Sandakphu & Phalut Trekking – Entry Fees & Other Expenses

Sandakphu & Phalut Trekking – Entry Fees & Other Expenses

Entry Fees:

·      ₹ 120 for Indians & ₹ 500 for Foreigners

·      ₹ 400 for Vehicles

·      ₹ 100 for Camera

·      ₹400 for Video Camera

Guide Charges:

·      ₹1000 per day for a group of 7 for Indian Nationals

·      ₹150 per day for each extra person (Indians)

·      ₹1200 per day for a group of 7 for foreigners

·      ₹300 per day for each extra person (Foreigners)

The charges are inclusive of food and lodging.

Porter Charges:

·      ₹800 per day for a porter.

A porter carries a maximum of 20 kg load. The charge includes fooding and lodging throughout the route except for Sandakphu, where an extra ₹200 is to be paid per day for fooding and lodging.

Land Rover Tour:

·      Manebhanjan – Tonglu / Tumling (round trip) ₹ 2500

·      Manebhanjan – Sandakphu (round trip) ₹ 5500

·      Manebhanjan – Phalut (round trip) ₹ 9000

·      Night halt charges – ₹1500 per night

Accommodation Cost:

Lodging is available throughout the trek route and dormitory beds cost about ₹200 - 300 per person per day. Rooms are also available. The lodges are run by Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), formerly Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (​DGHC).

GTA Darjeeling Contact: +91 354 225 4879 / 225 5351,

GTA Kolkata Contact: +91 33 23377534 / 99031 74047

Food Cost:

Food is also available throughout the trek route and average cost is about ₹500 - 600 per person per day.

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – History

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – History

Singalila forest was purchased by the British Government from the Sikkim Darbar in 1882 CE and was notified as a reserve forest under the Indian Forest Act of 1878 CE. Later it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1986 and was made a national park in 1992. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, the famous British botanist and explorer, visited the Singalila Ridge in 1849 CE and published the book Himalayan Journals, detailing his travels and discoveries of new plant specimens. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker expedition was based in Darjeeling where he stayed with naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson.

Through Hodgson he met British East India Company representative Archibald Campbell who negotiated Hooker's admission to Sikkim, which was finally approved in 1849 CE. Hooker explored with local resident Charles Barnes, then travelled along the Rangeet River to its junction with the Teesta River and Tonglu mountain in the Singalila Ridge on the border with Nepal. Heinrich Harrer, the author of Seven Years in Tibet, is believed to have visited Singalila several times. The Singalila Ridge was used as an approach route by the first documented mountaineering team which unsuccessfully attempted to climb Mount Khangchendzonga in 1905.

The team was led by Jules Jacot-Guillarmod and the famous occultist Aleister Crowley. Sir Tenzing Norgay Sherpa felicitated the first Khangchendzonga summiteers on their return from the mountain at Sandakphu in 1955. The Singalila Ridge had long been used as the trekking route from Manebhanjhyang to Sandakphu (the highest peak of West Bengal), and Phalut. Singalila in the Himalaya Film by George Thengummoottil speaks about the history of Singalila ridge through a 14-day trek.

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – The National Park

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – The National Park

This national park is situated on the Singalila Ridge at an elevation of about 2500 metres to 3650 metres above sea level with an area of 78.6 square kilometers. It is part of the Eastern Himalayas and falls in the Indo-Malaya Eco-Zone. The park derives its name from the Singalila Ridge, which runs through the park descending from Mount Kanchenjunga in the north and running south to the northern fringe of the Gangetic Plains. The national park shares a natural boundary with Nepal in the west and Sikkim in the north. The Singalila Ridge runs roughly north to south and separates Himalayan West Bengal from the other Eastern Himalayan ranges to the west of it.

This national park is one of the last remaining natural habitats of the endangered Red Panda. Rammam and Srikhola are the two rivers flows through the park. The two highest peaks of West Bengal, Sandakphu (3636 m) and Phalut (3600 m), are located on the ridge and inside the park. The famous trek route to Sandakphu and Phalut runs through the national park, making it a popular destination among adventure seekers and trekkers. The Sandakphu mountain peak offers magnificent views of the eastern Himalayas, including four of the five highest peaks in the world namely Mount Everest, Khangchendzonga, Lhotse, and Makalu.

The name Sandakphu is a word of Nepalese origin. It means the mountain of poisonous plants (Sanda means poison plant, and Kphu means mountain peak). The name was probably derived from the abundance of Himalayan Cobra Lilies (Arisaema) in its forests. The park has no significant history of human settlement. However, small settlements have grown up along the trekking route to Sandakphu and Phalut. There is a reasonably large village at Kala Pokhri, around the lake of the same name.

The park offers some spectacular treks through the alpine meadow and rhododendron forests. The park is one of the most popular family camping destinations in the Eastern Himalayas. The park is one of the most popular birding spots in the Eastern Himalayas, since it attracts a large number of birds due to its seasonal blooms. Blooming seasons are the best times to see birds. The national park remains closed during monsoon (from June 15 to September 15). The best time to visit this park are from March to May (Spring Season) and from mid-September to early December (Post Monsoon).

Visitors are required to take a permit either from the forest department office at Maneybhanjang or at the entrance of the National Park about 1 km from Tumling. Foreigners need to show their identity proof at the Maneybhanjang check post. Guides are mandatory for trekking and are available at any of the entrance point of Singalila. Accommodation facilities are available at Sailung Tea House at Meghma, Maneybhanjang, Tonglu, Gairibans, Sandakphu, Phalut, Kala Pokhri etc. The preferred way to visit the park is to stay in Darjeeling and camp inside the national park.

Flora:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2026/02/singalila-national-park-darjeeling-flora.html

Fauna:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2026/02/singalila-national-park-darjeeling-fauna.html

Sandakphu & Phalut, West Bengal

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;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2026/02/sandakphu-phalut-trekking-entry-fees-and-other-expenses.html

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.

Location 

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – Fauna

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – Fauna

The mammals found in the national park are Himalayan black bear, Indian leopard, clouded leopard, black leopard, Himalayan serow, takin red panda, leopard cat, golden cat, barking deer, Bhutan flying squirrel, Himalayan palm civet, yellow-throated marten, wild boar, pangolin, and pika. The endangered Red Panda is the crown jewel of this national park. Visitors can see Red Pandas in their natural habitat by trekking along the various mountain trails, particularly along the route to Sandakphu and Phalut. Tigers occasionally wander into the area, but do not have a large enough prey base to make residence in these forests feasible.

The national park is home to more than 350 species of birds. Some of the prominent birds found in the park are Himalayan vulture, scarlet minivet, kalij pheasant, blood pheasant, satyr tragopan, great parrotbill, black-throated parrotbill, brown parrotbill, fulvous parrotbill, rufous-vented tit, fire-tailed myzornis, hill partridge, yuhina, rosefinch, and golden-breasted fulvetta. The park is also on the flyway of many migratory birds. The endangered Himalayan Newt frequents the region, and congregates around the lakes of Jore Pokhri, Sukhia Pokhri and nearby lakes to reproduce. Jore Pokhri and Sukhia Pokhri are within 20 km of the park boundary and are protected wildlife sanctuaries.

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – Flora

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling – Flora

The national park comprises of three separate biomes ranging from subalpine to subtropical, and three corresponding ecoregions namely Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests ecoregion, of the temperate coniferous forests biome, Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests ecoregion, of the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome and Himalayan subtropical pine forests ecoregion, of the subtropical coniferous forest biome. The subtropical biome roughly exists in the elevation range of 1800 to 3000 m, and the temperate biome exists in the elevation range of 3000 m to 4500 m.

Thick bamboo, oak, magnolia, and rhododendron forest between 2000 and 3600 m cover the Singalila Ridge. Some of the other trees found here are Pine Hemlock, Silver Fir, Juniper, Mailing Bamboo, Buk, Kawla, Bhujpatra etc. There are two seasons of wildflower bloom. One in spring (March and April) when the rhododendrons bloom, and another in the post-monsoon season (around October), when the lower forests bloom (Primula, Geranium, Saxifraga, Bistort, Senecio, Cotoneaster and numerous orchids).

Sandakphu is known as the mountain of poisonous plants due to the large concentration of Himalayan cobra lilies (Arisaema) which grow there. Of the 25 species of rhododendron discovered by Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker in the Himalayas, 18 can be found in Singalila National Park. More than 600 species of orchids bloom during the autumn season in Singalila. It is the largest concentration of orchids in any single geographical area in the world. The orchidarium of Lloyd Botanical Garden at Darjeeling houses as many as 2,500 orchids, which include 50 rare varieties. Most of these have been brought here from Singalila National Park.

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal

Singalila National Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal

Singalila National Park is a national park located in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India. This national park is situated on the Singalila Ridge at an elevation of about 2500 metres to 3650 metres above sea level with an area of 78.6 square kilometers. It is bordered on the north by the state of Sikkim and on the west by the country of Nepal. This national park is one of the last remaining natural habitats of the endangered Red Panda. It is well known for trekking to Sandakphu, highest peak of West Bengal.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2026/02/singalila-national-park-darjeeling-history.html

The National Park

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2026/02/singalila-national-park-darjeeling-national-park.html

Fees

Entry Fees:

·      ₹ 120 for Indians & ₹ 500 for Foreigners

·      ₹ 400 for Vehicles

·      ₹ 100 for camera

Vehicle Cost:

·      Land Rover Fare ₹6000 for a round trip from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu

·      Jeep Safari Cost ₹ Rs. 5,500 per day

Accommodation Cost:

·      ₹1000-2500 per person per night inside the national park

Trekkers must hire a guide and porters at Maneybhanjang at extra cost.

Connectivity

Maneybhanjang (2150m) is a small Himalayan hamlet, is the gateway to the national park. 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.

Location