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| Sandakphu | |
|---|---|
 View from Sandakphu in Darjeeling West Bengal | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,636 m (11,929 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 356 m (1,168 ft)[1] |
| Listing | List of Indian states and territories by highest point |
| Coordinates | 27°6′21″N88°0′6″E / 27.10583°N 88.00167°E /27.10583; 88.00167[2] |
| Geography | |
  Sandakphu Location of Sandakphu peak | |
  8km 5miles S I K K I M N E P A L ] Rammam River \ River [ Rangeet Z Singalila Ridge P   T T H E E E E P H Phalut H Sandakphu N Ghum R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R E E R R R R M Darjeeling E E C C C C C C Places and tea estates in the north-western portion of Darjeeling Sadar subdivision (including Darjeeling Pulbazar CD block) in Darjeeling district. Key: C: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, N: neighbourhood, H: hill centre, P: national park/ wildlife sanctuary, T: tourist attraction Abbreviations used in names – G for Tea Garden (town/village), E for Tea Estate 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. Location of Sandakphu peak | |
| Location | Darjeeling district,West Bengal, India; Ilam District,Koshi Province, Nepal |
| Parent range | Singalila Ridge |
| Topo map | Google topographic map[3] |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking or by car |
Sandakphu orSandakpur at 3,636 m (11,929 ft)[1] is a mountain peak in theSingalila Ridge on theborder betweenIndia andNepal. It is the highest point of the ridge and of the state ofWest Bengal, India. The peak is located at the edge of theSingalila 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 andMakalu 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.
The name derives from theTibeto-BurmanLepcha 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 plantsAconitum ferox and certainrhododendron species. So great was the danger of fatal poisoning to sheep and cattle being driven through the area that they had to bemuzzled 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).[4][5]
The trek along the Singalila Ridge to Sandakphu andPhalut is one of the most popular in theEastern 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 forbirdwatching. Treks begin atManebhanjan which is 28 km (17 mi) (approx. 1 hour by road) fromDarjeeling.[6]
The Sandakphu trekking routes inside the Singalila National Park have four legs or stages.
Panorama of Peaks seen from Sandakphu and Phalut[7]
Baruntse – height 7,220 m (23,690 ft),Chamlang – height 7,319 m (24,012 ft),Chomo Lonzo – height 7,818 m (25,650 ft), Lhotse – height 8,516 m (27,940 ft), Makalu – height 8,462 m (27,762 ft), Mount Everest – height 8,848 m (29,029 ft),Nuptse – height 7,861 m (25,791 ft), Kanchenjunga – height 8,586 m (28,169 ft), Talung – height 7,349 m (24,111 ft), Rathong – height 6,679 m (21,913 ft), Kabru N – height 7,353 m (24,124 ft), Koktang – height 6,147 m (20,167 ft), Simvo – height 6,812 m (22,349 ft), Frey – height 5,853 m (19,203 ft), Kabru S – height 7,318 m (24,009 ft), Kabru Dome – height 6,600 m (21,700 ft), Kabru Forked – height 6,100 m (20,000 ft),Pandim – height 6,691 m (21,952 ft), Tenchenkhang – height 6,010 m (19,720 ft), Jupono – height 5,650 m (18,540 ft)
Villages At Glance: Gorkhey, Bhareng, Gairibas, Meghma, Maneybhanjyang, Rammam, Srikhola, Sepi, Molley, Gurdum.[7]
The western part of Sandakphu peak is located inSandakpur rural municipality (ward no. 2 & 4) ofIlam District ofProvince No. 1.
The trekking starts fromIlam Bazar viaMaipokhari,Maimajhuwa,Mabu, Kala Pokhri Bikhe Bhyanjyang to Sandakpur, and also from Ilam Bazar via Sulubung,Jamuna, Hangetham (a special area for birds such as thespiny babbler andblue 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 forred pandas) on the route.[8]
