Sandakpu, Mountain peak in Darjeeling district, India

Sandakpu is the highest peak in West Bengal, located along the Singalila Ridge that forms a natural border between India and Nepal. The summit rises to approximately 3,600 meters and marks a significant geographic point in the eastern Himalayas.

The name Sandakpu derives from the Lepcha language and refers to toxic plants that have grown in this mountain region for centuries. The area has long been part of the natural landscape inhabited by indigenous communities.

The name comes from Lepcha and means "the height of the poisonous plant", after the Aconitum ferox and toxic rhododendrons once common here. Cattle and sheep driven through the area had to be muzzled so they would not graze on them. A small village with a few hotels stands on the summit.

The hiking route to the summit covers 28 kilometers starting from the village of Manebhanjan through varying terrain. Visitors should bring sturdy footwear, warm layers, and water, as conditions at higher elevations become increasingly demanding.

From this viewpoint, visitors can observe four of the five tallest mountains on Earth: Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. This rare sight from a single location makes the summit special for mountain enthusiasts and photographers.