Day-3 of The Trek: Kalipokhri to Sandakphu
The Day-3 of the trek to Sandakphu typically starts from Kalipokhri. This is where most trekkers stay overnight after trekking for the first two days.
Kalipokhri Water Body
Kalipokhri is a small village settlement in Nepal located at an altitude of 10,400 ft. It gets its name from the holy pond which is known as Kalipokhri Lake which is filled with black muddy water (Kali means black and pokhari in Nepali means a lake or a pond).
There are a number of homestays and small lodges here that are run by the local villagers. Some of the popular ones are Pandim Lodge, Chewang Lodge, and Himchuli Lodge.
Kalipokhri Village
While entering the village, you can see Sandakphu at distance.
Bikeybhanjan
(2kms from Kalipokhri), +40 minutes trek
From Kalipokhri, the trekking route gradually ascends up to Bikey bhanjang which is located 2kms away. On the way you will cross a place called Chowri Chowk (there is no signboard though) where you can take a break for couple of minutes.
There is a hut here where mostly drivers leaving tourists at Sandakphu come back for night stays. The lady there will make a cup of tea for you.
Chowri Chowk
Then walk towards Bikeybhanjan. This is another small hamlet. The name means "Valley of Poison" because of the poisonous Aconite plants that grow in abundance around this place. Don't worry, The plant by itself is harmless unless you eat the leaves.
There is nothing much at Bikeybhanjan. Once you come to the small tinned hut like structure on the right (which is supposed to be a Check Post), you can see three routes ahead. The gravel road steers along the right.
A steep stairway right ahead (the trekking trail) climbs up to a Stupa on top and then continues and meets the gravel road.
Bikeybhanjan, see the 3 routes
And a route on the left passes through lovely meadows (this is also a motorable route, but very steep and narrow). You can take any route, all finally merge.
Sandakphu
(further 4kms from Bikey Bhanjan, Altitude: 11,929ft) 2.5 hours trek
And now the final destination and the climax. You could see the Sandakphu Peak from Kalipokhri itself. But like all great things in life, this won't come easy. From Bikhheybhanjang the climb up to Sandakphu is the steepest.
Sandakphu, view of Kanchenjunga and 'Sleeping Buddha'
The 4kms route can easily take about 2.5 hours. There are stretches where the gradient is so steep that you will think your nose is about to touch the ground.
But the final rewards are awesome. All your strains will disappear as you see the board saying "Welcome to Sandakphu". You are at an altitude of 11,929ft, on the summit of Singalila range and at the paradise of trekking... Wow, you made it !!!
Sandakphu is the place from where you get a 180 degree panoramic vista of some of the highest and most beautiful peaks of the world, right from Nepal all the way up to Arunachal. Some of the greatest peaks include the Mt Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Chomolhari, Pandim, Three Sisters, Kumbhakarna etc.
There is a GTA lodge in Sandakphu and also several other private accommodations including Hotel Sherpa Chalet, Hotel Sunrise, Namo Buddha Hotel etc. Sherpa Chalet is arguably the best hotel here and great for viewing the snow peaks from the rooms.
If you want to trek onward from Sandakphu to Phalut, and know about the several trail options to return from Phalut, then go through the following:
Alternatively, if you want to take a return trail from Sandakphu itself via Gurdum, Srikhola, Rimbick and back to Manebhanjan, then go through the following:
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