Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari

Witness the phenomenal presence and beauty of Kanchenjunga and The Sleeping Buddha from sandakphu - The highest point of West Bengal

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Duration
5 Days, 4 Nights
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Altitude:
3636m
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Grade:
Easy
how we grade
👍
Best Time:
Jan - May, Sep - Dec
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Temperatures:
-5 to 7 during winters. -1 to 10 during summers. Upper reaches are colder. Lower reaches are warm
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Starts From:
Maneybhanjyang
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Airport:
Bagdogra, West Bengal
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Railway:
New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Key Geographical Highlights

20 Popular Peaks:

Chamlang ( 7319m ), Chomo Lonzo ( 7818m ), Jannu ( 7710m ), Machhapuchhare ( 6993m ), Makalu ( 8462m ), Mount Everest ( 8850m ), Nuptse ( 7861m ), Chomolhari ( 7314m ), Kanchenjunga ( 8586m ), 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 )

1 High Passes:

Singalila Top ( 3700m )

1 Lakes:

Kalapokhari ( 3012m )

3 Villages:

Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang

1 National Parks Or Forest Reserve:

Singalila National Park

Reach Maneybhanjyang find other treks

Daywise Itinerary For Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari

(click to read detailed route briefing, elevation graph, altitude time info and photos from the day)

▼ Day 1Arrival DayManeybhanjyang 2040m
Arrive In Maneybhanjyang
Overnight In: Maneybhanjyang (2040m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Cost Of Transport Included: YES
Where and How To Reach Maneybhanjyang
Embark on an invigorating early morning journey from either NJP (New Jalpaiguri) or Bagdogra, setting out on a scenic drive to the enchanting village of Maneybhanjyang. Your route will weave through the picturesque locales of Mirik and Sukhiapokhari, revealing the serene beauty and verdant landscapes of the region. Revel in the tranquility and the gentle curves of the hills as you make your way through these charming hill stations.

Your culinary needs will be well-catered to throughout the day. Enjoy a delightful lunch that promises to tantalize your taste buds with local flavors, followed by a relaxing evening tea accompanied by scrumptious snacks, perfect for refueling after a day of travel. As the day winds down, a hearty dinner awaits, offering a perfect blend of warmth and comfort to end your day.

Travel in style and comfort in a spacious Innova, ensuring a smooth and pleasant drive. Upon arrival in Maneybhanjyang, settle into the cozy embrace of a local homestay. This accommodation provides a unique opportunity to experience genuine hospitality and a glimpse into the daily life of the Himalayan foothills. It's the perfect setting for an intimate and memorable stay in the heart of the mountains. Prepare to immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of Maneybhanjyang, where the beauty of nature meets the warmth of local culture.
Day 1
200 - New Jalpaiguri
Day 1
1500 - Mirik
Day 1
2040 - Maneybhanjyang
100Km, 4hrs.
▼ Day 2Landrover DayTumling 2800m
From Maneybhanjyang (2040m ) To Tumling (2800m ), Via - Chitre (2400m ) - 2 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Tumling (2800m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today we drive from Maneybhanjyang to Tumling via the high point of Chitre and the beautiful Meghma village. The drive is short, but we are here to enjoy the view and hence we stop by for sightseeing and go slow.
- Chitre: This quaint hilltop village offers panoramic views of the mighty Kanchenjunga in a clear day. The layers of valleys downhill are just breathtaking under the blue sky. The main attraction here is the Chitre Monastery, a peaceful retreat that showcases vibrant Buddhist culture and art.
- Meghma: Almost always covered in mist and clouds, Meghma as the name suggests, offers a mystical experience. The village is dotted with small gompas (monasteries), set against a backdrop of lush greenery and enveloped in clouds, creating a serene and almost otherworldly atmosphere.
- Tumling: Your final stop for the day, Tumling is a small hamlet known for its breathtaking sunset and sunrise views over the Kanchenjunga range. It's a perfect spot for nature lovers looking to unwind and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Himalayas. Stay overnight in a cozy homestay and experience the warm local hospitality.
Day 2
2040 - Maneybhanjyang
Day 2
2400 - Chitre
Day 2
2800 - Tumling
12Km, 2hrs.
▼ Day 3Landrover DaySandakphu 3636m
From Tumling (2800m ) To Sandakphu (3636m ), Via - Kalapokhri (3180m ), Gairibas (2832m ) - 3 Hrs. 14 Kms
Overnight In: Sandakphu (3636m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today the road climbs steadily, offering increasingly magnificent views of the Eastern Himalayas, including the peaks of Lhotse and Everest to the west and Kanchenjunga to the east. Sandakphu, the highest peak in West Bengal is renowned for its panoramic views of the world’s tallest peaks and offers a spectacular natural setting for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. This route not only challenges the travelers but also rewards them with some of the most spectacular mountain views and unique ecological spots en route.

Enroute, we stop by for sightseeing at multiple points on the route
- Kalipokhari Lake: One of the key highlights of this journey is the Kalipokhari Lake. This serene and sacred lake is surrounded by dark pine forests and is believed to never freeze, even in the harshest winters. The dark waters of the lake and the peaceful environment make it a captivating stop. The spot is further beautified by a small Chorten and lots furling prayer flags hyming Om Mane Padme Hum
- Bikeybhanjyang: Also referred to as the "Valley of Poison" due to the abundance of poisonous aconite plants found here. Despite its foreboding name, Bikeybhanjyang is a pleasant spot for a brief rest before tackling the final climb to Sandakphu.
- Final Ascent to Sandakphu: The road from Bikeybhanjyang to Sandakphu is steep and challenging, offering a thrilling drive. This last stretch is where the landscape starts to open up, providing stunning views of the Eastern Himalayas. The ascent culminates at Sandakphu, situated at an elevation of about 3,636 meters (11,929 feet). From here, you can witness a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.
Day 3
2800 - Tumling
Day 3
3180 - Kalapokhri
Day 3
2835 - Gairibas
Day 3
3640 - Sandakphu
14Km, 3hrs.
▼ Day 4Landrover DayPhalut 3600m
From Sandakphu (3635m ) To Phalut (3600m ), Via - Sabargram (3500m ) - 2 Hrs. 19 Kms
Overnight In: Phalut (3600m )
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Drive through the scenic trails connecting Sandakphu to Phalut. This is the most bveautiful stretch of the entire journey.
- Sabargram: just 7 kilometers before Phalut, Sabargram is a perfect place to immerse in the quietude of nature. It offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan range and is a great spot for a short rest and to take in the majestic scenery.
- Phalut: Standing at an altitude of about 3,600 meters, Phalut is one of the highest peaks in the region and provides one of the most splendid views of the mountain ranges, especially of Kanchenjunga and Everest. It's a serene location for an overnight stay, often in trekkers' huts, allowing for an evening under the stars and a morning greeted by a stunning sunrise over the peaks.
Phalut is the remotest location in this stretch and according expectations should be set for the homestay and food if you want to experience the natural beauty of this place.
Day 4
3635 - Sandakphu
Day 4
3500 - Sabargram
Day 4
3600 - Phalut
19Km, 2hrs.
▼ Day 5Departure DayNew Jalpaiguri / Bagdogra 200m
Departure From Phalut
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch
Cost Of Transport Included: YES
We drive back through the scenic winding road down through Tumling and Maneybhanjyang. Upon reaching Maneybhanjyang, switch from the Land Rover to a more comfortable Innova, which is better suited for the smoother roads ahead. In Maneybhanjyang, we have our lunch and relax a bit before the final leg of your journey to NJP or Bagdogra.
Day 5
3600 - Phalut
Day 5
3640 - Sandakphu
Day 5
2050 - Maneybhanjyang
Day 5
200 - New Jalpaiguri / Bagdogra
140Km, 8hrs.

Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari introduction

Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari - An Elaborate Description

Sandakphu is a very popular place and the highest point of West Bengal. It offers a great view of over 26 famous peaks of the Himalayas including the Everest and Kanchenjunga. The cluster of Everest has 3 of the tallest mountains in the World namely Everest itself along with Lhotse and Makalu. The panorama extends till the Annapurna range and slight pinch of Macchapucchare. While towards the right, the Kanchenjunga Massif along with its family forms the Sleeping Buddha with 16 other peaks. The view of the sun rising and the glowing mountains in the golden cover are just breathtaking and simply unbelievable.

People often take an easier way to reach Sandakphu and Phalut and the landrover road helps many Himalayan lovers who wish to witness the beauty of the Sandakphu. The Landrover safari takes you through the Singalila National Park on a rough road, It follows the route of Maneybhanjyang - Tumling - Kalipokhari - Sandakphu - Phalut - Maneybhanjyang. On popular demand, we have opened the landrover tour package of Sandakphu and Phalut which works as the best plan to visit this place. It takes care of all the hassles and you are just required to arrive in NJP or Bagdogra. We will pick you up and drop you back. All of the rest is covered in the package. Read more details.

TheSleeping Buddha as seen from Sandakphu and Phalut
The Everest Cluster extending to the Annapurna range as seen from Sandakphu and Phalut

Lali Guras or Red Rhododendrons

Interesting Customizations To Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari:

Adding Extra Night In Kalipokhari On Return:

Kalipokhari is a beautiful lake enroute Sandakphu. While we move towards Sandakphu on Day 2 of our plan, we do get the time and see this lake nicely. However, spending a night here in the beautiful village, which is mostly covered by fog and mist. The local homestays are beautiful which are further topped up with warm hospitality and awesome food! Kalippokhari is a very good location for sitting animals and especially the innumerous birds of the Singalila National Park. A small stroll with the camera out of the main village will open up immense opportunities for wildlife sighting on this route.

small chorten near kalipokhari

Trekking From Sandakphu To Phalut Within The Same Itinerary:

On the same plan as above, we can add a small trek between Ssandakphu to Phjalut which is the best trekking route on this route. The route is quite and winds through the forest of Magnolias and Rhododendrons and innumerous other wildflowers. The forest opens up as a wide meadow giving long and unrestricted views of the Mount Everest and its neighbouring peaks like Lhotse, Makalu, Chamlang, Chomolonzo, etc. It's an unbelievable panorama to witness and walking beside it with is just so refreshing. Although the distance between Sandakphu and Phalut is 21 Kilometers, the trail is flattish and takes about 7 hours of walk to reach Phalut from Sandakphiu. To ease out on the difficulties, the Landrover can wait for you in Sabargram and reduce 7 Kilometers of the trek. Do note that Sabargram top offers one of the best views of the mountains around.

Kanchenjunga with Kabru Sisters as seen from Sandakphu and Phalut

Trekking Downhill From Phalut To Srikhola ( + 2 Days ):

Here is a plan that extracts the best out of this entire region with minimum effort. That is driving till Phalut and then trekking down to Srikhola via Gorkhey. This irradicates all the difficulties of the Sandakphu Phalut trek as you do the climbs on the landrover, and descend down from Phalut till Srikhola, which is not as difficult as ascending to Sandakphu from Maneybhanjyang. Also, it gives you the experience of trekking in the wild forest of the Himalayas and makes out a way to visit Gorkhey and Samanden, which is very beautiful, serene and full of birds around. The descend down to Gorkhey will be a descend of about 10 kilometres and will take you around 4 - 5 hours. It's through the forest. We will stay the night in Gorkhey.

Next Day, we will start our trek in the morning and descend down to Srikhola. The trek route os beautiful through the deep forest of the Singalila National Park and it takes about 5 hours to complete the descend via Samanden and Rammam. Vehicles will be waiting for you in Srikhola and after having a farewell lunch in Sepi, we will bid goodbyes with a promise to meet again in the mountains somewhere else.

Beautiful offroad to Phalut

Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari highlights

Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari - Why Its A Must-Do

4 of Worlds highest 8000 meter peaks - Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Kanchenjunga
Panorama of more than 26 peaks of Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Chomolhari, Narsing, Jupono, Tenchenkhang, Pandim, Simvo, Goecha Peak, Forked Peak, Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna, Frey, Rathong, Koktang, South Kabru, North Kabru, 3 sister peaks, Everest, Makalu, Chamling, Chomolonzo, Lhotse, Nuptse, Baruntse, Macchapucchare, etc
The famous 'Sleeping Buddha' - The Kanchenjunga family of mountains appears like a big man lying on his back which is reffered to as holy, and called The Sleeping Buddha.
Rhododendron forest in the Himalayas. Rhododendrons bloom during late March to early July.
Birding and animal sight, if lucky.
Sandakphu, West Bengal's highest point is famous for the deadly aconite flowers.
Sunrise and sunset on snow cladded mountain peaks making them look like golden crowns.
Lepcha and Nepali cultural trek. Lepchas are the intrinsic tribes of Darjeeling region.
Borderline treks which swings between India and Nepal multiple times. The villages that comes on the way are very beautiful.

How We Grade Our Treks and Expeditions

Easy

Usual daily walks of 4 - 5 hours in altitude below 4000 meters. The sleeping altitude on these treks are below 4000 meter and the trails are gradual involving no steep ascent or descent. Sometimes, the trail may be longer, but on level trails. The duration of trek may be a week or lesser than it. The trek is not too remote and evacuation might be possible from almost any point of the trek

Moderate

The trek duration each day may span from 4 - 5 hours, but on some days, it may push up to 8 - 9 days. The trail might involve steep ascents or descents on occasions This kind of treks demand good fitness, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude are below 4000 meters or little above it, but the trail might go as high as 4500 - 5000 meters. The trek is bit remote and evacuation might be possible from almost all, but not all campsites

Moderate+

This type of treks are bit more demanding than the moderate ones. It might involve few days of very long walks at higher altitude, or serious gradients, exposures, more remote or involves sleeping at higher altitudes for more days.

Strenuous

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Good fitness are demand of these treks, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude may go above 4000 meters or little above it on couple of days, but not more than that. The trail might go as high as 4500 - 5200 meters. These trek are remote and evacuation might not be possible from all the campsites

Challenging

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Crossing a glacier or a scree zone might be a feature of these treks. You might on some occasions, require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high or remote or both. The trek usually might be a week long.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Challenging+

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Negotiating glacial moraines, scree zones, crossing them, camping on them etc are features of these treks. You might also require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high and remote. A good technical support team and knowledgeable local guide is a must. Only experienced trekkers are advised to do these treks. The trek goes over 2 week and may be longer than that.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Cost Terms For The Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari

Cost Terms

The above-mentioned cost is in the range of minimum to maximum per-person cost for this trek as per 1 - 12 people team.PackageInclusions as per this cost can be read below.
5% GST (goods and service tax) is applicable for all our purchases.
We follow dynamic pricing as per the actual team size on the trek. Going by our standardized service, appropriate safety measures, quality equipment, and ecologically sustainable - small group commitment, a higher team size will lower the cost whereas a lower team size will significantly increase the cost.
Group segmented pricing if not provided here, please write to us using the contact page or text us on Whatsapp number +918017216725.
You may choose to keep the trek open or make it private depending upon your requirements or choice. The actual per-person cost of the trek is subject to the actual team size joining the trek. If you make any customizations that drastically change the itinerary and cost as mentioned here, then it will mandatorily have to be a private group only.
If we have dates listed on our website on Our Upcoming Treks and it is not marked as private, it means other people have booked this trek for that date and have opened it up for other members to join to lower the cost. If your dates and choices match, you may join these treks
You may join an existing open group listed on our website or create your own group as per your convenient dates and choose to either keep it private or open it up to lower the cost if other members join the trek.
At any point, the team size cannot be more than 12 members ( 10 for challenging treks) unless there is a unique exception requested or agreed upon by all the team members.

International Guests

Trek cost for foreigners is slightly higher than the cost for our Indian guests, mainly due to the higher permit fee applicable for admission to National Parks or protected forest areas. Sometimes, it may be higher due to higher local crew wages and other specific arrangements we make to ensure a safe, comfortable and enriching travel experience in India. However, we absolutely DO NOT 'hyper-charge' our International Guests ever and at the same time, ensure that we meet all the standards for highly qualified trek leaders and guides, safety, medical preparation, evacuation strategy, rescue arrangements, eco-sensitive travel, high-value knowledge sharing about the area and customs of the locals.

Extra Cost For International Trekkers Rs. 2000 per person.

Booking Process

Booking can only be done after multiple communication via email / Whatsapp / Calls. After connecting with us and discussing your needs, we finalize the trek and its requirements. After finalization, partial booking fees can be paid online or through direct bank transfers after which we trigger our preparations and arrangements for your trek. International Trekkers can pay the partial booking fees using PayPal, Wise, Western Union or Direct Wire Transfer.

Customized Private Group For Sandakphu Phalut Landrover Safari

Trekking is a very personal activity and is perhaps one of the very few activities that give you enough time to indulge with yourself or your beloved people, a group of special friends, or close family members. It helps you transform personal bonds to the next level as it brings out everyone's best and truest self. Trekking is most enjoyed when it is done in a small private group, personalized to serve your specific needs. The Himalayas are best experienced when there is silence and solitude around and when you are surrounded only by your best people. Your trek is most enjoyable when all the pain of arranging a smooth trek is taken care of by us, and you focus just on your trek and yourself. Most importantly, a small private trekking group is very flexible, personalized, and more enjoyable, is the safest, and follows the principles of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism. Most trekkers book us for arranging personalized private treks catering to their specific and unique requirements - Customize This Trek

ENQUIRE FOR PRICING

We work exclusively on Personalized Private Groups – its perfect for solo climbers, couples, families, friends or teams.

We keep it small for low ecological footprint, better experience, flexible itinerary, highest safety standards and superior success rate on the summits. Team size: 1 to 10 max.

Enquire for detailed pricing based on your preferences and group size.

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