Sandakphu Viewpoint

Sandakphu Viewpoint is located at Sandakphu, the highest peak in West Bengal at 3,636 metres on the Singalila Ridge along the India-Nepal border in Darjeeling district. Situated inside Singalila National Park, it is renowned for offering panoramic views of four of the world's five highest peaks including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu. The viewpoint is a major highlight of the Sandakphu-Phalut trek and attracts trekkers and nature visitors.

Visitors can expect a high-altitude open viewpoint at 3,636 metres on the Singalila Ridge with 360-degree panoramic views of the Himalayan range. On clear days, the Sleeping Buddha formation of Kanchenjunga and distant views of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu are visible, especially at sunrise and sunset. The area is treeless with alpine meadows, prayer flags, and basic trekker huts and tea houses. Access is via trekking or Land Rover from Manebhanjan through Singalila National Park.

Sandakphu lies on the historic Singalila Ridge trekking route used for trade and movement between Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nepal. Developed as a trekking destination during the British colonial period in Darjeeling, it has long been the most popular high-altitude trek in West Bengal and forms part of the Singalila National Park established in 1986.

The viewpoint holds cultural significance for its revered Himalayan panorama, including the Sleeping Buddha form of Kanchenjunga considered sacred locally. The surrounding region is inhabited by Sherpa, Lepcha, Rai and Tibetan communities, and the trail is marked by Buddhist prayer flags, chortens and tea houses reflecting Himalayan mountain culture.