Sandakphu – Phalut Trek

Early morning you can witness a beautiful sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjungha mountain range. After breakfast complete your permit process from local forest department office to enter at Singalila National Park. Then start your trek from Dhotrey to Tonglu/Tumling (8 km., 4 hr.). The trail from Dhotrey to Tonglu passes through the forest of Pine, Bamboo and colorful Rhododendron tress. Before starting the trek fill your water bottle as you will not get any water sources throughout the trail. After starting the trek from Dhotrey, just a few minutes later you will reach at a local primary school ground surrounded by Pine trees from three sides. After crossing school ground, the trail goes ascent through bamboo and Rhododendron forest. You will see two big grassland between Dhotrey and Tonglu, where you can take some rest. After crossing the second grassland, the trail become quite steep and goes through Rhododendron forests till Tonglu. Tonglu is located in a hilltop where you can get a stunning view of Kanchenjunga mountain range and nearby hills. Very limited accommodation is available here, so if we will not get room here at the time of your package confirmation, we will walk two kilometer further to reach at Tumling, where you will spent your night and it will take approx 30 min to reach there. Here you will get a stunning view of Mt. Kanchenjunga mountain range and nearby hills. Night stay at Tonglu/Tumling in homestay/trekkers’ hut.

Early morning enjoy the sunrise over the beautiful Mt. Kanchenjungha mountain range. After breakfast start your trek from Tonglu/Tumling to Kalapokhari (13 km, 4-5 hr.). The trail continues to climb after Tumling till Kaiyakata, which is located in the Indo-Nepal border. After 1 km. from Tumling, you will reach at Fatak, where you will get a Singalila National Park permit office. IF you have not done your permit till now, than you can complete your permit process here, because without taking the permit you will not be allowed to cross the gate here. After 7 km from Tumling you will reach at Gairibas, which is very famous among the nature lover because of Bird watching. One trekkers’ hut is also available here, which is surrounded by forest. Here at Gairibas you can take some hot momos or noodles and fill your water bottle. Because after Gairibas the trail becomes very steep till Kaiyakata. After crossing Kaiyakata the trail becomes relatively flat till Kalapokhari. After close to 6 km. from Gairibas, you will reach at Kalapokhari, where you will see a natural lake. The water color of the lake is very dark due to the reflection of surrounding hills, and because of that local people calls it Kalapokhari as in local language “Kala” means black and “pokhari” means lake. After reach at Kalapokhari check-in at the homestay and get fresh. After taking lunch you can spend you leisure time by walking at the surrounding area.

After taking the breakfast start your trek towards the main attraction of your trek called Sandakphu (6 km, 4 hr.). After starting from Kalapokhari, 2 km later you will reach a place called Bekheybhanjang. From here you can see Sandakphu, which is only 4 km away, but it is the steepest part of the trek. After almost 3-4 hr. you will reach at Sandakphu, the highest point in Indian state of West Bengal. In a clear day you can witness top four highest peak out of five in the world, called Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjungha, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse. You can see Annapurna mountain range also from here. After reach at Sandakphu check-in at the lodge and get fresh. Then roam outside for half an hour to help your body to be acclimatized with the high altitude of Sandakphu, because feeling altitude sickness is not very uncommon here. After taking lunch go to the view point and wait for some time to witness one of the best sunset of your life, over the Majestic Kanchenjungha mountain range. After enjoying the sunset, go inside and enjoy the evening at the restaurant of your lodge. Night stay at Sandakphu in a lodge.

Wake up at early to enjoy another beautiful sunrise over the stunning Mt. Kanchenjungha mountain range and also Mt. Everest and Mt. Annapurna mountain range. After breakfast take the mental preparation for the longest day of your trek. The trail from Sandakphu to Phalut is 21 km. long via Sabargram which will take close to 7 hr. So try to start your trek from Sandakphu as early as possible. The trail from Sandakphu to Phalut goes through a ridge and you will cross lots of wide green naked valley. The most beautiful things is you will be able to see the Mt. Kanchenjungha mountain range most of the time from your trail when you will trek towards Phalut. At some places you will see lots of colorful Rhododendron flower trees, which blooms at Mid March to April only. After 14 km of walk, which will take close to 5 hr., you will reach at Sabargram. Here you can take a much needed break and some hot noodles. As there is only one forest checkpost located and no villages are there. You can only get noodles and hot tea here. After taking some break and fill your empty water bottle, make yourself ready for the last stretch of the trek, which will take another 3 hr., because you have to cover 7 more km. After a long tiring day finally you will reach at Phalut. Then go to the trekkers hut and get fresh. After getting fresh, take your lunch. After lunch you can hike a bit to reach at Phalut top to witness the beautiful sunset over 360 degree wide open Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjungha, Mt. Annapurna and many other Himalayan peaks. After the sunset come back to your trekkers' hut and take some rest or enjoy the evening with your friends or family, as after the sunset here you will not get anything to do. So spend this leisure time as per your choice. Night stay at Phalut in a trekkers’ hut.

Today at 5.30 am you will go to Phalut top to see the sunrise over Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and its surrounding peaks. After spend some time at Phalut top, you will be back to your trekkers' hut & take your breakfast. After breakfast start your trek from Phalut to Gorkhey via Alubari (16 km., 5 hr.). The trail from Phalut to Gorkhey is completely descent through bamboo, rhododendron forest. You have to be conscious at time of descending as it give very much pressure on your knees. After 3 hr. you will reach at Alubari campsite, here you can take some rest as here you will get a small tea shop. After getting some rest, you will walk towards the last stretch of your trek to Gorkhey. After reach at Gorkhey, you will be amazed to see the stunning view of this beautiful green mountain valley. First unpack your Rucksack and here you can take a refreshing cold shower at Rammam river. After the shower, enjoy your lunch and then roam around this beautiful valley. In the evening you can enjoy a campfire to celebrate your successfully completed trek. Night stay at Gorkhey in a lodge.

After breakfast prepare for the last 4 km. trek from Gorkhey to Voreng through steep trail surrounded by Pine tree. After 2 hr. you will reach at Voreng and then drop to NJP/IXB/Siliguri (130 km., 7 hr.).