Accomodation details of Sandakphu & Phalut

alokeban

Hi,
We r planning to trek to sandakphu & phalut via Rimbik-Rammam-Gorkey-Phalut-Sandkphu-Rimbik in mid Nov. this year. The mentoined locations where we plan to stay at night on the trek. Can i pls get information regarding accomodation (availibility, cost etc.). Should we be carrying tents and/or sleeping bags? Can i also know what kind of shoes are recommended for the trek?

Can the huts for all locations be booked from Kolkata or Rimbik? A special update on accomodations @ Gorkey is highly needed.

travel joy

Mid November is going to be very chilly in Phalut so advice you to carry sleeping bags.For booking in Sandakphu & Phalut trekkers hut, contact DGHC office in Kolkata(Near Shakespere Sarani- JN Road crossing).As for accomodations in Rammam & Gorkey , there is no need to book in advance.These places have no trekkers hut but one can find place in the hotel/villagers huts.

sics66

Gorkey did have an excellent trekkers' hut when we completed this trek in 2005.We started from Maneybanjang. Stayed at Tonglu(trekkers' hut),Kalapokhri(a private lodge),Sandakphu(Sherpa Chalet),Phalut(trekkers' hut),Gorkey(trekkers' hut),Srikhola(Goparma lodge).All bookings were made from the DGHC office in Kolkata. Mr.Dighal was there at that time. I have heard(not confirmed) that he expired sometime last year.Felt real sad.He had been of great help.

travel joy

The Gorkey, Rammam trekers hut/Private hotel ,whatever it is, couldnot be booked from DGHC office in 2006.
Are u sure he expired??Thats sad..Met him last in 2006.He was a helpful person.

clawhammer

ya Mr Diggal expired last october.
In Gorkey, apart from the trekkers hut, there are other accommodations available, mainly in form of private cottages and thats pretty cheap too. Also there's the village of Samanden 1km beyond gorkey where you can find accomodation

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sics66

Here is a pic of Gorkhey Trekkers' Hut.



And this is Samanden

travel joy

I liked the look of that structure( Took it as a hotel) quite a bit, but when we were there it was occupied by a group of students from Darjeeling.Took shelter in a villager's hut, but the lady of the Trekkers hut cooked quite a dinner for us that night.
Well, accomodation is not much of a problem in these villages even if the huts are filled.The only problem in this route is in Phalut, where there is nothing but the lone Trekkers hut.

sandeepbwn

As trekker's hut is the only option @ Phalut, can it be booked at kolkata dghc? We are also planning to stay at Molley on the way to Sandkphu from Phalut.. can anyone pls update the accomodation option at Molley?

sics66

We did book the hut at Phalut from DGHC Kolkata in 2005.But I am not sure about the status now.
Why do you want to stay at Molley ?

clawhammer

We stayed at Molley last year .... the trekkers hut is situated right next to an army camp ... there was no caretaker .. just a jawan managed the show ... he gave us (4 of us) and 2 more groups supplies like rice,dal and some spices to cook in the kitchen ... it was not comfortable(that night it was raining and it was horribly cold inspite of 2 blankets that the jawan gave each of us) but we enjoyed it a lot. next morning everything cleared out and the view was ..... well don't have words for it
we didn't have any prior bookings but since its off the course you shouldn't have any problem staying there.
@Gorkey don't miss the stories of local maidens being married off to trekkers .... keep your eyes open ... u might be lucky too
@samanden ... that must be the football field in the picture ... just love the place

sandeepbwn

@sics66
Why do you want to stay at Molley ?
This is just an option keeping into mind our age group (35) & us being newbee to trekking. The option is kept open also keeping into mind the 23km distance between Phalut & Sandakphu. Babuchand also suggested us this stop in case we need to.

@clawhammer
@Gorkey don't miss the stories of local maidens being married off to trekkers .... keep your eyes open ... u might be lucky too
@samanden ... that must be the football field in the picture ... just love the place
I hv also heard a lot about the beauty of Gorkey & Samanden...
As far as the maidens are concerned, thanx for ur prayer

clawhammer

@sandeepbwn ... staying at molley is actually a rewarding idea ... u don't need to book huts or stay at the crowded hut in phalut ... also u get to enjoy the view from the ridge top for 2 days.
If u have a good guide/knowledgeable porter try out the shortcut to molley ... it goes thru a forest(the sheer variety of wildflowers is amazing) and emerges just before sabarkhum ... about 500m before molley

travel joy

Fortunately /unfortunately we were not lucky about any local maidens. Samandin is a really a lovely place.It was the best in this route for me.But be a bit careful about the dogs kept by the locals,while roaming in the village.They can get a bit hostile to strangers..

sandeepbwn

Can u pls recommend any guide and/or porter u know (to be actually knowledgeble)? Is the shortcut from Phalut --- Moley?

Is the terrain from Gorkey-- Phalut very tough? How much will it take from Gorkey to Phalut (atleast for newbees like us)?

clawhammer

The shortcut is just before reaching molley from sandakphu side.
No no ... the terrain is not tough at all ... we also went there as novices ... the route between sandakphu and phalut is almost flat with minor ups and downs ... and is a delightful walk.
On the other hand if u are going in the reverse direction ... from gorkey to phalut ... its a bit steep at places ... but don't be intimidated ... we saw a 7yr old girl along with her dad successfully completing this route ... also two 55yr old bengali doctors and a 40+ bengali couple did this and even more tricky routes.
I think you can manage it ... just don't rush and have a walking stick with you (indispensable during descents)
if u start from maneybhanjang u can contact masterji for porter/guide 03542264387