Sandakphu Trek

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.

In any case, we are in a territory of spectacular and green nature, fully mountainous terrain with deep valleys and mighty rivers, with altitudes above 2000 meters and the Kanchenjunga always in the horizon. This orography and its altitude propitiate a fresh climate all year round, which made the British choose Darjeeling as the preferred place for summer, building residences for officers, army dependencies and sanatoriums for the military. Darjeeling still retains that British colonial air in its buildings and structure, with an atmosphere a bit of the past. The city has many attractions for tourism, from the tea fields to the Ghoom Monastery, among which the “Toy Train”, a small impossible engineering train declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, stands out.

The Sandakphu Trek is an affordable trek for everyone. It stands out above all for its views of the Himalayas’ highest mountains, such as Everest, Makalu and the omnipresent Kanchenjunga. It is a trek where nature surrounds you, with valuable forests and alpine terrain in the higher areas. It is the habitat of a big number of animals and infinity of plants and flowers, being one of the places with more density of orchids in the world. The trek itinerary, which forms a curve from south to north, runs along the border with Nepal along the ridge of the Singalila mountains and a large part of it runs within the National Park of the same name.

Part of the route is a rough-road that can be used by off-road vehicles, and the trek combines sections on the track with others following a footpath.

STARTING AND FINISHING IN KOLKATA OR DELHI (optional)

FULL TRIP according program
 

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Welcome on arrival in Bagdogra

·       All road transfers by private vehicle

·       English speaking guide throughout the trip in Sikkim and Darjeeling

·       Inner Line Permit in Sikkim

·       All special permits needed

·       3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in Darjeeling

·       Lunches included in the way from Bagdogra to Darjeeling, return day and Darjeeling sightseeing

·       Lodge accommodation and three meals daily during the trek according to the detailed plan

·       Local English-speaking Mountain guide throughout the trek

·       Material transport service during the trek

·       Sleeping bags (if you want)

·       Entrance to the Singalila National Park

·       Darjeeling sightseeing

·       All the entrances to the monuments and necessary tickets

·       All government taxes and VAT

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

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       Flight from/to your origin point

·       India Entry VISA

·       Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)

·       Tips to staff

·       Phone calls, internet connection 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 this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

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

Starting and finishing in Kolkata or Delhi
 

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Welcome on arrival in Kolkata or Delhi

·       All transfers in Kolkata or Delhi by private vehicle

·       English-speaking escort

·       Flight Kolkata/Delhi to Bagdogra roundtrip

·       2 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Kolkata or Delhi

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       Lunch & Dinner in Kolkata or Delhi

·       Tips to staff

* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers as described in the program.
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.

NOTES ABOUT YOUR SIKKIM TRIP

This trek can be shortened in terms of days, as it has some escapes. Check the Sandakphu Small Trek and Tonglu Small trek itineraries.

A different experience is to reach Sandakphu by off-road vehicle in what would be a two-day activity from Darjeeling. It must be said that the condition of the roads makes this route an adventure.

This program starts and ends at the Bagdogra airport (IXB), since you can buy flights from your point of origin to there. Your flight should arrive in Bagdogra in the morning and your return flight should leave in the afternoon.

However, you also have the option of spending a night in Delhi or Kolkata before and/or after your Sikkim trip. We can take care of it if you want.

(You can check if you have the option to fly to Pakyong Airport (PYG), near Gangtok, although it is unlikely)

DO YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP?

This program is designed with the number of days we consider the minimum to make the trip comfortable and safe, but it is always a good idea to add a day if it fits you in terms of calendar and budget.

Like all our itineraries, the itinerary can be customized and adapted to your taste, needs and preferences.