Sandakphu Phalut Trek
5 Nights / 6 Days
Sandakphu Phalut Trek is considered the best winter trek in the eastern Himalayas. The best Time to visit Sandakphu Trek is during the winter months as there will be no humidity in West Bengal. Winters are chilly and summers are pleasant in the regions of the Sandakphu Phalut trek. During the spring season, on this trek, you will gift yourself a memorable walk through the colorful bloom of rhododendrons and magnolias. As many as 18 varieties of Rhododendrons grow in this region from February to April end making the Sandakphu Trek a walk into a mystical fairyland. Sandakphu used to be a trekkers paradise now it is fast gaining popularity among common travelers too. The trek from Sandakphu to Phalut is along the undulating 3500 m high ridge passing through meadows, forests full of wildflowers, and Himalayan flora, with the mighty peaks towering in the background.
Sandakphu Phalut trekking is an amazing destination at the edge of Singalila National Park in West Bengal at the Indo-Nepal border. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced, the Sandkphu trek gets different importance to all adventure lovers. This route is one of the few treks on earth from where you can see 8,000-meter peaks of Kanchenjunga, standing with its family of peaks. This trek is done along the border between India and Nepal. In fact, The Sandakphu trek offers the unique experience of walking in India and having your dinner in Nepal. Or having your lunch in Nepal and having your toilet tents in India. We come across many villages on this trek route namely Chitrey, Kalapokhari, Gairibas, Gorkhey, and each one of them is unique and beautiful. Team wildtrek assures you the land of Lepchas, Sherpas, and Limboos and their hospitality will be cherished for a lifetime. The Sandakphu Phalut Trek expedition with Wildtrek Holidays will be a wonderful experience for all the adventure lovers.
Tour Itinerary
Day 01 - NJP/ Bagdogra to Manebhangjang - Trek Maneybhanjung to Tumling/ Chitrey
Pick you up from Bagdogra Airport or NJP railway station and cover an uphill road distance around 110 km and takes around 6 hours. Our trek starts from Maneybhanjung to Tumling and the distance is 12 Km. Maneybhanjung to Chitrey is a steep road with several hairpin bends and eventually reaches the hilltop clearing at Chitrey (~ 2300 m, 7550 ft). We start walking and after a few turns on the tabletop meadow reach the tea stall at Lamey Dhura (2640 m/8660 ft) in an hour. The one in the right leads to the top of Tonglu and then by descending eventually joins at Tumling. After trekking for an hour and a half we reach the destination Tumling (~ 2920 m, 9580 ft).
Day 02 – Tumling/ Chitrey to Kalapokhri
Another beautiful sunrise to look forward to on the Sanndakphu Phalut Trek comes on the morning of our 02nd day, The entire set of Kanchenjunga peaks unveils if the sky is clear and the vision starts your day in the right mood. We start our journey towards Kalipokhri today through the charming forests of Singalila National Park. An interior Nepal-bound motor road runs close to our hiking trail that we often catch glimpses of. We move through the thickets to our first stop at Gairibasa- a tiny settlement consisting of a few hotels and rest homes and falling under the Nepal side of the border. Going a little beyond Gairibasa, on the Kaiyakatta way, we will find steps cut into the elevation, easing out the ascent for the trekkers. At one side we also find the motor road twisting its way across closer to the Nepal side. An hour into our ascent from Gairibasa, we will reach Kaiyakatta, in time for a hot lunch at the settlement’s Nepali enclaves. Kalipokhri- our final stop or the day is another 4 km from Kaiyakatta.
Day 03- Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
Today’s trek is an easy one of 7 km & will take about 4-5 hours. From Kalipokhri the trail gradually ascends to Bikheybhanjang, Which is a small hamlet. It literally means the “Poisonous valley” because of the Poisonous Aconite plants that grow here in plenty. The trail just before you reach Sandakphu is very steep. At places, you might have to use all 4 limbs to climb. All the pain of the steep climb will be gone in seconds when you reach Sandakphu from where you get a panoramic view including 4 of the highest mountains in the world - Mt Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Chomolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna, etc. Ask your guide for more information about the peaks. Overnight stay at Sandakphu.
Day 04- Sandakphu to Phalut
Today’s trek is a moderate one of 21 km & will take about 8-9 hours. From Sandkafu the trail gradually ascends to Sabargram, Which is a small hamlet. The trail just before you reach Phalut is very steep. At places, you might have to use all 4 limbs to climb. All the pain of the steep climb will be gone in seconds when you reach Phalut from where you get a panoramic view including 4 of the highest mountains in the world - Mt Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Chomolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna, etc. Ask your guide for more information about the peaks. Overnight stay at Phalut.
Day 05- Phalut to Srikhola
After viewing a soul-stirring sunrise over the Magnificent peak panorama, one of the best found on trekking in India, we get ready for our descent to village Gorkhey located in West Bengal. This is going to be our longest trek in the whole journey but the descent will make it less exhausting. Our trail will pass through a different kind of forest today, that of bamboos where it’s the natural habitat of Red Pandas and Bears. A winding forest trail will take us to mid-noon where we will be served hot lunch. Here, we will come across the beautiful Sri River known in the local tongue as Sri Khola, Khola meaning river. After crossing a wooden bridge over the stream, we will reach the village of Srikhola in the late afternoon/evening.
Day 06 – Srikhola to NJP
After spending a night of rest in the scenic idyll of Srikhola, we get on board this morning, driving towards NJP. The scheduled time for arriving at NJP station is approx 3 pm, so you can safely book a night train/flight home on the 6th day, qualifying Sandakphu for a nice long weekend trek.
- Destination NJP/ Bagdogra - Manebhangjang - Tumling/ Chitrey - Kalapokhri - Sandakphu - Phalut - Srikhola
- Duration 5 Nights / 6 Days
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What´s Included
- 5 night’s accommodation
- All meals during the trek. Regular Indian style nutritious veg /Non-Veg food during the trek
- Transport Non-Ac (Pickup- drop as per the
plan)
- Permit Fee for Singalila National Park.
- Basic First Aid and Medicine kit.
- Professional guide during the trek
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Not Included
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Food during the transit
- Insurance
- Train / Air Fare
- Any kind of emergency evacuation charges
- Mules or porter to carry personal backpack
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head
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Terms & Condition
- You should carry an Identity Card (Voter Card, Driving License, Pan Card, Passport or any Govt. I. Card),Time of traveling; this is for verification when required.
- In case any of the sightseeing mentioned as above remains closed due to local reason, “ Wildtrek Holidays” representative will arrange for alternative sightseeing spot. All guests are requested to cooperate.
- Service vouchers for the tour will be forwarded in your respective email ids 06 days before the departure or guests can collect the same from our City Office, Kolkata.
- Alternate program will be made disruption of tour on account of natural calamities/ medical sickness while on tour and the cost to be borne by the tourist.
- The tourist will have to go by the periodical guidelines issued by the “Wildtrek Holidays” authorities on the tour, through announcements and should not intervene in their working.
- In case the selected hotel is unavailable for booking, an alternate arrangement will be offered to the customer in another hotel of a similar category.
- Certain hotels abroad may ask for a security deposit during check-in, which is refundable at check-out subject to the hotel’s policy.