Maximum Altitude: 11950 ft
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Imagine sitting above the clouds and watching the sky changing colours as the moon bid goodbye giving way to the yawning sun. The entire world wakes up and even the Sleeping Buddha at a distance has that beautiful morning glow. Aah Sandakphu!
Sandakphu is magical. No wonder some of the highest mountains dress their best and try to woo it. And Sandakphu blushes making the entire region red with those rhododendron flowers. There is so much love in the nature. You just need to pause and look.
Sandakphu is the highest point in West Bengal and one of the most picturesque treks in the region. The trek starts from Manebhanjan, a small town located in Darjeeling district. You will cross pretty Himalayan villages on your way where you stay in tree houses and wake up to the picture perfect view of Kanchenjunga Range. The third highest mountain in the world is also referred to as “The Sleeping Buddha” as it looks like a man lying on his back, with his head, tummy and feat.
It takes you through dense forests, rhododendron studded trails and scenic landscapes that will keep you engrossed and leave you awe-struck. Spring comes and paints the trek with different coloured flowers. You will find giant magnolias, spruce and wide range of wild orchids.
To make things more interesting, the trek route also passes through the Singalila National Park. While you trek through this national park, you can spot animals like the leopard cat, red panda, yellow-throated marten, barking deer, and wild boar. The national park is also rich with varieties of birds.
What makes Sandakphu one of the most popular and beloved treks is that from the top you can see four of the five highest peaks of the world. Mount Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse stand tall in the North while Kanchenjunga, your trekking partner lies in front of you. You cannot ask for a better panoramic view. Capture it in your eyes and your cameras. Magic doesn’t happen every day!
Best Time to Visit: September – April
How to Reach: You can either take a flight to the Bagdogra Airport or a train to New Jalpaiguri. From there, you can book a taxi to reach Manebhanjan which is around 4 hours drive. The option of shared taxi is also available.
Click here to read about Bali Pass, a beautiful trek in Uttarkhand!
