Sandakphu Trek - One of the must-do treks in West Bengal

 Perched at a moderate altitude of 12,000 ft, Sandakphu is a giant and majestic mountain lying over the Singalila Ridge that draws the two countries of Nepal and India together. The wide, panoramic views from the Sandakphu summit are two die for yet are not the only driving forces behind this incredible trek. The entire journey from the very first day to the last day offers unique and peculiar experiences allowing you to witness a wide range of emotions.

What makes the Sandakphu trek even exciting and noteworthy is the consistent sneaking in and out of the two countries-India and Nepal. You get to catch brief glimpses of the lives of two countries as you juggle India and Nepal to reach the summit of Sandakphu, and the experience is everything surreal.

While Sandakphu mountain is the highest mountain peak in West Bengal and is by far the best trek to do in West Bengal, it is also one of the best treks to do in all of India. It offers an experience like none other and makes it to the bucket list of almost every Indian trekking enthusiast ever.

While treks in Uttarakhand are known to have trails with blossoming Rhododendron and Magnolias, treks in West Bengal also offer tough competition in the same aspect. As you climb uphill from Kopidana to Tumling on the second day of the Sandakphu Trek, you will find most of the trails to be completely smudged in shades of pink and white with springs of Rhododendrons and Magnolias spreading far and wide. The view is breathtaking and astonishing altogether.

Treks in West Bengal are usually not very adventurous but the Sandakphu Trek simply remains a rebel. It provides a thrilling and adventurous experience, thanks to the Singalila National Park en route. On the third day of the trek, as you walk away from Tumling towards Kalapokhri, you have to traverse the forests around the Singalila National Park to reach the camps on the other side. These forests are not only rich in exotic flora and fauna but also remain a habitat to the baffling Red Pandas that are known to be endangered as well as listed in the IUCN Red List. The very act of traversing these dense forests full of wild and exotic species of flora and fauna fuels thrill and adrenaline rushes in you — it is an impeccably adventurous walk that remains spine-chilling and equally daunting.

The fourth day of the Sandakphu Trek beats all experiences and is by far one of the most stirring and rousing experiences that I have ever had the privilege to relish. Right from the initial hike as you gradually gain height to reach the summit of Sandakphu, the views tend to get richer and other-worldly with each foot uphill. Not only do you get fascinating views of robust and fierce mountain peaks, along with the relentlessly glorious Sleeping Buddha but what you see from the top of the summit is something completely beyond words.

The top of the Sandakphu summit unfolds into grand, transfixing views of four of the world’s tallest mountains — Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Chomo Lonja, and the King of all; Mt. Everest. The clear, magnified, and real views of these robust mountains make you weak in the knees and are one of the few views to stay with you even long after the completion of the trek. Mt. Shambho, Mt. Kabru, Mt. Koktang, Mt. Frey, Mt. Goecha, and the peaks of Kumbhakarna remain the other notable and equally fascinating mountain peaks in the frame.

Given these exotic pleasures, the effort put into reaching the Sandakphu Trek is quite minimal which is what makes the Sandakphu Trek be a moderate grade trek. If you are an averagely experienced trekker, you can also solo hop onto this trek to enjoy a wholesome and fulfilling experience. Just keep the documents in check and also handy to produce as and when required — since the trails to the Sandakphu Peak zigzag in and out of the two countries, the Sandakphu trek has a few check-posts that require trekkers to produce documents for security reasons. With that taken care of, everything about the Sandakphu trek remains smooth, thrilling and all things merry.