The Highest Point In West Bengal - Sandakhphu

Welcome to the “land of the poisonous flowers” or Sandakphu. Situated at an altitude of 3,636 meters (11,930 feet), it stands proudly as the highest point of West Bengal. Straddling the border between India and Nepal, Sandakphu is a peak in the Singalila Ridge and is located at the edge of the Singalila National Park.

View of Sandakphu, West Bengal. Image credit: Po0zan via Wikimedia Commons.

The name of Sandakphu comes from the growth of the Aconitum ferox, a herbaceous perennial plant in the area. It is a highly poisonous plant whose consumption would often lead to the deaths of livestock grazing in the area. As a result, the locals would fit muzzles on their sheep to prevent them from feeding on the poisonous vegetation. The plant can also prove fatal to humans. Its poison works by affecting the respiratory system, and death occurs by asphyxiation or cardiac arrest. The plant is considered the most poisonous in the Himalayas.

View from Sandakphu, the highest point in West Bengal. Image credit: solarshakti via Wikimedia Commons.

Sandakphu is also a popular tourist destination as it promises spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. On clear days, four of the five highest peaks in the world, Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu, can all be viewed from Sandakphu. The peak houses some hotels and homestays, allowing visitors to stay and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

The Singalila National Park is also visited by wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. It is home to the endangered red panda and other Himalayan wildlife and rich birdlife.

Sandakphu can be reached by trekking or via a 4x4 Land Rover ride. The nearest base is Manebhanjan, where visitors can spend one or two nights to make all the arrangements before heading out to Sandakphu.

View of Kangchenzunga from Sandakphu. Image credit: Abhishek.ghosh1984 via Wikimedia Commons.

Warning: Doctors and other authorities have warned that visitors who are of ill health or not properly acclimated may suffer from health issues in Sandakphu due to high-altitude sickness. Several deaths due to this reason have been recorded as people visiting the nearby hill stations like Darjeeling have taken Sandakphu tours without giving time for their bodies to adjust to the elevation difference.

Sandakhphu is not just the highest point in West Bengal, but also one of the state’s most treasured natural destinations. It is important that such places do not welcome unruly tourists and maintain the environmental sanctity. Visitors must always ensure that they adhere to the rules and regulations at all times and refrain from actions that harm the natural balance of the place.