Sandakphu: Permit, Route and Costs

Sandakphu (3,636 m), the highest point of West Bengal, rewards the journey itself. The ‘Sleepy Buddha’ — the snow range from Kanchenjunga to Everest — is the prize at dawn, but the trail along the old Land Rover ‘Slippery Road’ from Manebhanjan is a reward on its own: rhododendron and bamboo forest on one side, Darjeeling and Mirik under the clouds on the other. Here is the full 2026 math — permit costs, a day-wise route and lodging.

The permit: what you need and what it costs

The entire trek runs through Singalila National Park, so a forest permit is mandatory.

Item	Approx. cost
Indian trekkers (per person)	₹100–200
Foreign trekkers (per person)	₹200–500
Vehicle entry (incl. Land Rovers)	₹400–480
Camera fee	Separate, small

• Where: Manebhanjan forest check post (main); alternatively Dhotrey or the Tumling gate.
• What you need: photo ID (Aadhaar/voter card), 2 passport photos, cash.
• Note: fees were revised upward in recent years — don’t trust older blogs; confirm rates at the check post.

Getting there

• Rail: Kolkata → NJP/Darjeeling; NJP → Manebhanjan 4–4.5 hrs by car.
• Flight: Bagdogra (IXB) → 4 hrs.
• From Darjeeling: via Mirik, 2.5 hrs — keeping a day in Darjeeling before or after the trek is sensible.

The 4-day Manebhanjan route

Day	Trail	Distance	Overnight
1	Manebhanjan → Chitrey → Tumling	11 km	Tumling (near the Sikkim border)
2	Tumling → Kalapokhri → Gairibas	14 km	Kalapokhri/Gairibas
3	Gairibas → Sandakphu → Phalut	21 km	Sandakphu or Phalut
4	Phalut → Rammam → Srikhola → Sirikhola	20 km	Vehicle from Sirikhola to NJP

• Short version (3 days): Manebhanjan → Tumling → Sandakphu → return down by Land Rover.
• Don’t skip Phalut: facing Kanchenjunga head-on, the Phalut trekkers’ hut hosts what many call the finest night in Singalila.
• If walking isn’t on the cards: Land Rovers go up, but book them ahead in peak season.

Stay and food

• Trekkers’ huts (WBFDC): Tumling, Kalapokhri, Sandakphu, Phalut — basic but unbeatable locations; order meals in advance.
• Private lodges/homestays: options at every station, rooms ₹800–2,500; ask for extra blankets in winter.
• Food: dal-rice-eggs-momo almost everywhere; carry chocolate and nuts for the trail.

Estimated budget (4 days, per person)

Item	Cost
NJP–Manebhanjan–NJP vehicle (shared)	₹1,200–2,000
Permits and entry	₹200–400
Stay (3 nights)	₹2,400–6,000
Food	₹1,200–2,000
Guide (shared by group)	₹600–1,200
Total	₹6,000–12,000

Best time

• October–December: clearest air, sharpest long-range views — the best first trip.
• March–May: rhododendron and magnolia bloom; afternoon mist is possible.
• January–February: snow trails, for experienced trekkers; water freezes at the upper stations.
• Monsoon (June–September): landslides and leeches — avoid.

Final word

Sandakphu is technically an ‘easy’ trek — no special gear, a straightforward path — but the reward is world-class: dawn over the Himalaya beyond four eight-thousanders. Get the cash for the permit sorted, charge the camera, and be on Phalut’s veranda at 4 AM — the mountain will handle the rest. Ask your trek questions in the comments.