Destination Sandakphu-Falut

@ babu chand

Job worthy of a Maha Guru ! Thanks a lot.

I had been to Sandakphu last April. We got very good weather through out our trek. We had kept Phlut out of our route and came down from Sandakphu via Gurdum-Srikhola.

I am curious to know about details (accommodation, etc) on the second option suggested by you (Rimbik-Srikhola-Gorkhey-Phalut-Uttrey route).

How steep will be the Gorkhey - Phalut route ?

Homadri

Rimbik has good enough accommodation. 5-6km along the srikhola river on a downward sloping easy path [part of which might have been made jeepable by now] is the village srikhola wih 3-4 lodges offering both accommodation and meal. Just before the srikhola village, marked by a hanging bridge there is a lodge run by a Bengali who migrated. I saw the lodge being built in 2002 and gladly stopped for a tea while doing rammam-gorke-phalut in 2006.

From srikhola the path to the right climbs steeply for 2-3km and then flattens for next 3-4km to reach Rammam, which is one of the most picturesque villages situated on the true right bank of Rammam river that forms the border between WB & Sikim. Private Lodge accommodation is available.

Samanden, the next village can be reached by 4km of forest hike followed by a steep climb and the efforts will be over compensated by the very beautiful village having picture postcard like scenery. Food is available in the village home if the porter/guide can arrange but I am not sure about accommodations.

2km down lies Gorke village with a DGHC hut and few other home stays. Placed lower at the confluence of rammam khola and gorke khola this village is spectacular in the rhododendron season [april].
Gorke to phaut is around 12km through the conventional path but there is a steep shortcut climb [pakdandi] that saves around 2km but dries up the energy tank by almost the same amount. Once the shortcut has been negotiated the walk is on gradually sloping up path that leads to Phalut.

Phalut to Sandakphu is lengthy but easily sloped path. Climbs down from 3600m of Phalut to about 3100m at sabarkum [7km from phalut] and then climbs steeply to cross the sabarkum pass and carries on gradually up for the next 14-15km to Sandakphu. The path is on the singalila ridge and just at the brink of treeline. Also it is impounded by heavy wind especially in the afternoon. Midway betwwn Sabarkum and Sandakphu lies a lovely meadow christened Chandra Valley with burnt tree skeletons, the remnants of a forest fire.

From Sandakphu a 4km downhill joyride lands the trekker at Bikhebhanjang from where our path leaves the jeep route and ventures left through forest parsed with Rhododendron and Oak trees and after a heavy toll has been taken on the knees small village of Namla is arrived. A further downward walk on stone paved road for another 3km brings Rimbik in site.

babu thanks a lot!

but what about Phalut-Utrey route ?

we have been to Sandakphu, so i would like to skip that place in the next trek.

Himadri

Hi Sourav21949,

Are you still planning this Sandakfu trek in early November 2012? I am a 23 yr. old female from Alaska, USA. I just moved to Kolkata for the year to teach English. I have a long break from 25 Oct. - 14 Nov. 2012 so it sounds like the timing of your trek works perfectly for me. I desperately want to trek Sandakfu and am looking for a mixed gender group to go with. Please contact me if i can join you all.

I will be going for the Sandakphu trek during the 3rd week of Nov, 12.

I will be visiting again during the first half of december in a 3 day trek up and down.

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum though I am following this forum since sometimes.

Need your advice in my Sandakphu Trek in Coming November'2012. We are a team of 3 Persons.

We will start for NJP on 17th November'12 at Night from Sealdaha & will return to NJP on 24th November'12 to take the Train for Kolkata.

Now, I require to know the following,

1. Is the time good for trekking to Sandakphu?

2. Phalut is possible to trek within the limited days?

3. What will be the Best Itinerary for this trek?
a. if we trek only to Sandakphu
b. Or if we trek till Phalut?

4. Where do we get the Guide & Porter?

5. Should we carry the Food along with us or food is available there?

6. What will be total Trekking cost per head?

7. Hotels are available or not?

8. I heard in Phalut, only Trekker’s Huts are available. Is there no Hotel or Private Lodge?

9. What type of Shoes is good for Female for trekking at that time?

10. What are the cloths require for that time?


Please help me in this regard.


With Regards

Moumita Som

No replyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome moumita.....

I think you will get most of your queries answered immediately as you go through this thread.

Hello Moumita,

Wecome to INDIAMIKE !!

I will try to answer all your querries pointwise :-

1. November is quite a good time.
2. Phalut is one days trek from Sandakphu.
3.a. Day1 - NJP to Manebhanjang (by Bus/Jeep)
Trek Starts from Manebhanjang
Day2 - Manebhanjang to Tumling via Chitrey (a picturesque small village. Dont miss to go to the Monestery having Lord Buddha with Thousand Hands).
Day3 - Tumling to Kalipokhari via Gairibas
Day4 - Kalipokhari to Sandakphu via Bikebhanjang
3.b. Day5 - Sandakphu to Phalut
Day6 - Phalut to Gorkhey
Day7 - Gorkhey to Rimbik
Day8 - Rimbik to NJP
4. Guide/Porters are now must and available from Association office at manebhanjang.
5. Food and shelter is available throughout the trail.
6. Rs. 4000/- per head including Guide/Porter.
7. Yes.
8. Madam you are not heading to Simla or Manali you are going to trek. So you are provided with Trekkers Hut with fooding & lodging.
9. Normal Rubber Sole Power Cades are enough for Sandakphu.
10. One full sleeve Cardigan, one good jacket for night and woolen Cap and gloves.

I hope that all querries are answered. Feel free to communicate for other querries.

Thanks......

Hope so.

But if there will be anything, I will contact you again.

For the time being, plz let me know that,

1. Hotel Booking in advance is necessary or not?

2. For guide, whom should I contact? Should I have to book the Guide or Porter in advanced?

Once again thanks for replying.

Kindly also clarify the below points.

We will reach NJP on 18th November’12 morning. And as per my knowledge I can’t start trek on same day i.e. 18th November’12.

So, I have to start Trek from 19th November morning and we have to catch the return Train for Kolkata on 24th Night from NJP.

Now, please tell me what will be the best Itinerary if I want to cover Phalut?

Is it possible to cover Phalut within 18th November'12 to 24th November'12.

Again for reminding, I have to take the return Train on 24th Night.

Regards

Hi All,

I have made the two following Itineraries as we are very obsessed for Phalut and we want to cover it within 18th November'12 to 24th November'12.

So, I am attaching herewith the two options of my Itineraries.

Seniors, you are requested to kindly go through the Itineraries and advice for the best.

To Sandakphu :-

DAY - 1 [17/11/12] : Train from Kolkata
DAY - 2 [18/11/12] : NJP- Manevanjan [Halt at Manebhanjan]
DAY- 3 [19/11/12] : Manevanjan – TUMLING
DAY- 4 [20/11/12] : TUMLING-KALPOKHARI
DAY- 5 [21/11/12] : KALPOKHARI-SANDAKPHU
DAY- 6 [22/11/12] : SANDAKPHU-GURDUM
DAY- 7 [23/11/12] : GURDUM-SRIKHOLA
DAY- 8 [24/11/12] : Rimbik – NJP [Train] By Car


For Phalut :-

DAY - 1 [17/11/12] : Train for Kolkata
DAY - 2 [18/11/12] : NJP- Manevanjan [Halt at Manebhanjan]
DAY- 3 [19/11/12] : Manevanjan – Kalpokhari [Halt] By CAR
DAY- 4 [20/11/12] : Kalpokhari – Sandakphu via Bikebhanjang [Halt] Trekking Start
DAY- 5 [21/11/12] : Sandakphu – Phalut [Halt]
DAY- 6 [22/11/12] : Phalut – Ramnam [Halt] / Gorkhey [Halt]
DAY- 7 [23/11/12] : Ramnam – Rimbik / Gorkhey to Rimbik [Halt]
DAY- 8 [24/11/12] : Rimbik – NJP [Train] By Car

** Can we get the share Jip / Car from RIMBIK to NJP? If yes, then by which time we have to take the Car? Or Do We have to reserve the Car?


Awaiting for your replies.

Regards

I would suggest you make the following changes to your itinerary :

DAY- 6 [22/11/12] : Phalut – Gorkhey [Halt]
DAY- 7 [23/11/12] : Gorkhey to Srikhola [Halt]
DAY- 8 [24/11/12] : Srikhola – Seppy - NJP [Train] By Car

You can book your seats for the shared jeep when you reach Srikhola. Just ask your hotel manager to call up for you. From Srikhola Seppy is only 2Kms walk which will take not more than half hour from Srikhola. So if you can leave early then you can catch the 1st jeep. The timing for the 1st jeep was 5.30 when we went there. Your car will pick you up from seppy and it will cost 20 rs extra for that.

Hi Samya,

Thanks for reply.

I heard that in Phalut, there is no Hotel or any Private Lodge. Is it true?

If there is no Hotel or Private Lodge, then how to book the Trekker’s Hut in Phalut?

And is advance booking necessary in all the Halts as the time is 3rd Week of November?

Regards