India Travel Forum | IndiaMike.com - Sikkim

IXB to Gangtok Transport, Hotel Questions

Ford_Prefect — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:51:47 GMT

Hello,
I will be arriving in Bagdogra on the 22nd of Dec with 3 other travelers. We were hoping to use the helicopter service to travel to Gangtok. Is there any way to reserve this ahead of time? I attempted to email the address given by the Sikkim tourism development corp but have gotten no response at all. If I called them could I make a reservation?
Also, I was wondering if we will be missing a lot by taking a helicopter instead of a jeep. Is the drive a can't-miss experience? I would assume the views from the helicopter would be pretty amazing as well.
Finally, should we make reservations ahead of time for Gangtok and Darjeeling in late December? I know this is peak tourist season in most of India, but I would think it would be a bit slower in the cold mountains.

Thank you very much for any advice offered.

Cherry guest house

holidaying — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:45:02 GMT

Anyone having Cherry Guest house, Gangtok phone number?

or recommendation for good stay please (budget : around Rs. 1500)

Thanks,

2010 is year of tourism in Sikkim

haringp — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:27:36 GMT

Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 is earmarked as year of tourism in sikkim.
Lot of activitives and festivals have been planned.
for details visit http://sikkimtournet.com
I hope govt of sikkim shall be able to handle the large tourist influx specially during peak season and offer guidance and support to all tourists.

permission for goecha-la trek

saikatrd — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:35:40 GMT

hi friends,
we are planning for goecha-la in DEC. is there any problem for permission on that time??? any body suggest me?? what is the contacts of the office from which we would get the permission???

Ease in permits (ILP)

piran_e — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:19:15 GMT

Seeing the high potential of tourism, the Government of Sikkim has decided to made some amendments to the permit regime. The ILP is required only for foreign tourists. For one they have increased the duration of the permit from 15 days to 30 days and the other good thing is that they have opened up a new office, at Melli where the now issue the ILP. So there it is now easier for foreign tourists to go to West and South West sikkim. Also now you don't need to waste time in Darjeeling to get your ILP , you can get it in Melli on your way to Sikkim.

Yumthang in December

call — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:59:49 GMT

Hi everybody,
I am back from Uttarakhand a month back. Had a wonderful treak in Kedarnath, Tunganath, Deoria. Thanks to all of you for the wonderful information you all supplied.
I am heading for Yumthang in last week of December. We are six with a 4yr old.I have contacted Iceland tours and travels for a two nights three day tour.They are going to put us up in Iceland hotel in Lachung. Now, my quieries are
1. How is this hotel?
2.What are the things we are going to see on the way to Lachung?
3.Are Katao , Zero Point , Yumesamdong on the same way?
4. What will be the temperature then?

dzongri- kasturi-la trek

saikatrd — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:25:15 GMT

hi friends,

I m planning for dzongri- kasturi-la trek on DEC. Actually my target is goecha-la, if not accesseable, then i will turn right from thangsing for kasturi- la. but the kasturi -la is totally remote & unexplored. would any one suggest any well known guide for that route?? anybody cover this route???

Help Required - Gangtok to Sai Baba Dham

Sange — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:53:07 GMT

Hi,

I need to travel from Gangtok to Sai Baba Dham in Daramdin. I hear from tour operators this route is less travelled and the cab charge would be high.
What is distance from Gangtok to Daramdin
Can we get frequent cabs from Gangtok to Daramdin and can we arrange it ourself @ gangtok
How much would it cost for an exclusive vehicle.

Please help

Thanks, Sange

goecha-la in DECEMBER.

saikatrd — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:17:43 GMT

hI FRIENDS,

actually i love snow tooo much. so i plan for a trek to goecha-la on DEC. many of my friends warning me for the bitter cold & expecting not to reach the last view point (5000 mtr)as because of snow!! if there will be any problem, then we plan - trek upto Thansing & from there we cover Kasturi-la at a 4000 mtr.however i think the trek will be adventureous. but in other time(MAY TO NOV) one can easily go upto Goecha-la. there will be everything in normal. no smell of adventure. just think- the snowfall is runnig in night & we share a cup of hot coffee inside the tent!!! next day coming out of tent & the whole world is white & white!!!!!

if u like some exciting activities (not only the trek!!) u can join me.or just call me at 9830846776

""travelling is more important than target. forget ur target & just trek with enjoy & adventure ""

North Sikkim trip this February - Help with Itinerary

solo-n — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:43:50 GMT

Guys, Im traveling to N.Sikkim in Feb. I've got a quote from one of the well known agents, the places covered are Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang, Chopta Valley and Thangu. It's a 2N/3D trip (Starting from Gangtok on day 1 and drop to Gangtok by 3rd day) and the quote is appx. 16K for two persons. I've got a quote for 24K too in which they will pick me up from Bagdogra on day 1, drive straight to Gangtok and an overnight stay in hotel, next day morning (day 2) starting 2N/3D N.Sikkim tour and will be dropping in to Gangtok after 2N/3D trip (day 4evening), checking in to hotel. And on next day (day 5), agency will pick me up from gangtok hotel and drop in to Bagdogra. Entire tour will be in exclusive Sumo/Max.

I found the Bagdogra to Bagdogra better and almost decided to go with this. But do you guys think 24K is a bit high considering February is not the peak season? Appreciate your inputs.

Thanks in advance cool:

Travelling to Gangtok,Darjeeling

maheshbangali — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:54:14 GMT

Hello,

I know people have asked this questions before but I wanted very specific answers and decided to start a new thread.
1)I plan to visit darjeeling/gangtok in the fist week of Jan10 starting 6th jan. I would be travelling with my family-wife and 2 kids (aged 7and 3). Is it advisable to plan for this route?
2)if yes what should be the itenary like?
3)Can we go to North Sikkim or that should be ruled out?
4)Should I prebook or is it better to go there and bargain?( I will be prebooking the train and flight tickets)
5)I want to take the toy train once, what is advisable while going or while coming?
6)Any idea of the taxi rates in the month of January? or if someone could share the taxi stand number for siliguri/darjeeling/gangtok?
7)Any recomended hotels for family stays?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Mahesh

Siliguri- Darjeeling and Gangtok

pradeep.nain — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:09:55 GMT

Hi,
we 4 couples will be visiting Sikkim in second week of Feb 2010 with one infant. We will reach siliguri b/w 4 to 5pm on 10/02/2010 and leave to darjleeing via CAB or shared taxi. Then we plan to got Gangtok and Nathula we have a return flight at 1:50pm on 14/02/2010.
Now what I wish to know is what all we can visit in darjleen and how many days should I spent n where (darjelling 1 day and Gangtok 2 days). What all hotel I can get with best view and economical price. The most inportant what type transportation I shoulg got for (Shared taxi/jeeps, Hire Scorpio?)
And precautions I should take.

Thank you
Pradeep

Reaching Bagdogra on 19th Nov

Sange — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:19:03 GMT

hi,

any couples reaching bagdogra airport on 19th nov and planning to go to gangtok? I am looking for couples who are planning for a trip to Darjeeling and sikkim and interested to join us.

Thanks - Sange

When in Sikkim which Booze to go for

wap5clw — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:08:45 GMT

Hi Mates,

This question is for those who had a long drinking session in Gangtok and Sikkim area.

I believe that in the state of sikkim due low excise levies the booze is cheap. And infact Sikkim has a very strong liquor industry both in terms of distribution and manufacturing.

I am aware that the famous bollywood villan of yesteryears Danny owns a beer making factory in Rangpo i guess?? But beer is something which is not on our minds especially during winters.

Besides we would like to taste the local good quality brew than going for the usual teachers or something....

So plzzzzzzz help me and advise...

Need some help with finalizing my trip

rjacob — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:16:51 GMT

My wife and I are planning a trip to sikkim, while we managed to only book our flight tickets well in advance (pune <-> bagdogra), we haven't been able to finalize on where all to go once we get to sikkim :). We hope to reach bagdogra on 21st Nov in the afternoon and need to head back on 28th Nov in evening. I have been going over all the posts (a big thanks to all those who have provided such detailed info). Unfortunately the more I have read about the scenic and beauty of places in sikkim, the more confused I have got on places to go!!. I would be very grateful if folks could help in finalizing our plans.
We have only two criteria's: Having never seen snow..hopeful get a chance & to just enjoy the scenic lands. Here is what we have managed to come up with.

21st - Bagdogra - Gangtok
22nd - Gangtok - Lachen (overnight halt)
23rd - Lachen - Gurudongmar Lake - Lachung
23th - Lachung - Yumthang Valley - Katao - Gangtok
24th - Gangtok - Pelling - Yuksom - Ravangla (overnight halt)
25th - Ravangla
26th - ??
27th - ??
28th - Gangtok - Bagdogra

We were considering going to Nathula pass & Tsomgo Lake, but from the posts I got the impression of it not being that great once you visit Gurudongmar lake.

Please do let us know your views as we have about a week's time to finalize with on tour operators.

Thanks in advance
-Jacob