Four of the five highest peaks on earth from one ridge
Sandakphu at 3,636 m is the highest point in West Bengal, and from the ridge above it you can see Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu at the same time. Four of the world five highest mountains, from one place, on foot.
The walk follows the Singalila ridge along the India and Nepal border, crossing between the two countries repeatedly without ceremony. You sleep in trekkers huts and village lodges. In late April the rhododendron on this ridge is among the best in the Himalaya.
This is a real trek but not a technical one: long days on a jeep track and forest trail, no ropes, no glacier. If you walk regularly and can manage six hours with a light daypack, you can do it.
This is the plan as we would run it. Days can be swapped, dropped or added — say what you want changed and we will rebuild it before you pay anything.
Day 1
Met at Bagdogra or NJP and up to Darjeeling. Afternoon briefing with the trek leader, a kit check, and an early night. If you are hiring a jacket or a sleeping bag, this is when it is issued.
Day 2
An hour and a half by road to Manebhanjan at 2,134 m, where the walk starts. A steep first climb to Chitrey and Meghma, then an easier stretch to Tumling at 2,970 m, just over the border in Nepal. About 11 km. The first view of Kangchenjunga is from here.
Day 3
Into Singalila National Park proper at Gairibas, then the long pull up to Kaiyakatta and on to Kalipokhri at 3,186 m, named for its black pond. About 14 km, and the day the legs notice. Rhododendron all around this stretch in season.
Day 4
A short but steep 6 km with a brutal last climb from Bikheybhanjan. Sandakphu at 3,636 m by early afternoon, which leaves the whole of the golden hour for the view: the Sleeping Buddha across the north, and Everest with Lhotse and Makalu to the west.
Day 5
The finest day of the trek and the longest, about 21 km along the open ridge with Kangchenjunga beside you almost the whole way. Phalut at 3,600 m sits at the junction of Sikkim, Nepal and West Bengal, and almost nobody is there.
Day 6
A long descent through Gorkhey and Samanden, forest and villages and a river at the bottom, about 16 km to Srikhola. The vehicle meets you there for the drive back to Darjeeling and a hot shower.
Day 7
Down to the plains, three hours. Flights after 1 pm.
Hotels are named on your written itinerary before you pay. The properties below are the ones we normally use in this band; if one is full on your dates we substitute a hotel of the same standard and tell you which, rather than leaving you to find out at check-in.
Private vehicle to the Manebhanjan trailhead and back from Srikhola. The ridge itself is walked; the old Land Rovers that run to Sandakphu are available if someone in the group needs to ride a section, at extra cost.
Up to 4 travellers normally ride in a Wagon R, Swift Dzire or similar; 5 to 7 in an Innova, Xylo or Scorpio; 8 and above in a Tempo Traveller or a second vehicle. On the North Sikkim and Silk Route legs the vehicle is always a Bolero, Sumo or Scorpio, because that is what those roads take.
Your written confirmation carries the exact advance, the balance date and the cancellation schedule for your trip. Those numbers, not this page, are the ones that apply. Full terms are on the booking conditions page.
General questions: permits, seasons, packing and how to get here
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Fill this in and we will come back with a proper day-by-day itinerary for your dates, with named hotels and one all-in price. No payment is taken at this stage and nothing is confirmed until you say so.
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Dates, how many of you, and anywhere you have your heart set on — that is enough for us to start. You will get a day-by-day plan with named hotels and one all-in price, in writing, before you pay anything.
