Sandakphu Small Trek

The Singalila National Park, where this itinerary takes place, is located west of Darjeeling, dominated by the Singalila mountain range that runs along the border with Nepal. Its highlight is Sandakphu which, at 3636 metres, is the highest peak in West Bengal. The main route of the Sandakphu Trek lasts about 7 days, but here is a shortened 5-day version, which is actually 4 hiking days, plus the return day to Darjeeling. A small trek with lush nature and fully mountainous terrain with deep valleys and rushing rivers, with altitudes above 2000 metres and Kanchendzonga (Kanchenjunga) always on the horizon. An ideal itinerary to insert into any Sikkim and/or Darjeeling trip, which you can tailor-make to suit you.

Part of the route has a rough-track suitable for off-road vehicles, and the trek route combines sections on the track and sections where it goes through the footpath.

If you ask what Darjeeling is, most will answer that it is a tea. And it is true, Darjeeling tea is one of the best known in the Western world, mainly through its marketing by the British. And naturally, its name comes from the area where it is produced.

Darjeeling hills are occupied by tea plantations. Darjeeling produces different varieties of black tea which are still treated and fermented by the traditional method and most, if not all, meet organic production standards, without chemicals or pesticides. The conditions in Darjeeling are perfect for an aromatic tea due to the type of soil and the amount of rain. Tea production is the primary economy of the valley and tea tourism has been growing and developing in recent years.

Darjeeling is in the northwest of West Bengal, bordering Nepal and southern Sikkim. However, its terrain and population are much more closely related to that of its northern neighbour. With a mixed population of Nepalese, Tibetans, Bhutias and from other origins, and with Bengali and Nepali (as in Sikkim) as its official language, Darjeeling is now an autonomous region within the state of West Bengal. However, the question of becoming a state of one’s own or joining Sikkim is always on the table, especially given the difference, both geographically and culturally, with the rest of the state.

PRICE INCLUDES
·       All driving routes by private vehicle

·       Trekkers-hut accommodation and three meals daily during the trek according to the detailed plan

·       English-speaking local mountain guide throughout the trek

·       Porter service during the trek

·       Sleeping bag (if you want)

·       Entrance to the Singalila National Park

·       All necessary permits

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       Darjeeling accommodation that’s included in your full trip through Darjeeling/Sikkim

·       Tips to staff

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       During the trek hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance.

·       It’s convenient to get a trek insurance for India (better including helicopter rescue)

·       In general, any concept not specified in the program, as well as any type of personal assistance to the traveller

·       No additional expenses due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers for the trekking only. This is from the pick up at your accommodation until the return to it.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.

We present here, as we usually do with short treks, just the trek route, as we believe that you are not coming to Darjeeling just to do a 4-day trek, but sure you will take the opportunity to do a more complete trip that we can tailor-make for you or that you can do on your own.

See also the complete Sandakphu Trek itinerary which includes the programme for an entire trip.

As alternative options, you have an even shorter 2-day itinerary, the Tonglu Small Trek, or a 2-day off-road vehicle route from Darjeeling.