Planning honeymoon trip in sikkim/Darjeeling in mid-may

Dear Friends,

I recently joined 'Indiamike' and found the threads very useful. I am planning for a sikkim/Darjeeling trip around mid-may for my honeymoon . I found many wonderful itenaries on this forum and some are just perfect according to the number of days I have for this trip. Thanks a lot for such a wonderful and helping post
I have few queries regarding a little change given in most of the itenaries. I read at many places that "Yumthang valley" is an amazing place and one misses alot by not visiting this place. So, is it possible that I drop Darjeeling from my itenary and squeeze one more day from some other place to visit Yumthang valley? Below is the itenary that I am thinking of in case I want to visit Yumthang valley:

Day 01:
Bagdogra(flight) to Gantok. Stay and relax at a nice place on this day.

Day 02:
Leave for Yumthang valley tour. Yumhtang valley tour - 1

Day 03:
Yumthang valley tour - 2

Day 04:
Back to gangtok from Yumthang valley. This may happen by evening so rest at gangtok.

Day 05:
Visit “Nathu la”, “Baba Mandir” and “Tsomgo lake” from gangtok.

Day 06:
Gangtok to Peeling. Cover peeling - 1

Day 07:
Cover peeling -2

Day 08:
Leave by 7 AM for Bagdogra airport from Peeling as I have a flight at 2 PM for Delhi on this day.

Do you think this is a practical itenary specially from honeymoon point of view? Please advise as I need to finalize the accommodation bookings. I have already finalized my travel bookings to and from Bagdogra.

Also, it would really help if someone can share her/his experience of some nice places (not too costly) to stay in Gangtok, Peeling, Yumthang and darjeeling.

Thanks in advance,
Priyank

Any comments guys??
Can I directly come to Peeling from Lachung/Lachen and then cover places near gangtok?
Also, any reliable and reasonable travel operator for the north sikkim trip for 2N/3D? I need some recommendations for finalizing the bookings for conveyance, accomodation/food for the north sikkim trip. Please help

Thanks,
Priyank

Yumthang as a destination may be a let down, but the journey to lachen/lachung is amazing.. it is an amazing journey, though taxing... gurudongmar is amazing, don't miss that.. you would require three days for the complete trip..

relax for a day or two in gangtok, its an amzing place..you can even spare a day in lachen at fortuna hotel.. they have fireplace which could be pretty romantic i guess.. a different honeymoon experience for you..

relax in gangtok for a day or so.. nathula and tsomgo lake, you can skip after gurudongmar...

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Your Itinerary is very good. But you people may feel tired after returning from Yumthang. So in that case you Skip Nathu La+Baba mandir. Relax at gangtok Only. Spend the evening at MG Marg.
However because of the climate and heavy dose of mesmerising scenic beauty, you will feel fresh every morning even if you have travelled 8-10 hrs a day.
One thing more, it is true that I you take 2N/3D tour covering Gurudongmar and Yumthang both and skip Nathu la, then it will be great and complete. Because that way you are covering whole(all) of North Sikkim and the best place at West Sikkim(Pelling) too.Otherwise YOU have to come again for Gurudongmar .

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When you will arrive at Yumthang valley, Casullay ask the driver about the zero point(Yumesamdong)(not included in the package) hiding your eagerness to go there. And give him Rs 1500-1600 for taking you there. In May you have to go there for Snow.
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Pelling is for relaxation and spectacular view of Kanchenjonga.

Tour ops:
1. Prabeer Sen: 9434024070
2. Staish BARDEWA : 9733214205/treksikkim@gmail.com
3. Potala treks and tours :9434257036
Rehoboth tours & travels: 9832036509, 9475080201/ info@sikkimtravels.in

Call all of the above and some more and bargain. If you can arrange booking of accomodation at gangtok first then it would be better to finalize a package thru the hotel management.

Hi,

Check out my reply to one other similar thread in this forum -

Honeymoon in Sikkim in May

Hotels info - Sorry I cannot do that here at IM . If the IM moderators do not have any objection, then I can suggest a few hotels that I stayed with when I visited Sikkim.

- himalcrazy

Many Thanks Amit, Abhilash and himalcrazy I really appreciate your help. I got following itenary from one of the known tour operators:

Itinerary :-

Day 01 : Arrival NJP / IXB To Pelling

On arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport will be met by our office Executive who will assist you to board your vehicle to Pelling (150 kms / 5 4hrs). Check in and over night at Hotel(Rabdentse Residency).


Day 02 : Full Day Sight Seeing In Pelling

Go for a full day sightseeing tour covering Rimbi Waterfalls, Rimbi Hydel Project, Khecheopari Lake & Kanchenjunga Falls. Back to hotel for lunch. After lunch, cover Pemayangtse Monastery, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03 : Pelling To Gangtok

Transfer for Gangtok (116 kms / 05 Hrs). Rest of the day at leisure , Overnight stay at hotel.(Hotel saikripa)

Day 04 : Day Excursion To Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir/nathula pass.
A day excursion to Tsomgo Lake (departure in the morning) - situated at a height of 3,780 mts. with an average depth of 50 ft. The cool water of the Lake is perfectly attuned with the scenic beauty around and extended to nathula pass. Return back to Gangtok. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 05 : Gangtok To Lachung

Drive to Lachung. Enroute, enjoy a stopover at Tashi View point, which offers a panoramic view of the mountains. On arrival at Lachung, check into your hotel. Later visit the Phodong Monastery and Chumathang Valley, twin falls and Vima falls. The evening is free to explore this village on your own.

Day 06 : Excursion To Yumthang Valley & Back To Gangtok

Early morning, proceed on an excursion to Yumthang Valley located at an altitude of 12000 feet. Enroute, visit the Hot Spring and Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary. Afternoon, return to Gangtok, O/N stay at Gangtok.


Day 07 : In Gangtok (if the clubbing transport is available then in this day we can cover gurudongmer lake instead of local sight seen)

Go for a half day sightseeing tour covering Rumtek Monastery, Droul Chorthen, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom (Closed on Sunday), Flower Show. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 08 : Departure from Gangtok To NJP/ IXB

Transfer to NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport, (125 Kms / 43 Hrs) for onwards connection.- Tour Ends .

Package Includes :- Accommodations in a Twin Sharing Dbl Room./ Daily Bed Tea, Breakfast,DINNER.& In Lachung all meals are Included ./1 Full day SS at Pelling , 1 Full day SS at Gangtok,/ Day excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir/NATHULA./ Pickup and drop from NJP / Bagdogra Airport by exclusive NAC vehicle / Rest all sightseeing and transfer in sharing basis(first two seats)All Taxes .


TOTAL COST RS 20200.00 FOR TWO (WITH OUT GURUDONGMER)

Rs 23200.00 WITH GURUDONGMER.

Can you please suggest if this is a fair enough deal? I got a quotation of 31000/- from yak n yeti for a similar itenary with stay at Hotel Mt. Pandim, Hotel apple valley and hotel panchak.

Thanks again
Priyank

I have following suggestions :

1. Skip Nathula/Tsomgo lake/baba mandir and Start for Gurudongmar Lake on DAY-4 only
2. If you don't want to visit Gurudongmar then start for Yumthang at DAY-4 Only
3. According to me, one should relax in the last days of tour and take tiresome excursions in the start

Thus you can visit both Guru and Yumthang :
DAY-4 - Gangtok to Lachen. Night saty at Lachen
DAY-5 - Lachen to Guru and drive back via Lachen to Lachung
DAY-6 - Lachung to Yumthang and return to Gangtok for Night stay
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If you decide not to visit Guru.. you are free on DAY-6 to visit Tsomgo or Baba mandir.

Please check with your tour op about the type of vehicle on route to Lachung-Yumthang.

Hi Priyank,

Can you tell me the contact details of the person who quote you Rs20200 for this itinerary.

I recently got a quote of Rs 18100/- for a 3D/2N trip for 2 pax for Gurudongmar, Yumthang, zero point and katau itinerary (stay at fortuna hotel and exclusive vehicle) which I think is quite expensive. Any suggestion/estimate?

Thanks,
anant

Hi Priyank,

I have already planned my Honey moon trip in May 2009 as follows:-

Tour start date -1st week of may

Darjeeling - 2days
Kalimpong - 1 day
Pelling - 2 days
Gangtok - 2 days

Total 7Nghts/8days package

Hotels
Darjeeling - Hotel Retreat
Gangtok - Royal Demozong Resort
Pelling - Norbhughang Resort
Kalimpong - Hotel silver oak

all with MAP meals,all transfers and sighteeing.

Tour operater have quoted me final price as 39000/- for entire package.

Started negotiation from 22 operators and then negotiate at this rate.
I am sure this will help you to get some idea.All preoperties of high and luxorious quality except in darjeeling where i have compromise in hotels due to high rates.

Priyank hi,

You can get package at low cost but tour operator will provide you the budget hotels,i m suggesting you to take hotels as first priority in terms of properties.

Regards
Abhishek

Hi Anant,

I contacted Mr. Suman Mukherjee. Your quote seems to be a little high. Negotiate to bring it down to 13-15K. I do not think you will get it cheaper than that as you a re getting a good property and exclusive vehicle.

Thanks,
Priyank

Many Thanks Abhishek.

I actually asked for the specific pictures of the properties and my rooms in paricular. Everything seemed nice. My preference was a comfortable room with a great view and probably I got the same. Apart from this the travel agent sounded nice and helpful which I think will be a plus point in unknown location.

Thanks again and all the best for ur Honeymoon
Priyank

i have given you the best option n best properties.

go n websites for these hotels n see pictures.all hotels have valley facing rooms.

Hi...

I have been to Sikkim at least 12 times and covered almost most parts of Sikkim & Darjeeling.

I FEEL THE COST YOU MENTIONED IS TOO CHEAP FOR THE TOUR...Please be sure the Tour operator is a proper one & PLEASE BE SURE BEFORE BOOKING, that All services will be provided properly...Because I dont think...this tour is possible in such low rate...
Check it out buddy...

For your help...You can try out the thread "Offbeat destination in Sikkim", where you will get lots of information to plan your trip...

HAVE A HAPPY TRIP!!

I am agree with you TRAVEL LOVER Avishek.

The cost mentioned is very low as for this may month i got my honeymoon trip for 7 ngts -8 days in 39000/- covering darjeeling/gangtok,pelling/kalimpong,you can see my itenary in one of reply to this thread.

How is that cost?

rgrds
abhishek