Darjeeling to Sandakphu
Your options
Ways to make the journey
1–1.5 h
Shared jeeps run from Darjeeling's Chowk Bazaar stand to Manebhanjan, the trailhead at about 2,134 m, through Ghum and Sukhiapokhri. Leave early: park entry and vehicle entry close around 2 pm. At Manebhanjan you register, pay the Singalila National Park entry fee and hire a licensed guide from the guides' association.
3–5 h from Manebhanjan
Manebhanjan's drivers still run old Land Rovers, many from the 1950s and 1960s, up the steep stone track via Tumling and Kalipokhri to Sandakphu. A vehicle takes up to about six passengers. A night halt or a run on to Phalut costs more. Fares are set by the drivers' association; check current rates before you travel.
3 days up
The classic trek climbs from Manebhanjan to Tumling (about 2,970 m) on day one, Kalipokhri (about 3,186 m) on day two and Sandakphu (3,636 m) on day three, staying in basic lodges. Most people return via Gurdum and Srikhola to Rimbick, or continue to Phalut. A licensed guide is mandatory.
Worth a stop
- Ghum
- Sukhiapokhri
- Manebhanjan
- Tumling
- Kalipokhri
Questions people ask
Good to know
How do I get from Darjeeling to Sandakphu
Take a shared jeep or car to Manebhanjan, 26 km and about an hour away. Register there, pay the national park fee and hire a mandatory licensed guide. Then trek three days via Tumling and Kalipokhri, or ride a Land Rover for 3–5 hours. Check current status before you travel.
How much does a Land Rover to Sandakphu cost
Roughly ₹5,500–7,500 per vehicle for a return trip from Manebhanjan, indicative 2026, shared by up to about six people. A night halt at Sandakphu or a run on to Phalut costs extra. Rates are fixed by the local drivers' association and change, so confirm at Manebhanjan.
Is a guide mandatory for Sandakphu
Yes. Singalila National Park requires a licensed guide for treks and vehicle trips to Sandakphu and Phalut. Guides are hired at Manebhanjan; fees have been around ₹1,000–1,500 a day for a small group, indicative 2026. The guide also handles lodge bookings and knows where the trail crosses into Nepal.
When is Sandakphu closed
Singalila National Park usually closes to visitors from mid-June to mid-September for the monsoon, and roads and trails are muddy before and after. Heavy snow can also stop vehicles in January and February. Dates are set by the forest department each year, so check current status before you travel.