Darjeeling Sandakphu Timburey Trek - 4 Days

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  • Duration4 Days
  • DestinationIndia
  • Difficulty LevelModerate
  • Max Altitude3,636mt - 12,000ft

About Trip

Join Ashmita Trek & Tours for one of the latest and greatest in the eastern Himalaya India – the Darjeeling Sandakphu Timburey Trek! It is the shortened version 4 days which offers the majestic views of while staring in awe at not one, not two, but four of the highest peaks in the world! From Sandakphu (3,,636 meters/11,929 feet), the highest point in West Bengal, feast your eyes on Mount Everest (8,848 meters), Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), Lhotse (8,516meters), and Makalu (8,481meters). Spend a night at Sandakphu and watch the sun rise and fall, painting the mountains a fiery red-orange color.

Trek Route

Begin the adventure : Our Team meet bt 9am in Darjeeling near our office locetion or your hotel and drive to manyvanjang one and half hour and your trek starts from Maneybhanjyang the getway to Singalila National pak Sandakphu, after a splendid hilly cruise from Darjeeling. Trek through grassy meadows and blissful forests, passing mountain viewpoint after mountain viewpoint. Ascend through radiating rhododendron forests to charming villages. Spend time with the locals and learn about their distinct lifestyle. Also, along the trail, you might run into one of the awesome animals of Singalila National Park, including the red panda, leopard, barking deer, or Himalayan black bear.

When you arrive to Sandakphu, your breath is taken away by the 360-degree mountain panorama. The moments at Sandakphu will be cherished for the rest of your days. Snap some photos to remind you of this beautiful place before descending to Timburey and finishing the trek.

Dear Guest we have opened our New - An Offbeat Trek Route To Singalila Ridge please click here more information 

Highlights

  • View from Sandakphu of Mount Everest (8848 meters), Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,481m).
  • Trek through Singalila National Park, a rich wildlife sanctuary.
  • See countless bird species (over 400 within the park!).
  • Hiking through rodrodren and magnolia forest.
  • Connect with local villagers each day.
  • Shortest trek that gives you astounding mountain views.
  • Great trail and landscape view.

Itinerary

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Dear Guest This is our regular Itinerary and most people have done this itinerary for short trek up to Sandakphu If you want to make it longer or Singalila ridge round trek up to Phalut then please visit the link our longer Trek here 

Trek Distance : 11 km | Trek Duration : 5.6 hours | Altitude Gain: 2,926Mt to 3,070Mt.

Meet with our guide at Ashmita Trek & Tours office at 8AM /at your Hotel and let the journey begin! A two-hour jeep ride takes us to the small village of Maneybhanjyang, just outside Singalila National Park starting point of your trek. We check in at the office and take care of visa/passport formalities. Begin trekking through the pine tree forested trail, through colorful oak and rhododendron trees. The uphill hike leads us to Tonglu / Tumling. after 5-6 hours. Here, we have stunning views the Kanchenjunga range in the distance, and the city of Darjeeling beneath us. Overnight at home stay in Tumling (Nepal ) Guest House owned by friendly Gurung family. or Trekkers Hut in ( India side ) for foreign tourist. 

  • Lodge / Trekker Hut
  • 5-6 Hours
  • Lunch Dinner
  • 2,926 Mt to 3,070 Mt.
  • Trekking

Trek Distance : 19 km | Trek Duration : 7.8 hours | Altitude Gain : 3.070Mt to 3,636Mt.

Rise out of bed before the sun rises for a magical view of the Singalila and Chola ranges of Kanchenjunga from Tumling Top. Seeing the sunlight illuminate these peaks is an unforgettable sight. Hike down to Tumling for breakfast and then head to Sandakphu after passing Gairibas and Kalapokhri. The route leads through bamboo and mixed forests, and fields of crops, admiring the little villages along the way. The trail is continuously uphill to Kalapokhri, where we eat lunch. After a rest, hike on aneven trail to Bikhebhanjyang (or ‘Valley of Poison’). From here, it’s a steep climb over 4 kilometers to Sandakphu. On this ridge, you will see one of the greatest mountain views in the region. See Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and other majestic peaks. Overnight at Home Stay in Sandakphu (Nepal ) in Lodge, owned by a friendly Sherpa family or Trekkers Hut in ( India side ) for foreign tourist.

About Sandakphu

Sandakphu is a mountain peak in the Singalila Ridge on the border between India and Nepal. It is the highest point of the ridge and the state of West Bengal, India. The peak is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park and has a small village on the summit the most astounding feature of this majestic peak is that it offers you a sweeping view of four of the five highest peaks in the world namely Mount Everest (29,029 feet), Kanchenjunga (28,169 feet), Lhotse (27,940 feet), and Makalu (27,838 feet). If you are a lover of run-of-the-mill activities, then Sandakphu will impart you a life- changing picturesque trek and tour.

  • Lodge / Trek Hut
  • 7.8 Hours
  • Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • 3,070 Mt. to 3,636,Mt.
  • Trekking

Trek Distance : 14 km | Trek Duration : 6.7 hours | Altitude Descend : 3,636Mt to 2,100 Mt

Like the previous day, we recommend waking up for the surreal sunrise over the Himalayas. We climb up a little bit to a perfect viewpoint. Today’s view is even more fabulous than the previous, simply because the panorama is so expansive. Return to Sandakphu for breakfast and continue down towards Timburey. On the way, we have some of the best views of the trek. Through dense forests, we catch many glimpses of the highest mountain range on Earth. The trail is covered with bamboo, rhododendron, and other lush trees. Upon arrival in Timburey, we go to the private homestay where we sleep for the night. During dinner, learn about the culture and lifestyle of locals. Overnight in Timburey.

  • Home Stay
  • 6 to 7 Hours
  • Breakfast Lunch Dinner
  • 3,636Mt to 2,100 Mt
  • Trekking

Trek Distance : 3 km | Trek Duration : 1 hours Drive Distance: 85 km | Drive Duration : 4 hours | Drop off point Ashmita trekkers: Darjeeling

The final day of the trek does not disappoint. We have breakfast in Timburey at 7:30 am and start the hike by 8:30 to 9am towards Srikhola It is a relatively flat down quit gentle trail for about 3 kilometres about 1 hours on srikhola river side our trek end here transport you back to Darjeeling 4 hour.

Thank you for your wonderful experience with us Hope to see you on the next tour to another fascinating destination of India/Nepal.

  • 4 Hours
  • Breakfast
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What's Included

  • 3 Night  Accommodation in a Private Home Stay lodge. ( please note that foreign clients need to stay on India Side
  • These homestay lodges are simple and basic in nature with clean beds and linens
  • All government fees and local taxes during the trek
  • Permit Fee for Singalila National Park included for Indian client ( Note for foreign clients need to pay extra INR,1500 additionally per person
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trekking in the Himalayas
  • Meals will be freshly prepared and will be a mix of Indian, and Nepali local food. (Veg)
  • Excellent Mountaineering Qualified A well-experienced Trekking Guide who will be a local to this particular area
  • Transportation from Darjeeling to Base Camp Manyvanjang and Rimbeek to Darjeeling in public transport / shared jeep
  • Basic First Aid and Medicine kit. carry by Ashmita Teams Guide
  • Salary, food, and accommodation for the Ashmita trek’ crew
  • Your personal expenses, drinking water, hot and cold drinks & bar bills
  • Tips for the Trekking Guide and porters
  • Laundry, telephone, hot shower & internet charge
  • Costs from unexpected occurrences (i.e. cancellations, weather problems, damages of property, illness, etc.)
  • Your travel insurance  (Compulsory) 
  • Personal gear and expenses for the Trek
  • Any other expenses not mention above as included in the price
  • Porter / Sherpa to Carry your backpack Extra Rs,6000 for 4 days
  • Anything not mentioned in the included section
  • Trek Permits for foreigners Rs,1500/- additionally per day per person
  • + 5% GST ( Good and Service Charge of India in not Included on total cost )

Note :

Normally we Ashmita Trek expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to arrange porter / Mule to carry your backpack, on additional cost Rs,6000/ per porter for 4 day.the backpack cannot weigh more than 15-18 kg weight limit). Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.

Note

IMPORTANT POINTS 

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry 5-6 Each person a copy of there Pasport and India Visa for International Guest along with original pasport and india visa and for domestic guest neet Valid ID like Aadhar card / Election card / or Indian pasport for entry at forest check posts on the trek. 

- On the trek, your stay will be staying in Tea house/lodge 

- We do not have a clock room facillty at Darjeeling, do not carry any excess luggage on the trek

Singalila National Park timing – Restrictions in Sandakphu Trek :

The trail to Sandakphu mostly runs inside Singalila National Park. During monsoon, no permit is issued inside the Park (boundary starts just after Tumling phatak) and the annual closure of the national park is from 15th June to 15th September. So Sandakphu trek remains CLOSED from 15th June to 15th September every year.

Though the trekking trail frequently enters Nepal you don’t need a Nepal visa for this trek foreigners. need carry four photocopies of your passport and Indian visa along with the original. A few copies of your recent passport size photos can be handy to keep.

Stay restrictions imposed on foreigners visiting Sandakphu Singalila Ridge Trek 2022

Starting from December 2021 Indian authorities are not allowing foreigners to stay in Nepal side while walking on the Singalila ridge. Non-Indian citizens are only allowed to stay inside India and not in any accommodation which is in Nepal. So for foreign nationals, the accommodations are GTA operated Govt trekkers huts within Singalila National Park and private lodge/ homestay. This is enforced on spot by the Indian paramilitary personnel stationed at various check posts along the trail on the India – Nepal border.

Please Note : that the GTA operated Govt huts by are available at limited spots with basic need and cleen setup. Rooms are of dormitory type and toilets are common some attached place are .

At present foreigners can stay at the village of Maneybhanjung, Tonglu, Gairibas (non functional/almost deserted), Sandakphu, Timburey, Phalut, Gorkhey, Srikhola/Sepi. They can’t stay at Chitrey, Tumling or Kalapokhri as there is nothing in the West Bengal/India side.

Our valuable Client we would like to inform you during the trekking in Darjeeling and Sikkim region will not allow carrying any Satellite phone GPRS and drone camera due to the border security area.

FAQs

Once you reach Bagdogra airport, NJP Train station or Siliguri, you can make your onward travel to Darjeeling we also arrange a pickup service from NJP / Bagdogra / Siliguri to Darjeeling base camp and drop from Srikhola to NJP/Bagdogra. This will be on private basis and paid directly to the driver. Rs,3000 small taxi can accommodate up to 2-3 Rs,3500 on Innova car can accommodate up to 5-6 person This is NOT included in the Trek fee and to be pay directly to the driver.

If you wish to reach our Trek Base Darjeeling on your own by public transportation shared jeep are available there are two please to get shared taxi for Darjeeling one outside from NJP Train station and from Siliguri bus station which about I7 km 15minits distance and 30minits from Bagdogra airport.

The Shared jeep cost from Siliguri to Darjeeling Rs,150 – 200 per person the journey time are 3 hours

Here are your options for reaching Darjeeling Himalaya from other destination parts of India.

By Train :

The nearest railheads are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri (88 km) from here which are connected to Calcutta, New Delhi, Guwahati and other major Indian cities.Take a train up to NJP (New Jalpaiguri station)

By Air :

Darjeeling town is 90km from bagdogra airport Fly down to the nearest India airport Bagdogra which is 94 kms from Darjeeling town where scheduled flights operate from New Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati. You can also fly from Kathmandu and take the one-hour flight to Bhadrapur (the nearest Nepalese airport to Darjeeling

All treks in Himalayas Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Nepal demand a sufficient level of fitness, therefore you should check You might not know what goals to set and how to reach them. so we Ashmita Trek and Tours designed three trek-specific workout guides line for you.

Suggested Preparation :

  • Cardio exercises include running, cycling, jogging, push-ups, and pull-ups for about 4-5 days a week for 3 months before your trip will begin.
  • You should also be involved in developing core strength. and muscle endurance through weight training.
  • Hiking in the hills in different weather conditions will be good preparation for this trip.
  • If you have access, kayaking will also be a very good way to develop the strength and endurance required for this trip.

Here’s a chart to help you get fit for the trek.

Easy

Working out indoors
If you can’t go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here’s a video you can use to work out indoors.

 

Here’s a quick info-graphic to give you an overview of everything you need in your backpack.Easy

Booking terms and condition refers to the special binding agreement between Ashmita Trek and Tours and the client. It is important in the business system to conduct such a procedure. For both of our benefit, it is best to know and understand the terms of our mutual agreement before booking a trip. The terms are a set of regulations that the client must agree to follow to use online services.
 
To conform your place in a scheduled Fixed Departure trek or a Private trek we require 30% advance of your total cost Advance payment can made online via laft bank transfer net banking Credit/Debit card. and the remaining 70% balance is payable 15 days before your trip denature trek date.
If you book the trek 15 before lass the trek date you need to pay the full amount of the trek fee
 

Trip Cancellation Policy Form The Clients :

If a client wants to cancel the trip for their prior booked trek or tours the deposit 30% of the Trek/Tour Fee is Non-Refundable at any stage. This ensures your booking and confirms reservation in trekking and tours and permit process as per the company policy. If in case you are not able to join the trek due to unavoidable region you have choice or of the shifting to another trip and you can travel anytime in the next one years without any extra cost. This means the payments you have already made stay secure with us and you can re-book the trip at a later date instead of immediately cancelling now and losing the deposit.
 
 
We are the local based company from Darjeeling and is proud to be an eco friendly travel and local trekking agency based on Himalayan country of Darjeeling. established by a team of professionals involved tourism since 2007 Our prosperity is the result of broad research, cautious arranging, and usefully tuning in to input. Our devoted, experienced, and submitted nearby group endeavors to give a definitive fulfillment to our customers. We are dependably there to deal with every one of the administrations and to give as much adaptability to our customers to make their get-away adventurous, pleasant, and safe with us. we also recommended by lonely planet travel guide books Trekking Agency highly rangket based on Adventure Outdoor Activities organizer for Nepal, Sikkim, and Darjeeling or you can even read our reviews on Tripadvaisor page they are real reviews what they have experienced with us, so, you can plan your adventure holidays with Ashmita Trek and Tours Teams without any doubt so.

Best season for Sandakphu - Trek The first season Spring ( March to May)  In the springtime, the colorful flowers are blooming like rhododendrons,orchids and magnolia flower. during the fall, the skies are usually clearer the temperature ranges from 8 - 14 degrees C°, and the second Season is after the monsoon starting from 15th September to early December the snow peaks show in their dazzling beauty in a clear blue sky when the temperature ranges from from - 5 to 6 degrees C° 

Note : that during the monsoon seasons the Singalila National Park is closed from mid 15 June to mid 15 September,

also posible to do this Sandakphu - Phalut trek in winter Dec - Jan - Fab but it's cold recommended to bring warm cloth as munch as posible we Ashmita Trek and Tours arranges the trek with full management, including transportation, meals, stay ,permit etc. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions!

The temperatures be like during this Trek can be doen all throughout the year, though it’s much more pleasant in some weather conditions than others. The weather along the Sandakphu Trek depends on the season.  During the springtime (March to May), temperatures fall between 11-19 C° during the day and 2-10 C° at night. Monsoon temperatures are around 15-22 C° during the day and 7 to -1 C° at night. People tend to favor trekking in Autumn, when weather is moderate and skies are clear. In the daytime, temperatures range between 6-12 C° and 5 and -3 C° at nighttime.

Keep in mind, the Sandakphu weather is always unpredictable. In to time, a cloud can come and take away a mountain view, and a gust of wind can nearly knock you off your feet on a high pass. This just adds a little more adventure to the trek. Regardless of the season, you should pack several layers just in case.

There are electricity available in some of the villages like Tumling – Sandakphu – and Timburey where you can re- charges your camera batteries and there is solar power in some villages we trek through and you can recharges your batteries in those places as well if they have enough power and we suggest you to have spare batteries as well and you will have pay some for recharging batteries on our Singalila ridge trek we suggest you to have spare batteries as well.

Darjeeling is the last place where you’ll get mobile network. Make sure you finish your important telephone calls before reaching Manyvanjang the starting point of your trek and Please inform family members about poor connectivity on the trek. and Yes you can charge there are electricity charging points available on home stay on this trek with extra charge about INR 40

Dear Guest we provide you standard good Lodge/teahouse during the Sandakphu - Timburey trek and the rooms are mostly basic lodges and trekkers' huts. just a bed with a pillow and blankets, A few have electric lights  We offer private rooms. Do not expect luxury like TV, geyser etc. For most part of the route there is no electricity although some lodges offer limited use of solar powered lights (usually 6pm to 9pm).

Stay restrictions imposed on foreigners visiting Sandakphu Singalila Ridge Trek 2022

Starting from December 2021 Indian authorities are not allowing foreigners to stay in Nepal side while walking on the Singalila ridge. Non-Indian citizens are only allowed to stay inside India and not in any accommodation which is in Nepal. So for foreign nationals, the accommodations are GTA operated Govt trekkers huts within Singalila National Park and private lodge/ homestay. This is enforced on spot by the Indian paramilitary personnel stationed at various check posts along the trail on the India – Nepal border.

Please Note :

That the GTA operated Govt huts by are available at limited spots with basic need and cleen setup. Rooms are of dormitory type and toilets are common some attached place are .

At present foreigners can stay at the village of Maneybhanjung, Tonglu, Gairibas (non functional/almost deserted), Sandakphu, Timburey, Phalut, Gorkhey, Srikhola/Sepi. They can’t stay at Chitrey, Tumling or Kalapokhri as there is nothing in the West Bengal/India side.

The meals are included in our price of the trek and they are taken in lodges; we will have breakfast and dinner at the lodge where we stay overnights and our will guide will choose and stop for lunch on available place every day and we recommends you to bring water purification pills since you will have normal water for free, then you can have the normal water and use the medicine and drink however you have options of buying bottled water or boiled water in every places as well.

Tips do not form any part of the wages of guides, porters and other trekking crews. but they are expected by the porters, guide, Sherpa and cook. it is a nice way of saying thank-you to someone who will play a large part in your trekking experience and who will prove invaluable to you on this trip. Our porters  and guides will be paid more than working for other big tour and trek companies. we suggest to tip 10-12 % of total trip cost. This amount must be given in Indian rupee or your currency.

Customer Reviews

  • F

    Florent Martens, Belgium - November 08, 2022

    I came to Darjeeling as a solo traveller with a couple of ideas in mind but no proper plan. One of the ideas was to do the Singalila Ridge trek despite having quite a tight schedule.

    Ashmita Trek and tours has been very understanding and after some discussions, we worked around a route for a 2 nighs 3 days trek including a long stretch of jeep the first day before trekking to the highest point of Sandakphu and sleeping up there. While coming down the next two days.

    Rupesh, my guide, has been very kind and helpful throughout the 3 days. We had great moments from sunset and sunrise to delicious meals and good talks.
    All in all everything has been very well organized and suited for my needs and desires. I would definitely recommend Ashmita Trek Tours.

  • J

    Jennifer Musser, United States - November 01, 2022

    This trek was an incredible experience with unforgettable views, both enjoyable moments of leisure and physical challenges, where we were taken care of by the best guide, Dawa. Dawa was most kind, caring and extremely knowledgeable about the area and local culture. We were so grateful to him. This particular trek was perfect for what we wanted to see and for the amount of time we had for it. The company was extremely responsive to questions, messages and helpful with preparing for the trip as well. I would highly recommend Ashmita Trek and Tours and Dawa for this route.

  • S

    Souvik Sinha, India - October 30, 2021

    We planned a four-day trek with Ashmita Trek & Tours, Darjeeling. We were a family of four with two kids of age 6 and 9. Ashmita Trek & Tours made customized tour plan and treks keeping their age and strength and capability in mind. I made multiple calls to them and coordinated with Mr. Subash Tamang over phone, email and WhatsApp.

    He was very helpful and patiently answered all my questions, which helped in the perfect planning of our tour. Without Mr. Subhashish Tamang’s help we could never successfully complete this trek which was the first time in kids’ life and our life. We also opted for their airport car pick up and drop services. We requested for an English-speaking guide in the trips because the kids don’t understand Hindi. During the entire tour we were totally satisfied with their service.

    Prior to the journey we were given the contact numbers of the driver and the guide. On the very first day of the journey, the guide was there in the hotel on time we started our journey as per schedule. We met Mr. Dawa Lama, the most knowledgeable person of the trekking route, who was there with us for the next three days. We were astonished to learn that he was working as a guide in this route for the past 25 years. He is also trained from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and went into many expeditions. This man was a legend and surely, he helped us in each and every step and with his knowledge and familiarization with the route and his connection with the locals. His spoken English is excellent! Never in the trek did we face any trouble because of him.

    We went from Darjeeling to Dhotrey by car and from there we trekked to Tonglu. We stayed at Trekkers Hut at Tonglu. Then next day we went to Tumling and Singalila National Park and stayed at Shikhar Lodge at Tumling. Next day, we trekked from Tumling to Chitrey and then we took the car from Chitrey to Darjeeling. One day later, we went to Chatakpur day trek with them and Mr. Lama was there to guide us as well.

    We did not pay premium price to Ashmita Trek & Tours for this tour but in every step, we felt every penny was worth paying because of the preferential treatment that we received along with a personal touch from Mr. Dawa Lama. We tried to book a room near Ghoom but when all other places said “no vacancy”, Mr. Subash Tamang helped us out by arranging for a beautiful home stay near Jorebunglow. That happened to be the most exciting one of all the places we have stayed so far but that’s for another story (and review). During the entire car journey, we were provided with AC Innova as we requested and they promised. I would highly recommend Ashmita Trek & Tours for any kind of travel in Darjeeling.

     

  • J

    Josephine, Australia - March 10, 2020

    Amazing trip. I did this walk in early March 2020, when it was still pretty cold - days 3 and 4 we were walking through snow, which made it all the more beautiful! Thanks to the Coronavirus effect, I was the only one on the walk in the end, but my guide (Binod) and porter (Roshan) were so helpful and friendly. Some of the accommodation was pretty basic (especially in Phalut) but the food was always delicious, and I had enough clothes to keep me warm. Most days we finished our walking at about 2-3pm, so there was lots of down time in the afternoons for relaxing, reading, etc.

  • M

    Mary Rock, Mexico - March 05, 2020

    Subash the owner at Ashmita arranged a trek for me on very short notice (less than a week). From the moment I was picked at my hotel in Siliguri until I was dropped off at the Badogra airport 6 days later I was well cared for by drivers, guides and hotel/guest house folks. I was physically unable to complete the planned trek but my guide, Pemba, came up with an alternative that worked. Subash then arranged a tour of Darjeeling to replace one day of trekking. If you do not see trek or tour that fits your itinerary on trip advisor to Ashmita's web page I recommend that you contact Ashmita directly. They may be able to create a plan that works for you as it did for me.

Trip Advisor