The Sleeping Buddha
The group of mountains from the Kanchenjunga family of mountains. It starts from the peak of Kumbhakarna and then is followed by Kanchendzonga and Simvo on the backmost line.. Below Kanchendzonga, there are several peaks and the named ones from the left are Koktang, Rathong, Frey, South Kabru, North Kabru, Kabru Forked, Goecha and then the ridgeline of Pandim just ahead of Simvo. All these peaks when seen from Sandakphu, Phalut and some other parts of Sikkim makes it appear like a huge man sleeping with spaced legs. This formation is so natural and ancestors associated it with Lord Buddha Sleeping over the clouds. Hence it is called the Sleeping Buddha.
We Start Our Trek From Dhotrey.
Day 1: Dhotrey to Tumling Via Tonglu.
Day 2: Tumling to Kalapokhari Via Gairibas
Day 3: Kalapokhari to Sandakphu.
Day 4: Sandakphu to Kalapokhari.
Day 5: Kalapokhari to Maneybhanjan Via Meghma/Chitrey By LandRovar.
DHOTREY ( 8500 ft ) is a forest village with 68 small huts within the buffer zone of ‘SINGALILA NATIONAL PARK’.
Tumling is a small hamlet in Jogmai VDC, Ilam District of Nepal.’
Sandakphu or Sandakfu or Sandakpur is the highest peak in the district of Ilam, Nepal and West Bengal, India. It is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border.
SANDAKPHU – The Highest Peak in West bengal.
SANDAKPHU – The Highest Peak in West bengal. Sandakphu, being the highest peak in West Bengal, offers grand views of the world’s tallest peaks. Lhotse and Makalu, the fourth and fifth highest peaks in the world stand tall at 8,516m and 8,463m, trying to outdo the world’s tallest peak.
Sandakphu or Sandakfu or Sandakpur (3636 m; 11,930 ft) is the highest peak in the district of Ilam, Nepal and West Bengal, India. It is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district on the West Bengal-Nepal border.
SOME OTHER PHOTOS OF THIS SANDAKPHU TREK JOURNEY
Sunrise at Sandakphu
Trek Trails to Tonglu from Dhotrey
An old man at Dhotrey
F R E E D O M
B R E A K F A S T in Sandakphu
Mysterious way in Sandakphu
H E A V E N
Mountain & Mountains
Dhotrey at Night
L O V E
Near Maeybhanjan
Sandakphu Itinerary
Train From Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). Reach NJP. Take a car or shared taxi for NJP to Dhotrey. It takes about 5 hours to reach Dhotrey. Night stay at Dhotrey. Start early from Dhotrey for Tumling (Distance: 5kms, Altitude: 9,600ft) or Tonglu (Distance: 6kms, Altitude: 10,130ft). Night Stay at Tumling or Tonglu.Trek from Tumling/Tonglu to Kalipokhri (Distance: 13kms, Altitude: 10,400ft). The trail passes through the villages of Jaubari (Distance: 6kms from Tumling, Altitude: 9,186ft), Gairibas (Distance: 1km from Jhaubari, Altitude: 8,600ft), Kaiyakatta ( Distance: 2km from Gairibas) and finally on to Kalipokhri. Night stay at Kalipokhri. Trek from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu (Distance: 6kms, Altitude: 11,929ft) via Bikeybhanjan (Distance: 2kms from Kalipokhri). Night stay at Sandakphu.
Alternate Route / Extended Trek for Sandakphu
NJP/Siliguri to Maneybhanjan by car, stay overnight at Maneybhanjan. Maneybhanjan – Tumling/Tonglu Trek, stay overnight at Tumling/Tonglu. Tumling/Tonglu – Kalipokhri Trek, stay overnight at Kalipokhri. Kalipokhri – Sandakphu Trek, stay overnight at Sandakphu. Sandakphu – Phalut Trek, stay overnight at Phalut. Phalut – Gorkhey Trek, stay overnight at Gorkhey. Gorkhey – Srikhola Trek, stay overnight at Srikhoila. Srikhola – Rimbik Trek, then to NJP via Manebhanjan by jeep/car.
Places to Stay during Sandakphu Trek
There are numerous places to stay. But most of them are trekker’s hut or homestays and private lodges.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri. Taxis / Jeeps / Cars are available from here.
By Railways: The nearest rail head is New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From NJP numerous taxis (shared as well as reserved) are available. It takes about 5 hours to reach Dhotrey from NJP Station.
By Road: The trek begins from Maneybhanjan/Dhotrey both of which can be reached from Siliguri via Jeeps/Cars.
Best Seasons: The best time to visit is during the Spring from March to May. This is the blooming season of the famed Rhododendrons. But occasionally one may find cloudy skies. Autumn, from late September through to November is accompanied by clear skies and lush mountain slopes. Winter is bitterly cold here, with heavy snowfall, but winter treks offer a unique experience. Singalila National Park is closed during monsoon.
A guide is mandatory: Porters are also available.
Mobile Phone: Vodafone and BSNL are the only mobile networks that work in patches along the way (but are inconsistent).
Clothing & Accessories: Sandakphu can be very cold even in summer. So carry adequate woolens & jackets. In winter take heavy woolens, gloves, caps, and of course, wear woolen inners. Additionally, take a rain coat, use good trekking shoes, carry an extra pair of socks, a wind-cheater, gloves in winter, cap etc.
Electricity or power: for the most part of the trek route.
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