sandakfu trek october 25-28th

mantru

Hi can anyone suggets how many days will it take for sandakpur trek..and how much is the cost factor...the weather ...and accomodation ..the route to take etc..infact all about the trek...

Bhaswaran

Mantru,

You are located at Darjeeling and asking for Sandakfu (not Sandakpur) trek

Anyway, go to Darjeeling Jeep/Bus stand and catch the early morning bus for Rimbik. Get down at Maneybhanjan. You can also go a little further and get down at Dhotre and start the trek. Tonglu is only 5-6 km from Dhotre. Otherwise, next day, start the trek from Maneybhanjan to Tonglu.

Day 1: Maneybhanjan to Tonglu/Tumling

Day 2: Tonglu/Tumling to Kalipokhri

Day 3: Kalipokhri to Sandakfu

Day 4: Stay at Sandakfu and enjoy the views.

Day 5: Sandakfu to Phalut

Day 6: Phalut to Srikhola

Day 7: Srikhola to Rimbick

Catch Rimbick-Darjeeling bus to come home.

mantru

yes i meant that..actually i have been heard people using sandakpur ,yesterday itself came to know from my brother its not pronounced the way i wrote......u all are correct guys..and thants for the info...i just got to know we can visit this place by a car...anyways guys inputs are always welcome.
Cheers!!

Bhaswaran

Mantru,

Yes you can visit Sandakfu by car....but I will say.....please dont.

I have found only experienced driver's from Maneybhanjan take their old and reliable landrovers up the mountains over a boulder-built road up to Sandakfu. They generally take goods, so these landrovers act as trucks. and you condition in those jeeps will be just like luggages dumped on a truck going on a bumpy ride. The landrovers goes like little deers jumping and sprinting - have a feel of it. ha ha. You will never try again. When you come back... you have to take bed rest and a lot of ibuprofen to beat the pain all over your body.

Just enquire about it in Darjeeling jeep stand ...you will find that they admit that the driver's who can take a jeep to Sandakfu is definitely the best of them. So, the road (basically there is no road, only boulders) is risky and trecherous too.

My advise......avoid such rides.....it will only give you pain and devoid you of enjoying the nature.

Even I dont like trekking there as the jeeps often disturbes the serene surroundings. I personally enjoyed the small trek to Varsey more.

Moreover, if you want to enjoy Sandakfu....go walking...thats the way.


regards,

Bhaswaran

mantru

Thanks for the info.....actually i just did those kind of bumpy rides in Leh..we were provided an army jeep and we went to pangong lake ...oh god the roads were ?however we managed to reach and back as well 14 hours of bumpy ride...somehow i was lucky than the remaining group...outcome u have a proverb in hindi or nepali(ghora bech ke so gaya)i just remember putting my head down to sleep and the next thing was the next morning..you can check my leh pages at..not great but check the awsome photos.....

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/e59ab/

Bhaswaran

One thing I can say...the Leh-Pangong road is far better compared to the Sandakfu road.

deepsea

We had a problem with one of our older trekking companions on this trek and our guide very kindly convinced one of these jeep drivers to take her luggage to our next stop. Not sure if this can be officially arranged but was very helpful to know that this could be done in an emergency.

Bhaswaran

Hi Deepsea,

after a long time. How was you trek? Yes this can be arranged in times of emergency, provided the avilability of jeep. You can also arrange a jeep for the total tour in Maneybhanjan.

I saw a family reach Sandakfu in the evening by jeep, totally exhausted and defied the road conditions. Angrily, they left the next morning without feeling the beauty of this enchanting place.

mantru

hey guys thanks for the input...how many day do you thing can we cover this...my cousin said we can do it in a day...i dont have a lot of leaves and i would like to go to sikkim as well.....wanted to visit north sikkim as well any inputs....

subhra2008

hi,
Whatever Bhaswaran says is right about the road condition. but the road has to be like this to avoid skiiding off the mountain for vehicles in winter due to snow impact. But also u should know that If the road is made pukka then whats the use trekking down there ??? I think it is the best way to enjoy Sandakphu in its natural habitat. still its a small village on the top of the hill and population is mere 20-25 people. Isnt it greattt for the enchanting habitat and the virgin surroundings with lofty peaks all around u !! If u cant take the risk for serene beauty then how can u make it down to ur memory lane ???
Well its too much for u. Anyway i travelled by the Landrover and it was a travel of a lifetime and those mindblowing, awesome landrovers can only do it !!! But I would always say Trek is the best way to enjoy travelling to Sandakphu.

Well it's a 5 day trek back to Darjeeling. and for north Sikkim its a package tour of 1 night 2 days or 2 night 3 days. Its upto u to decide. I've been there and its mesmerizing. superb and enchanting. Still i miss Zero point and yumthang etc.....
shouldn't miss Gurudongmar lake !

Well lets stop here.

byeeeeeeee

mantru

hey guys i want to know about the finances as well.....how much will it take to take the landrover ,bugdet is tight as its festival month so i have to know the estimates.