Sandakphu- Phalut Trek

Overview of Sandakphu- Phalut trek:

• ‘Peak of the poisonous plants’- this is the literal meaning of Sandakphu. Sandakphu bragged this name owing the fact that numerous poisonous plants grow here. Aconite (scientific name= Aconitum), Himalayan Cobra Lilies are a few to name.

• Here comes an opportunity to meditate in the lap of Himalayas with “Sleeping Buddha”. Sleeping Buddha is formed by Kumbhakarna, Korbu North, Korbu South, Mt. Kanchenjunga & Pandim which together looks like Lord Buddha sleeping, hence the name.

• Sandakphu- Phalut trek, along the Indo-Nepal border takes you to the highest point in West Bengal- Sandakphu (11926 ft.). It is an unique feeling as you move between these countries without any restriction several time during the trek.

• Phalut (11811 ft.), the second highest peak of West Bengal & a part of Singalila National Park is another table top on the same Singalila ridge. Mt. Kanchenjunga is closest from here during the entire trek (about 48kms along a straight line). The word ‘Phalut’ is derived from Lepcha (language of Lepcha tribe in Darjeeling) word ‘Fak-Luk’, means ‘Barren Peak’. Once there, you will actually realize that Phalut is true to its name. It is strikingly barren as compared to the rest of Singalila National Park. The native tribes in this area consider Phalut’s peak to be a God who knows everything & call him “Omna Re Ay”.

• Trail: This trail is one of the oldest trails in India. It is along the Singalila ridge which is across West Bengal, Sikkim & Nepal. It is a well laid trail across the small villages, meadows, various types of forests, streams & at times intersecting the motorable roads constructed in recent years. The view from the trail brings more than 26 peaks from Nepal, Tibet (Mt.Joguno & Narsing massifs), Sikkim, Bhutan (Mt.Chomolhari) & even Arunachal (Mt.Kangto aka., Kangte) right in front of you. You can even see the trail of the next few days winding along the ridge as you trek. Being connected by the motorable road this trail has several shops especially of edibles, at a regular interval. The trail doesn’t have steep ascends except a few segments like just before reaching Sandakphu. Hence, the most day’s trail covers a longer distance. There is no technical section on the trail.

• Motorable road: The road is partly paved with tarmac & partly with concrete from Manebhanjan till Gairibas (20 km). Rest of the roadways to Sandakphu (12 km) & further to Phalut (21 km) is still dominated by the loose boulders. However, only Land Rovers & other 4×4 SUV are capable to ply successfully on these untamed roads. The 1960s make old Land Rovers (mostly driven by Kerosene) have been rapidly replaced by the other SUVs as per the Local Authority since 2018. But you might still see a few of these historical Land Rovers heroically navigating the rough roadway. These beasts were introduced in the country by the British planters to ply to the tea gardens & have been in this region since 1930s. After the colonisers left the county, the locals started utilizing them as the local transport to and from Sandakphu.

Trek season:

Winter: December – Mid February
Spring: March – Mid April
Autumn: Late September – November

Temperature:

Winter: Day 5-10 °C / Night: -8 – 0 °C
Spring: Day 12-16 °C / Night: 0- 10 °C
Autumn: Day 10-20 °C / Night: 8-12 °C

Reaching New Jalpaiguri:

Flight: To Bagdogra Airport (the nearest one).
Train: Direct train from New Delhi.
Flight + Train: Flight to Kolkata & from there an overnight train to New Jalpaiguri.

Why Sandakphu-Phalut trek…?

• It’s the only point from where 4 out of 5 highest peaks of Himalayas can be seen in a single frame- ‘Mt.Everest’ (29,029 feet), ‘Mt.Lhotse’ (27,940 feet), ‘Mt.Makalu’ (27,838 feet) & ‘Mt.Kanchenjunga’ (28,169 feet). Between the Everest group & Kanchenjunga cluster you can locate Three sister peaks.
• The experience of trekker’s hut & the culture gives one a feeling of trekking in Nepal.
• The mixed terrain with no abrupt height gain makes it perfect for the beginners.
• The trail is across the different kind of forests: Bamboo, Rhododendron, Magnolia, Oaks, Chestnut trees, Silver firs, Pine, Birch. It’s flora has Primulas, Geranium & more than 500 kinds of orchids.
• If lucky one can get a glimpse of wildlife (Singalila National Park is home for Red pandas) & variety of flora & fauna. Shrouded Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Barking Deer, Himalayan Newt are a few of the inhabitants of Singalila National Park.
• Easy accessibility to the motorable road with adequate exit points, this trek is safer in terms of evacuation in emergency.

Winter landscape during Sandakphu- Phalut trek:

• The sunsets & sunrises are breath-taking during the winters when the horizon is splashed brightly with tangy hue.
• Winter hosts lesser tourists due to difficult accessibility via motorable road, offering serene trail, all for the trekkers.
• Snowfall at Sandakphu isn’t a heavy one, making it a good option for a snow trek, with lesser risk of trail blockage due to heavy snowfall. It is a good option as a winter trek if you want to enjoy snow trek without having a messy affair.

Spring landscape during Sandakphu- Phalut trek:

• Spring is the best season to trek in Singalila National park if you are flora lover. The trail is painted in the shades of pink-red of Rhododendrons & white Magnolias.
• March is the time when winter is taking leave. Hence, you might find occasional snow patches as you trek above 10,000 feet.
• There are high chances of rain from April which makes the landscape foggy. This might reduce the visibility of the peaks.

Autumn landscape during Sandakphhu- Phalut trek:

• Mountain views are the best during autumn when the sky is clear post-rain.
• It’s the best time for the bird-lovers to get a glimpse of various birds (Cuckoo, Hornbills, Pigeons, Golden Eagles, Migratory Birds to name a few) in the Singalila National Park.

Confirmation policy

• Email on booking@meandmountain.com or WhatsApp on +91-9051055011 the following details: Name of the participant(s), Name of the event, Date of the event, Email address (Note: This is not the Enrolment form) and proceed with the online payment either via the payment link shared via WhatsApp or the payment section on the website.
• Mode of payment: only online
• The participants will receive the Confirmation email and Ticket via email within 48 hours.
• Ater the confirmation, you will need to send the dully filled, signed and scanned forms (Enrolment, Medical & Self-declaration) to booking@meandmountain.com, before commencement of the expedition.
• The forms can be downloaded from the links below or ‘FORMS’ section in the home page.
• It is mandatory for all the participants to submit all 3 forms before the expedition, in absence of which Me and Mountain shall have a full right to deny the entry of that participant to the particular expedition.

Cancellation policy

• Cancellation done any time after the booking of the event shall be adjusted in any event later with ‘Me And Mountain Global Adventures Pvt Ltd’ only via Adjustment voucher. The Adjustment voucher will be valid for 1 year from the date of the event cancelled.
• Refer the section on Cancellation/Refund Policy for the detail cancellation policy.

Discontinuation policy

• In an event of a participant deciding on discontinuing the event mid-way due to any circumstance other than medical condition requiring emergency evacuation, he/she will require to do so by signing the ‘Discontinuation form’ after which he/she is set to go on own. In such situation the participant will neither be eligible for the Refund or the Adjustment voucher.

Fitness training:

• Cardiovascular training
• Jogging/ running
• Free hand stretching
• Walk daily at least 2-3km
• Diet recommendation:
• Consume less spicy diet at least 7 days prior to the trek.

Things to carry:

Clothing:

• 3 dry-fit T-shirts
• 2-3 pairs of trek pants
• 1 good insulated jacket- down or synthetic padded to withstand sub-zero temperature
• 1 wind + waterproof jacket
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 set of body warmer (polyester….avoid cotton fabric)
• Rain jacket/ poncho
• 4-5 pairs of socks
• Insulated gloves
• Woollen cap/ balaclava

Footwear:

• Medium range trekking shoes
• Slippers/floaters

Gears:

• Backpack- 50-60 litre with rain cover
• Daypack- 20-30 litre with rain cover
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Cap/ hat
• Quick dry towel
• Trekking poles (preferably a pair)
• Headlamp
• Water bottle (preferably of 1 litre capacity)

Other essential items:

• Toilet kit
• Personal medical kit
• Snacks for personal consumption
• Ladies: Menstrual hygiene products with zip lock bags to carry back waste for disposal. Menstrual cups are recommended over tampons /sanitary napkins.