Viewpoints · Phalut
Sunset on the tri-junction summit
Climb the grassy top of Phalut in the late afternoon and watch the sun set over Nepal while Kanchenjunga, only about 55 km away, glows pink. You are standing where West Bengal, Sikkim and Nepal meet.
From the trekkers' hut the summit is a short climb on grass. At the top, prayer flags and a marker stand in the wind. Your guide can show you the lines: Nepal falls away to the west, Sikkim to the north and east, and Darjeeling's ridge runs back south toward Sandakphu.
In the late afternoon the cloud often breaks. The sun sinks behind the hills of Ilam and Taplejung, and the Kanchenjunga massif turns from white to gold to pink. Because Phalut is closer, the mountain feels much bigger than from Sandakphu, and you can make out its glaciers and ridges.
It gets cold quickly once the sun goes. Wear your down jacket, cap and gloves, and bring a torch for the short walk down to the hut. Then do it again at dawn, when the light comes from the other side.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
Is Phalut on the border of three states?
It sits where West Bengal and Sikkim meet along the international border with Nepal, a three-way junction. The exact line is marked by survey pillars. An SSB post nearby guards the border; do not walk into restricted areas.
Is the view from Phalut better than from Sandakphu?
It is different. Phalut is closer to Kanchenjunga, so the massif looks larger, and it is quieter. Sandakphu has a slightly better Everest view and lodges. Doing both gives you the full picture.
Can I see Everest from Phalut?
Yes, on clear days the Everest group, with Lhotse and Makalu, is visible to the west, as from Sandakphu. Kanchenjunga is the main view. Dawn and late afternoon are the best times.
Also in Phalut
