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05 Nights 06 Days
Daily Tour
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Sandakphu is a wonderland for the trekkers. It’s located at an altitude of 11,929ft (i.e. 3,636 meters) in Darjeeling district and northwest 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. The trek route to Sandakphu goes all along with the Singalila range and therefore this is also known as Singalila trek.
Maney Bhanjyang is a small transit-town in the Darjeeling Sadar subdivision, Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal in India. It is located at the gateway of the Singalila National Park, 28 km away from Darjeeling town. The income of the local residents is geared towards tourism, especially foreign trekkers.
Pick up NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra airport / Siliguri and transfer to Maneybhanjan. The Maneybhanjan is gateway to Singalila National Park and Sandakphu. Maneybhanjan is a small hamlet and at an altitude of 2150 meter or 7100 ft above the sea level. It is the located just on the International border of India and Nepal and the border is demarketed by a small drain covered with a culvert. In the local dialect, the meaning of Maneybhanjan is “ A valley of ancient stupas”.
For acclimatization, it is required to stay one night in Manybhanjan before proceeding to Sandakphu.
After breakfast at the hotel and drive from the beginning of the trek, the road is almost stiff and seems to throw the challenge to the trekkers. But once habituated the road has become most friendly offers the view of spellbound natural beauty and gradually climbs up through forests of rhododendron, giant magnolias, spruce and other trees of sub-alpine region and not to mention, more than 600 varieties of orchids – the largest to be found in one geographical area in the world. After 03 km from Maneybhanjan, there is a short break in Chitrey. Chitrey is the road goes to Meghma, which lies under the cloud cover and where the clouds are worshipped as mother deity. And The main road bifurcates from Megham and one leads to Tumling ( Nepal) and the another to Tonglu ( India). Both the road passes through the dense jungle and hillsides covered by wildflowers. From Tonglu the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga , its surrounding snow-capped hills are fully mesmerizing.
In the morning watch the sunrise on Mt. Kanchenjunga. Tonglu offers the rare impression of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim and Kumbhkarna, which is called Slipping Shiva or Slipping Buddha by local people. From Tonglu / Tumling road leads to Gairibus ( 2621 Mt.), which is 09 km down the way and takes around 3 hrs to reach. After a little break road starts going upward and proceeds to Kali Pokhri ( 3170 Mt.) through Singalila National Park.
Singlalila National Park is the highest National Park in West Bengal, which spreads over 2400 mt to 3650 mt. above the sea level and covers an area of 79 sq. Km. This is the virgin forest offers the spectacular view of the Himalayan mountains and enriched mainly by alpine, changes with the range in altitude. Trees found in this national park are Rhododendron, Magnolia, Oak, Hemlock, Silver Fir, Juniper, Mailing Bamboo etc and a number of wild animal like Leopard, Red Panda, Barking Deer, Pangolin, etc. It also hosts of varieties of birds like Cuckoo, Hornbills, Pigeons, Golden Eagles and a large number of Migratory Birds.
There is a small lake in Kalipokhri which holds the same name, The colour of the water of the lake is surprisingly dark and considered to be sacred by the local people. Lake is the fenced by Buddhist prayer flags and gives the view of Sandakphu Peak.
From Kali Pokhri road descends to Beekay Bhanjan is around 2 km away from Kali Pokhri and also known as the “ Valley of the Poisonous Plants”, a large number of Medical plantation is here. The most arduous and challenging part of the route starts from Beekay Bhanjan and offer the 06 km ordeal. But after crossing this part all the tiredness of stiff climbing vanish once the road ends suddenly on the top of the Sandakphu Hill, the highest point of West Bengal and offers one of the most fascinating panoramic views of some of the world’s highest mountain summits covering 270 degrees on entire North.
After watching one of the most stunning sunrises on Mt. The Kanchenjunga from Sandakphu in the morning it is time to descend to Sri Khola. The strenuous trek route passes through the dense forest of Rhododendron, Magnolia and Oak and Dead Valley ( this valley named Dead Valley after the fire broke and entire tree lines of this area were burnt down ) to reach to Sri Khola, which is named after a beautiful wild stream. Sri Khola is surrounded by dense forest, orchids, and home of numerous birds. And Khola or Stram after a tiresome day trek is really soothing.
An easy trek route of 6 km from Srikhola to Rimbick can be covered by a simple leisure walk. From Rimbick transferred to New Jalpaiguri Rly Stn. / Bagdogra Airport or Siliguri. Tour End.