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A Day-Wise Guide to Sandakphu Phalut Trek

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A Day-Wise Guide to Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Written by

Sagarika

06 Jan 2024

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A Day-Wise Guide to Sandakphu Phalut Trek

Sandakphu is a trek of multiple climaxes. Not only is the day of the climb to its highest point the highlight of the trek – the entire trek is a series of highlights one after the other right from Day 1 all the way through to the last day. While this is one trek which is best explored first-hand, if you were wondering what each day on this magnificent trek to the highest peak of West Bengal looks like, we are here to tell you just that to nudge you in the direction of this experience.

(Read, Highlights of Sandakphu Trek)

Here’s a short overview of each day on the trek:

Now, let’s get into a more detailed description of what each day on the trek is like:

Day 1: Getting to the Base Village

The trail head for Sandakphu is a quaint little village at the height of 2,240M which goes by the name of Jaubhari. It is also the first of many soul-calming villages on our trek. At a distance of 110 kms from the closest airport, Bagdogra, in Siliguri, the 5 hour drive to this small village is the start of a refreshing experience. It is a soothing ride on smooth, winding roads bordered with forests and tea gardens on both sides – the route as clean and green as it can be. The 5 hours go by in a jiffy. Jaubhari exudes the quintessential vintage village vibe with step farming all along its mountain faces, people on bicycles carrying produce and the colourful houses with small fields in front of each home against the tall trees of mountain forests and the most glorious sunsets.

This short drive up is the perfect warm up to the beauty typical to the region that you are going to witness all throughout the trek.

Day 2: Jaubhari to Tumling: A Rewarding Trek Through Misty Mountains and Enchanting Forests

Day 2 is long but rewarding amidst stunning Himalayan scenery! The sun in these parts comes out as early as 04:30 AM. The morning is misty and enchanting when the clouds come to visit and the sun is feeling playful enough to engage in a game of hide and seek. A hot cup of mountain tea is a perfect companion to enjoy this show of elements.

We leave civilization behind soon after we start for the day at 0830 AM. We enter a thick forest teeming with life. Listen for barking deer, birdsongs, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the elusive red panda in these thick jungles of West Bengal! The trail for today, like most days on this trek, alternates between secluded paths and a motorable road, offering a mix of tranquility and accessibility.

The trail is a combination of ascents and descents. Rough-hewn stairs and dirt trails carpeted in leaves guide us through the nippy air.

Our 9 km long trek ends at a cozy homestay in Tumling to some freshly brewed tea and snacks on the house! It’s a perfect end to a perfect day! And what’s more, you have enough and more daylight left to explore Tumling.

(For a visual journey through the trek, check out Photo Story of Sandakphu Trek)

Day 3: Tumling to Kalipokhri: A Tryst With the Sleeping Buddha

If you have heard of Sandkphu, you have definitely heard of the Sleeping Buddha. That’s who we start our day with today! For those who need an introduction, the Sleeping Buddha is a cluster of mountains that bear an uncanny resemblance to the perfectly proportioned form of Buddha lying in an eternal sleep. It is the Kangchenjunga range of peaks which give it the shape from which it gets its name. The cluster of peaks forming the Buddha is its most reverential in the morning as the peaks shine golden soaked in the sun’s light.

Remember to use the morning to ask your local guide for the names of all the peaks that are a part of this gigantic form.

Today's trek spans 15 kms and it’s all about grand views, bird songs and a wide display of textures and sounds. Other than a short steep section of 300M, the rest of the trail is literally a walk in the park. Singalila National Park unveils a rich tapestry of birds, animals, and unique flora. The setting is a kaleidoscope of colors, subtly transformed by the gentle mist and dancing clouds.

The homestay at the border of India and Nepal is very close to Kalipokhri – The Black Lake which is a small lake adorned with fluttering prayer flags. With no crowds, and a soothing wind, spending an evening here is extremely calming.

Day 4: Kalipokhri to Sandakphu: Reaching the Top of West Bengal

Today we head towards the most obvious highlight of the trek - the top of West Bengal, to meet with the giants: Mt. Everest, Makalu, Kangchenjunga and Lhotse. Today's trek feels like a leisurely stroll compared to the longer distances covered in the last two days. With just 5 kms, today is all about going slow and savoring the surrounding beauty.

Starting from Kalipokhri, the trail gradually ascends to Bikheybhanjang, a small hamlet named the 'poisonous valley' due to the abundance of poisonous Aconite plants. The initial two hours follow a relatively straightforward path, after which a steep and continuous incline leads us to Sandakphu. The last 200M are notably challenging due to the steep gradient. Similar to previous days, the trail intermittently intersects with the cemented roadway leading to Sandakphu. Although there are shortcuts available to bypass the motorable road, they may be damaged from excessive rains.

The view of the 8000M peaks is best at the crack of dawn. So, we set up camp tonight and lie in wait. First thing tomorrow morning, we will be at the viewpoint close to our homestay which gives the best views of the world's highest mountains: Mt Everest, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, and Lhotse, along with other revered peaks like Chomolhari, Pandim, the Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna, and more. Pray for clear skies for our climax of the trek tomorrow.

Day 5: Sandakphu to Phalut: A Symphony of Peaks and Rhododendrons

Today is a day of unparalleled beauty, beginning with an early rise to witness a panoramic spectacle at the viewpoint – Everest on one side and Kangchenjunga on the other, standing prominently in the cluster of peaks resembling The Sleeping Buddha. After immersing ourselves in this breathtaking sunrise, we return to the home stay to prepare for the day's trek, which, like previous days, is lengthy but filled with mesmerizing scenery.

The initial stretch of the trek is predominantly flat, allowing us to cover 6-7 kms within the first two hours, leading to a picturesque lake. The two challenging segments for today include a 400M steep climb over 3 kms to reach Sabargram and a 250M steep ascent over 2.5 kms to reach Phalut.

The stunning views of Everest and Kangchenjunga persist throughout the day. If visiting in April or May, the landscape is adorned with blooming rhododendrons in various hues, shapes, and sizes, transforming the trail into a vibrant tapestry of colors – a rhododendron carpet beneath, walls of rhododendron trees on both sides, and a cascade of rhododendrons from above. The trail traverses a mostly bushy landscape, offering no shaded resting spots except for the lunch point, a small makeshift shelter located after 13.5 kms and a total ascent of 650M.

Phalut, situated 7 kms from the lunch point, lacks water sources along the way, so remember to carry sufficient water for the entire day. Anticipate reaching the Phalut stay by early afternoon, situated in an isolated region with an uninterrupted view stretching as far as the eye can see.

Day 6: Phalut to Gorkhey: Embracing Gorkhey’s Warmth

Gorkhey is a small village perched on a mountain pinnacle with fields in the background and a river at its base but more importantly, the trail to Gorkhey is one big pot of rhododendrons of all the bright colours you can name. This 12 km downhill journey is one to remember.

The path goes through a delightful forest, marked by a profusion of rhododendrons in the first half and bamboo in the second. Commencing the descent, we embark on a steady downward journey through the thick foliage. The trail is characterized by a carpet of fallen leaves, which can make the terrain very slippery.

A warm lunch awaits us at the homestay. The local culture of Gorkhey is vividly reflected in the architecture, interiors of the houses, cutlery, food, and the warmth of the people, providing a glimpse into their faith and lifestyle. This contributes to the charming atmosphere of the quaint village, which seems to extend a welcoming embrace with every grain of its being.

Day 7: Gorkhey to Sepi: A Hearty Farewell

And just like that, we reach the end of the road on Sandakphu! Day 7 marks the final leg of the journey, leading from Gorkhey (2,400M) to Sepi (1,900M). The trek spans a distance of 20 kms with an estimated duration of 7-8 hours.

It’s important to start early since there’s a lot of ground to cover. Passing through the villages of Sammamden and Rammam, we aim to reach Sepi by late afternoon. This lengthy yet gratifying hike beautifully sums up the entire Sandakphu experience.

We hope this gives you a general overview of what each day on this beautiful trek looks like. If you have any more questions, we are only a phone call away.

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