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Sandakphu–Phalut Trek
Manebhanjan, Darjeeling, West Bengal
Medium 52 km 5-6 days4.7(674)
Walk the Indo-Nepal ridge to West Bengal's highest point with Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga on one horizon.
Sandakphu–Phalut Trek
Manebhanjan, Darjeeling, West Bengal
RestrictedMedium 4.5(258 reviews)
A medium-grade Himalayan route from Manebhanjan, Darjeeling, catalogued from state tourism and community trail directories.
The numbers
Distance
15 km
Duration
12 hours
Elevation gain
1110 m
Max altitude
4038 m
Trail type
Loop
Best season
October–December, March–May
Route map
Tentative loop route · not survey-grade
Start: Manebhanjan, Darjeeling — confirm the exact trailhead locally before you startRoute type: Loop15 km · +1110 m · 12 hours
What the difficulty actually means
Sustained uphill walking for several hours with uneven sections, but no technical climbing or ropes.
Fitness needed
Walk 5 km in about 45 minutes; happy with 4–6 hours on your feet
Technical exposure
Moderate — some narrow or loose sections
Terrain
Forest path, meadow and rocky moraine; snow outside summer
Recommended start: 5:30–7:00 am so you are down before evening weather
Trust & sources
Government and forest sources take priority for permits, closures and legal access. Recent hiker reports supplement them with on-ground conditions.
Verified trailhead
Multiple Recent HikersManebhanjan, Darjeeling — confirm the exact trailhead locally before you start
West Bengal Forest Department·Government·Checked 2026-03-12Source
Current status
Multiple Recent HikersRestricted — Entry is controlled. You need permission from the local forest or district office.
West Bengal Forest Department·Government·Checked 2026-03-12Source
Permits & fees
Multiple Recent HikersForest entry permit issued at the range check post; carry photo ID. Foreign nationals may need extra clearance.
West Bengal Forest Department·Government·Checked 2026-03-12Source
Guide requirement
Multiple Recent HikersOptional, but useful in the first hour where paths branch.
West Bengal Forest Department·Government·Checked 2026-03-12Source
Getting there
Driving
Drive to Manebhanjan, Darjeeling and park at the last motorable point near the trailhead.
Public transport
State buses and shared taxis reach Manebhanjan; the last leg is usually a local jeep.
Parking
Informal roadside or village parking; small fee common on weekends.
On the trail
Mobile coverage
Patchy — usually lost above the last village
Water
Carry all your water; no reliable source
Food
Tea stalls at the base only
Toilets
None on route
Family suitability
Not for children
Pets
Pets not allowed
Safety
- Altitude, weather and daylight are the real risks here, not the climbing.
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time; coverage is unreliable.
- Confirm current access with the local forest or district office before travelling.
Recent trail-condition reports
No condition reports yet. Be the first to file one.
Reviews
No reviews yet for this trail.