Located at a height of about 3,636 metres above sea
level, Sandakphu is the highest point in the state of West Bengal. It is one of
the top tourist attractions in the Darjeeling region with plenty of wildlife,
astonishing mountain ranges and hospitable people.
The name Sandakphu, which means the 'Height of the Poison Plant’, refers to the poisonous aconite plants found in this region. It is a popular trekking spot and hundreds of international tourists as well as domestic tourists visit this place throughout the year to explore the breathtaking beauty of this place.
Snadakphu is located at a distance of about 58 km from Darjeeling and the trek to this point initiates from Manebhanjang, a small town, situated at a close distance from the main town of Darjeeling.
Sandakphu is an ultimate trekking destination nearby to Darjeeling and this trek point has gained immense popularity from the people of the region and across India. During the winter time, when the mountain ranges gets delicately covered with the dazzling snow, people from across the regions of India, flock to Sandakphu at the height of 3,636 metres.
Most of the trekkers love to explore the region and they plan the trekking for a week or so, in order to soak in the glorious beauty of Sandakphu which is immensely gifted by the Mother Nature and the rich flora and fauna that thrives in the region. If you want to test your health at the same time, want to soak in the beauty of nature, Sandakphu in Darjeeling is the best place to be to make the most out of your vacation or trip.
Some of the Major Places on the Way to Sandakphu Maneybhanjang- It is a small town located at a distance of about 30 km from the main town of Darjeeling. Apart from being the base point of the renowned trek to Sandakphu, this pristine town is also known for holding the age old Land Rovers.
These vehicles have been running in this place since a long time and they are the only means of transport to Sandakphu i.e. if you are willing to ride on these vehicles instead of walking along the route to Sandakphu. Some of these vehicles are over 70 to 80 years old. The trek basically starts from this point and is facilitated with some trekker’s huts and small homestays if you want to hold a night at this place.
Chitrey- If trekkers want to avoid the steep climb at the initial stage of the trek, then they can drive up to Chitrey, which is a couple of kilometers further from Maneybhanjang. It is quite a steep climb and will take you about an hour and a half to reach Chitrey.
Throughout the trek you will be continuously passing through the Indo-Nepal border in this region. The place also has a small home stay or a trekker’s hut. So, trekkers can decide to reach Chitrey or even Tonglu (if you start early) instead for stopping at Maneybhanjang and halt for an overnight stay. The place also holds a large monastery, which is worth a visit.
Meghma- Further when you walk from Chitrey, you will pass a small settlement called Lamey Dhura and reach Megma, which is considerably a larger settlement. The route diverges in two directions from this place, where the right uphill route will lead you to the trekkers hut in Tonglu, which falls in India.
The other trail in the left passes through Nepal and leads you to Tumling, which falls in Nepal. Meghma has a large SSB camp, a monastery and a primary school.
Tonglu- If you have taken the trail on the right, you will reach Tonglu, which is at a distance of 2 km from the place. Tonglu is placed on the top of a hill, where you can watch the breath-taking view of the Kanchanjunga peak in the reflection of the Tonglu Lake.
Tumling- If you have taken the trail on the left from Meghma, you will reach Tumling, which is also at a distance of about 2 km from the place. The place provides a good option to halt for a night as it is dotted with various lodges amidst the lush green surroundings. From this place, you can watch lights of the various towns like Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and others during the night time.
The trekking trail from both Tonglu and Tumling to Sandakphu is filled with a diverse variety of flora, fauna and avifauna, as from now on you will be entering the Singalila National Park. Then while passing from other small settlements like Joubari, Kaiyakatta and Kalepokhri, you will reach Bikeybhanjan.
Bikeybhanjan- It is the last hamlet before you reach Sandakphu and one can see the destination from this place. Sandakphu is around 5 km from this spot and the trek ahead is the steepest and the most complicated one throughout the trek. After a tiresome trek, you will reach Sandakphu, the highest point in West Bengal.
Once you start exploring the surrounding area, you will realize that all the hardships that you have taken along the trek were worth the effort due to the feeling of divine beauty at this place. Halt for a day or two at the lodges or small trekker’s huts of Sandakphu, in order to be able to take in the scenic beauty of this place to your fullest content.
