The Best View Comes After The Hardest Climbs - Trekking in Darjeeling is an experience that no lover of nature should miss. It takes one to places where nature is yet in her primaeval majesty. It brings one face to face with the sublime grandeur of the Himalayas. Sandakphu offers a breathtaking view of four of the world's five highest peaks - Everest, Kanchenjunga makalu & Lhotse that forms a continuous snow - clad arc. There's also more than 600 varieties of orchids, the most to be fourd in a single geographical area. The region abounds in rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas, orchids and ferns of numerous varieties. About six hundred different species of birds inhabit the emerald green forests on the slopes of the mountains. From the middle of April until 1st week of June this region blushes with rhododendron bloom and spread with a carpet of lovely primula and other alpine flowers. Sandakphu 3636 mtr. is 58 km. from Darjeeling and commands one of the most spectacular views. In the foreground is a great basin set amid the hills, the slopes covered with rhododendrons and silver fir trees. In the background is the continuous barrier of snowy mountains, the most prominent of which is Kanchenjunga towering up in gigantic height and breadth is the third highest mountain in the world means “Five Treasures of the Great Snow” and is a guardian deity of the Sikkimese with its attendant peaks Kabru, Jano (Kumbhakarna). and Pandim, clustering closely round it. Sadakphu trek is perhaps one of the best and certainly the most popular of all the treks in Darjeeling for those having a limited time at their disposal. It offers the travellers an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga and the Everest group of mountain peaks in Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.

As the first sunlight strikes, tourists will see the dazzling peaks of the Everest family in Nepal at the far west including the gorgeous Mt. Everest. Tourist will find it along with other peaks like Lhotse and Mt. Makalu. If tourist look further west, they will see the Chamlang that stands like a square wall of snow.

Other peaks close to Kanchenjunga include Kabru (24,026 ft), Kumbhakarna (25,294 ft.) and Pandim (22,010 ft). Between Everest and Kanchenjunga you will see the peaks of Three Sisters. East of Kanchenjunga, you will see the great Tibetan peaks of Narsing, Dongkya and Chola and then you can spot Chamolhari in Bhutan.

Phalut is the second highest peak of West Bengal. It is located inside the Singalila National Park, which is near the West Bengal Sikkim Nepal border. A small bunkhouse of the Indian Army can be found on the peak. The indigenous tribes that live near Phalut are called Phalutians. They have worshipped the peak as a god for more than 300 years. They refer to the peak as "Omna Re Ay".

This is a small Nepal village. Tonglu is famous for the view of the snow-capped peaks of the Singalila and the Kanchenjunga range. Tumling on the other hand is a salubrious night halt with assorted lodges dotting its sedate green environs. The lights of the towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Pasupati (Nepal), Siliguri and other settlements can be viewed on a clear night.

Tonglu (3036 m) is the one of the higher peaks of the Singalila Ridge and a small settlement inside the Singalila National Park in the Darjeeling subdivision, Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal in India near the India - Nepal border. It is a roadside halt along the trekking route from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu.

Chitrey is the small settlement of Lamey Dhura. Between Chitrey and Lamedhura you will be trekking through a ridge. Here there are only a couple of cottages selling hot tea and other knickknacks for the trekkers.

This is a relatively larger settlement. The trail bifurcates at Meghma. The right uphill route leads to the trekkers hut at Tonglu. The trail in the left passes through Nepal. The roads meet again at Tumling. There is a large SSB (Security Agency) camp at Meghma, there is also a monastery and a primary school.

Chitre, 1.5 hours trek Chitre is a small village about 3 kms from Manebhanjan located at an altitude of 8,340 ft. The route up to Chitre passes through pine, fir, birch forests and bamboo glades. This part of the trek route is quite steep and really warms you up.

Manebhanjan is a small village located about 26 km from Darjeeling, 92 km from Siliguri, and on the border of India and Nepal at an altitude of 7,054 ft (2,150 m). This is the place from where the popular Sandakphu trek starts.

Further couple of hours trek from Gurdum will take you to Srikhola. This is where the vehicular roads end. On the way between Gurdum and Srikhola is another small village of Timbure which has some homestay accommodations. From Srikhola you can drive out through Rimbik and Maneybhanjan and back to Darjeeling or Siliguri.

From Jhaubari one has to take a right turn towards Gairibas. It is further 1km ahead and located at an altitude of 8,600 ft. From Tumling, up to Jhaubari is a gradual descend and a relatively easy trek. But after Jhaubari it is a steep descend up to Gairibas. Halt at Gairibas for a while. There is a tea stall here (which also has dormitory beds for trekkers). Piping hot vegetarian momos are great (no non-veg items). If you started early in the morning, you can complete your breakfast here or have some tea, before you proceed towards Sandakphu. The stall also offers noodles, toast and other snack items, and even meals. You can get packaged snacks, biscuits, soft drinks and bottled water here as well. Opposite to the stall is a check post of Armed Border Force.