Darjeeling-Gangtok-North Sikkim

TravelNik

Hi all,
Let me begin with complements to such a great forum.

I am planning to visit Darjeeling-Gangtok-North Sikkim in November first week. Is that a good time? I will be travelling with my family and kids (1.5yrs, 4yrs) and have 6-7 days for the trip from kolkata.

Here are my considerations:
1. I love photography and want to have a good time.
2. Not willing for hectic schedule (family with me).
3. we are in all 5 Adults + 3 kids. what about hiring a cab/taxi? any idea about rates/cost?

Can you please guide me with itinerary and/or suggestions ?
Add: What is the per head budget I should look at?

abhijit.s

Great idea to visit Sikkim that time as the climate would be bit chilly but wonderful.It all depends how you are reaching there.The nearest railway station is NJP(new jalpaiguri)and the airport is Bagdogra which has got flights from Delhi and Kolkata.On reaching there you need to hire a car,a qualis or scorpio perhaps to proceed to Gangtok.It will be about 4 hours drive....and then let me have some information like,how good are you in travelling in hills,how are the kids condition etc..so that i may further contribute.

TravelNik

Hey Abhijit,
Thanks for the assurance, I was really worried about the season. I am good at travelling in hills. Kids are small - two of 1.5 years and another is 4 yrs.

So do you think that I should directly move on to Gangtok and above and not care much about Darjeeling? I've never been to this side of country so any advise in this regard is welcome.

thanks

Khak

Mantru is the encyclopedia on Darjeeling/Gangtok.........wait for her to reply

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abhijit.s

Very good then.Since this would be your first visit to this part of the country,dont miss Darjeeling.On arrival procceed to Gangtok and then visit West Sikkim to Pelling Pemyangshe,Kichipukhari lake,Gaysing as north sikkim will be little colder during Nov and keep north and south for your next trip.You may skip one or two place depending on your time.Then I would suggest you to go to Darjeeling and spend 1 and half days there on your way down from the hills.

TravelNik

Thanks Abhjit,
So thinking on same lines, I will get down at NJP. Then I can visit Gangtok, then Pelling and then back to NJP. If time permits, I can visit darjeeling. Right?

However, I am still not very clear on from where to hire car and at what rate? what should be the budget I should be keeping? As I am planning on round journey, should I hire a car from new Jalpaiguri?

Awaiting Mantru's suggestions too.

abhijit.s

You will get the vehicle from NGP though no official prepaid booth is available.You will have to bargain.Normally a maruti van from NGP to Gangtok charges rs.1800 to 2000/- and a larger vehicle about rs.2800 to 3000/-.Hard bargain may lower the rate a bit.For you a larger vehicle will be better.It is a 3.5 hrs drive.You have to take car from Gangtok only for visisting places in Sikkim.From Gangtok To Peling should be about rs.2300 to 2500/-one way.There are lot of tourist operator in Siliguri(Station ngp)who can book your car in advance.Hope you can budget your trip now.

TravelNik

Got the idea Abhijit. thanks for sharing the info. I will be getting down and NJP at around 7.30 morning. SO I can hire a car and move directly to Gangtok.

Sorry to bother you more, but can you give me some idea If I can use the same car for local site seeing, then pelling and back to NJP? (if time permits, through Darjeeling). What cost should I be prepared for for say 6 days car hiring in that region?

Thanks in advance..

abhijit.s

No,you cant take NGP car for sight seeing in Sikkim.You have to take vehicle from Gangtok and not to worry there are plenty of tourist vehicle including sharing.However,unlike Himachal,the car for the whole trip is not adviceable as that way it becomes costlier.

TravelNik

Fine. so I will take local cabs for site seeing and moving to pelling. Here is the itinerary I've worked out. Any suggestions are welcome !!

Day
1 - Reach Howrah and Depart to New Jalpaiguri in evening
2 - Reach jalpaiguri early morning @ 7.00 am
2 - Move to Gangtok - 4-5 Hours max. Rest
3 - Local sites
4 - Local Sites
5 - Go To Pelling (4 hours max). Rest
6 - Local sites
7 - Depart to New Jalpaiguri (max 6 hrs drive)
7 - In the evening catch a train to Howrah Jn
8 - Reach Howrah in Morning and depart back

I hope this is okay considering I have family with me and want some good time for photography.
As for visiting the monastries, I'd prefer less crowded ones. Any special local sites at pelling/gangtok would be helpful.

Add:
As advised, I would be keeping North Sikkim / Darjeeing for my next trip to this region.

abhijit.s

Very well chalked out plan,I appreciate.Only explore the possibility of taking the alternate route(Darjeeling route)while coming down from Pelling as the landscape is breadthtaking.
All the best and have a nice time.

TravelNik

Thanks, Will try to get information on the darjeeling route and post here for comments. Let me know if anyone has any information on same ?

Cracy

Hi there,

It's my first time here and I've made some searching before posting but I'd like to have some more up-to-date info...

I will be for the first time in India from 12 to 30 September. I want to trek in the first few days (my friends are arriving on 21st).

I would like to come to Darjeeling/Gangtok from 14th to 21st (then I will go back to Delhi).

A few questions:
1) What is the weather there at that time (mid-September)? (temperature/rainfall?)

2) What will you suggest for a 3-5 days backpack trek? (I don't have to visit both of this places and my sister (17) will be with me- she's a newbie when it comes to far-away-travels so it can't be too hard)

3) If I would like to get from Bagdogra airport straight to Gangtok how to arrange Sikkim permit? (in Delhi/Gangtok/Darjeeling?) I don't have to much time to waste...

Thanks for your time.

Best wishes from Poland,

JA

somnath

Hi TravelNik,
Good suggestion from everyone. But in my personal opinion Nov is not that good time for N. Sikkim when you are traveling with a 1.5 yrs old kid.

Anyways, I recommend this thread for a rough plan :
seeking Darjeeling info and advice

Cracy, Welcome to IndiaMike.
Above mentioned thread may help you. And for trekking you can think about Sandakphu. Please search in this forum with this key word and you’ll find a goldmine.

- Cheers.

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* My Travel Pix...

Cracy

Somnath thank you for a warm welcome.

I've read the suggested thread before posting... It doesn't answer my questions at all.

Sandakphu looks perfect for me. That's exacly what I was looking for. I love trekking, but it can't be to hard for my sister and gf (but she also fancy mountains so no problem there).

The question about the weather is still to be answered, could you help?

Thanks a lot,

JA