Trek Name: Sandakphu Trek
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Season: October to February & March to May
Length: Approx. 29 miles (48 km) Total
Altitude: 11,941 ft
Number of Days and Nights: 6 Days and 5 Nights
Sandakphu(3636 Mtrs) previously known as Santapur previously means “a place for the saints” is the highest point in the state of West Bengal and commands an inexplicable view of the Mt. Kangchendzonda (8586 m) range along with the Everest group-Mount Everest (8850 m) Lhotse (8516 m) Makalu (8481 m). It lies in the Singalila National park and a trek to this place takes the trekker through the wilderness of the National Park along with stunning vistas of exquisite flora and Fauna. Reaching the top of Sandakphu really becomes an occasion of celebration for the trekkers with the stunning views of five eight thousander peaks of the world right in front of them defying the perspective of size and makes one feel sheer nature at its best, the very reason for which BBC had listed this trek in the “10 things I should do before I die” program.
Location
It is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal at an altitude of 11,941 ft.
The trek is famous for some of its picturesque landmarks like the Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse. Infact, apart from getting the chance to view four of the five world’s highest peaks from the Sandakphu trek, one can also get to view the Three Sisters and many other peaks of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet in one single stretch.
Other than that, the trek has a diverse range of flora and fauna, which contrasts with the snow-clad white peaks and the evergreen forests. The Sandakphu trek is home to around 600 varieties of orchids.
It probably has the largest concentration in the world and during the spring one can see them bloom.
The Sandakphu trek also takes the traveler past the Singalila National Park. Here, travelers can get the chance to view of the most fascinating rare animals like Pangolins and Red Pandas. The national park is also home to a variety of birds.
Type of Trek
Throughout the trek, travelers will find an equal ratio of easy and tough sections in their journey. Nevertheless, the Sandakphu trek is considered to be the easiest mountain expeditions and can be the perfect start for anyone trying to get better at hiking.
Sandakphu Trek Highlights
1. Sleeping Buddha
2. Singalila National Park
3. Red Panda
4. Rhododendrons
5. World’s 4 highest mountain peaks
6. Stars gazing night