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.
Panchalingeswar and Chandipur, Orissa
If you really want to enjoy a two or three day vacation , you can try Panchalingeswar and Chandipur. Panchalingeswar is situated just 35 Kms and Chandipur again would be around 17 Km from Balasore. Chandipur is a beach resort and panchalingeswar is situated on the base of the Nilgiri hills.
What to do:
You can plan 2 days in Panchalingeswar and 1 day in Chandipur. This is a choice you have to make depending upon your choice that you love the Sea or Hills.
Panchalingeswar could be a very adventurous place. You can trek on the top of the mountains to see the forest and the whole Nilgiri hill range. If you are lucky enough you may see a pack of elephants passing by your path. Take a local boy as your guide who can show you the ways.
Next day ask your guide to come early to your guest house to take you to the Watch Tower. This is a ruin which is partly immersed inside the lake. This tower was used by the kings for hunting elephants some 300 years back.
Next day morning you take a car and reach Chandipur. Chandipur sea is not a normal beach. The sea retreats 5 km from the actual beach and you have to walk a lot to the sea. In the evening the water comes right at the doorstep of your guestroom.
This wouls be 4 km trek from the guest house. This place is beautiful. You just sit and chill and see the .
How to reach :
Dhawli from howrah could be the ideal train for Balasore. it takes around 3 and half hours to reach Balasore. After reaching Balasore , after having a heavy break fast , arrange a car or an Auto for Panchalingeswar. You can also break journey to nilgiri and from Nilgiri again a trekker to Panchalingeswar crossing. Rest around 1.5 Km you have to walk. If you are lucky then you can get a trekker or a rickshaw to te Guest House.
You can either arrange a car for Chandipur from Panchalingeswar or you have to return back to Balasore from there you can arrange for a Auto for Chandipur.
Where to stay :
Both Panchalingeswar and Chandipur having OTDC guest houses. You can book the rooms from the OTDC office on Lenin sarani, near Santosh Mitra square.
There are many local hotels in Chandipur and around 2 more hotels in Panchalingeswar
What to do:
You can plan 2 days in Panchalingeswar and 1 day in Chandipur. This is a choice you have to make depending upon your choice that you love the Sea or Hills.
Panchalingeswar could be a very adventurous place. You can trek on the top of the mountains to see the forest and the whole Nilgiri hill range. If you are lucky enough you may see a pack of elephants passing by your path. Take a local boy as your guide who can show you the ways.
Next day ask your guide to come early to your guest house to take you to the Watch Tower. This is a ruin which is partly immersed inside the lake. This tower was used by the kings for hunting elephants some 300 years back.
Next day morning you take a car and reach Chandipur. Chandipur sea is not a normal beach. The sea retreats 5 km from the actual beach and you have to walk a lot to the sea. In the evening the water comes right at the doorstep of your guestroom.
This wouls be 4 km trek from the guest house. This place is beautiful. You just sit and chill and see the .
How to reach :
Dhawli from howrah could be the ideal train for Balasore. it takes around 3 and half hours to reach Balasore. After reaching Balasore , after having a heavy break fast , arrange a car or an Auto for Panchalingeswar. You can also break journey to nilgiri and from Nilgiri again a trekker to Panchalingeswar crossing. Rest around 1.5 Km you have to walk. If you are lucky then you can get a trekker or a rickshaw to te Guest House.
You can either arrange a car for Chandipur from Panchalingeswar or you have to return back to Balasore from there you can arrange for a Auto for Chandipur.
Where to stay :
Both Panchalingeswar and Chandipur having OTDC guest houses. You can book the rooms from the OTDC office on Lenin sarani, near Santosh Mitra square.
There are many local hotels in Chandipur and around 2 more hotels in Panchalingeswar
Henry Island, Bakkhali, Frezergunj, Jambu Dwip
On your next weekend you can be at Henry Island, an "unique" and "Yet to be crowded" place from a stone throwing distance from Kolkata. Henry Island, one of the most beautiful white sand beach you will ever see. Away from crowd , you will enjoy the sea in a very personally. You also can spend one day in Bakkhali and Frezergunge which is a very known place to kolkata weekend tourists. Adventure lovers also explore Jambu Dwip , a lonely and deserted island around 2 km from frezergunge.
Henry Island is named after a European who surveyed land in the area in the late 19th Century. Dense mangrove forest parted by numerous canals covered the area then. Wildlife such as tiger, deer, wild pig, crocodile and snake were common. The island was only an extension of the Sunderbans and the surveyor could not have dreamt that it would become a human habitat in little more than a hundred years.
How to reach :
Best way to reach there is take your own car. This will save both time as well as you can use your car for sight seeing because Bakkhali, Frezergunj and Henry Island are relatively a 2 to 4 km away. You can also take state buses for Bakkhali from esplanade. It takes around 4 and half hours from Kolkata to Bakkhali. Third option could be train. You take the Namkhana train from Sealdah which takes around 3 hrs. Then cross the river and take a bus to Bakkhali. From Bakkhali a rikshaw can take you to the Henry Island resort.
Where to stay :
There are numerous hotels in Bakkhali and Frezergunj. But the two rest houses of the west bengal fisheries department are the only options. For reservation, contact: State Fisheries Development Corporation, Bikash Bhavan.Salt Lake. Ph: 23376470.
What to do :
Either you can absolutely relax and sit on the beach doing nothing , eating loads of fish and drink. Or you can plan your days staying in Bakkhali and Frezergunj along with Henry Island. The sea retreats far off from the actual shore revealing a rocky and muddy sea bed. You will also see the windmills standing up high. In Bakkhali you can have a bath in the sea. Beach is relatively clean and safe. Anybody who wants to experience "Peta Parota" can easily sit in a small shop and have it as the breakfast. Adventurous people can arrange a trip to Jambu Dwip while their staying in Bakkhali. To do so, you have to go to the fishing harbour and take a boat. Its suggested that you should take the proper big boat for Jambu Dwip which may cost you a little more. Since this is junction of Sea and River, the current is more and the waves are very scary. With Smaller it will be very difficult to reach because of huge waves. The island is in the middle of the sea. There is no human habitation and the place is densely covered with Mangrove. Roam around and you will feel like Robinson Crusoe. If you are lucky enough , you will see the beach red.....dont worry...these are crabs.
Henrry Island and Jambu dwip are two of mine personal favourite places. I hope you will also like it. If you are gutsy enough do not miss Jmbu Dwip..It will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Henry Island is named after a European who surveyed land in the area in the late 19th Century. Dense mangrove forest parted by numerous canals covered the area then. Wildlife such as tiger, deer, wild pig, crocodile and snake were common. The island was only an extension of the Sunderbans and the surveyor could not have dreamt that it would become a human habitat in little more than a hundred years.
How to reach :
Best way to reach there is take your own car. This will save both time as well as you can use your car for sight seeing because Bakkhali, Frezergunj and Henry Island are relatively a 2 to 4 km away. You can also take state buses for Bakkhali from esplanade. It takes around 4 and half hours from Kolkata to Bakkhali. Third option could be train. You take the Namkhana train from Sealdah which takes around 3 hrs. Then cross the river and take a bus to Bakkhali. From Bakkhali a rikshaw can take you to the Henry Island resort.
Where to stay :
There are numerous hotels in Bakkhali and Frezergunj. But the two rest houses of the west bengal fisheries department are the only options. For reservation, contact: State Fisheries Development Corporation, Bikash Bhavan.Salt Lake. Ph: 23376470.
What to do :
Either you can absolutely relax and sit on the beach doing nothing , eating loads of fish and drink. Or you can plan your days staying in Bakkhali and Frezergunj along with Henry Island. The sea retreats far off from the actual shore revealing a rocky and muddy sea bed. You will also see the windmills standing up high. In Bakkhali you can have a bath in the sea. Beach is relatively clean and safe. Anybody who wants to experience "Peta Parota" can easily sit in a small shop and have it as the breakfast. Adventurous people can arrange a trip to Jambu Dwip while their staying in Bakkhali. To do so, you have to go to the fishing harbour and take a boat. Its suggested that you should take the proper big boat for Jambu Dwip which may cost you a little more. Since this is junction of Sea and River, the current is more and the waves are very scary. With Smaller it will be very difficult to reach because of huge waves. The island is in the middle of the sea. There is no human habitation and the place is densely covered with Mangrove. Roam around and you will feel like Robinson Crusoe. If you are lucky enough , you will see the beach red.....dont worry...these are crabs.
Henrry Island and Jambu dwip are two of mine personal favourite places. I hope you will also like it. If you are gutsy enough do not miss Jmbu Dwip..It will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Garpanchkot
Garpachkot is newly discovered weekend destination. Situated at the foothill of Panchakot (panchet hill),in the north east corner of the Purulia District, close to the boundary with district Burdwan and Jharkhand.
WBFDC has built a beautifully maintained nature resort , excellent for relaxing your mind for few days. This is place with ideal mix of Nature , Hills , Forest and backed with rich history.
How to reach :
A Journey of 25 km by road from Adra and 15 km from Barakar via Chirkunda and 34 km. from Asansol via Deshergarh and 65 km from Purulia. 1 Km. from Puapurmore Nearest Railway station - Barakar (E Rly.) Adra (SE Rly.) You can take Black Diamond from Howrah at early morning and reach Barakar within 4 hour 15 mins. Then arrange one auto or car from the station to the resort. Autos would cost you around Rs 125 to Rs 150. In your way you will get to see the panchet dam. It’s a 3 KM drive from the resort.
What
to do :
After reaching you have to plan out the day depending upon your number of days. If you love adventure, you can have a trek to the top of the hill through the jungle. The view from the hill top is beautiful. Next day you can hire a car for a tour around. This includes the fort built by Panchakot dynasty around 500 years ago. Surrounded by hills , you will definitely love this place. Next a you can go the Shiva temple and back to the resort. You can plan a trip to joy chandi hills also in the next day or take trip to panchet dam.
The Resort :
This is a nature resort by WBFDC. Resort is beautifully situated on the foothills of panchet. The food is good and the dining hall is lovely. You can book the resort from the WBFDC office near Wellington square.
For more info you can visit the official website of WBFDC.
WBFDC has built a beautifully maintained nature resort , excellent for relaxing your mind for few days. This is place with ideal mix of Nature , Hills , Forest and backed with rich history.
How to reach :
A Journey of 25 km by road from Adra and 15 km from Barakar via Chirkunda and 34 km. from Asansol via Deshergarh and 65 km from Purulia. 1 Km. from Puapurmore Nearest Railway station - Barakar (E Rly.) Adra (SE Rly.) You can take Black Diamond from Howrah at early morning and reach Barakar within 4 hour 15 mins. Then arrange one auto or car from the station to the resort. Autos would cost you around Rs 125 to Rs 150. In your way you will get to see the panchet dam. It’s a 3 KM drive from the resort.
What
to do :After reaching you have to plan out the day depending upon your number of days. If you love adventure, you can have a trek to the top of the hill through the jungle. The view from the hill top is beautiful. Next day you can hire a car for a tour around. This includes the fort built by Panchakot dynasty around 500 years ago. Surrounded by hills , you will definitely love this place. Next a you can go the Shiva temple and back to the resort. You can plan a trip to joy chandi hills also in the next day or take trip to panchet dam.
The Resort :
This is a nature resort by WBFDC. Resort is beautifully situated on the foothills of panchet. The food is good and the dining hall is lovely. You can book the resort from the WBFDC office near Wellington square.
For more info you can visit the official website of WBFDC.
Panchalingeswar & Chandipur
If you really want to enjoy a two or three day vacation , you can try Panchalingeswar and Chandipur. Panchalingeswar is situated just 35 Kms and Chandipur again would be around 17 Km from Balasore. Chandipur is a beach resort and panchalingeswar is situated on the base of the Nilgiri hills.
What to do:
You can plan 2 days in Panchalingeswar and 1 day in Chandipur. This is a choice you have to make depending upon your choice that you love the Sea or Hills.
Panchalingeswar could be a very adventurous place. You can trek on the top of the mountains to see the forest and the whole Nilgiri hill range. If you are lucky enough you may see a pack of elephants passing by your path. Take a local boy as your guide who can show you the ways.
Next day ask your guide to come early to your guest house to take you to the Watch Tower. This is a ruin which is partly immersed inside the lake. This tower was used by the kings for hunting elephants some 300 years back.
Next day morning you take a car and reach Chandipur. Chandipur sea is not a normal beach. The sea retreats 5 km from the actual beach and you have to walk a lot to the sea. In the evening the water comes right at the doorstep of your guestroom.
This wouls be 4 km trek from the guest house. This place is beautiful. You just sit and chill and see the .
How to reach :
Dhawli from howrah could be the ideal train for Balasore. it takes around 3 and half hours to reach Balasore. After reaching Balasore , after having a heavy break fast , arrange a car or an Auto for Panchalingeswar. You can also break journey to nilgiri and from Nilgiri again a trekker to Panchalingeswar crossing. Rest around 1.5 Km you have to walk. If you are lucky then you can get a trekker or a rickshaw to te Guest House.
You can either arrange a car for Chandipur from Panchalingeswar or you have to return back to Balasore from there you can arrange for a Auto for Chandipur.
Where to stay :
Both Panchalingeswar and Chandipur having OTDC guest houses. You can book the rooms from the OTDC office on Lenin sarani, near Santosh Mitra square.
There are many local hotels in Chandipur and around 2 more hotels in Panchalingeswar
Murguma - Purulia
Murguma a beautiful place in purulia. Its a huge waterbody surrounded by hills. This water body is nothing but a man made dam. This is a very newly developed place.
How To Reach
:
You can reach Murguma ( Muruguma ) from Purulia station. You can choose different trains from howrah. But the best option could be a Friday night train so that you reach Purulia in the Saturday morning.
Its around 47 KM from the station to the resort.So you have to book a car for reaching your resort.
The Resort :
This is eco tourism resort situated just beside the lake. Beautifully maintained lawn just slides down to the water at one side and other sides are surrounded by tents. Tent
s are big with 2 rooms with 2 beds each, a living area and a attached toilet.
The package contains staying and food which starts from bed tea , breakfast, lunch , snacks and dinner. The food is really good here.
What to do :
Just do nothing but sit and relax. You can have a bath in the lake but please make sure you know how to swim because this is really a deep one. I would really suggest a full moon night. Just sit and see a big moon coming out in the evening. I can bet you cant forget this experience in y
our life.Next day you can go for a trek through jungle to a Santhal village. May be going for walk to a hill top. Sit and see the hills surrounded greens.
The return :
You again have to book a car for return. There are very old temple structure at Deulghata around 20 km from Murguma. You can touchbase and then return to Purulia station.
How To Reach
:
You can reach Murguma ( Muruguma ) from Purulia station. You can choose different trains from howrah. But the best option could be a Friday night train so that you reach Purulia in the Saturday morning.Its around 47 KM from the station to the resort.So you have to book a car for reaching your resort.
The Resort :
This is eco tourism resort situated just beside the lake. Beautifully maintained lawn just slides down to the water at one side and other sides are surrounded by tents. Tent
s are big with 2 rooms with 2 beds each, a living area and a attached toilet.The package contains staying and food which starts from bed tea , breakfast, lunch , snacks and dinner. The food is really good here.
What to do :
Just do nothing but sit and relax. You can have a bath in the lake but please make sure you know how to swim because this is really a deep one. I would really suggest a full moon night. Just sit and see a big moon coming out in the evening. I can bet you cant forget this experience in y
our life.Next day you can go for a trek through jungle to a Santhal village. May be going for walk to a hill top. Sit and see the hills surrounded greens.The return :
You again have to book a car for return. There are very old temple structure at Deulghata around 20 km from Murguma. You can touchbase and then return to Purulia station.
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