Sandakphu Trek Finale: Reaching West Bengal’s Highest Point

The beginning from Bagdogra was about the chaos, delays, and unexpected friendships that brought us to the Eastern Himalayas. The journey from Chitre was about slowly surrendering to the rhythm of the mountains — forests, border villages, and long Himalayan evenings — then this is where everything finally came together.

This was the stretch of the Sandakphu Trek I had been subconsciously waiting for — the climb to the highest point of West Bengal, the long stares at Kanchenjunga’s Sleeping Buddha, and the bittersweet descent that reminds you every trek must end, no matter how badly you want it to continue.

From the crystal-clear morning at Kalipokhri to the windswept top of Sandakphu, and finally down through forests, villages, and quiet hamlets, these last few days carried the very essence of why we trek.

Day 5: Finally, to the Highest Point of West Bengal – Sandakphu

A Crystal-Clear Morning at Kalipokhri

There’s something magical about mountain air. No matter how late you sleep, you wake up feeling refreshed — have you ever noticed that?

Even after a late night, the crisp morning breeze of Kalipokhri washed away every trace of drowsiness. The sky was crystal clear, making Kalipokhri look like an entirely different place compared to the misty evening before.

The icing on the cake was breakfast — fresh pancakes with homemade jam prepared by the tea house owner. Sure, you get better pancakes in cities. But during a Himalayan trek, even a simple pancake feels like luxury. It tasted better simply because of where we were.
To this day, I’m still waiting to eat another pancake during a Himalayan trek.

Kalipokhri to Bhikeybhanjan — The Calm Before the Final Climb

While most of us felt well-rested, Swarnima hadn’t slept properly since we entered the Eastern Himalayas. The climb to Kalipokhri had already taken a toll on her, so she decided to skip the hike and reach Sandakphu by jeep.

Once she left, the rest of us started our journey toward Sandakphu — the highest point of West Bengal and the crown jewel of this trek.

The trail was a gradual climb till Bhikeybhanjan, before turning steep. Ram and Sayan surged ahead as usual, while Ajinkya, Suptaru and I chose a slower, more relaxed pace. That day, there was no rush — photos, laughter, and soaking in views were our only priorities.

Time simply stopped mattering.

Bhikeybhanjan to Sandakphu — Walking Into a Movie Scene

At Bhikeybhanjan, a short tea break turned into a long, peaceful pause. We even climbed the watchtower to sip tea in complete serenity. Refuelled and refreshed, we finally began the steep climb toward Sandakphu.

Every hairpin bend became an excuse for photos or a breather. Slowly, one of Sandakphu’s hotels appeared far above us. Strangely, it looked eerily similar to the Norman Bates Motel from Hitchcock’s Psycho. As clouds rolled in, the resemblance only grew stronger — it genuinely felt like walking into a suspense movie set.

Sandakphu — Standing on the Roof of West Bengal

We reached Sandakphu well past lunchtime, starving and exhausted. Bags were dumped instantly, and we rushed to the restaurant where I was served one of the best bowls of thukpa I’ve ever had. Warm, hearty, and soul-soothing — it felt powerful enough to fuel another hike.

But food quickly became secondary.

Right in front of us stood the Sleeping Buddha, with Kanchenjunga dominating the skyline. There was something about seeing Kanchenjunga from Sandakphu — it felt closer, more intimate, more hypnotic. No matter how long we stared, it never felt enough.

Ajinkya sat quietly on the terrace, completely lost in a trance, eyes locked on Kanchenjunga.

As if that wasn’t enough, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu made another appearance — along with the Three Sisters. Time slipped away unnoticed. Darkness arrived suddenly, dragging temperatures down with it, sending chills through our spines.

A Night to Remember at Sandakphu

Salvation arrived in the form of Old Monk.

The restaurant owner casually mentioned he had some stock available. Normally, I avoid drinking during treks, but Sandakphu is relatively gentle, and AMS risk is lower. A couple of drinks felt justified — and very necessary for warmth.

Soon, songs filled the room. Gazen, locals, and fellow trekkers joined in. Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, English — no language was spared. Somewhere in between, I tasted Chilli Yak Roast — chewy, slightly disappointing, but memorable nonetheless.

Eventually, exhaustion won, and we retired for the night — content, warm, and fulfilled.

Day 6: The Descent — When Highs Meet Reality

A Disappointing Morning at Sandakphu

Sandakphu mornings are famous for views of both the Sleeping Buddha and Everest. I woke up well before sunrise, braving sub-zero temperatures — only to discover frozen water pipes and toilet paper replacing running water.

When I finally stepped outside, harsh winds cut through layers of clothing. Worse — the mountains were completely hidden behind clouds.

We waited.
And waited.

But the mighty ones refused to show themselves.

Disappointed but accepting, we began our descent toward Timburey.

From Snow to Forest — Descending Toward Gurdum

The initial trail was covered in hard snow. Without crampons, it was slippery and tricky — most of us slipped at least once. Only Swarnima managed to cross it gracefully.

Once past the snow, the landscape transformed rapidly. Rhododendron trees appeared, followed by bamboo groves and dense forests. The diversity of terrain in a single day was astounding.

After nearly 10 km, we reached Gurdum, a charming village where hunger amplified the taste of lunch into what felt like a feast. We didn’t want to leave — but the itinerary pushed us onward.

Gurdum to Timburey — A Perfect Ending Day

The trail to Timburey was steep but stunning. The forest’s beauty soon erased all fatigue. When we finally reached Timburey, the hamlet instantly won our hearts.

For the first time since Siliguri — hot water.
That bath felt nothing short of magical.

Dinner introduced us to Tongba (millet-based drink) and Roxy (rhododendron wine). Combined with delicious food and warm hosts, the night felt celebratory.

Day 7: The Final Goodbye

Morning Walks & Wild Encounters in Timburey

Birdsong replaced alarms. With time on our hands, Suptaru, Ram and I explored a nearby stream. On the way, we had a brief encounter with a wild fox — a gentle reminder that we were deep inside Singalila National Park.

Timburey to Srikhola — Where the Trek Ends

After breakfast, we walked the final stretch to Srikhola bridge, the official endpoint of the Sandakphu trek. It was an easy two-hour walk on mostly tarmac roads, with views stretching toward Sikkim.

A cab waited on the other side.

The trek was over.

While the rest of the group headed to NJP, I chose to get dropped off near Darjeeling — extending my Himalayan stay just a little longer.

Final Thoughts — More Than Just a Trek

As we crossed the bridge at Srikhola, officially marking the end of the Sandakphu Trek, there was no dramatic finish — no loud celebration or grand farewell. Just a quiet understanding that something special had come to an end.

In the last seven days, the Eastern Himalayas had slowly worked their magic on us. From snow-covered trails near Sandakphu to bamboo forests near Timburey, from freezing mornings to warm bowls of Thukpa, from shared laughter to moments of silent exhaustion — every day added a new layer to the journey.

What stayed with me the most wasn’t just standing at the highest point of West Bengal or spotting Everest, Lhotse, and Kanchenjunga together. It was the smaller moments — pancakes at Kalipokhri, slipping on icy trails, songs over Old Monk, a warm shower after days of cold, and walking through forests where even time seemed to slow down.

While the rest of the group headed back to Siliguri, my journey continued toward Darjeeling, carrying with me a calm that only the mountains can give. The Sandakphu Trek wasn’t just my first trek in the Eastern Himalayas — it quietly set the benchmark for every trek that followed.Some treks challenge your body.
Some reward your eyes.
And some, like Sandakphu, stay with you long after the trail ends.