Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Sandakphu

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Topo map
  
Google topographic map

Easiest route
  
Hiking

Elevation
  
3,636 m

Parent range
  
Singalila Ridge

Sandakphu httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommons88

Location
  
Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India

Similar
  
Phalut, Kangchenjunga, Mount Pandim, Makalu, Lhotse

Sandakphu or Sandakfu or Sandakpur (3636 m; 11,941 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. The peak is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park and has a small village on the summit with a few hostels. Four of the five highest peaks in the world, Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu can be seen from its summit. It also affords a pristine view of the entire Kangchenjunga Range.

Contents

Map of Sandakphu, 57300, Nepal

Nepal

The trekking starts from Ilam Bajar via Mai Pokhari, Maimajhuwa, Mau, Kaalpokhari Bikhe Bhyanjyang to Sandakpur.

India

The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the Eastern Himalayas due to the grand vistas of the Kangchenjunga range and the Everest range which can be seen from the ridge, and also for the seasonal wildflower blooms and birding. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 28 km (approx. 1 hour by road) from Darjeeling.

Ascent

The trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages.

  • Manebhanjan to Meghma (2600 m): This is a 4-hour trek through the lower forest. The route goes via Chitre.
  • Meghma to Gairibans (2621 m): There are two alternative trekking routes. They respectively go via Tonglu (3070 m) and Tumling (2900 m). From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari (2750 m).
  • Gairibans to Sandakphu (3636 m):
  • Sandakphu to Phalut (3600 m): It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum (3536 m) covering 21 km.

    • Descent

  • Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan.
  • A steep descent to the village of Sirikhola on the banks of the River Sirikhola, via Gurdum (2300 m), and from there to Rimbick.

    • Panorama of Peaks seen from Sandakphu and Phalut

    Baruntse ( 7220m ), Chamlang ( 7319m ), Chomo Lonzo ( 7818m ), Lhotse ( 8516m ), Machhapuchhare ( 6993m ), Makalu ( 8462m ), Mount Everest ( 8850m ), Nuptse ( 7861m ), Kanchenjunga ( 8586m ), Talung ( 7349m ), Rathong ( 6679m ), Kabru N ( 7353m ), Koktang ( 6147m ), Simvo ( 6812m ), Frey ( 5853m ), Kabru S ( 7318m ), Kabru Dome ( 6600m ), Kabru Forked ( 6100m ), Pandim ( 6691m ), Tenchenkhang ( 6010m ), Jupono ( 5650m )

    Villages At Glance: Gorkhey, Bhareng, Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Rammam, Srikhola, Sepi, Molley, Gurdum

    References

    Sandakphu Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA