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TAKE THE OLDEST TREK ROUTE TO SANDAKPHU
(used before 1984)

Rimbick-Sandakphu-Rimbick
via the famous black forest trail of the Singalila range

It's also the shortest, easiest, and most pristine.

Revived by WindingTrails™
A Darjeeling-based Trekking Organization

Highest altitude - 11929 ft | 56 km of lonely trails | 5 nights and 6 days | Small groups | Rs 11999/- per person

TREK HIGHLIGHTS

  1. Pristine forests of the Singalila range

  2. Rhododendrons, magnolias, and cherry blossoms (March-April and October)

  3. Swirling clouds climbing up the ravines

  4. Snowfall (from December to April)

  5. Lonely trails

  6. Startling bird songs

  7. Winding expansive ridges

  8. Murmuring mountain streams

  9. A mesmerizing view of Mount Kanchenjunga - in the ‘Sleeping Buddha’ avatar

  10. A chance to experience authentic Nepali and Tibetan cuisines

  11. Glimpses of a fascinating mix of Indo-Nepali-Tibetan culture and lifestyle

  12. 5 nights and 6 days of the most unforgettable experiences of a trek that you’d want to revisit!

For any queries or help
call or WhatsApp

Amitava Chakraborty,
Co-founder & COO, WindingTrails,
at +91 9874530239
(alternatively 8777694749)

We have revived the oldest trek route to Sandakphu (used before 1984).
It's also the shortest, easiest, and most pristine.

You'll fall in love with the unseen, unknown Himalayas...

WhatsApp 9874530239 for the Trek Schedule, and book your date with 50% of the total amount (remaining is to be paid on arrival at the base camp).

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

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DIFFICULTY LEVEL | Easy to moderate with a little bit of challenging stretches

TIME | 5 nights and 6 days

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HIGHEST ALTITUDE | 11929 ft

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ALTITUDE GAIN FROM BASE CAMP | About 5500 ft

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TOTAL TREKKING DISTANCE | About 56 km

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LOCATION | Darjeeling, West Bengal

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BASE CAMP | Rimbick, Darjeeling

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NEAREST RAILWAY STATION | New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 130 km/5 hours

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NEAREST AIRPORT | Bagdogra (Siliguri), about 140 km/5 hours

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COST | Rs 11999/- per person (all inclusive, no hidden costs)

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BEST TIME | Sandakphu Trek is different in every season... it's always the best time

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WHO CAN PARTICIPATE | Anyone above 15 yo depending on the physical fitness

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EXPERIENCE | Perfect for first-timers but having previous trekking experience always helps

What's included

Accommodation
We will provide accommodation from DAY ZERO to FINAL DAY. You will stay at comfortable village homestays/Trekkers' Huts on all days throughout the trek including the base camp at Rimbick.

Meals
All meals from dinner at Rimbick on DAY ZERO to breakfast at Rimbick on the FINAL DAY are included. You will have homemade, veg/non-veg meals with breakfast and snacks on all days of the trek.

Trek permits
All trek permits and other charges are included.

First aid kit
Your trek leader will carry a first aid medical kit with him/her.

Luggage Room Facility

If you want to leave any extra luggage at the base camp, we have a luggage room facility at no additional cost - but we take no responsibility of your belongings.

What's excluded

Transportation to and from the base camp

The conveyance/transport cost to and from Rimbick - our base camp - is to be paid by the trekkers.

Cost of evacuation

On any unfortunate event like an accident or for any other reason if you need to be evacuated from the trek we will make all the necessary arrangements but you will have to bear the cost.


Trek permits for foreigners 
For non-Indians, there is an additional cost of Rs 1500/- for trek permit.

Porters
If you wish (or have medical reasons/restrictions) to not carry your backpack/rucksack we can arrange porters at an additional cost.

Insurance

As of now we are not providing any kind of insurances, but we are in talks with our insurance partner and things will work out soon.

 

Any kind of personal services and expenses are also excluded.

What you need to carry

Mandatory documents

It is mandatory for you to carry a Medical Fitness Certificate - issued by a registered doctor, and your photo ID (aadhar card, EPIC, driver’s license or passport) for entry at forest check posts on the trek. These documents will also be required for check-in at our base camp.

Your personal medical kit

What we suggest to include in your packing list -

  1. Trekking pole

  2. Torch/Headlamp

  3. Knee cap

  4. Sunglasses with UV protection

  5. Hat for sunlight protection

  6. Hydration pack/Water bottle/Thermo flask

  7. Electrolyte powder

  8. Energy bars/Chocolates/Dry fruits

  9. Toothbrush + Toothpaste + Mouthwash

  10. Sunscreen cream + Lip balm + Moisturizer

  11. Hand sanitizer + Toilet paper + Feminine napkins

  12. Mosquito cream

How to reach the base camp

Shared vehicles for Rimbick are available from Darjeeling More (crossroads), Siliguri (please contact us for more information/drivers' contact nos.).

Optionally, we will provide arrangements for pickup and drop at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station and Bagdogra airport (Siliguri) - the cost is to be shared between the trekkers and paid directly to the driver. We will also provide arrangements or the necessary information if you want to come from/via Darjeeling.

Itinerary

HOW YOUR DAYS ARE GOING TO BE LIKE

DAY ZERO
Start from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station or Bagdogra airport (Siliguri) for the base camp at Rimbick.

  • Distance - 130 km 

  • Time - About five to six hours 

  • Pick up point - NJP railway station or Darjeeling More (which is about 15 minutes by shared auto rickshaw from NJP railway station) and Bagdogra airport

  • Pick up time - 10.00 AM

 

We will provide arrangements for pickup from and drop at New Jalpaiguri railway station and Bagdogra airport - the cost is to be shared between 3 to 6 trekkers and paid directly to the driver.

If you want to avail the shared vehicles for Rimbick from Siliguri we will provide you with all the necessary information as to the availability of the shared vehicles, drivers’ contact nos., where to find the shared vehicles, etc.

We will also provide the necessary information if you want to come from/via Darjeeling.

The journey from Siliguri to Rimbick is a memorable one. You will pass through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary shortly after leaving Siliguri. As you enter the mountains and gradually gain height you will see forests of pines and other conifers along the winding roads. You will leave many sleepy tiny towns behind before reaching Rimbick - including Mirik, Maney Bhanjayng, and Dhotrey. A little before Mirik you will come across many tea estates renowned for producing the finest quality Darjeeling tea savoured across the world.

DAY 01 | 12.5 km to trek

From Rimbick to Sandakphu via Jorayo Pokhari and Beekhay Bhanjayng.

Start from Rimbick at 6.30 AM after a cup of hot, steaming tea. We’ll provide you a lift to Jorayo Pokhari (distance - about 10 km, height - 9068 ft) in a four-wheel-drive SUV or a double-cab open pick-up truck (so you can charge yourself up with the sensuous early-morning smell of the forest along the winding cobbled/stony tracks).

From Jorayo Pokhari (means Twin Lakes), the actual trek begins. We will trek up to Beekhay Bhanjayng (distance - 9 km, height - 10124 ft) through dense forests. This stretch is easy to moderate (as we gain an altitude of about one thousand feet) and you will love the forest, the trails, and of course, the experience! We will stop at a clearing to have our breakfast.

And by the time we reach Beekhay Bhanjayng you will feel hungry enough for the lunch.

From Beekhay Bhanjayng we will trek straight to Sandakphu (distance - 3.5 km). This will be a steeper ascent as we gain an altitude of  about eighteen hundred feet in less than four kilometers.

Night stay at Sandakphu.

Go to bed after an early dinner to get up early in the morning (be prepared for frigid temperatures).

DAY 02 | 14 km to trek

From Sandakphu to Sabargram via Thakom.

We know it will be difficult for you to get up at 5.00 AM after trekking about twelve km just a day before, but your trek leader will wake you up at that time so you do not miss what you have come here for - the breathtaking sunrise at Sandakphu!

 

After watching the first rays of the sun lighting up Mount Kanchenjunga, you will be awestruck with the spectacular 180-degree view of some of the world’s greatest and tallest mountains including Mount Everest. (Expect biting cold and windy conditions here.) And if you are interested, your trek leader will take you to the old Sandakphu temple at a distance of about one kilometer.

 

At 7.30 AM, after having tea and breakfast, we will start trekking to Sabargram (11574 ft) via Thakom (11146 ft, 7 km from Sandakphu) - which is at a distance of 14 km, but the stretch is more or less easy - as it’s a ridge (along the Indo-Nepal border) - and gains no significant altitude. You will be amazed to see Mount Kanchenjunga in the ‘Sleeping Buddha’ form all the way. We will stop at famous viewpoints like Aahl and Chandu. We won’t mind if you wish to stop more often to take selfies with the great ‘Sleeping Buddha’ in the backdrop or interact with nature along the way. We will also stop at Thakom for a hot, delicious lunch.

 

At the end of the day, we will put you up at Sabargram for the night. Expect the dinner to be tastier after a day’s long walk!

DAY 03 | 12 km to trek

Sabargram to Rammam

After a round of hot, steaming tea and breakfast at Sabargram we will trek to Rammam (7760 ft) via Molley (11198 ft). It’s all descending path, and more of a pleasure walk through lush green forests. Rammam is a small, quiet village perfect for spending a few idyllic hours wandering around, interacting with the villagers, learning about their way of life (even helping them in their terraced fields of organic vegetables - however, people are very shy here; so you may need to put the best of your communication skills to use). You can also spot birds (or just listen to them), and even take a hot bath and do some necessary washing, etc. The warmth and hospitality of the people living in this sleepy village is unforgettable - you will get stories to tell about them later.

DAY 04 | 16.5 km to trek

Rammam to Rimbick via Black Forest and Samten Monastery

On the final day, we will trek straight to our base camp - Rimbick via the famous Black Forest. From Rammam we will trek to Upper Sirikhola (7516 ft), Timbure (6934 ft), the 1o6-year-old Samten Monastery, and Rimbick.

 

From Rammam to Timbure via Upper Sirikhola is a walk you will fall in love with! We will pass through the pine forests, terraced fields, tiny villages and come across innumerable mountain streams crossing our path. We will stop at Timbure for lunch before entering Black Forest.

The black forest trail of the Singalila range is renowned to the nature lovers. You will be hearing the murmur of a mountain stream along most of the stretch and stop more often in awe just to feel the magnificence of mother nature!

 

We will stop at the Samten Gumba or Monastery - one of the oldest, hidden, and most intriguing monasteries of the region - where you can take a glimpse of the rich Buddhist artwork, history and culture, interact with the monks, and take photographs before we walk down to Rimbick - just 2 km away.

 

In the night we will have a storytelling session before dinner at 8.30 PM.

 

FINAL DAY

Start for the New Jalpaiguri railway station, Bagdogra airport, or Darjeeling after breakfast.

 

If you want to stay back in the idyllic environment of Rimbick for a day or two (at your cost) we can make the arrangement.

DISCLAIMER

YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES AND WE MAY NOT FOLLOW EXACTLY THE SAME ROUTE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE IN THE CASE OF ANY UNFORESEEN OR UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.

YOU WILL HAVE TO REACH THE BASE CAMP BEFORE THE DAY TREK STARTS

Please do not leave any trash along the trek route as we will be following a strict NO-LITTER policy. You will know more about this at the briefing session.

Why Sandakphu

WHY SANDAKPHU?

  • For an unforgettable experience of watching the first rays of the sun lighting up Mount Kanchenjunga

  • A spectacular view of Mount Everest along with the other tallest peaks of the world

  • A closer look at the Himalayan flora and fauna

  • Getting to know about the fascinating mix of Indo-Nepali-Tibetan culture

  • One of the most holistic experiences of a trek in our country

 

Let’s elaborate.

Sandakphu Trek - A Journey to the Roof of the World

Imagine waking up to a breathtaking panorama of the world's tallest mountains - each wrapped in gold as the first rays of the sun touch their snow-capped peaks, along with the view of Mount Kanchenjunga - the third highest peak in the world, which is also known as the ‘Sleeping Buddha’ for its distinct form that resembles Lord Buddha in sleep.

Sandakphu Trek is not just a hike, it's a memorable journey through the pristine forests and quintessential Himalayan villages. Nestled on the border between India and Nepal, Sandakphu is the highest place in the Indian state of West Bengal. Trekkers make their way through Singalila forest - a UNESCO World Heritage site - renowned for its rich, diverse flora and fauna.

The trail is a mix of easy to moderate terrains with a few challenging stretches, and every step is worth it. As you walk, you'll pass through quaint villages which offer a glimpse into the simple yet fascinating life of the local people. You'll be blinded by the colorful blooms of rhododendrons in the springtime (March to May) and startled by the sudden sweet trills of the rare Himalayan birds.

The reward, however, is when you reach Sandakphu. At 11929 feet above sea level, you'll be treated to spectacular panoramic views of the mountains that include Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga. And the sunrise from Sandakphu is a sight that will forever be etched in your memory.

Sandakphu Trek isn't just about the destination, it's about the journey itself. Along the way, you'll forge bonds with fellow trekkers and savour authentic Nepali and Tibetan cuisines prepared by the warm-hearted villagers. You'll also learn about the rich biodiversity of the region and the Indo-Nepali-Tibetan culture. If you are lucky, you may even come across the elusive Red Pandas.

Sandakphu Trek is an adventure that will leave you with not just a heart full of memories or a camera filled with breathtaking vistas but also with a profound connection to the Roof of the World.

 


A little about Rimbick - our base camp

If you are looking for a serene, isolated, and romantic place in the Himalayas to stay for a week or more, or to work from - our base camp Rimbick is just perfect. We are sure - you'll fall in love with this place!

Rimbick is a sleepy, old bazaar - on the way to becoming a tiny town at its own leisurely pace - nestled amidst the lush green, dense forests of the Singalila range (in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal) and surrounded by the overlapping blue mountains melting away into the horizon. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped Nathu La range from here... and a scintillating view of Darjeeling - especially at night.

You will find most of the necessities in the small shops here along with an ATM, tea shops, barber shops, medical shops, and warm, homely restaurants (in case you want to try some authentic Tibetan and Nepali cuisines). The soft-spoken, friendly Nepali people will always nod to you with a smile whenever they meet you.

Lying at an altitude of about 6500 ft, the climate of Rimbick is just what you want it to be! - not very cold in the winter, and not very hot in the summer - it's 'naturally air-conditioned' all the time... (by the way, Rimbick doesn't get snowfall). Most of the time you'll find the swirling clouds making their way through the ravines or a translucent veil of mist hanging around the entire valley making you feel like a poet, a writer, or an artist!

As for activities (we know you cannot spend all your day lying in the room - even though you'd love to), take a leisurely walk to the riverside village - Sirikhola (6 km), or take the 1 km ascending trail to the 107 yo Samten Monastery, or take a day's (or two days') hike to Timbure, Rammam, or Samanden - the tiny, quaint hamlets around Rimbick. We guarantee you'll come back to these places again - not alone, along with your loved ones!

[ Rimbick is also an old and alternative gateway to Sandakphu regularly used before 1984 and often visited by nature enthusiasts seeking to explore the rich flora and fauna of Singalila forest. ]

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Write up and photographs by

Amitava Chakraborty, Co-founder, WindingTrails

Amitava is an avid trekker and also a fine art photographer specializing in the mystic rivers around here >

how-to-prepare

How to prepare for the trek

Sandakphu Trek is a mix of easy to moderate terrains with a few challenging stretches which makes it ideal for first-timers as well as beginners and experienced trekkers. We allow anyone -

  • 15 yo and above (a permission-letter from the parents is mandatory for those who are 15 to 18 yo).

  • 14 yo and below (must be accompanied by the parents/guardians).

  • Who can walk easily at a speed of 6 kmph on normal roads.

  • Who can carry at least a 10 kg backpack with ease.

  • Who has no heart, liver, or kidney ailment.

  • Who is not suffering from high blood pressure, asthma, or sinusitis.

 

Essential items

  1. A 50-liter backpack with rain cover

  2. 2 full sleeve non-cotton T-shirts (4 is suggested)

  3. 1 fleece T-shirt (2 is suggested)

  4. 1 down jacket (made for sub-zero temperatures)

  5. 1 windcheater

  6. 1 warm cap/balaclava

  7. 1 pair of rain-wear (upper and lower)/Poncho

  8. 1 pair of thermal wear (upper and lower)

  9. 2 pairs of non-cotton trek pants

  10. 1 pair of gloves (made for sub-zero temperatures)

  11. 1 pair of water-resistant trek/running shoe

  12. 1 pair of hiking sandals

  13. 3 pairs of non-cotton socks

  14. 2 pairs of warm socks

  15. 1 quick-dry towel

Cancellation and refund policy

In case of any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances beyond our control, such as natural disasters, acts of God, government regulations, or any other event that makes it impossible or unsafe to conduct the trek, we may cancel the scheduled date/s and either reschedule or issue a full refund to you.

 

If you have to cancel or reschedule your trek for any reason -

  • We will refund the full booking amount (which is 50% of the total amount), or reschedule if cancelled 30 days before the scheduled date.

  • 50% of the booking amount will be refunded if cancelled 7 days before the scheduled date.

  • No amount will be refunded after that, or in case you do not show up on the scheduled date.

  • In all cases, 5% will be deducted as bank charges.

  • Also, no amount will be refunded if you want to reach the base camp on your own but cannot make it on the scheduled date.

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