Trekking info needed for Sandakphu & Phalut

Hi everyone,
We are planning to trek to Sandhakphu-Palut in mid November 2007. We will be reaching Siliguri on 17.11.07 morning. We are planing to follow the following route,

Siliguri--> Rimbik--> Srikhola--> Sandhakphu--> Phalut--> Rammam--> Rimbik--> Siliguri.

We are first timers & a team of 6 persons. Can i pls get the following info?

a) Most trekkers follow Manebhanjan & Tumling route. Is there any prob following the route we decided?

b) How will be the road, climate & snow condition during the period?

c) Should we need to carry sleeping bags and/or good jackets? If yes can we get it on rent from Rimbik/Manebhanjan/Siliguri/ Kolkata? What will be the hiring charges like?

d) Can someone recommend any specific guide and/or porter?

e) How many days should the trek take? (Pls keep into consideration us to be first timers & aging 35+)

f) What will be cost like Siliguri-Siliguri basis?

g) Should we need to book huts on the route? As `Babu' hv mentioned, the official at Kolkata office plays a bit for Phalut huts.... Can Babu or anyone else can update on this?

Looking forward for ur valuable suggestions.

Sandakphu through Srikhola is a good jungle route. U can hire goods from Alpine - Bullygunge Place East, Near Dey's Medical. Contact Sudeb Da (Mr. Sudeb Hazra - proprietor of Alpine) on 9830194296. He manufactures and gives gears in rent. Sudeb Da is a good person and will provide u the latest info. about the route as many trekkers takes gears from him and he collects info. from the returning trekkers. So u will get the latest news. For other queries, there is masterminds in IM.

In all probabilities, you will get a very good clear sky for viewing the mountains, snowfall is less likely.

Book the huts as you are going to stay there for sure.

Nowadays, taking a guide is a must in the Sandakfu route, although it is not at all necessary. But that is the rule.

The costing during trekking is not much, very minimal. But will rise if you book a car from Siliguri to Rimbik. There is regular bus service between Darjeeling and Rimbik, may be 3-4 in a day (someone please confirm the timings). And you have regular shared Taxi in Darjeeling-Siliguri route.

thanx Supratim & Bhaswaran for ur response.

Looking forward for more details on the route. Can i pls get more details regarding Phalut?

Can we get good guide and/or porter from Rimbik? If yes what will be the charge like?

its a good route....after going twice along the orthodox route i tried this...but in a little different way than yours... here is my itinerary and travelogue...
http://www.webmania.co.za/travelmani...avelogue.shtml

it is better going to phalut via gorke than scallinhg high slopes of gurdum from srikhola. once i have descended throu gurdum. better take my route as u r covering phalut. if anyone wants to exclude phalut then she has to climb from srikhola via gurdum.
here is a map by DGHC...
http://www.webmania.co.za/travelmani...alut_map.shtml

phalut is the harshest place in this trek....windy & chilling
but the sunrise is breathtaking if u can brave the conditions to reach the top by 5:30 in -5 degree celcius .

guide for srikhola-> sandakphu or
srikhola -> rammam -> phalut -> sandakphu can be found in rimbik.

dont forget to pay the entry fee into singalila national forest at rimbik or gorke. if the catch u afterwards they will squeeze more money as penalty.

u can go thru my website to get more info.

thanx babu.

can i pls get ur contact details (say cell/landline number) so that we can seek advice from u? Will it be very difficult for us taking into account our INexperience & age?



Sorry couldn't get ur private message due to pop-up blocker in my browser settings. can u pls send it again or make a copy to bardhaman@gmail.com?

sent u a personal message....with my contact details.

got ur details at my mail id. Thanx. Which is the best time to call u?

Hi

We've done this mid-October and the weather was nice and sunny for the most part. Light snow on the ridge. I'd say, do take a warm sleeping bag and windproof jacket -though you'll most need it for the two days in Sandakpu, and especially phalut-VERY windy. For the rest, a good fleece and layering would do. It isnt that demanding a trek, so would be ideal for beginners... Enjoy! The views on the ridge are lovely, you'll even see Everest in the distance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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