Sunrise at Sandakphu
NJP - Maneybhanjang - Sandakphu
- Ride colonial era Land Rovers to the peak
- Witness four of the highest peaks in the world
- Watch the sunrise over 8000 metre mountains
3 days starting at Rs. 9000/-
Overview
Winter snow transforms a familiar trek into an experience that’s wholly unique. Rediscover Sandakphu in a new light, magical and white.
Siliguri - Maneybhanjang - Tonglu - Kalipokhri - Sandakphu
This moderate trek starts at Maneybhanjang, and ends with a spectacular Sleeping Buddha sunrise and Land Rover ride. As you climb, you’ll get glimpses of snowfall – teasers for what lies at the end of your trek.
Few treks come close to winter in Sandakphu.
Snow covered trees and landscapes make every scene photograph worthy.
Heaven-like vistas await, as clouds decorate the feet of mountain ranges.
Discover why Kalipokhri is considered a holy pond, remaining unfrozen even as the temperatures drop below zero.
Rise at dawn to watch a sunrise like no other at Aal Dara.
Huddle around a warm fire and observe clear constellations above you every night.
We’ve chosen the best guides and homestays/accommodation for your trek.
Talk to our expert to customise your perfect trek.
This trek lasts 4 days and 3 nights, and may be extended to 7 days and 5 nights.
Itinerary Details
Perfectly crafted plans to make the most of your stay
Day 1: Siliguri to Maneybhanjang
We pick you up at Siliguri. After your welcome, you will travel to Maneybhanjang (7054 ft) , a town sitting on the Indo-Nepal border. There, after an introduction to your registered guide for the trek, he will take you to your homestay for the night.
Maneybhanjang is a tourist town in its own right.
With scenic hills and friendly locals, make sure to do some local sightseeing before you retire to bed.
Try out local foods like faleys or visit the Salamander pond near the school ground –
If you’re lucky you may get a glimpse of the super rare Himalayan Salamander.
You can also visit the Nepal side of Maneybhanjang for some local pork sausages or go shopping in town to prepare for the trek tomorrow.
Day 2: Maneybhanjang to Tonglu - 6 hrs
After breakfast, your trek begins. The 1.5 hrs trek from Maneybhanjang to Chitre (8340 ft) is one of the steepest – a great warmup.After passing through a tunnel
of birch, fir and pine, Chitrey is an open hill with a monastery and local shops. This is where you’ll first start seeing the Sleeping Buddha mountain range in the open.
Another 1.5hrs, and you’ll be in Lamaydhura (8792 ft), a Tibetan hamlet. The trek after Lamaydhura gets easier, as the ascent is gradual. Be sure to keep an eye out for Red Pandas – while sightings are rare, lucky trekkers have been graced with a glimpse now and then.
Going to Meghma (9514 ft) is another 1.5hrs of trekking. You’ll pass through forests of Chimal and Magnolia trees to reach a small village with a monastery.
There’s a GTA lodge here, along with an SSB camp to protect the border.
A trek to Tonglu (10,130 ft) is next. After an hour’s trek, you’ll reach a popular trekkers’ spot, with scenic views of the Teesta and Koshi rivers.
You’ll then trek downhill into Tumling (9600 ft) to rest for the night. Tumling is a great place to view the Sleeping Buddha mountains, so make sure to
wake up early (before 7am) to get a good look at the mountain range.
Day 3: Tonglu to Kalipokhari - 6 hrs
The first landmark you’ll cross today is the gateway for the Singalila National park, the highest altitude National park in West Bengal. After a permit check, you’ll start your 3 hour trek towards Jaubari (9186 ft). A steep trek from here will take you through a forest of rhododendrons on the way, which should start blooming by March.
An hour later, and you’ll be in Gairibas (8600 ft), a beautiful town surrounded by Rhododendron forests.
A steep 3 hour trek later, and you’ll reach your final stop for the day, Kalipokhari (10,400 ft). Kalipokhari is named after the lake near the trail.
It is a black(kali) pond(pokhari) that never freezes, and is considered sacred.
You’ll rest here for the night.
Day 4: Kalipokhari to Sandakphu - 3 hrs
Kalipokhari to Bikey Bhanjyang is a 40 min trek. Make sure to stop at Chowri Chowk on the way for some great milk tea. You can also buy Churpi, a local milk candy made from hardened yak milk.
Bikey Bhanjyang translates to ‘Valley of Poison’ for the poisonous Aconite plants that populate this area.
You’ll reach Sandakphu (11,929 ft) after another 2.5hrs of trekking. This is the steepest part of the trek, but that only makes finally reaching the Sandakphu peak all that more satisfying.
Sandakphu is one of the most popular trekking destinations for a reason: You get a 190 degree panoramic view of some of the tallest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Be sure to rest up as you’ll be rising before the sun rises the next morning.
Sandakphu is an excellent place to see the constellations, so head out while its still dark if you want to see the stars.
Your guide will take you to the best spot to watch the sunrise and the mountain ranges.
When you’re ready, a Land Rover will be ready to take you back to Maneybhanjang, and then to Siliguri.
When to Visit
Sandakphu welcomes travellers during Spring, Autumn and Winter.
Winter (December- February)
Snow covers the hilltops during the winter. The sun’s position during the winter makes this the best time to watch sunrises and sunsets.
There are fewer tourists because of the snow preventing most vehicles from summiting, making it the best time for trekkers.
What to take
Things that will help make the trip easy
1. Documentation
You’ll need to carry the following legal documents for your trek:
- Original and photocopy of government photo ID: Any one of your Aadhar Card, Voter’s Id, Driver’s Licence, PAN or Passport for identification.
- Disclaimer certificate: This is a mandatory waiver you must sign and hand off to your Trek Guide.
- Medical certificate: The forest department will not issue permission for your trek if this document isn’t filled by a practising doctor and you.
(the pdfs of the latter two documents will be provided by Homestay Tour)
2. Clothing and Accessories
While winter in Sandakphu is cold, it’s not intolerable.
For a base layer, carry dry-fit T Shirts that quickly dry sweat or rain, preferably collared ones. Carry a set of thermal inners if you like, but stacking tshirts can work as a substitute that saves weight and space.
You’ll require 4 layers of insulation: 2 light fleece layers, 2 full sleeve light sweaters.
Add to that, at least 2 pairs of trek pants (not track pants) with some thermal trousers.
For an outer layer, you will need 1 padded windproof jacket on top. Try to get one with a hood to cover your head.
Carry sunglasses for trekking during the day, and a cap to protect your head from the sun.
You will need a wool cap/hat to help insulate your head during the night or when you’re watching the sunrise.
You will need at least three pairs of sport socks, along with woollen ones for night time.
Synthetic gloves with waterproofing on the outside are perfect to keep your hands warm.
Carry a good 50-60 litre backpack with hip and shoulder support.
With that, carry a plastic cover to keep used/wet clothes.
Wear sturdy trekking shoes, with good grip and ankle support.
3. Cutlery and Toiletries
Carry a leak proof lunch box, mug and spoon. You’ll be washing your own cutlery, so stainless steel cutlery will be easier than plastic ones.
Carry two 1 litre water bottle with you. One of them can be a thermos if you want to carry warm liquids.
Carry a light toilet kit with a moisturiser, cold cream and lip balm. A small toilet roll will do and since there will not be any bathing, shampoos and soaps will not be necessary.
4. Medical kits
Carry the following medicines with you at all times. Do not take any medicine without consulting your guide.
- Diamox: Start taking half tablets of Diamox as you start your trek. A preventive course will greatly reduce the chances of Acute mountain sickness during your trek.
- Paracetamol: For fever and mild pain.
- Avomine: For motion sickness. Take one half an hour before starting your road journey.
- Combiflam: For muscle strains and leg pain.
- Digene: For indigestion.
- ORS: Drink a pack of ORS water at least once a day during the middle of a trek to help replenish essential salts.
- Knee Brace: Carry a knee brace if you are prone to knee injury or suffer from knee pain.
Any medical emergencies will be handled by your trek guide. Consult your trek guide for any medical query.
Talk to an expert about Snowy Sandakphu
Homestays
Carefully vetted by Homestay Tour
Things to remember
What you need to know before embarking on the journey
Guides and Porters
Hiring a guide for your Sandakphu trek is mandatory. All guides are provided by the state government.
Homestay Tour will make sure you get the best guide available at the time.
Your guide is an expert. Please follow all instructions at all times.
You may also hire a porter (upto 20kg) for your trek. Please mention if you want to do so to our representative.
Power and Network Coverage
You will be without electricity and network coverage for most of your trek.
While some stops may have electrical or solar power to recharge your devices, treat it as a luxury.
Carry extra batteries for your Cameras, and power banks for your phones.
Make sure to insulate your batteries inside your packs for maximum efficiency, as the cold may sap your battery capacity.
Some areas of the route may connect your phone to Nepal’s mobile service, so beware of any roaming charges that may incur.
Food and lodging
The food provided to you will be basic like rice, daal, noodles, etc.
If you’d like a Chicken meal, a pre order must be made.
You can buy packaged snacks, bottled drinking water, tea, coffee or beverages along the route.
Avoid drinking alcohol during your trek, as the lack of oxygen compounded with physical stress from exertion may put you in serious medical trouble, and getting to a hospital will not be quick or easy.
Related Itineraries
Other carefully crafted itineraries that you might be interested in
The Essential Sandakphu Trek
Siliguri - Maneybhanjang - Tonglu - Kalipokhri - Sandakphu
- Trek from Maneybhanjang to Sandakphu and back
- Explore West Bengal’s highest wildlife sanctuary
- Live and eat like locals
5 days starting at Rs. 11000/-
Talk to an expert
A Homestay Tour Expert will help you book Snowy Sandakphu