Sandakphu to Phalut Trek – A Day-Wise Trekking Experience
The Sandakphu trek is an unforgettable journey filled with exciting surprises around every turn, offering exciting new experiences daily. Conquering the summit is certainly a rewarding achievement, and all aspects of this trek offer amazing memories from start to finish; nothing can match its thrill and exhilaration as an amazing journey towards West Bengal’s peak, invigorating you to begin this incredible adventure.
Day 1: Jaubhari village - Base for the trek
As part of their trek towards Sandakphu, trekkers should travel towards Jaubhari village, located at an elevation of 2240 meters, as their starting point. Village offers a serene start for any trek and is one of many tranquil villages along its path. Jaubhari lies about 110 kilometres from Bagdogra airport near Siliguri and can be reached within five hours by taking a scenic drive-in route. A visit here promises an experience to remember! Peaceful surroundings include smooth winding roads surrounded by lush forests and tea plantations that create an entrancing and soothing ambience. Jaubhari’s rural charm can be seen in its terraced agriculture along the mountainside, residents riding bicycles with produce for sale, and colourful homes with tiny fields at their front, all under the watchful gaze of majestic mountain trees and stunning sunsets. This short journey provides a beautiful introduction to the breathtaking landscapes found throughout this trek. You will surely find inspiration at every turn.
Day 2: Jaubhari to Tumling
The second day of the trek is an extensive yet rewarding journey through a breathtaking Himalayan landscape. At 4:30 am, the sun starts its journey and casts a warm light across the land, casting magical and mysterious mist around and clouds floating past with airy warmth, providing the ideal accompaniment to this striking spectacle of nature. A delicious steaming tea made with the natural essence of the mountains would provide the ideal companion. Start Your Trek at 8.30 AM We depart the city around 8.30 am to enter a lush jungle that teems with life, from deer snarling and birds chirping, to potentially sighting the rare red panda that lives here! Today’s route will include both private treks as well as roads suitable for cars, offering both tranquillity and comfort! The trek winds gently along, with rough stone steps and earthen pathways covered with leaf debris lining its path. It offers welcome respite with fresh air to breathe. The 9km trek concludes at an idyllic home offering refreshments and tea for free – the ideal ending to an amazing day. There’s still plenty of daylight left, allowing you to discover Tumling at your own pace!
Day 3: Tumling to Kalipokhri
Today, we begin our trek in Sandkphu with its magnificent beauty. If this area is unfamiliar to you, the Sleeping Buddha Mountain stands as a sight that draws visitors like no other mountain can – its distinctive shape created by Kangchenjunga’s series of peaks, giving the mountain its distinct appearance. Sunrise provides extra reverence as morning hours illuminate its peak. Make time early in the day to speak to your guide in this area about what are known as mountain ranges in this vast terrain. This 15km trek promises breathtaking views, acoustic birdsongs, and a host of new sensations. Aside from one steep ascent of 300m, the trek is easy to follow and simple to follow as we explore Singalila National Park, where there is an array of vibrant ecosystems full of wildlife, diverse vegetation species, and beautiful hues and shades, which is softened by misty air as clouds pass by overhead. A hotel near the India-Nepal border is conveniently situated near Kalipokhri Lake, which features prayer flags as its centrepiece. Here, there is peace and serenity, making this location perfect for an enjoyable evening of restful relaxation.
Day 4: Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
Once we reach West Bengal’s northern edge, where towering Himalayan giants such as Everest, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, and Lhotse can be seen. Today’s relatively easy 5km trek allows us to admire beautiful views while appreciating a peaceful atmosphere. The journey begins in Kalipokhri and heads north along a winding mountain trek towards Bikheybhanjang – a small village known for its abundance of poisonous Aconite plants – for 2 hours before beginning an excruciating ascent through 200 meters leading up to Sandakphu, with several challenges along the way including crossing roads or taking motorable routes that may have sustained damages due to heavy rainstorms. Camp is all set for us to sleep comfortably tonight and wake early to take in stunning panoramic mountain views as the sun rises over 8000m! From near our homestay, we will enjoy breathtaking vistas of some of the most famous mountains like Everest, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, and Lhotse, as well as Chomolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters Kumbhakarna summits – hoping for clear skies tomorrow so we can make the most out of our trek’s final day ahead.
Day 5: Trek from Sandakphu to Phalut – Peaks, Rhododendrons & Pure Bliss
After enjoying another peaceful dawn, we rise early and make our way out to an incredible viewpoint where magnificent forms have been carved out, and surrounding peaks resemble the iconic Sleeping Buddha shape. Following this breathtaking sunrise spectacle, we head back to our hotel, where we prepare ourselves for another trek which promises to be just as scenic and long. As we start the trek, the going is relatively easy and allows us to cover 6-7 kilometres over two hours before reaching an impressive lake. Two of the more difficult elements include an ascent of 400 meters in just 3 kilometres heading toward Sabargram and an extremely steep 250-meter climb over 2.5 kilometres to Phalut. As beautiful a sight is always available throughout time, spring can be particularly breathtaking when filled with the colours of rhododendron blooms adorning every step along a trek from June to July, creating an array of shades, appearing as flowers underfoot, tall shrubs of blooming rhododendrons lining a route, and waterfalls of blooming flowers overhead. Furthermore, its winds through an arid landscape with only rare shade opportunities such as an unassuming small restaurant 13.5km after total elevation gain (see: total elevation gain = total elevation gain = Total elevation Gain = 1350 km in total elevation gain). Phalut is situated seven kilometres away from other parts of the area and does not offer drinking water facilities along its journey, so ensure you bring enough for yourself throughout the day. Expect to arrive in Phalut by early afternoon; Phalut lodging is located within its private area, offering expansive views beyond what human eyes can perceive.
Day 6: Phalut to Gorkhey
On day 6 of their journey, travellers travel from Phalut to Gorkhey – an adorable mountain town covered with vibrant, flowering rhododendrons of various shades that decorate its road leading there, creating a lovely scene as it descends 12km downhill. The path weaves through an idyllic woodland with beautiful rhododendron plants at its beginning and bamboo trees at its end. Descending into the forest, we venture on an upward sloping path through dense foliage, easily identified by fallen leaves, which could make an unsafe surface. An exciting lunch awaits in Gorkhey. Gorkhey’s rich cultural history is beautifully represented in its traditional houses of village living, furnishings, tableware, and cuisine; the welcoming nature of residents provides insight into their daily lives as well as culture. Gorkhey captivates with its blend of traditions and customs, traditions create an idyllic village atmosphere that exudes hospitality and warmth at every turn.
Day 7: Gorkhey to Sepi
On the seventh day of our trek between Gorkhey and Sepi in Sandakphu, we paid our final tribute to the sun. Starting at 2,400m and ending up at 1,900 m, respectively, it took between 7-8 hours for this part of our trek in Sandakphu to finish. For the optimal experience of your day trip to Sandakphu, starting early is essential to maximise your day and ensure an efficient journey. Beginning as early as possible is vital if we wish to arrive in Sepi by late afternoon and make this trek rewarding enough to warrant continuing our adventure through this valley. This overview should give you an accurate sense of what to expect during each day on this incredible journey. Should any queries arise, feel free to reach out directly.
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