View source for 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
| photo = Sandakphu.jpg
| photo_caption =  View from Sandakphu in Darjeeling West Bengal
| map = India West Bengal
| map_caption = Location of Sandakphu peak
| map_image= {{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=<!--Chongtong TG---> | 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=<!--Ging TG--->| numbered2=C| mark-title2= [[Ging Tea Garden]] (census town)
|mark-coord3={{coord|27|3|5|N|88|13|43|E}}| label-pos3=left|label3=<!--Singtam TG--->| numbered3=C| mark-title3= [[Singtam Tea Garden]] (census town)
|mark-coord4={{coord|27|6|25|N|88|19|0|E}}| label-pos4= right|label4=<!--Badamtam TE--->| 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=<!--Bijanbari--->| numbered6=R| mark-title6= [[Bijanbari]] (R)| shape-color6=#C42222
|mark-coord7={{coord|27|6|45|N|88|6|30|E}}| label-pos7=bottom|label7=<!--Lodhoma--->| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Lodhoma]] (R)| shape-color7=#C42222
|mark-coord8={{coord|27|4|0|N|88|16|34|E}}| label-pos8= right |label8=<!--Puttabong TE---> | 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=<!--Rimbick--->| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Rimbick]] (R)| shape-color9=#C42222
|mark-coord10={{coord|27|2|55|N|88|15|27|E}}| label-pos10=right|label10=<!--Tukvar TG--->| 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=<!--Singla TG--->| 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=<!--Soom TG--->| 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=<!--Rishihat TG--->| 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=<!--Orange Valley TG--->| 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=<!--Manebhanjyang--->| 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=<!--Tonglu--->| 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<!-- make the subject of the article stand out with black colors -->
|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|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=<!--North Tukvar TE--->| 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=<!--Phoobsering TE--->| 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, Darjeeling|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=<!--Rock Garden--->| 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
}}
[[File:Panorama of the Kanchenjunga.jpg|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 [[India–Nepal border|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, [[Mount Everest|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 derives from the [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]] language and translates as "the height of the poisonous plant" - in reference to the former abundance at the locality (around a century ago) of the poisonous plants ''[[Aconitum ferox]]'' and certain [[rhododendron]] species. So great was the danger of fatal poisoning to sheep and cattle being driven through the area that they had to be [[Muzzle (mouth guard)|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 Himalaya]]s, 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, West Bengal|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}}, [[Chomo Lonzo]]  – height {{cvt|7818|m}}, Lhotse  – height {{cvt|8516|m}}, Makalu  – height {{cvt|8462|m}}, Mount Everest  – height {{cvt|8848|m}}, [[Nuptse]] – height {{cvt|7861|m}}, Kanchenjunga  – height {{cvt|8586|m}}, Talung  – height {{cvt|7349|m}}, Rathong  – height {{cvt|6679|m}}, Kabru N  – height {{cvt|7353|m}}, Koktang  – height {{cvt|6147|m}}, Simvo  – height {{cvt|6812|m}}, Frey  – height {{cvt|5853|m}}, Kabru S  – height {{cvt|7318|m}}, Kabru Dome  – height {{cvt|6600|m}}, Kabru Forked  – height {{cvt|6100|m}}, [[Mount Pandim|Pandim]]  – height {{cvt|6691|m}}, Tenchenkhang  – height {{cvt|6010|m}}, Jupono  – height {{cvt|5650|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, Nepal|Sandakpur rural municipality]] (ward no. 2 & 4) of [[Ilam District]] of [[Province No. 1]].

The trekking starts from [[Ilam, Nepal|Ilam Bazar]] via [[Maipokhari]], [[Maimajhuwa]], [[Mabu, Nepal|Mabu]], Kala Pokhri Bikhe Bhyanjyang to Sandakpur, and also from Ilam Bazar via Sulubung, [[Jamuna, Nepal|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 panda|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 [[Kangchenjunga|Kanchenjungha]] seen from Sandakpur
File:Sandakphu panorama.jpg|A panoramic view of Sandakpur.
File:Domestic yak in Sandakpur.jpg|[[Yak|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]
*[http://www.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]

{{West Bengal topics}}
{{Darjeeling District}}
{{Darjeeling}}

[[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]]