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Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge · month by month

Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge in January

VerdictGoodWeatherSandakphu −8 to 4 °C, snow likely, very clear

January is the cold, clear month. Snow often lies on the ridge above Tonglu and can block the Land Rover track for days at a time, but on the mornings it is open the views are the sharpest of the year. Lodges stay open with fewer guests and wood stoves in the dining rooms. You need proper down, gloves and boots with grip, and a guide who knows which stretches ice over.

Local tip: Ask at Maneybhanjan whether the track above Kalipokhri is passable before you hire a Land Rover.

Other hills in January

Where to go

Our picks for January

Tumling
trek stop2,970 m Tumling A Nepali hamlet with the first big Kanchenjunga dawn
Tonglu
viewpoint3,070 m Tonglu Hooker's rhododendron hill and an open Indian summit
Sandakphu
viewpoint3,636 m Sandakphu West Bengal's highest point, with Everest on the skyline

Questions people ask

Good to know

Is January a good time to visit Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge?

January is the cold, clear month. Snow often lies on the ridge above Tonglu and can block the Land Rover track for days at a time, but on the mornings it is open the views are the sharpest of the year. Lodges stay open with fewer guests and wood stoves in the dining rooms. You need proper down, gloves and boots with grip, and a guide who knows which stretches ice over.

What is the weather like in Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge in January?

Sandakphu −8 to 4 °C, snow likely, very clear. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.

Where should we go in Sandakphu & the Singalila Ridge in January?

We suggest Tumling, Tonglu, Sandakphu. Ask at Maneybhanjan whether the track above Kalipokhri is passable before you hire a Land Rover.

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