Do you want to know more about Known yet Unknown Magnificent Kanchenjunga..?? Then you must visit Sandakphu. In West Bengal from Here only you will get the closest view of the Mighty Kanchenjunga.
On your journey towards Sandakphu, you will get along with some places where you wish to spend some more time - possibly 1 or 2 nights ; don't confined yourself to enjoy these heavenly places where mind feels privileged to be with the Nature. Earlier from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu(32 kms path) was trodden foot-path. In such paths the traveler felt more close to the Nature. But for travellers' comfort most of the path is now made of concrete except the last few kilometers. The last few kilometers are still in its earlier rocky phase. According to the locals in winter due to heavy snowfall there are more possibilities of accident in this concretized path. In this kind of path you can only trust Landrover type of four-wheelers.
From NJP/Siliguri You can hire cars to reach Manebhanjan. Other way to reach Manebhanjan is to take share Cars from Darjeeling More (at Siliguri) to Sukiyapokhri and from Sukiyapokhri to Manebhanjan. If you travel with the reserve car, your first stop in this journey will be a small beautiful mountain-village Dudhiya, 22 kms away from NJP. There you can take some Breakfast. You can have also leisurely walk near the river which is speedily flowing under the Iron Bridge. Next stop can be Tingling View Point. With some hot tea/coffee you will amaze to see the geographical pattern of the road. And for sure you will be so overwhelmed that you cannot calculate how its patterned maze comes to you through the tea-gardens embracing the hills and its greenery.
Next destination will be Simana Basti. If you are lucky enough to get a clear sky then the stretched green slopes will surely make you fall in love with the Nature once again. Here you will get another surprise from Nature when you will see wandering of white clouds in between two hills and you are just on top of it. Your mind may start hooting and cheering with immense joy- saying I'm on the top of the World. Finally touching Pashupati Market - border area between India and Nepal - gateway of Nepal, Sukiyapokhri reach Manebhanjan. Pashupati Market is a time taking place so better to touch it at the return journey. There are some rules and regulations also to follow in the market and traveller should be aware of it at beforehand.
There is other way also from Tingling to Sukiyapokhri after touching Mirik, seeing Mirik Lake and then finally Manebhanjan.
Manebhanjan is the gateway of Singalila National Park and Sandakphu. For Sandakphu - Falut trekking or to get entry pass for the jeep-safari in the National Park one has to come to this place. If you wish to go by car you have to hire the car from Singalila Landrover Association at government prices. You can avoid car but cannot avoid Guide and this is much needed. You can opt for guide from this place too. An important information: in present day traveller will not be allowed from here after 2pm.towards Sandakphu and in car they will allow only 7 people, not more than that.
These reasons are enough to make this small place more lively with its temple - market - homestays. So if you love to spend night in between calmness then better to stop at Khopidara, not far from this place. I'm assuring you that you will surely stay more than one night at Khopidara, such is the charismatic beauty of this place. From here you can also visit Dashmiles (10th Mile), Dhotrey, Rimbik, Sreekhola, Majuya and other places.
Next day your journey will start between the still calm woods of Pines and your heart will recite the famous line of Robert Frost "Miles to go before I sleep", such is the serenity of the scene. On your way towards your dream Sandakphu suddenly you will discovered a green valley - this village is Chitre. Its majestic calmness gives you immense sense of peace. 3kms steep from Manebhanjan is the first step towards destination. Next stop will be Meghma village after crossing the less populated village Lodhma. In Lodhma there is just one family resides, so imagine the population of the village. Meghma is a very beautiful village in itself. Here in Budhha-Purnima the monastery remains open for all. People travel far from the places to get blessings and Prasad on this very auspicious day. In this place also the travellers have to show their photo I'd card and get registered again. For Sandakphu the path divides from here onwards. Left side path is for trekkers - foot-path uptoTumling and right side path is for cars - Tumling via Tonglu.
It is better to stay for atleast one night at Tumling to be comfortable with the high-altitude and the biting cold at Sandakphu. And those who try to avoid the further steepness on the journey they can spend one or two nights here to enjoy the full view of Mighty Kanchanjangha. Without any hindrance the magnanimous view of the Sleeping Buddha will be engraved in your heart forever. Those who are ready for the journey towards Sandakphu take the downhill path up to Gairibas which is 6 kms away from the place and register their names as travellers. If you are going by car then the driver will do the work for you. Walking through the jungles, crossing the hurdles in the name of steepness of hills from Gairibas finally you will be at Kalapokhri via Kaiyakata. If you are travelling in the time of flower the full road will be covered by the colourful rhododendron.
Just grab this ethereal moment forever. According to the local belief the place gets its name from Holy Pond of Black Water. Due to its geographical location you will have to fight with the freezing cold wind here. Specially in winter the whole place will covered by white snow. So you have to keep in mind in what season you are travelling. Upto Gouribas most of the path is made of concrete. But for onwards journey you have to be mentally strong and prepared. Uneven path comes with more risk. After Vivekbhanjan village the steepness gives you feel like close to sky - for those who are travelling by car. Throughout the journey this is going to be the toughest part. You have not to be scared from all of that, because this good old path has a clean record since the British era. And Finally Sandakphu…
There is no need to explain the feelings after reaching the point, just feel the wholeness and calmness through your all senses. You will see the entire range of Sleeping Buddha along with the highest peak of the world Mt.Everest under a clear sky, if you are lucky enough. It gonna be a lifetime experience to see sunrise from this point. You will feel the essence of the place with the speed of the wind, because in Nepali language the word 'phu' means 'speedy wind'. If you want to see sunset then Falut (22 kms away from Sandakphu) will be the best option.