Sandakphu in December first week

sarat

Hi,

I was planning a trek to Sandakphu from Maneybhanjyang between 27 Nov, Dec 5...I found information about Sandakphu from this forum and also was able to gather a lot of information from the various posts.

I still wanted to confirm a few details before I can land up in Maneybhanjyang.

1. Is Nov 27-Dec4 do-able for the trek, does the whether permit the trek in this time.
2. Can we land up in Maneybhanjyang and find a guide there. Or do we need to book in advance.
3. Is there any recommended place where we should look for guides?
4. If we need to book the guide in advance then can we do it online, is there any place you suggest.
5. Do we need to book huts along the trail in advance? Or will the guide show us places to stay...
6. Is there any other inputs you can provide...

Thanks a lot,

Please do reply back.

Sarat.

AvidTrekker

Babuchand is the Sandakphu man on IndiaMike. Read up all his posts. He will log in and reply to this post of yours.

All I can say is you do not need a guide for the Sandakphu trek. If you still want to take one, Maneybhanjyang will provide you one.

__________________
The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

somnath

Hi Sarat,
Welcome to IM. Please visit these links and I am sure you will get a clear idea of the trail. Contact Babuchand for the latest / detail info.

1. Destination Sandakphu-Falut

2. trekking in Darjeling

Cheers,
- Somnath

TREKorDIE

Hi Sarat,
I did sandakphu trek in last week of January this year, just one week after the snowfall in Darjeeling. We got too much snow on the trail.
Let me answer your questions:

1. Yes, it is do-able. Possibility of snowfall is there. Normally Sandakphu is an easy trek..........but Sandakphu in winter is a moderate trek.
Weather is expected to be good but VERY COLD. ( snowfall is unpredictable)

2. Just land up in Maneybhanjung and arrage a porter-cum-guide. There is no need to book in advance.

3. No recomendation.......you will be approached by them if you just walk around........or you can arrange with help of your hotel-owner.
Our guide was Neema Tamang......very good and jovial boy!!! yes, boy........a school student.
4. No need to book in advance..........online booking through travel agency will make no good other than increasing your expenditure .

5. As you are going in rather off season..........no need to book those huts in advance.
Yes, your guide will show you where to stay.

6. Other Input: Normally people go to Sandakphu in 3 days..........1st night at Tonglu/ Tumling................2nd night at Kaalpokhri..........and reach sandakphu on 3rd day.
We made it in 2 days...........to be precise in 2.25 days
After reaching Maneybhanjung, we started to walk till Chitre............and spent the night there instead of Maneybhanjung.
Next day we went to Gairibaas......and halt there.
Next day we went to Sandakphu............it was a hectic day.


Happy Trekking


ToD

__________________
TREKorDIE:
" BECAUSE IT IS THERE ! ! ! "

babuchand

Hi Sarat,

If u can cope with very low temperature then go ahead....clear view of kanchenjungha awaits u.

u will get guide from manebhanjang itself. ask ur lodge owner...he/ she has the contacts....taking a guide has been made mandatory for the trek for past 2-3 years. (employment option for local people as u can see in better light).

path may be snow covred after kakapokhari...so take good shoes ...high trek / woodland that has good studs fro grip..high sole and water insulation

in this season dont try to go to phalut. follow this route....

siliguri - manebhanjang - gairibas - sandakphu - gurdum - rimbik - siliguri
u can come down to rimbik on the same day from sandakphu 22km !!!

if u r first time trekker and/or not so fit go to sandakphu in 3 days.
manebhanjang - meghma/tonglu - kalapokhri - sandakphu.

expect -5degrees at night at sandakphu(take a thermometer to verify)
take good gloves (leather) and it will be painful to wake up at 5am to catch sunrise from sandakphu.

go ahead and Njoy

__________________
Njoy

babu
visit : http://www.webmania.co.za/travelmania/babu/index.shtml

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget."

sarat

Your inputs helped me to make a go/no-go decision... and its definitely GO!

Thnx each and every one for your inputs and esp. Babuchand for your authoritative advise.

I will start planning my trip and make sure I have enuff woolend and inners to combat the -5 degree cold. I also hope to see a little snow, cause we dont get to see much of it in Hyderabad

Thanks again,
Will ask for more help if required

somnath

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s.../4/ppuser/4434

You will not be disappointed. Best of luck.