​​Before starting this article I must tell you that I am not a proficient trekker. I even didn’t find any such interest in trekking before I decided to go to Sandakphu. It was a sudden decision on one beautiful sunny day and I just jumped into the idea. 

Beginners Guide To Sandakphu
From train towards NJP Station

Before planning, I needed to figure out how can I know if I am exactly ready for this trek or not. How I will be prepared. I had several telephonic and WhatsApp conversations with our trek team and also went through some online material. I wanted to write this article for those who wanted to go to Sandakphu and enjoy the whole Sleeping Buddha range but do not have enough experience. So you can call this article a true beginner’s guide. 

Consult Doctor

First of everything please consult your doctor and be sure that you are medically fit to go on the trek. You may have altitude sickness or breathing problems. Usually, if you are going to Sandakphu by car then you may gain height at a time and may have breathing difficulties. Otherwise, trekking is safe because you are gaining height gradually.

Communicate with your trek leader

Always communicate with your trekking team. Ask them about the team size and itineraries. If the team is packed with beginners then you may walk and stop at various sites. I and my sister Priyanka went on Altitude Adventure Holidays. I talked several times over the phone and WhatsApp with the trek arranger team. 

Amend your route

Beginners Guide To Sandakphu

From Dhotrey or Chitrey start your trek. We had started from Dhotrey. Our trek leader was Sujay Das. He is a fragile-looking young man with immense physical fitness. He did Sandakphu different times and continued it with many other different teams. We reached NJP station and got a car which was previously arranged by Altitude. It took us to Dhotrey via Mirik. En route, you can watch Simana viewpoint. It has a beautiful view with bluish mountains and overlapping clouds. We crossed Manebhanjan market from where tourists take Landover car. If you wish, you can book a landrover car instead of walking tirelessly. In that case, you have to book the car for Rs. 5500 only. For one extra day, the cost will increase Rs.1000 extra and for two extra days, it will be Rs.1500 extra.

Beginners Guide To Sandakphu
From our homestay in Dhotrey

I don’t recommend going to Sandakphu by car because the road condition is not that good. Only offroad cars can go there, and the best practice is obviously trekking.

The day was not very bright. It was lightly raining. We reached Dhotrey homestay in the evening. 

Our plan was quite simple. We will go to Tumling from Dhotrey and stay at Tumling. The next day we will walk and stay at kalapokhri. The next day was Sandakphu. From Sandakphu we will go to Phalut. Then would come back via srikhola, Gorkey. If you exclude Phalut then you can come down via Gurdum.

Why are you going to Sandakphu? Decide Purpose before Starting

Well, I wanted to do birdwatching in a secluded place, so I decided to go on the Sandakphu trek. If you want to do trekking then you will definitely enjoy it, but walking in the long hilly way in heavy rainfall while trying to watch birds was not at all working for me. So decide your motto before your journey.

My sister in Dhotrey Forest

You may enjoy birds while walking but your trekking could never be a birding trip. In trekking trips, covering distance and reaching a certain spot is the main motto while in birdwatching you have to stay in one place and explore that place. You have to walk in the woods but you may have enough time to wait and rest for a particular bird. Well If you are neither trekker nor a birdwatcher but still want to visit Sandakphu, then definitely you are a tourist. You must be thinking of getting an offroad car from Manebhanjan and starting your journey. 

Best time to visit Sandakphu

My best time to visit any place was dependent upon my office schedule and exam schedule. This story was from a long time back. Now I know that choosing the best and ideal time for your vacation is very much important. It will help you to get what you want from your trip. For example, if you want snow and set your trip in October, then it will be ended in deep frustration. So planning is very important when you are choosing your destination and ideal time.

I didn’t enjoy the rain. It was not the rainy season. In fact, October is supposed to be the best season to go to Sandakphu, because it is not so cold and the chances of getting a clear mountain view are high, but nowadays we are experiencing climate change rigorously. We receive unexpected weather very often. Suddenly we came to know that depression had formed. We already started our journey. It was not possible to call off the trek at that time. But we got severe rain, cold storms during our trek. 

Started from Dhotrey

We couldn’t take out our camera for a long time. We roughly did a monsoon trek in mid-October without proper preparation. 

Meadow in the trekroute from Dhotrey to Tonglu

Still, I would like to tell you that, October is the best season for getting a clear mountain view. December is for snow, March-April for blooming flowers and birds.

Things you should carry before the trek

Always communicate with your team leader or trek mentor before buying anything for your trek. For example, I know someone, who bought a sports shoe instead of a hiking shoe. If you are going on a snow trek, you need to carry things depending on the weather condition. If you are going on a monsoon trek then dresses and accessories should match the weather condition.

You may also like TOP 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING PELLING

What to Bring in trek

These items should be on your trekking checklist:

  • Rucksack
  • Trekking Stick
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
  • Trekking boots or shoes
  • Plenty of food
  • Plenty of water
  • Navigation tools such as a map and compass
  • First-aid kit
  • Knife or multi-tool

All well that ends well

Did I just borrow something from William Shakespeare? Oh yes! He is amazing. He told that exact phrase that I wanted to say to portray my current situation in Sandakphu. 

Ok reader, I don’t want to confuse you any more! Actually, our whole team was moved to Chitrey from Tumling by car. Chitrey is nearer to Manebhanjan. Our plan was to stay one night in Chitrey and if we found more deterioration in weather conditions we would move to New Jalpaiguri Station. 

Rain rain go away

The night in Chitrey was really scary. It was like a furious storm trying to smash everything. The next morning weather was a bit clear. We suddenly found a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga range glittering behind the dark black cloud.

Chitrey Homestay
A Glimpse

The sighting was only for a few minutes, but it was enough for us to change our minds. We decided to go to Sandakphu by car. It would save time and we were already very tired of struggling with the adverse weather conditions.

From Chitrey Homestay

The night in Sandakphu was chilly and thrilling. We stayed in Hotel Sunrise. It is the best hotel in Sandakphu. It was a full moon night and we experienced the beautiful sleeping buddha range on that night. The sight was so clear and charming. We couldn’t sleep for the whole night. We awake to look at that massive beauty.

Full moon night at Sandakphu

We enjoyed spotless sunrise too. It was really an overwhelming experience. I took these photographs using my D500 camera with an 18-105 lens and mobile. If you wish you can watch my videos too.

I did birdwatching too on that day because the day was very sunny and bright. Bird activities are good. Sandakphu has a large number of Eastern jungle crows. Small birds got frightened by their overactivity. 

Overall it is a nice experience because all’s well that ends well. 

Watch My Video Blog

Trek Time – Mid October, 2021

Sandakphu Hotels & Homestays & Packaged Tour

Homestays, car and packaged tour – northeasttravels 8972247306
Trek Agency – Altitude Adventure Holidays – 9903331025
Dhotrey Green Valley Homestay – 6294713953
Chitrey Hawk’s Nest Homestay – 9733081184
Tumling Dawa Homestay – 8116434907
Sandakphu Sunrise Hotel – 9679256795