Sandakphu Trek

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 north west 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 the Singalila range and therefore this is also known as Singalila trek. 

Preparing For Trek

From Dhotrey, several trekkers prefer for trekking to Sandakphu. The route however merges with the original one at Tonglu. From Siliguri you can take a car and drive all the way up to a place called Dhotrey (via Manebhanjan). It takes about 4.5 to 5 hours drive. After a night stay at Dhotrey, take the lovely scenic trek route (6 kms) that leads to Tonglu. 

The first 2kms is through a forested trail. And then the landscape opens up and you can sea wonderful meadows. It's an uphill trek route and takes about 3 - 3.5 hours to reach Tonglu from Dhotrey. Note that the route remains closed during Monsoon (mid June to mid September). 

If you are planning to take this rout, A popular itinerary is :

Package - 1 : Dhotrey to Sandakphu Trekking

Day - 1 : Tonglu / Tumling Trek from Dhotrey (5-7 km), Stay Overnight

Day - 2 : Kalipokhri Trek from Tonglu / Tumling (14 km) , Stay Overnight

Day - 3 : Sandakphu Trek from Kalipokhri (7 km) , Stay Overnight

Day - 4 : Sandakphu to Srikhola Trek (15 km) , Stay Overnight and back next day


Package - 2: Dhotrey to Phalut Trekking

Day - 1 : Tonglu / Tumling Trek from Dhotrey (5-7 km), Stay Overnight

Day - 2 : Kalipokhri Trek from Tonglu / Tumling (14 km) , Stay Overnight

Day - 3 : Sandakphu Trek from Kalipokhri (7 km) , Stay Overnight

Day - 4 : Sandakphu to Phalut (21 km), Stay Overnight

Day - 5 : Phalut to Gorkhey (15 km), Stay Overnight

Day - 6 : Gorkhey to Srikhola Trek (16 km), Stay Overnight and Back next day