The name Sandakphu means the ’Height of the Poison Plant’, a direct reference to the profusion of the poisonous aconite plants that grow near the peak. The highest peak of the Singalila Range, it has an altitude of 3, 636 m and it is located at a distance of 58 km. from Darjeeling.
The trip will take you through NJP, Darjeeling , Manebhanjan and then climb onwards to Sandakphu . You canextend this to Phalut if you can afford two more days. Though I took this trip in june which can only be described as ’’dripping trip’’- it still is a memorable exp in my life . Once you reach Sandakphu, you can see 5 of the major peaks -Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse in a continuous snow-clad arc.
The actual trek begins at Manebhanjan with a steep climb to Chitre - you can rest here for a while and climb onwards to Meghma. From here the trail divides into two - one towards tonglu ( 3070m) in India and the other towards Tumling ( Nepal). We stayed here for the night and next morning started again towards Kalapokhri ( black lake)through the Singalila National Park . Here there are sightings of cheetah’s and bears so you have to really careful and you might see /walk around some landslides depending upon the season.
Next day from Kalapohkri you start again and this time the climb is a little steeper and around evening you can reach Sandakphu. From here you can either return or go onwards to Phalut or rimbik . During October-November I was informed there is a Marathon that takes place culminating in Sandakphu .
Here each season has its own beauty . I can speak of the rainy season . since I love water , it was a great trip - though you end up feeling frozen and wet and live with the constant prayer - Oh! please Oh!please - let the sky be clear so that I can see the mighty peaks from there .