Sandakphu is the highest point in West Bengal. Here you see the Peaks starting from Kanchandjongha, Everest,Makalu , Three sisters etc. You will feel like the top of the world while watching the icy Himalayas infront of you.
Trekking Route :
Manebhanjen - Tumling - Kalipokhri - Sandakphu - Srikhola - rimbik
You also make an extended plan till Phalut from Sandakphu.
How to Reach :
From NJP you can book a car to Manebhanjen or you can take shared Trekkers to Ghum. (Take a Darjeeling trekker). From Ghum take another shared jeep to Shukhia. It will take around 30 mins. From Sukhia you have to take another trekker to manebhanje which is around 7 KM.
How to start :
First you take one of the hotels in Manebhanjen. All the hotels are very basic. So negotiate and settle down.
Next thing you have to do is to appoint one guide. Generally guides come to you from the Govt approved organisation there. If it doesn't happen then you go and approach them. It is always advisable to take govt approved Guides from the organisation. Do not take any pivate guides. Private guides are generally not very dependable and heavy drinker.
Day 1:
Start walking early morning so that you reach your destination within afternoon.
First stop will be Tumling. Its around 11000 Ft and around 11 KM. First 2-3 KM will be real test of your breath and strenth before you get used to it.
You can have your Break fast at Chitrey.
After having you break fast start walking. The whole route is through the India Nepal border. have your Lunch at Meghma, a small village consists of few cottages.
It takes around afternoon to reach Tumling. Tumling has got few small hotel. But people are very nice through out.
Day 2 :
From tumling again you have to go down through Jaubari.Have your breakfast and start walking again. From jaubari the next village would be Gairibas. The total distance from Tumling to Kalipokhri is around 14 KM. You will reach there around 3-4 pm.
There are few basic hotels in Kalipokhri.
Day 3 :
From Kalipokhri to Sandakphu is aound 7 KM. But the its really up hill and tough. It will take some time to reach Sandakphu.
Arrangement available in hotels and trekkers hut.
Early morning go to the watch tower to see the peaks. Take your guide with you. He will identify the peaks for you.
Day 4 :
After watching the peaks have your breakfast and start decend from Sandakphu to Srikhola. Its aa altitude fall from 3636 mtrs to 2000 mtrs. Your feet will take a pounding and believe me getting down is much tougher than climbing up...
Sandakphu to Srikhola would be 14 KM trek. Its a beautiful place surrounded by forrest and river.
Day 5 :
Next day you have to walk around 7 km to Rimbick. Its a relatively easy walk.
From Rimbick, you can have transportation , Shared trekkers way back to Siliuri or Darjeeling.
Suggestions :
Have Tibetan bread with honey as break fast in Kalipokhri. Its amazing.
Try to avoid Rice while walking.
Have to buy ticket for the Singalila National park.Your guide will help you in this context.
Buy a piece of plastic from Manebhanjen for the rain. Else carry a water proof.
