Sandakphu

{{Short description|Mountain and highest point in West Bengal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}} {{Advert|date=April 2025}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Sandakphu | image = Sandakphu.jpg | image_caption = View from Sandakphu in Darjeeling West Bengal | map = India West Bengal | map_caption = Location of Sandakphu peak | image_map= {{OSM Location map |width=280| height=260| zoom=10 |coord={{coord|27|4|0|N|88|10|0|E}}| float=center|caption=Places and tea estates in the north-western portion of Darjeeling Sadar subdivision (including Darjeeling Pulbazar CD block) in Darjeeling district. Key:<br/>C: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, N: neighbourhood, H: hill centre, P: national park/ wildlife sanctuary, T: tourist attraction<br/>Abbreviations used in names – G for Tea Garden (town/village), E for Tea Estate<br/>Mouse over shows names of tea estates. Owing to space constraints in the small map, the locations in the larger map on click through may vary slightly. |mark-sizeD=18,14 |shapeD=l-circle|shape-colorD= #A40000|shape-outlineD=white |label-colorD= #800000 |label-sizeD=11 |mark-coord1={{coord|27|3|50|N|88|12|25|E}}| label-pos1=left|label1= | numbered1=C| mark-title1= Chongtong Tea Garden (census town)|label-offset-x1=2 |mark-coord2={{coord|27|4|50|N|88|17|58|E}}| label-pos2=left|label2=| numbered2=C| mark-title2= Ging Tea Garden (census town) |mark-coord3={{coord|27|3|5|N|88|13|43|E}}| label-pos3=left|label3=| numbered3=C| mark-title3= Singtam Tea Garden (census town) |mark-coord4={{coord|27|6|25|N|88|19|0|E}}| label-pos4= right|label4=| numbered4=E| mark-title4= Badamtam Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color4=#87A96B |mark-coord5={{coord|27|1|25|N|88|15|10|E}}| label-pos5=right |label5=Darjeeling| numbered5=M| mark-title5= Darjeeling (M)| shape-color5=#800000 |mark-coord6={{coord|27|4|35|N|88|11|30|E}}| label-pos6=left|label6=| numbered6=R| mark-title6= Bijanbari (R)| shape-color6=#C42222 |mark-coord7={{coord|27|6|45|N|88|6|30|E}}| label-pos7=bottom|label7=| numbered7=R| mark-title7= Lodhoma (R)| shape-color7=#C42222 |mark-coord8={{coord|27|4|0|N|88|16|34|E}}| label-pos8= right |label8= | numbered8=E| mark-title8= Puttabong Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color8=#87A96B |mark-coord9={{coord|27|7|35|N|88|6|25|E}}| label-pos9=left|label9=| numbered9=R| mark-title9= Rimbick (R)| shape-color9=#C42222 |mark-coord10={{coord|27|2|55|N|88|15|27|E}}| label-pos10=right|label10=| numbered10=R| mark-title10= Tukvar Tea Garden (R)| shape-color10=#C42222 |mark-coord11={{coord|27|7|10|N|88|18|5|E}}| label-pos11=left|label11=| numbered11=R| mark-title11= Singla Tea Garden (R)| shape-color11=#C42222 |mark-coord12={{coord|27|5|25|N|88|13|40|E}}| label-pos12=left|label12=| numbered12=R| mark-title12= Soom Tea Garden (R)| shape-color12=#C42222 |mark-coord13={{coord|27|2|20|N|88|12|50|E}}| label-pos13=left|label13=| numbered13=R| mark-title13= Rishihat Tea Garden (R)| shape-color13=#C42222 |mark-coord14={{coord|27|1|25|N|88|14|8|E}}| label-pos14=left|label14=| numbered14=R| mark-title14= Orange Valley Tea Garden (R)| shape-color14=#C42222 |mark-coord15={{coord|27|0|10|N|88|6|25|E}}| label-pos15=bottom|label15=| numbered15=R| mark-title15= Manebhanjyang, Darjeeling (R)| shape-color15=#C42222 |mark-coord16={{coord|27|1|50|N|88|5|10|E}}| label-pos16=top|label16=| numbered16=R| mark-title16= Tonglu, West Bengal (R)| shape-color16=#C42222 |mark-coord17={{coord|27|0|40|N|88|14|47|E}}| label-pos17=right|label17=Ghum| numbered17=N| mark-title17= Ghum, West Bengal (N)| shape-color17=#E97451 |mark-coord18={{coord|27|6|30|N|88|0|0|E}}| label-pos18=right|label18=Sandakphu| numbered18=H| mark-title18= Sandakphu (H)|shape18=triangle|shape-color18=black|mark-size18=22,14|label-size18=12|label-color18=black |ldx18=-5 |mark-coord19={{coord|27|12|30|N|88|1|30|E}}| label-pos19=right|dlx19=3|label19=Phalut| numbered19=H|shape19=triangle| mark-title19= Phalut (H)| shape-color19=#87410E |mark-coord20={{coord|27|5|35|N|88|2|40|E}}| label-pos20=bottom|label20=Singalila^National^Park| numbered20=P| mark-title20= Singalila National Park (NP)| shape-color20=#228B22|ldx20=6 |mark-coord21={{coord|27|6|20|N|88|16|3|E}}| label-pos21=left|label21=| numbered21=E| mark-title21= North Tukvar Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color21=#87A96B |mark-coord22={{coord|27|5|40|N|88|16|50|E}}| label-pos22=right|label22=| numbered22=E| mark-title22= Phoobsering Tea Estate (TE)| shape-color22=#87A96B |mark-coord23={{coord|26|59|45|N|88|16|42|E}}| label-pos23=right|label23=Tiger Hill| numbered23=H| mark-title23= Tiger Hill, Darjeeling (H)| shape-color23=#87410E|shape23=triangle |mark-coord24={{coord|27|0|40|N|88|13|1|E}}| label-pos24=left|label24=| numbered24=T| mark-title24= Rock Garden, Darjeeling (T)| shape-color24=#228B22 |mark-coord25={{coord|26|59|20|N|88|15|54|E}}| label-pos25=bottom|label25=Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary| numbered25=P| mark-title25= Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (NP)| shape-color25=#228B22|ldy25=-3 |mark-coord26={{coord|27|9|0|N|88|2|29|E}}|label26=Singalila Ridge| label-angle26=-70| label-pos26=top| label-size26=10| mark-size26=0| mark-title26 =none |mark-coord27={{coord|27|9|20|N|88|10|0|E}}|label27=Rangeet| label-color27 = #77A1CB| label-angle27=70| label-pos27=top| label-size27=10| mark-size27=0| mark-title27 =none |mark-coord28={{coord|27|7|1|N|88|12|0|E}}|label28= River| label-color28 = #77A1CB| label-angle28=7| label-pos28=top| label-size28=10| mark-size28=0| mark-title28 =none |mark-coord29={{coord|27|7|0|N|88|7|50|E}}|label29= Rammam|labela29=River| label-color29 = #77A1CB| label-angle29=15| label-pos29=top| label-size29=10| mark-size29=0| mark-title329 =none |arc-coordA={{coord|27|10|57|N|88|11|50|E}}|arc-textA= SIKKIM| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=-161| arc-gapA=-2| arc-radiusA=0.7 |arc-coordB={{coord|27|1|0|N|87|59|0|E}}|arc-textB= NEPAL| arc-text-colorB=hard grey| arc-angleB=40| arc-gapB=3.5| arc-radiusB=0.4 }} | location = Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India;<br/>Ilam District, Koshi Province, Nepal | coordinates = {{coord|27|6|21|N|88|0|6|E|type:mountain_region:IN_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | elevation_m = 3636 | elevation_ref =<ref name="PB">{{cite web|url=https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=52149|access-date=21 December 2024|title=Sandakphu, India}}</ref> | prominence_m = 356 | prominence_ref =<ref name="PB" /> | listing = List of Indian states and territories by highest point | range = Singalila Ridge | topo = Google topographic map<ref>[https://www.google.co.th/maps/place/Sandakphu/@27.106095,88.0023648,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x6aa1ea3e41bc17bb Google topographic map]</ref> | range_coordinates = | coordinates_ref = <ref>[http://wikimapia.org/1272688/Sandakphu-Top Sandakphu Top - Wikimapia]</ref> | easiest_route = Hiking or by car | other_name = | map_size = 300 }} alt=Panorama of the Kanchenjunga|thumb|left|831x831px|The Sleeping Buddha '''Sandakphu''' or '''Sandakpur''' at {{cvt|3636|m|ft}}<ref name="PB"/> 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).<ref>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.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.herbcyclopedia.com/item/aconitum-ferox-the-strongest-poisonous-plant-2 |title=Aconitum Ferox Monkshood Strongest Poisonous Plant |access-date=2016-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604061053/http://www.herbcyclopedia.com/item/aconitum-ferox-the-strongest-poisonous-plant-2 |archive-date=2016-06-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==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 {{cvt|28|km}} (approx. 1 hour by road) from Darjeeling.<ref>[http://darjeeling.gov.in/treak.html/ , ''Sandakphu'', Trek to Sandakphu, 1 August 2015] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821055516/http://darjeeling.gov.in/treak.html |date=21 August 2015 }}</ref>

==== Ascent ====

The Sandakphu trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages. * Manebhanjan to Meghma – height {{cvt|2600|m}}: This is a 4-hour trek through the lower forest. The route goes via Chitre. * Meghma to Gairibans – height {{cvt|2621|m}}: There are two alternative trekking routes. They respectively go via Tonglu – height {{cvt|3070|m}} and Tumling – height {{cvt|2900|m}}. From Tumling, a shorter trail cuts through Nepal and Jaubari – height {{cvt|2750|m}}. Jaubari is ward no 07 of jamuna VDC ilam. * Gairibans to Sandakphu – height {{cvt|3636|m}} * Sandakphu to Phalut – height {{cvt|3600|m}}: It is a one-day trek via Sabarkum – height {{cvt|3536|m}} covering {{cvt|21|km}}.

==== 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 {{cvt|2300|m}}, and from there to Rimbick.

'''Panorama of Peaks seen from Sandakphu and Phalut'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://himalayanhigh.in/sandakphu-phalut-trek|title=SANDAKPHU PHALUT TREK}}</ref>

Baruntse – height {{cvt|7220|m}}, Chamlang – height {{cvt|7319|m}}, Numbur – height {{cvt|6958|m}}, Hunku Chuli – height {{cvt|6833|m}}, Chomo Lonzo – height {{cvt|7818|m}}, Kyashar – height {{cvt|6769|m}}, Mera Peak – height {{cvt|6476|m}} Lhotse – height {{cvt|8516|m}}, Makalu – height {{cvt|8485|m}}, Mount Everest – height {{cvt|8849|m}}, Nuptse – height {{cvt|7861|m}}, Kanchenjunga – height {{cvt|8586|m}}, Rathong – height {{cvt|6678|m}}, Kabru N – height {{cvt|7412|m}}, Kokthang – height {{cvt|6148|m}}, Simvo – height {{cvt|6812|m}}, Frey – height {{cvt|5853|m}}, Kabru S – height {{cvt|7338|m}}, Kabru Dome – height {{cvt|6600|m}}, Kabru Forked – height {{cvt|6108|m}}, Pandim – height {{cvt|6691|m}}, Tinchenkhang – height {{cvt|6010|m}}, Jupono – height {{cvt|5936|m}}, Pauhunri – height {{cvt|7128|m}}, Shudu Tsenpa – height {{cvt|7024|m}}, Jomolhari – height {{cvt|7326|m}}

'''Villages At Glance:''' Gorkhey, Bhareng, Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Rammam, Srikhola, Sepi, Molley, Gurdum.<ref name=":0" />

=== 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 beautiful places like Dhap Pokhari and Choyatar (special area for red pandas) on the route.<ref name="commercialshouldberemovedwhenbettersources">{{Cite web |title=Sandakphu Trek |url=https://sandakphutrek.com/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=sandakphutrek.com}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:From Sandakphu trek.jpg|Sunrise on Mt. Kanchendzonga from Aahl near Sandakphu or Sandakpur File:Kanchendzonga from sandakaphu.jpg|Singalila Range and Kanchenjungha seen from Sandakpur File:Sandakphu panorama.jpg|A panoramic view of Sandakpur. File:Domestic yak in Sandakpur.jpg|Domestic yak (''Bos grunniens'') near Sandakpur File:Sandakpur top view.jpg|View of Sandakphu from above File:Sandakpur, Ilam Nepal.jpg|Sandakphu: shrub-clad rocky ridge with toxic, pink-flowered rhododendron species - for which it was (in part) named </gallery>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Sandakphu}} *[https://www.flickr.com/photos/95864028@N07/16495995394/in/set-72157649586827433 Mt Everest and Lhotse as seen from Sandakphu] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150817185900/http://conflatingvisions.com/2015/08/in-the-land-of-sleeping-buddha-sandakphu/ In the Land of Sleeping Buddha - A Guide to Sandakphu Trek]}} *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNXU1IR2LR8 Land of the Land Rovers - Community fleet of 57 Series I in daily use from Maneybhanjang to the Sandakphu summit] *[https://getsetgoonline.com/blog/20-stunning-photos-that-will-inspire-you-to-trek-to-sandakphu/ 20 Stunning Photos of Sandakphu]

Category:Mountains of West Bengal Category:Mountains of Koshi Province Category:Villages in Darjeeling district Category:Highest points of Indian states and union territories Category:India–Nepal border Category:Geography of Darjeeling district