1 Foreigner + 3 Indians Sikkim Trip in May

amateur

Hi,

Tour operators tell me that a single foreign pass to North Sikkim is not an easy thing... I have a student friend coming down with an Indian, and two more of us Indians are joining them for a trip to Sikkim. Is there anyone who can guide me as to what itenarary is possible, feasible given the presence of a solitary foreigner?

Dates are: Arrive 19th May 3Pm in Bagdogra airport, depart from the same at 2PM 23rd.

amateur

I was able to get this from Sikkim's nic.in website...

Individual foreign visitors may visit/stay at any of the following towns in Sikkim after obtaining 15-day ILP
* EAST - Gangtok-Rumtek-Pakyong,Barapathing-Rongli-Renak-Aritar-Rorathang
* WEST - Geyzing . Pemayangtse . Khechepheri, Tashiding . Yuksom . Soreng
* NORTH - Phodong . Mangan . Singhik
* SOUTH - Namchi . Ravangla

Hope this helps you to guide me in planning this itenarary...

mani

Hi Amateur,

The foreigner permit would take one day atleast. All travel agents will be able to this. you will also need permits as indians to visit any tourist place outside gangtok including lachung, tsmogo lake, nathula etc.

Would suggest the following itenery
19th may arrive Gangtok by 7 pm check in shop around for further travel arrangements. We went with a small travel agent next to the pvt taxi stand next to the petrol pump it was a trip by shared sumo, but he got us the best seats and gave us a good price. i dont remember his name but the location is on yout left if you are looking at the taxi/bus stand. He also did the permits.

20th may Gangtok- local sightseeing

21st - depart for lachung - yumthang stay the night
22nd visit snow points and return to Gangtok.
23rd depart for bagdogra by 9 am for 2 pm flight

alternately
21st visit tsmogo / changu lake, baba mandir, Nathula (if you get the permit)
22nd Leave gangtok for pelling / kalimpong/ darjeeling spend night at any one of the above
23rd leave for bagdogra - approximate travel time is 3-4 hours.


hope this is of help.

mani

amateur

Thanks a lot, Mani. That was quick.

The main problem with North Sikkim/ anywhere outside prescribed tourist route I mentioned above is: min. of 4 foreigners need to apply together. The tour operators say they can swing it with 2 people... but a single person is out of scope. Also, 3 Indians don't amount to three people for company of the foreigner, per these guys. LOL.

The Pelling/ Kalimpong option of course is allowed on his general 15-day permit, so I'll try and understand more of what I can do there. Any further suggestions along those lines, I should explore?

machadinha

? That's weird. It's the first time I hear of these tour groups having to consist of a nr. of foreigners as such.

Could well be true, just never heard of it. What a hassle

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mantru

i guess its the same policy as i got to know in leh that we need to apply for a group of 4...sikkim is much strict i guess so the fuss.....gurudongmar lake is out of bound for foreigners...for indians inner line permit reqd.