Trekking info needed for Sandakphu & Phalut

Hi,

Is it possible to get a shared taxi from Siliguri to Maneybhanjang directly, since I'm travelling alone, or I've to go via Darjeeling. Can any one please tell me what are the other options ?

Any news of snowfall in Sandakphu ???




No News of Snowfall in sandakphu-phalut till today as per the Darjeeling Tourist Office.

4 more days to go...

A friend of mine just returned today from YHAI Sandakphu trek and it did seem snowfall hasnt occured. I guess good snowfall will be seen here during mid jan and later after a couple of showers bring snowflakes into vicinity bringing the temperature below zero.

First of all very sorry guys as i cldn't reply to u all due to my business trips.

Thnx for liking the pics. More pics are available at www.picassaweb.google.com/tapas.expert

As far as snow is concerned, its likely to start from Jan mid. Sandakphu can be reached in 2 days thru another route. Drive to Dhotrey from Siliguri. Trek & saty at Gauribas thru Tonglu-Tumling. Reach Sandakphu on the next day via Kalipohkri, Bikeybhanjan. dont forget to take the lower routes from Kayakatta & Kalipokhri to Bikey.

U don't need tents on this route as staying arrangements are available at all the places. Anyone can get back to me always for any more info.




Shared jeep from Siliguri to Maneybhanjan is very unlikely to be available. What one can do is to take a shared jeep to Ghum & board another shared jeep from Ghum to Manybhanjan (Darjeeling - Rimbick jeeps). Rates will be NJP-Ghum Rs. 70 & Ghum-Maneybhanjan Rs.100-120 (actually we travelled from Rimbick to Ghum @ Rs. 120. Maneybhanjan can be cheaper by 20 bucks)

Awesome experience...Sandakphu a great Place...Will upload the pics soon...my compu went bad...

Met Prodosh and his team...so no didn't trek alone...

I wud like to share some info which other may find useful..

No snow anywhere, only a thin layer we got in tonglu..

its rush in sandakphu during chirstmass week...because of the jeep service a lot of people are going even I saw families with children...

If u don't have booking at sandakphu better to reach early...

There is shared jeep service from darjeeling to Maneybhanjan @40/- first one starts at 7 O' clock morning..

Met jiwan sir (masterji), a nice man...got pics also...

Got mixed experience with porters, u have to b smart to tackle them, Don't be too good with them...otherwise they may not follow what you ask them to do...

went to phalut also...Got probs since we didn't take enough water.

Bye for now. Let me recollect if I can share somethin else

@ arkadeep

welcome back, waiting for your pics.....

Check
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkadeep

for Photos.

I've uploaded only a few of them. Not getting enough time.

Am planning on a trek from verse to Srikhola via singalia pass and phalut in january 3 rd week. Any ideas about how the weather is goin to be and if it is necessary to take a guide along that route?

in that time of the year there are chances of getting snow in that area. and the route is through dense forest so guide is must.

Cliffhanger is right. A guide is needed for sigalia pass (varse to Srikhola). In these routes porters doubles as ur guide (or the vice-versa). Expect snow at that time of the year. Weather should be clear in mid Jan.

Can u do me a favour of clicking & uploading some snaps of the school run by Subasishda at Srikhola?

All the best for ur trek..

Thnx guys for the info.. I will upload the snaps.. and do we have to take the guide from Hile?

hello to all,
this will be my first trek of my life starting from 28th december,2009 onwards.i have gone through almost each thread of indiamike about sandakphu,real informative people live here .i have some questions for you

1)will it be doable for a solo first time trekker at that moment(i am from kolkata)
2)should i start from dhotrey or manebhanjan...will i get guide/porter at dhotrey
3)will it surely snow at that time?I like snow,(but actually I have never seen snow)i want to know whether snow is fun for trekking or is it a killer ?
thanks to all
4 i will be also glad if i anyone experienced want to join me as a partner..but i dont like to be in a heavily crowded team

As this is your 1st trek I will advice you not trek in winter. Snow trek is what you can give it a try after a few treks.

Snow trek is NOT fun all the time & mostly its a killer but at Sandkhphu trail its not the same mainly due to its low altitude & of a teahouse trek format.

thank you very much sandeep for your advice .I have just talked to mr. jenpu bhutia(9734056944)(chief of porter association at manebhanjan) and he said maximum chances of snowfall will be there at that point of time.i told him whether i can take a horse (cause this is my first trek,if i see problem then i will transfer myself to horse back )in that case,he said yes i can.general porter fee will be 250 rupees per day and porter+horse will be 700 per day...what do you think...

Hi IMikers,

Planning a a winter trek(end Dec 09) to Sandakphu via Dhotrey...Though I know that Manebhanjan is the most popular and frequented place to start the Sandakphu trek, but I want to explore the Dhoyrey-Tonglu route.

Any idea about the route:
1)How to reach dhotrey(in share mode) from Sukhiapokhri?
2)Accomodation and porter availability et.
3)The condition of the Tonglu trekkers hut?Is it stayable in winter?[/B][/B][/B]
Awaiting replies......