Sandakphu or Sandakpur at 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 is derived from the Tibeto-Burman Lepcha language and is translated as "the height of the poisonous plant" - in reference to the former abundance at the locality (present around a century ago) of the poisonous plants Aconitum ferox and certain rhododendron species.The danger of fatal poisoning to sheep and cattle being driven through the area was so great 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).Rai, Lalitkumar and Sharma, Eklabyar Medicinal Plants of the Sikkim Himalaya: Status, Uses and Potential, pub. Govind Ballabh Pant Inst. Bishen Singh & Mahendra Pal Singh 1994 pps 25-7.

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 (approx. 1 hour by road) from Darjeeling., Sandakphu, Trek to Sandakphu, 1 August 2015

Ascent

The Sandakphu trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages. Manebhanjan to Meghma – height : This is a 4-hour trek through the lower forest. The route goes via Chitre. Meghma to Gairibans – height : There are two alternative trekking routes. They respectively go via Tonglu – height and Tumling – height . From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari – height . Jaubari is ward no 07 of jamuna VDC ilam. Gairibans to Sandakphu – height Sandakphu to Phalut – height : It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum – height covering .

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 , and from there to Rimbick.

Panorama of Peaks seen from Sandakphu and Phalut

Baruntse – height , Chamlang – height , Numbur – height , Hunku Chuli – height , Chomo Lonzo – height , Kyashar – height , Mera Peak – height Lhotse – height , Makalu – height , Mount Everest – height , Nuptse – height , Kanchenjunga – height , Rathong – height , Kabru N – height , Kokthang – height , Simvo – height , Frey – height , Kabru S – height , Kabru Dome – height , Kabru Forked – height , Pandim – height , Tinchenkhang – height , Jupono – height , Pauhunri – height , Shudu Tsenpa – height , Jomolhari – height

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 places like Dhap Pokhari and Choyatar (special area for red pandas) on the route.

Gallery

References

External links

Mt Everest and Lhotse as seen from Sandakphu

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