Treks and walks · Kalipokhri
Climb through the poison pass to Sandakphu
The final 6 km from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu passes Bikheybhanjang, named for the poisonous aconite of these slopes, then climbs steeply to the 3,636 m summit. It is the last big effort of the trek and the moment the Everest view opens.
Leave Kalipokhri early on the cobbled track. The first hour is a gentle rise across open slopes to Bikheybhanjang, a saddle with a couple of tea shops. The name comes from bikh, poison, after the aconite plants that grow here; Sandakphu's own name, from Lepcha, refers to the same plants. Do not pick or handle unfamiliar plants on this stretch.
From Bikheybhanjang the trail climbs hard: about 300 m in 2–3 km of switchbacks, mostly on the Land Rover track with footpath shortcuts. It is slow going at this altitude. Stop often, breathe deeply and look back south along the ridge you have walked.
Near the top, the ground opens and the buildings of Sandakphu appear. Then, on a clear morning, the view hits you from the west and north at once: Everest, Lhotse and Makalu on one side, the Kanchenjunga massif on the other. Arrive by 9 or 10 am if you can, before the cloud.
Cost: Included in your guide fee
Questions people ask
Good to know
How long does it take from Kalipokhri to Sandakphu?
About 2–3 hours for roughly 6 km, with most of the climbing in the last 2–3 km after Bikheybhanjang. Leave early to reach the summit while the mountains are clear.
What does Bikheybhanjang mean?
Bikh means poison and bhanjyang means pass or col in Nepali. The name refers to the poisonous aconite plants of these high slopes. Sandakphu's Lepcha name, 'height of the poisonous plant', refers to the same flora.
Is aconite dangerous to trekkers?
Only if eaten or handled carelessly. Aconite is among the most toxic plants known, but simply walking past it is harmless. Do not pick wild plants, do not use unknown leaves for tea, and keep children from tasting anything.
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