Singalila National Park · Darjeeling hills
Sandakphu–Phalut
A ridge trek along the India–Nepal border with Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga in one view.
Sandakphu–Phalut is an easy–moderate trek in Singalila National Park, Darjeeling hills, reaching 3,636 m. The best time to go is March and April and October to December. Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground from Bagdogra / NJP and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Sandakphu–Phalut
The one thing not to miss
Sunrise from Sandakphu
The "Sleeping Buddha" of the Kanchenjunga range, with Everest, Lhotse and Makalu further left.
- 2PhalutA long ridge walk onward, closer still to Kanchenjunga.
- 3Tumling and TongluThe first night's villages, right on the border ridge.
- 4The old Land RoversVintage jeeps still carry people up from Manebhanjan.
- 5Spring flowersRhododendron and magnolia in April.
A sample plan: 7 days
Day 1
NJP or Bagdogra to Manebhanjan
Arrange the guide and park entry.
Day 2
Manebhanjan to Tumling
Along the border ridge.
Day 3
Tumling to Kalipokhri
Through the national park.
Day 4
Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
A short, steep day; stay for sunset.
Day 5
Sunrise, then Sandakphu to Phalut
A long ridge walk, for those going on.
Day 6
Phalut to Gorkhey and Srikhola
Down through forest.
Day 7
Srikhola to NJP
The drive out.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Four of the world's five highest peaks from one ridge, with simple lodges instead of tents.
Why not
Views depend entirely on clear weather; spring is often hazy.
Before you go
- Permits
- Singalila National Park entry at Manebhanjan; a local guide is required.
- Guide
- Required by the park.
- Safety
- Snow on the ridge in winter; wind is the real cold.
- Phone & internet
- Patchy on the ridge.
Altitude
Sandakphu–Phalut reaches 3,636 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Darjeeling hills →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Darjeeling hills: Darjeeling District Hospital, Darjeeling; North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, Siliguri.
All emergency contacts for Darjeeling hills →What to pack for Sandakphu–Phalut
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho Mountain weather turns quickly; rain gear doubles as a wind layer.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 50 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
8 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,636 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsSingalila National Park entry at Manebhanjan; a local guide is required.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePatchy on the ridge.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Darjeeling hills Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Beyond Manebhanjan only the local Land Rovers are allowed on the track. A guide is compulsory in the national park.
By road
From
Bagdogra / NJP
- Distance
- about 90 km
- Drive time
- about 4 hours
- Siliguri
- Mirik
- Sukhiapokhri
- Manebhanjan
The walk, or the jeep ride, starts at Manebhanjan.
Live directions from Bagdogra / NJPFrom
Darjeeling
- Distance
- about 26 km
- Drive time
- about 1.5 hours
- Darjeeling
- Ghum
- Sukhiapokhri
- Manebhanjan
Buses and shared taxis. Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both next to Siliguri. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from there. Shared jeeps run from Darjeeling to Manebhanjan.
Pickups & drivers
From Bagdogra / NJP. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Sandakphu–Phalut yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Sandakphu–Phalut: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Sandakphu–Phalut?
The best months for Sandakphu–Phalut are March and April and October to December. January and February and May are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to February.
How difficult is Sandakphu–Phalut?
Sandakphu–Phalut is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 50 km in total, starting at 2,100 m and reaching 3,636 m.
How many days do you need for Sandakphu–Phalut?
Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground, counted from Bagdogra / NJP. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Sandakphu–Phalut cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹17,500 for 7 days, before the cost of getting to Bagdogra / NJP.
How do you reach Sandakphu–Phalut?
By road: from Bagdogra / NJP it is about 90 km, about 4 hours (Siliguri → Mirik → Sukhiapokhri → Manebhanjan); from Darjeeling it is about 26 km, about 1.5 hours (Darjeeling → Ghum → Sukhiapokhri → Manebhanjan). Fly to Bagdogra or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), both next to Siliguri. Shared jeeps and taxis leave from there. Shared jeeps run from Darjeeling to Manebhanjan. The nearest gateway is Bagdogra / NJP.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Sandakphu–Phalut?
Permits: Singalila National Park entry at Manebhanjan; a local guide is required. Guide: Required by the park.
Is Sandakphu–Phalut suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is possible with care. It is moderately busy in season. Snow on the ridge in winter; wind is the real cold.
What should you pack for Sandakphu–Phalut?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Sandakphu–Phalut?
Patchy on the ridge.
Will I get altitude sickness at Sandakphu–Phalut?
Sandakphu–Phalut reaches 3,636 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Sandakphu–Phalut?
Sandakphu–Phalut is not a good choice for families with small children, older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,636 m. Also keep in mind: Views depend entirely on clear weather; spring is often hazy.
Close to Sandakphu–Phalut
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Darjeelingabout 27 km
- Mirikabout 29 km
More in Darjeeling & Singalila
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