Sandakphu Trek 6 Days Moderate at 12000 ft. altitude, 46 trekking km in West Bengal. Sandakphu throws open an incredible panorama of the world’s highest snowline, swerving from the snow ensconced peaks of Nepal to Bhutan and farther east to Tibet.

1. Spectacular Sandakphu

2. Sandakphu Phalut “Sleeping Buddha” Trek Journy
● DAY 1:- Reaching Darjeeling
● DAY 2:- Acclimatization Walk and Orientation
● DAY 3:- Darjeeling to Dhotrey(7900 ft) to Tumbling(9450 ft)
via. Tonglu(10100 ft)
● DAY 4:- Tumbling(9450 ft) to Kalipokhri(10500 ft)
● DAY 5:- Kalipokhri(10500 ft) to Sandakphu(12000 ft)
● Day 6:- Sandakphu(12000 ft) to Gurdum( 9514 ft )
● DAY 7:- Gurdum(9514 ft) to Rimbik(7600 ft) via Sirikhola(
3572 ft)
● DAY 8:- Rimbik(7600 ft) to Darjeeling(6700 ft)

3. Reaching Darjeeling
For Sandakphu Phalut Trek , Waking up at 3 am is really a tough task, especially when you have slept late to wish a good friend
(Shivam). Kisses, on forehead and cheeks, are the most beautiful ones as they were given by mumma for waking me up. I was ready
soon, mama, me and mummy left for airport, talking about a lots a things between 10Km journey. Reached airport at 4, before going
inside airport got a warm hug from Mummy and thought that the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws. In, Indigo I met a
navy officer Mr. Jayant, he told me many things about Indian Navy, he also told me that, in last six months he went to 11 different
countries for a sailing competition and the pros and cons of joining INDIAN ARMY. Highlight in the healthy talk were the army shoes,
whose cost is the half my shoes but being more durable and comfortable. Seeing of Mr. Jayant at 6:30 am on the Mumbai airport, I met
Bharat uncle who joined the trekking expedition. Despite of being old and a very busy man, he just managed to come for this expedition
this is what HIMALAYA CALLS! He took me to a Dosa shop at Mumbai airport , and we had a great breakfast. We flew to
Bagdograairport(Siliguri) from Mumbai, when we reached Papa had been waiting for us since an hour, he reached there earlier as he
had some work in Shillong, Meghlaya. We all took a cab to Darjeeling as it was our base camp.
UNEXPECTED DARJEELING:-
When we think of Darjeeling , we always think that it’s the prettiest HILL STATION in India. Actually, that’s not true Darjeeling hasn’t
been maintained properly, even Ahmedabad is more clean than it! Most noticeable and the best change was the climate, as in one day
I went from 20*c to 5*c.

4. DAY 2:- Acclimatization Walk and Orientation
Waking up at 5:30, was the daily rule. For the first time we had a clear view of Mighty KANCHANJUNGA from the
camp as the weather was clear. We just got ready in 20 minutes and a decent breakfast continued by forming a line
for the acclimatization walk, our group started the trek with the scolding of Mr. MintuSaha our field director as many of
them were late. We had a walk from the base camp (6800 ft) to Japanese temple (7400 ft), situated in the higher side
of Darjeeling . The Japanese temple had a beautiful carving and 3D effect of Lord Buddha, making the temple special
then other ones also there was a mind blowing view from there.
After the hike, we returned to base camp completing 6 km climb and 7 km decend a total of 13 kms. After the lunch
there was a great orientation by Mr.Mintu Saha, where the main topic was “what to do and what to not” also
everyone were given their duties…. there were 4 duties in total……{Leader(Mr.Mukharjee), Deputy
Leader(Mr.Rajendra Prasad), Enviroment Leader(Mr.Hitesh Mehta) and Master of Ceremony(Ms.Shrishti)}
My dad became Enviromental Leader due to his experience in many treks!! Dad also tought me how to pack the
bagpacks in difficult treks. He also told me “Take care of you foot more than your face in Mountain”.We packed our
rucksacks and deposited the extra luggage.

5. DAY 3:- Darjeeling to Dhotrey(7900 ft) to Tumbling(9450 ft) via. Tonglu(10100 ft)
trek from Dhotrey to Tumbling via Tonglu.
A fantastic Morning drive from Darjeeling to Dhotrey with a lots a scenic
beauties (from GHOOM to DHOTREY). At Mane Bhanjang , we need to
collect the forest admission passes and also the Camera passes. In my
whole life I cannot forget the incident that , In a small village like Mane
Bhanjang, I found the mugs which were made in Bangladesh, had to be
carried by us during the trek but due to some misunderstanding I forgot
it at Home. At the forest department office I collected the information
about the flora and fauna found in the forests of sikkim.
After the clearence by the forest officers we were taken to Dhotrey, the
point from which the trek starts, there we had a halt for 20-30 mins. Our
guides were the locals from Dhotrey, Rajan bhaiya and avinash bhaiya.
We started our trek throught the dense forests of Pine and Bamboos
from Dhotrey to Tonglu, this forest had the maximum numbers of red
pandas in whole India.Tonglu was a heigh altitude place in Nepal, and
was really amazing. We all had our hot lunch togeather with a first seen
snowfall of the day. We had to climb 2 mountains, cross 1 mountain by
side and desend one mountain from Tonglu to Tumbling which was really
a tough task for many of us. It was nearly 11 km acend and a kilometre’s
walk.

6. Reached Tumbling and welcomed with the hot soup and soup as the therapy for all of us it was a very beautiful campsite, staying in Nepal
and the other side of the fence was India. At 6pm, when I needed to call my mum and went till the fence but just talked about 2 mins as it
was freezing -1*c out there. Near Tumbling there was a small and nice temple uphill, also went there just of 5 mins, again the same
reason….but I wanted to sit there more seeing more different views but tempreture didn’t supported me. We had a hot dinner in tumbing
.After dinner, outside it reached -4*c but even temperature could not stop some of us going outside the warm
tent and seeing many Stars and many Constellations , thanks to the clear sky. Umesh uncle was a astrology master and told us many
things about the stars. All those luckily including me saw many of the stars falling.
DAY 4:- Tumbling(9450 ft) to Kalipokhri(10500 ft)
Woke up at 6:00 am in Morning, despite of being cold we went out to see sunrise, suddenly when we went out we saw THE SLEEPING
BUDDHA in right front of us. It was a great surprise, as when we came we could not see anything due to foggy weather.
Then we had our breakfast at Tumbling and were given packed lunch for that day. This was was the magical day for me as The peaks saw
from were Kumbhakarna, Kangchenjunga and Simvo in the background. Below Kangchenjunga are Koktang, Rathong, Frey, South Kabru,
North Kabru, Kabru Forked, Goecha and the ridge of Pandim just ahead of Simvo. The depression between the ridgeline of Goecha and
Pandim is the Goecha La, which is a popular and beautiful trek in Sikkim. We could see them all.
As we proceededfrom Tumling to Kalipokhri, we entered the Singalila

7. National park. Where we could choose between a hiking trail and
a motor road. The motor road goes into Nepal and reaches
Gairibas via Jaubari, both villages in Nepal. We took the hiking
trail, which passed through dense forests and meadows, and was
much more scenic than the motor road.
That day I got a great company of Arvind bhaiya and we were in
lead this day…. From Garibus there was also a route which was
from Nepal, and between the route of India and Nepal, there was
a hill, as we both were in lead we climbed that point, this point had
a great 360* view.Through the forest, the trail climbs to a flattish
top from where we could visually trace the route all the way to
Sandakphu, which stood tall before us “AB TOH, LAGA YE KAISE
HOGA”.The trail then descended from this point and a 20 minute
trek will land you in a beautiful meadow with majestic views of
wide valleys. To our right it was India, and to our left it was Nepal.
We also saw the border stone there.

8. We took abreak at Kaiyakatta, which was nearly 2 km away and the trail to reach
there includeda steep climb of 1.5 km from gairibus. we had our packed lunch
here and also we bought hot noodles from a small shop. There were steps cut
into the mountain for trekkers like us. One also has the choice of trekking on the
winding motor road, which gives fantastic views of the Nepal side. On the way we
also the freezed streams of water.
Kalipokhri, our final destination for the day, was 4 km from Kaiyakatta. The trail
goes on a steep road. This was a beautiful trail on which we were able
encounter many kinds of birds.
After 1.5-2 hours, we reached a bean-shaped black lake surrounded by waving
Buddhist prayer flags. It was Kalipokhri, which translates to Black Lake. There
were small Buddhist temple at the opposite end of the lake. That particular
time we were actually standing on the border between India and Nepal. A 10
minute walk from the pond lead us the campsite. There was also a motor road
from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu but was too risky…… the road was in Nepal.
Bharat uncle got the best room for three of us, which became much
comfortable.
Also, this lake froze in Night. We spent our time in Kalipokhri by playing frisbee
with mates followed by Antakshari in evening, Heard very old songs.

9. DAY 5:- Kalipokhri(10500 ft) to Sandakphu(12000 ft)
Took a break and had tea and coffee at Bikheybhanjang and had a look at the peak of Sandakphu it was almost at an inclined
angle of 80*, which lied ahead of us. The trail from there to Sandakphu was very steep incline of 4 km and zigzags up the hill. We
could choose between two routes here – the left one which goes via Nepal and is a longer trail with a gradual ascent, or the more
popular shorter route with a steep ascent.
The toughest route started from Bikheybhanjang to Sandakphu, it was fully ascend and we had to climb a lot. On each ZIG and on
every ZAG dad ate peppermints .An hour’s steep ascent on the second route followed by around 15 minutes of level walk that let us
to the place where trails from Nepal and India converge and further break up. We could see huts and tea stalls dotting the
Sandakphu landscape. Reaching sandakphu, gave a great feeling of Achievement and it gave us immense pleasure and joy of
satisfaction in our mind. Bharat uncle was the first one to reach Sandakphu and there also 2 best rooms were apprehended by
Bharat unce.
The main attraction of the whole trek was this spot and the 180-degree panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks, one of the world’s
most coveted panoramas. MAKALU, LHOTSE, EVEREST, Nuptse, Baruntse, Chamling(the wall about 7200 metres), Chomolonzo,
Machapucchare, Pandim ranges, and other peaks of the Annapurna range spread out towards the west. THREE SISTER PEAKS
stand tall towards the north and of course, THE SLEEPING BUDDHA lied before us. Towards the east, you see the highest ranges
of Bhutan, where Chomolhari the highest peak, rises above all the others. From that point we could easily count 17 Mountains
serially in same eyesight of many kilometers.

10. Even due to temperature less than freezing point, all the water tanks
froze also the water were boiled from that ice.
That day was really tiring, but still the day not over yet. It was nearly
a 2.5 km walk from Sandakphu to the another mountain and was
nearly 1500 ft more elevated from sandakphu. By the way reaching
there was an easy task and even the Kanchanjunga became
Orangish from there and even the clouds were like rivers there as
they are never above us, always in the valleys.
When Kanchanjunga became orange it was a surprise package,
seeing the Mighty Kanchanjunga I thought that it is just the
relationship between ME and MOUNTAINS which makes my life
beautiful!!After this trek am thinking to do atleast 2 treks a year!
Returning from the sunset point was totally opposite of going as the
temperature went less than -6*c and we had to return 2.5 km but even
walking this much, marginal opportunity cost did not fall. I don’t like to eat
khichdi in Ahmedabad but I loved it at Sandakphu. I, papa and Bharat
uncle ate a big bowl of khichdi there.

11. Day 6:- Sandakphu(12000 ft) to Gurdum( 9514 ft )
It was a chilled morning with temperature less that -6 degrees woke up at 5 am for
a beautiful sunrise. Weather was very cloudy so visiblitiy was very low, but the
clouds opened up on the top of kanchanjunga, it was mesmerising but everest
ranges were not visible.
Famous quote says “close your eyes and see the beauty” mine says “open your
eyes and see the real beauty”.
We went to the campsite for the breakfast and packing our rucksacks again for the
next climb actually, a hard decent.
We were given important instructions from our camp leader Khamsong Sherpa
and Umesh uncle gave us some important tips for a decent. It was nearly 8 we
started us trail, we were also told not to make noise as the area between
Sandakphu to Gurdum are Bamboo forests and the chance for spotting RED
PANDAS were very high in this region actually Red pandas come under category
of CRITICALLY UNDANGERED species, but our luck wasn’t enough. But the part
of decent was the White to Green Transformations, which was wonderful.

12. It was decent about roughly 21 kms. Reaching Gurdum was a fantastic moment. Despite Gurdum being a very nice place, the experience
there was really bad as YHAI’s (youth of hostel India) laws were violeted by the GROUP LEADER as well as DEPUTY GROUP LEADER and
by the CAMP LEADERS and some others. We played cards and just moved around the place, many experience were shared by Atul uncle
and also Arvind bhaiya.
DAY 7:- Gurdum(9514 ft) to Rimbik(7600 ft) via Sirikhola( 3572
ft)
Weather at Gurdum was not appropriate as it was to foggy and raining, so
even after waking up at 6 we could start our journey to Rimbik at 10 which was
late. From our guide Rajan bhaiya we knew that at Sandakphu there was
heavy snowfall. Trek to rimbik started with a decent till Sirikhola( Siri meaning
river and Khola means Opening, the village was named after opening of the
river),due to rain we could see waterfalls and the weather beacme much more
pleasant ofcourse colder than it was!!
There was steep climb from Sirikhola, the altitude of rimbik was 4000 ft more
then sirikhola. The view was really beatiful but the trail was hard. We all had
our lunch beside the river, there was nothing for Jain people so, I and papa
ate maggie. From there I and arvind bhaiya led our group and we were the
first to reach Rimbik, Rimbik was small village but wonderful as it was full of
colors.
Here we met Parmar uncle again, and we could see the market and roam in the
village. At night we had Grand Buffet followed by certificate distribution. I was
the youngest participant there.

13. DAY 8:- Rimbik(7600 ft) to Darjeeling(6700
ft)
The morning was pleasant and it was a clear sunny day. We had a heavy breakfast, started early as scheduled for down with joy of full
satisfaction and intension to reach base camp. That day it was to walk just 2 kms till the car stop. It was decending drive through lush green
jungle of Sangalila forest. We reached Darjeeling base camp successfully.
MY INTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS:-
The trekking in Himalaya is most natural way of exploring wonders of himalayas. I really felt that there is nothing special in Hill Station
Darjeeling except cool weather (comparing to Ahmedabad) as against Trekkink we enjoyed.
When my father asked that what you gained from trekking in addition to some tiring moments, I thought and by remembering some
discussions between participants, and during the Certificate Distribution Ceremony, I replied,” Pappa, it is difficult to calculate but
eventhough, I will say, Self dependency, Patience, Physical Fitness, Ability to face unforeseen circumstances created by nature,
Relationship building, Sense of Responsibility, Sense of sharing, Deciding amounts of calculating risks, Self Reliance and
Leadership…………
Written By-
Rajas Mehta
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