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This is the travel newsletter of Untrails, a premium offbeat travel company. In this newsletter, I help you discover unique weekend getaways across India every week, so you can escape the crowds and create unforgettable experiences

I was 13 years old when my brother did his first trek, and it was Sandakphu.

After returning from the trek, he told me many stories about how amazing it was, and at the time, I didn’t have any electronic devices.

But I had my geography map book, and I quickly traced the amazing place.

I’ve not travelled to Sandakphu yet, and it’s not crowd-free either.

But it’s a gem of West Bengal, and very few people outside West Bengal actually know this place.

Sandakphu is offbeat because it is far from crowded tourist places and still untouched by mass travel. You can see the world’s highest peaks like Everest and Kanchenjunga from here.

The road is steep and bumpy, and reaching the top needs either a long jeep ride or a trek, so not many people visit.

Along the way, you’ll pass through forests, tiny mountain villages, and tea gardens. There are only local homestays, no big hotels, which makes the place calm and close to nature.

Finish work and leave for the nearest transport hub. Choose one of two routes. Option one, fly to Bagdogra airport. Option two take an overnight train to New Jalpaiguri station.

Book a cab or shared jeep in advance for the Siliguri to Manebhanjan run. The drive from Bagdogra or Siliguri to Manebhanjan takes about four hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Expect bumpy mountain sections near the end. Stay overnight in Manebhanjan in a basic guesthouse. Rest early because the next day will be long.

Wake early and have a simple breakfast in Manebhanjan. Eat alu paratha, bread omelette, or local tea and pakora. At the starting point, you will find old Land Rover vehicles that go up to Sandakphu. You can hire a seat in a shared Land Rover or book a full vehicle. The Land Rover climb takes roughly two to three hours and moves slowly on steep, rocky tracks. If you prefer trekking, you can walk up via Tumling and Meghma. Trekking takes longer and requires more fitness.

Reach Sandakphu and check into a homestay or mountain lodge. Rooms are basic but warm. Lunch will be simple, home-cooked food. Good local dishes to try are thukpa, momos, dal with seasonal vegetables, and a local vegetable curry. After lunch, walk the ridge for short stretches. The main ridge walk gives wide views across the eastern Himalaya. On a clear day, you will see Kanchenjunga and Everest in the same frame.

Sunset is the best time for mountain colours. Go to the nearest viewpoint from your lodge and watch the light shift on the peaks. Dinner is usually prepared by the homestay host. Try gundruk soup, aloo tama, or a simple smoked fish dish if available. Power can be limited in the mountains so carry a charged power bank. Sleep early for the sunrise.

Wake before dawn. Walk to a nearby viewpoint to catch the sunrise over Kanchenjunga. The morning view is the core reason people make this trip. After sunrise, drink hot tea and eat a light breakfast such as poha, chira with jaggery, or roti with jam. Pack your day bag with water, a warm layer, and snacks. If you want a longer walk, choose a short ridge trail that returns you to the homestay before noon.

The Land Rover ride takes about two hours to reach Manebhanjan. From Manebhanjan, catch a shared jeep or cab back to Siliguri or NJP. If your train or flight is late evening, you can stop in Kurseong or Mirik for tea and a quick snack. Aim to reach NJP or Bagdogra by late afternoon so you can catch an evening train or flight home and be back Sunday night.

Thanks for reading.

Well, do let me know if you'd like me to find any particular state’s offbeat weekend travel spots.

I’ll see you on Sunday with another great spot.

See ya till then,

Anirban ‘helping you travel to Sandakphu’ Das

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