Sandakphu Trek With Phalut

The Sandakphu Phalut Trek is open after the 3rd wave of Omnicron. We have opened our booking once again for this trek and have batches every Saturday arrival in Siliguri or Maneybhanjyang>

Classified Spring months are from February end till Early May.

During the Spring season, the Sandakphu Trek turns into a colourful fairyland due to the blooming of myriads of rare species of Rhododendrons, Magnolias and so many other wildflowers and bushes which are unique to this region. The flowers spread intoxicating fragrance to the beautiful trail that winds up gently through the thick forest cover. By the end of February snow recedes exposing the wet ground to air when lots of flowers and bushes bloom. Fog adds to the extra element to beautify the trek further. Temperatures go below sub-zero here even during the Spring season, especially in Phalut. It can often drizzle or snow anytime during the Spring months.

Classified Autumn months are from October Mid till late December.

If you want to witness clear skies and barrier-free views of over 26 mountain peaks visible from Sandakphu autumn is the best time to visit. The weather starts to get drier and stable after the monsoon recedes by the end of September. The leaves and grasses slowly turn brown from green. Skies remain clear giving you excellent views of the mesmerizing Himalayan peaks of Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. It gets colder and drier day by day, and often very windy. The higher camps start to go below subzero temperatures during the night. Days are sunny and warm.

Classified Winter months are from late December to late till February mid.

It's a short but sharp winter on the Sandakphu trek. Snowfall typically happens during or after Christmas. If you want to witness a Snow-Covered Sandakphu Trek, then Christmas, New year, months of January, and February are the best time to visit. It's cold here during the winters and temperature drops below minus 5 degrees Celsius on higher camps. The whole of the high alpine meadow of Sandakphu and beyond till Phalut gets converted into a white playground covered with snow. Descending down through the snow-covered jungle trail makes it a thrilling and romantic trek at the same time.

Sandakphu receives fresh snowfall almost 6 - 10 times a year during the Winter. The concentration of snowfall on the Sandakphu Trek typically happens during the end of the year around Christmas and goes on till the mid of February. Snowfall usually measures about 4 - 6 inches in higher reaches of Sandakphu and Phalut, while often crossing that limit on a few bad days. Once or twice a year, snowfall brings up a cheerful surprise even to the people of the lower reaches of Kalipokhari, Tumling till Maneybhanjyang, and Darjeeling as well. This typically happens in January and February. Here, 2 years of heavy snow is followed by a year of low snowfall.

Currently, the weather in Sandakphu is doing great after a few bad spells and a hailstorm day last week in the Phalut region. Hailstorms are a common thing once a twice a year on this trek route, especially the Phalut region. All our groups are doing well.

Sandakphu Trek is one of the best treks to do in the Himalayas and in different seasons, it offers different beauty. However, whenever you do, this trek will always be worth doing. Depending upon your likes, you may choose the time of the year. I have explained this in brief detail below.

• If you want to see fresh snowfall in Sandakphu: If this is what interests you, then you need to do this trek in the months of December, January, and early February. Walking through the dense coniferous jungle with its leaves covered with snow over a white carpet of snow feels amazing. The wide-open meadow towards Phalut is the best part of this trek route. Not to miss the tall peaks that can be seen even during this time, especially in the early morning hours. Remember, it snows even in march here, but occasionally.
• If you like Colourful Rhododendrons And Magnolias On the Sandakphu Trek: During the end of February, flowers start to bloom as soon as they start to get little warmth from the heavenly sun. The months of the Spring season spanning from mid-February to early May offer a wide array of colours and fragrances as rare species of rhododendrons and magnolias bloom. Apart from the classic views of the Grand Panorama of over 26 Himalayan Peaks, this adds to yet another thrilling experience on the trek during this time. The entire trek route is filled with fragrances, some of which are intoxicating as well.
• If you like Clear Blue Skies, Stable Weather and Scenic Panorama From Sandakphu: The post-monsoon season of Autumn from October till early December makes it the perfect time for lots of rare tiny colourful flowers and orchids to blossom, beautifying the trek route. The weather during this time is very stable and most of the time the sky is devoid of any cloud, offering an unimaginable blue background to the white snow clad tall Himalayan peaks

The temperature in Sandakphu and Phalut starts to go below the freezing point from the end of November and is very windy. Water freezes forming verglasses by morning. The Day temperature ranges between 8 - 14 degrees Celcius. Temperatures in the lower points on this trek like Maneybhanjyang, Tumling, Srikhola, etc ranges between 3 - 8 degrees Celcius in the night while hitting 10 - 16 degrees Celcius during the day. Being closer to the Bay Of Bengal, the weather often gets unpredictable here and it might be very chilly even in the lower villages. It can rain anytime bringing the temperature further down. The higher points of Sandakphu and Phalut is very windy and calls for good windproof wear. The wind chill factor may bring down the temperature to a freezingly cold experience on this trek. So be careful! Summers are a little warm and comfortable.

There are lots of mammals that live in the Singalila National Park, namely - Red Panda, Himalayan black bear, Clouded leopard, Serow, Takin, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Pika. Many species of birds too live in this park, namely - Scarlet Minivet, Kalij Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Brown and Fulvous, Parrotbills, Rufous-Vented Tit, Fire-Tailed, Myzornis, Golden-Breasted Fulvetta. Most of the flora include Bamboo, Oak, Magnolia, Rhododendron, Primula, Geranium, Saxifraga, Bistort, Senecio, Cotoneaster, etc.

There are homestays throughout the Sandakphu Phalut trek route. These are simple rooms with all the required basic amenities like clean rooms and linens, a clean wet toilet that might be attached or shared, tasty food, and many many welcoming smiles. Beddings and linens will be provided by the homestay owners. Food served in the homestays is simple, tasty, and nutritious. You should not expect too much understanding that we are in some of the remotest parts of the Himalayas. Toilets are clean, either western or eastern seats with running tap water or in buckets. In our package, all stays are arranged in local homestays. It will mostly be in 3 or 4 sharing rooms with a single bed each. If required, you may book private rooms at extra cost. If rooms aren't available, we will arrange private tents for you.

Anyone who is generally fit with no cardiac problems should be able to complete the Sandakphu and Phalut trek without any problems. When we say 'Generally Fit', we mean he/she should be able to run a 6Km marathon and should be able to complete it. He need not come first but possess the stamina and powerful mindset to complete it with honesty. Having strong legs, shoulders and core strength helps a lot. Cycling, Swimming, or brisk walking should help build stamina. Plank helps strengthen your back and core. A few pushups and chin-ups should strengthen your shoulders and back muscles. Do note that you need not be a champion in a marathon or be a bodybuilder. You just need to have a positive mindset and a generally fit body used to exercises.

Yes, Beginners can very well do the Sandakphu Trek. However, they need to mind a few things before they venture to do this trek.

• Sandakphu Trek, like any other Himalayan trek, requires preparation. Long walks, steep climbs and descends, slippery terrain, freezing cold temperatures, rain and snow are a few of the difficulties you need to overcome on this trek. General fitness and a body used to exercise are basic necessities of this trek
• The accommodations and food on the trek are very basic, but up to the mark. This kind of minimalistic living conditions for multiple days can very well test your adaptability, which is a very important factor for any Himalayan trek
• You need to do it with a good support team who would motivate you throughout the trek. A good specialist team helps you understand and overcome the challenges of the trek very easily like an elder brother or a friend.
• You need to be a good listener and heed the instructions and advice given to you by the trek leader.

• The Sandakphu Trek and the Sandakphu Phalut Trek route is very safe from all the concerns of Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS).
• 95% of the trek route is below tree line and natural oxygen is readily available from the huge trees hovering above and around you.
• The open meadow of Phalut is above the tree line and here too since the altitude is just 3600 meters, it is safe from AMS concerns.
• The itinerary which we follow is a very well-planned one and helps prevent AMS with controlled altitude gain. 
• The homestays where we sleep on the Sandakphu trek are warm and cozy and helps in good Comfortable sleep. This further helps a lot in acclimatization and keeping AMS away.
• Every evening we go on slight walks in around for views and this too helps acclimatization and keep AMS away.
• Considering these facts, the Sandakphu Phalut trek is very safe from the perspective of AMS.

Having said all these, we also need to draw attention to our planned food menu on the trek which is focussed and rehydrating your body and keeping it warm which is a key factor in prevention from AMS. There is no substitute for acclimatization in the mountains. With Himalayan High, we prefer to acclimatize naturally and do not advise you to pop in Diamox without any need or without understanding your body. Historically, none of our trekkers faced AMS issues on this trek. There were a few minor cases of exhaustion we experienced on this trek, which was more of a fitness problem and resolved on rest and slow ascends.

• Trail Safety: The trekking route of the Sandkaphu Phalut is very safe. The route might be longer but is not treacherous or risky at all.
• Excessive Snowfall: Excessive snowfall may disrupt your schedule in January or February. However, in such a situation, we prioritize your safety and comfort and provide you with the best alternate route to complete the trek safely.
• High Altitude and AMS: This route is very safe in terms of High Altitude and AMS. Our trek itinerary is well planned to keep the altitude factor in mind. There are natural trees providing a natural source of oxygen except for the camp of Phalut. We carry oxygen cylinders with us as a precautionary safety measure.
• Emergency Exit: Though the trekking route is different, the Sandakphu Phalut trek is also accessible by road making it less risky in case of adversities. For a medical emergency, we carry a first aid kit, oxygen cylinder, and our Trek Leader monitors the trekker team every evening by analyzing behavioral changes, physiology, and vitals with a pulse oximeter. He will the first responder to an emergency.
• Water On Trek: Water on this trek route is safe. It is sourced from natural streams and then filtered to be used. You should take precautions as per your own sensitivity and use water purification tablets or UV sterilized bottles like Steripen.
• Women Safety: It is typically very safe for women in the Himalayas. The locals respect them and treat them well. However, it must be noted that local culture and sentiments must be respected.

The Last ATM point on the Sandakphu trek route is Sukhiapokhari or Ghoom which is about 30 minutes before arrival in Maneybhanjyang. After you finish your trek, there is an ATM in Rimbik. However, we would suggest arranging for your cash in Sukhiapokhari or Ghoom itself beyond which you won't find any reliable ATMs

Sandakphu Phalut Trek has a fair amount of mobile connectivity and is improving day by day. Vodafone, Jio, and Airtel work very well in Maneybhanjyang while Airtel, BSNL, Jio, and Vodafone works sparingly on the trek as well. Jio and Airtel work well from a few spots in Sandakphu. Nepal's NCell works well on a few spots and your guide might be having it. Often the mobile towers work from specific corners or heights which your guide would be knowing. Nearing the end of the trek point, mobile towers, and the internet starts to work well once you reach Rammam.

Nowadays, very good, consistent, and reliable Internet connection through mobile data on Airtel and Jio is available in the trek starting of Maneybhanjyang and endpoints like Ramam, Srikhola, and Sepi. On the trek route till Sandakphu, the homestays on the Nepal side are currently offering internet connections through WiFi at a little extra cost varying from Rs. 50 - 200 on an hourly basis. Do note that the WiFi internet is not good enough to work on your laptops and hence keep them away from the trek, kindly. Phalut is the remotest part of this trek route and hence is the most beautiful as well as you are much closer to the mountains. It does not have any working internet availability so far which is good for the trek. Gorkhey too is currently not connected well to the internet. From Rammam, internet starts to work well again.

Maneybhanjyang is the starting point of the Sandakphu Trek and the Sandakphu Phalut Trek. It is a small and peaceful village very close to Darjeeling but fairly distanced from the hustle-bustle of a crowded city. A simple walk around the village of Maneybhanjyang will bring you close to the happy, cheerful, helpful and welcoming people of this belt. Many different tribes stay here in mutual harmony and work in the field of tourism and agriculture. This is a border village with Nepal and sitting security personnel is a common view here. Nepal is just a few minutes walk from here and in fact, on the trek to Sandakphu and Phalut, we stay in Nepal for 3 nights out of 6. It has a few homestays, shops and a taxi stand. People here love football and often matches are conducted on the football field down in the village. Momos, Thukpa, Sausages are common street food here.

Majority of the people of the Sandakphu Phalut Trek follow the Hindu or Buddhist faith. On the trek route, there are many Monasteries and Chortens. The Monastery of Chitre and Meghma is a very popular monastery on the trek route. The small chorten beside the Kalipokhari lake looks very pristine. Tibetan Prayer Flags furls on many sites, homestays, lakes, and summits. You also find rock inscriptions of On Mane Padme Hun on this trek route, especially near Tumling and Kalipokhari.