Starts off from an altitude of 1,524 meters (5,000 ft) and Sandakphu epitomises the wild elemental grandeur of the snows. Nature here is at her pristine best, and the vista at the top is worth all the hardship endured on the way. The view from Sandakphu is unsurpassed by any view anywhere. Where else can be seen 180 degrees of snow-capped mountains which includes Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Kumbha karna, Kanchenjunga , Chomolhari in one single stretch of snows-an ethereal beauty.
Sandakphu is resplendent with the ethereal beauty of magnolias, rhododendrons, primulas and other sub-alpine flowers. It also contains more than 600 varieties of orchids, the largest to be found in a single geographical area in the world. For flora worshippers, the months of April and May are the best time of the year for the trek while for those who have an insatiable thirst for a view of the mountains, the best months are in autumn.

ITINERARY

DAY 01) Darjeeling-Maneybhanjyang – Tumling: (2790mt / 9153ft) 12 kms- 5/6hrs
Morning Drive till Maneybhanjyang, Maneybhanjyang the starting point of the trek. The day walk  is uphill and the trail passes through small village of Chitre and forests of Rhododendrons and Magnolias. The trekkers hut at Tumling(2790m) is located on a hill top overlooking the Sikkim Himalayas.
Overnight at Tumling.

Day 02) Tumling – Kalapokhri: (3186mt / 10452ft) 14kms – 5/6hrs
On day 2 undertake a pleasant walk through the forest which is home to the rare Red Panda and the Tragopan. A long trek 14 kms to Kalapokhri(3010m). Reach Kalapokhri (famous for the pond of black water which never freezes and is revered by the local people) trekkers hut and spend the night.

Day 03) Kalapokhri – Sandakphu: (3636mt / 11929ft) 5kms – 4/5hrs
After breakfast, start the trek to Sandakphu(3636m) which takes about 04hrs. Sandakphu is the place to view the mountains. On a clear day one can see the peaks of Lhotse (8501m), Everest (8848m) and Makalu (8475m) of the Nepal Himalayas and the huge Kanchenjunga massif (8586m) along with other peaks of the Sikkim Himalayas. Overnight at Sandakphu.

Day 04) Sandakphu – Gurdum: (2800mt / 9186ft) 11kms -5/6hrs
Wake up early morning for sunrise and the breathtaking view of the greater Himalayas ,Later after breakfast trek downhill to Gurdum through rhododendron and pine forest. Gurdum, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas is a small hamlet located in the Singalila National Park. Located at 8000 ft above sea level, the coniferous branches and the rhododendrons welcome you with their nutty smell and bright colours. Explore the village later afternoon, overnight in Gurdum

Day 05) Gurdum – Rimbik: (2286mt / 7500ft)10kms – 3/4hrs
After breakfast start short trek to Sirikhola, Facing the towering Himalayan peaks and surrounded by mountains green with conifers, Sirikhola is located in a bowl-shaped valley at the foot of Singalila range. Later drive back to Darjeeling.