Trekking info needed for Sandhakphu & Palut

sandeepbwn

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.

roy_supratim05

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.

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Bhaswaran

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.

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sandeepbwn

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?

babuchand

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

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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."

babuchand

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.

sandeepbwn

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?

babuchand

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

sandeepbwn

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

AnnaD

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