Sandakphu

Sandakphu
File:Sandakphu.jpg View from Sandakphu in Darjeeling West Bengal
Highest point
Elevation	3,636 m (11,929 ft)
Prominence	356 m (1,168 ft)
Listing	List of Indian states and territories by highest point
Coordinates
Geography
Location of Sandakphu peak
Location	Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India; Ilam District, Koshi Province, Nepal
Parent range	Singalila Ridge
Topo map	Google topographic map
Climbing
Easiest route	Hiking or by car

Panorama of the Kanchenjunga

The Sleeping Buddha

Sandakphu or Sandakpur at 3,636 m (11,929 ft) is a mountain peak in the Singalila Ridge on the border between India and Nepal. It is the highest point of the ridge and of 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 with a few hotels. Four of the five highest peaks in the world, Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu can be seen from its summit. It also affords a pristine view of the entire Kangchenjunga Range. Sandakphu is also known as the land of poisonous flowers.

Etymology

The name derives from the Tibeto-Burman Lepcha language and translates as "the height of the poisonous plant" - in reference to the former abundance at the locality (around a century ago) of the poisonous plants Aconitum ferox and certain rhododendron species. So great was the danger of fatal poisoning to sheep and cattle being driven through the area that they had to be muzzled to prevent them grazing/browsing upon these toxic species (Aconitum ferox has a good claim to being the most poisonous plant species in the world).

Trekking

India

The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular in the Eastern Himalayas, owing not only to the stupendous vistas of the Kangchenjunga and Everest ranges which it affords, but also to its seasonal wildflowers and opportunities for birdwatching. Treks begin at Manebhanjan which is 28 km (17 mi) (approx. 1 hour by road) from Darjeeling.

Ascent

The Sandakphu trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages.

• Manebhanjan to Meghma – height 2,600 m (8,500 ft): This is a 4-hour trek through the lower forest. The route goes via Chitre.
• Meghma to Gairibans – height 2,621 m (8,599 ft): There are two alternative trekking routes. They respectively go via Tonglu – height 3,070 m (10,070 ft) and Tumling – height 2,900 m (9,500 ft). From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari – height 2,750 m (9,020 ft). Jaubari is ward no 07 of jamuna VDC ilam.
• Gairibans to Sandakphu – height 3,636 m (11,929 ft)
• Sandakphu to Phalut – height 3,600 m (11,800 ft): It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum – height 3,536 m (11,601 ft) covering 21 km (13 mi).

Descent

• Retracing the way back to Manebhanjan.
• A steep descent to the village of Sirikhola on the banks of the River Sirikhola, via Gurdum – height 2,300 m (7,500 ft), and from there to Rimbick.

Panorama of Peaks seen from Sandakphu and Phalut

Baruntse – height 7,220 m (23,690 ft), Chamlang – height 7,319 m (24,012 ft), Chomo Lonzo – height 7,818 m (25,650 ft), Lhotse – height 8,516 m (27,940 ft), Makalu – height 8,462 m (27,762 ft), Mount Everest – height 8,848 m (29,029 ft), Nuptse – height 7,861 m (25,791 ft), Kanchenjunga – height 8,586 m (28,169 ft), Talung – height 7,349 m (24,111 ft), Rathong – height 6,679 m (21,913 ft), Kabru N – height 7,353 m (24,124 ft), Koktang – height 6,147 m (20,167 ft), Simvo – height 6,812 m (22,349 ft), Frey – height 5,853 m (19,203 ft), Kabru S – height 7,318 m (24,009 ft), Kabru Dome – height 6,600 m (21,700 ft), Kabru Forked – height 6,100 m (20,000 ft), Pandim – height 6,691 m (21,952 ft), Tenchenkhang – height 6,010 m (19,720 ft), Jupono – height 5,650 m (18,540 ft)

Villages At Glance: Gorkhey, Bhareng, Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Rammam, Srikhola, Sepi, Molley, Gurdum.

Nepal

The western part of Sandakphu peak is located in Sandakpur rural municipality (ward no. 2 & 4) of Ilam District of Province No. 1.

The trekking starts from Ilam Bazar via Maipokhari, Maimajhuwa, Mabu, Kala Pokhri Bikhe Bhyanjyang to Sandakpur, and also from Ilam Bazar via Sulubung, Jamuna, Hangetham (a special area for birds such as the spiny babbler and blue tit), Piple, Kalipokhari, Bikhe Vanjyang to Sandakpur. Jamuna is a highlight for trekkers. There are several beautiful places like Dhap Pokhari and Choyatar (special area for red pandas) on the route.

Gallery

• Sunrise on Mt. Kanchendzonga from Aahl near Sandakphu or Sandakpur
  Sunrise on Mt. Kanchendzonga from Aahl near Sandakphu or Sandakpur
• Singalila Range and Kanchenjungha seen from Sandakpur
  Singalila Range and Kanchenjungha seen from Sandakpur
• A panoramic view of Sandakpur.
  A panoramic view of Sandakpur.
• Domestic yak (Bos grunniens) near Sandakpur
  Domestic yak (Bos grunniens) near Sandakpur
• View of Sandakphu from above
  View of Sandakphu from above
• Sandakphu: shrub-clad rocky ridge with toxic, pink-flowered rhododendron species - for which it was (in part) named
  Sandakphu: shrub-clad rocky ridge with toxic, pink-flowered rhododendron species - for which it was (in part) named

External links

• Mt Everest and Lhotse as seen from Sandakphu
• In the Land of Sleeping Buddha - A Guide to Sandakphu Trek
• Land of the Land Rovers - Community fleet of 57 Series I in daily use from Maneybhanjang to the Sandakphu summit
• 20 Stunning Photos of Sandakphu