The Sleeping Buddha
From Sandakphu the Kangchenjunga range lies along the northern horizon in the shape of a sleeping figure. To the west, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu complete four of the world's five highest peaks.
After the ridge · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Sandakphu is a ridge walk on the India–Nepal border, staying in homestays, and one of the great mountain views of the Himalaya at its high point.
3,636m
Sandakphu, highest in West Bengal
4of 5
Of the world's highest peaks in view
62km
On the mapped trail, over 6 days
0tents
Homestays and guesthouses all the way
🥾 Long ridge walk🌸 Spring: Mar–May🍂 Autumn: Sep–Nov🇮🇳🇳🇵 Along the border
Day by day
Seven days, step by step
The route follows the ridge north to Phalut, then drops east to Gorkhey and Sepi. Day distances here are measured along the mapped trail; operators quote longer ones.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Drive to the startUp to the ridge from the plainsAbout 5 h by road🛏️ Homestay near Manebhanjan
- Day 2→ TumlingVia Chitrey and Meghma, on the borderAbout 10 km · 7–8 h🛏️ Homestay in Tumling · 2,875 m
- Day 3Tumling → KalapokhriInto Singalila National ParkAbout 13 km · 8 h🛏️ Homestay in Kalapokhri · 2,990 m
- Day 4Kalapokhri → SandakphuShort climb to the topAbout 5 km · 2–3 h🛏️ Homestay at Sandakphu · 3,636 m
- Day 5Sandakphu → PhalutSunrise, then the long crest walkAbout 17 km · 7–8 h🛏️ Guesthouse at Phalut
- Day 6Phalut → GorkheySteeply down off the ridgeAbout 8 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Homestay in Gorkhey
- Day 7Gorkhey → SepiDown the valley to the roadAbout 9 km🚙 Drive to Bagdogra, about 5 h
Stories and nature
The mountain of poisonous flowers
Height of the poisonous plant
Sandakphu is a Lepcha name for the aconite and poisonous rhododendrons on its slopes. Nearby Bikheybhanjang means "the poisonous valley".
Kalapokhri
"The black lake" on the ridge is hung with prayer flags, which snap in the wind as you pass.
When to go
Two windows
Clear views decide this trek. Bikat recommends spring and autumn.
Mar–May
Spring: days about 10–20 °C, with the ridge in flower.
Sep–Nov
Autumn: days about 5–15 °C, and the clearest skies for the big peaks.
Monsoon
Cloud often hides the view entirely. Plan around it.
Nights
Colder than the days suggest on the ridge, in every season.
Plan your trip
Getting to Manebhanjan
The trek starts in the Darjeeling hills and ends at Sepi, so arrange transport at both ends.
- Bagdogra / NJP🚙 Shared or private jeep up into the hills
- Darjeeling🚙 About 28 km to the trailhead
- Manebhanjan
At the end, Sepi to Bagdogra is about 140 km and 5 hours by road.
Permits
Checked at the Singalila National Park entry post. Operators include them; foreign nationals pay about ₹2,000 more.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹13,400 + 5% GST, with homestays and meals.
Border
The trail crosses between India and Nepal along the ridge. Carry photo ID.
Altitude sickness
Headache, sickness or dizziness? Tell your leader, rest, and go down if it gets worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
The last ATM on the way is at Mirik. Draw cash in NJP, Siliguri or Bagdogra. Himalaya Trekker
Phone signal
BSNL has the best signal on the ridge. Jio and Airtel work at Manebhanjan but drop out above Tonglu. Trek in Sikkim
Charging
You can charge at every night stop except Phalut. Carry a power bank for that night. Bikat Adventures
Water
Water is available at Chitrey, Lamaydhura and Meghma. There is none between Sandakphu and Phalut, so carry the whole day's water. Bikat Adventures
Food on the trail
Small shops come every 2–3 km. In Tumling they sell tea, Maggi and bottled water. Discover with Dheeraj
Stays and toilets
Guest houses and homestays, mostly dorms. Camps have dry-pit toilet tents. Carry your own toilet paper. Bikat Adventures
Weather
March–May: days 10 to 20 °C, nights 5 to 10 °C. Mid-Sep to mid-Nov: days 5 to 15 °C, nights 0 to 5 °C. Bikat Adventures
Nearest hospital
Primary Health Centre at Sepi, about an hour from the end of the trail. The nearest big hospital is Darjeeling District Hospital. Trekup India
Porter or horse
A porter costs ₹1,200 a day with food and carries up to 17–18 kg. A horse costs about ₹1,200 a day for up to four rucksacks. Himalaya Trekker
Reaching Manebhanjan
A shared jeep from NJP via Darjeeling costs ₹400–600 a seat and takes 5–6 h. A private taxi costs ₹3,500–5,000. Trek in Sikkim
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Bikat Adventures: Sandakphu trek, things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Siliguri before you leave
DecathlonBuy · trek shoes, jackets, thermals, socks, torches, polesA Block, 3rd Floor, City Centre Mall, Matigara, Siliguri 734010 · +91 90197 35251 · Website
Manebhanjan at the start of the trek
Trek in SikkimRent · full set of jacket, sleeping bag and poles: ₹1,800Rented at Maneybhanjyang; book with your trek · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 7 operators with a Sandakphu page in October 2026. Most sell the longer route on to Phalut, so compare the number of days as well as the price.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.