacent high altitude snow capped peaks. We can also see the daunting peaks of Mt. Makalu, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Everest, the great Dhaulagiri range and also the surreal view of Nepal rural hamlets. Overnight stay at nature camp.

DAY 4 / PHALUT (3,600 M/11,811 M): 5-6 HOURS

After breakfast trek from Kalizar to Phalut via Singalila Pass. Phalut is one of the highest peaks of Singalila range and located in Darjeeling district at an altitude of 11,811 ft. This is the second highest point in Singalila ridge after Sandakphu.

DAY 5 / SANDAKPHU (3,636 M/11,929 FT): 5-6 HOURS

Sandakphu is a wonderland for the trekkers. It's located in Darjeeling district and north west of Darjeeling hill town. This is the summit or the highest point in Singalila range as well as in the state of West Bengal, India.

DAY 6 / SRIKHOLA (2,102 M/6,896 FT): 5-6 HOURS

Srikhola is a lovely scenic village in the Darjeeling district. Today we will stay at a homestay here.

DAY 7 / DRIVE TO NJP/BAGDOGRA: 132 KM/6 HOURS