Sandakphu & Phalut, West Bengal
Sandakphu is a mountain peak in the Singalila Ridge in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the highest point of the ridge and situated on the border between India and Nepal. Sandakphu is also called as Sandakpur. Phalut is another peak situated on the Singalila ridge in the Himalayas situated close to Sandakphu. Sandakphu and Phalut peaks are situated inside the Singalila National Park.
The Mountain Peaks
Sandakphu:
This peak is the highest point of the Singalila Ridge and situated at the edge of the Singalila National Park. It is about 3636 m (11,930 ft) tall. The western part of Sandakphu peak is located in Sandakpur rural municipality (ward no. 2 & 4) of Ilam District of Province No. 1. Four of the five highest peaks in the world, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kangchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu can be seen from its summit.
It also affords a pristine view of the entire Kangchenjunga Range. The peak has a small village on the summit with a few hotels. Sandakphu is also known as the land of poisonous flowers due to the abundant presence of the poisonous plants Aconitum ferox and certain Rhododendron species. These poisonous plants gave the name Sandakphu. As per the Tibeto-Burman Lepcha language, Sandakphu means the height of the poisonous plant.
Phalut:
Phalut is another peak situated on the Singalila ridge in the Himalayas. It is about 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) tall and is the second highest peak of West Bengal. Phalut is also called as Falut. The word Phalut is derived from the Lepcha word Fak-Luk, means Barren Peak. The area and even the last stretch to Phalut are actually quite barren. It is located at the border of the Indian states of West Bengal and Sikkim and of Nepal.
It is situated inside the Singalila National Park. A small bunkhouse is near the top of the peak and is administered by the Indian army. Singalila Pass is 17 kms away from Phalut. The indigenous tribes surrounding the mountain peak are known as Falutians by outsiders. Falutians have a 300-year history of worshipping the mountain peak and believe that Phalut is an omniscient god. They refer to the mountain peak as "Omna Re Ay".
Trekking
For brief details, please refer below link;
https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2026/02/sandakphu-phalut-trekking.html
Entry Fees & Other
Expenses
For brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
Maneybhanjang (2150m)
is a small Himalayan hamlet, is the gateway to the national park and is also
the starting point of this trek. Maneybhanjang is located at about 19 Kms from Ghoom,
19 Kms from Ghoom Railway Station, 25 Kms from Darjeeling, 29 Kms from Mirik,
37 Kms from Bijanbari, 48 Kms from Rimbik, 75 Kms from Siliguri, 83 Kms from Bagdogra
Airport, 86 Kms from New Jalpaiguri Junction Railway Station, Maneybhanjang can
be reached from New Jalpaiguri Junction and Bagdogra Airport via Mirik. It is
also well connected with Darjeeling via Ghoom.
Tourists need to
reach Maneybhanjang early since car entry inside the national park is only
allowed between 07.00 AM to 02.00 PM. Tourists can start trekking the mountain
trails or hire a vintage British Land Rover to reach the national park from Maneybhanjang.
It is approx. 13 Kms from Maneybhanjang to Tumling. The entrance of the
national park is about 1 km away from Tumling. Tourists can hire a British Land
Rover to reach Sandakphu from Maneybhanjang. The park can also be accessed from
Rimbik, where many trekkers finish up, or from Bijanbari, with one extra day's
walking.
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