14 days trip from end of Oct - various queries!

Cachaca · Sep 23rd, 2009, 02:00

Hi all,

I am in pen, paper and search mode planning now for my Sikkim trip, as I've now booked flights. Arriving Bagdogra 25 Oct, departing 7 Nov.

I am hugely keen to do lots of trekking. I am fortunate enough (touch wood) to always have been unaffected by altitude. I am generally a strong trekker and have always found I do treks quicker than the prescribed times - I like getting up at 6 am and walking all day.

I know the Darjeeling bits are technically West Bengal forum queries, but most of my trip is Sikkim based!

Was therefore thinking of something like...

25 Oct - helicopter from airport straight to Gangtok. Sort things in Gangtok. General explore.

26 Oct - 3 day / 2 night North Sikkim trip

28 Oct - overnight Gangtok

29 Oct - early to Pelling (question: does Pelling merit a day's pause and enjoyment in itself?). From here I was hoping to do Pelling - Yuksom trek, overnight there and then Goecha La trek. So...

30 Oct - arrive Yuksom (am I missing out desperately if I don't carry on to Tashiding?)

31 Oct - start Goecha La trek - I have seen various time periods placed on this trek. Obviously depends on acclimitisation days taken. Is 6-8 right? Can a fit person without altitude issues do it in 6 days? Will I find a guide who will do this?

5 Nov - back to Yuksom in evening.

6 Nov - get from here down to Darjeeling. Overnight here.

7 Nov - sunrise and morning in Darjeeling. Afternoon to airport and away.

Finally... on the all important permit issue. In Ladakh there was a minimum 4 person rule for certain journeys and permits, but it was easily bent so that you got a permit for 4 people and the other 3 just didn't exist. Is Sikkim similar or is the rule stricter - i.e. can I head up to North Sikkim and to Goecha La with just a guide, or do I need to find a group?

Cheers.

zauberberg · Sep 30th, 2009, 14:04

Hi Cachaca
Helicopter to Gangtok only goes, if they have a certain number of
passengers.
Pelling is great, if there are views, we stayed for 3 days at the end of october, but it didn't lift once. A few monasteries might be worth visiting, if you are interested and you have the time.
Acclimatization is not a question of fitness, so I would be careful. 6 days for Goecha La is really pushing it, plus I am sure the guide wouldn't like to do it, because they want to sign you up for 8-10 days to do this trek.
If you are prepared to pay more, you can go on your own with a guide. We paid 80.- USD per day for 2 people.
Hope this helps...

Cachaca · Oct 18th, 2009, 15:33

Many thanks Zauberberg.

Any tips from anyone else (I am reading the other threads on the forum too).

If I am pushing i too much to fit Goecha La in, are there any other 3/4/5 day treks in Sikkim /Darjeeling that people would recommend?

Sep 23rd, 2009, 02:00	#1
Cachaca Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: New kid in Gurgaon! Posts: 50	14 days trip from end of Oct - various queries! Hi all, I am in pen, paper and search mode planning now for my Sikkim trip, as I've now booked flights. Arriving Bagdogra 25 Oct, departing 7 Nov. I am hugely keen to do lots of trekking. I am fortunate enough (touch wood) to always have been unaffected by altitude. I am generally a strong trekker and have always found I do treks quicker than the prescribed times - I like getting up at 6 am and walking all day. I know the Darjeeling bits are technically West Bengal forum queries, but most of my trip is Sikkim based! Was therefore thinking of something like... 25 Oct - helicopter from airport straight to Gangtok. Sort things in Gangtok. General explore. 26 Oct - 3 day / 2 night North Sikkim trip 28 Oct - overnight Gangtok 29 Oct - early to Pelling (question: does Pelling merit a day's pause and enjoyment in itself?). From here I was hoping to do Pelling - Yuksom trek, overnight there and then Goecha La trek. So... 30 Oct - arrive Yuksom (am I missing out desperately if I don't carry on to Tashiding?) 31 Oct - start Goecha La trek - I have seen various time periods placed on this trek. Obviously depends on acclimitisation days taken. Is 6-8 right? Can a fit person without altitude issues do it in 6 days? Will I find a guide who will do this? 5 Nov - back to Yuksom in evening. 6 Nov - get from here down to Darjeeling. Overnight here. 7 Nov - sunrise and morning in Darjeeling. Afternoon to airport and away. Finally... on the all important permit issue. In Ladakh there was a minimum 4 person rule for certain journeys and permits, but it was easily bent so that you got a permit for 4 people and the other 3 just didn't exist. Is Sikkim similar or is the rule stricter - i.e. can I head up to North Sikkim and to Goecha La with just a guide, or do I need to find a group? Cheers.

Sep 30th, 2009, 14:04	#2
zauberberg Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 11	Hi Cachaca Helicopter to Gangtok only goes, if they have a certain number of passengers. Pelling is great, if there are views, we stayed for 3 days at the end of october, but it didn't lift once. A few monasteries might be worth visiting, if you are interested and you have the time. Acclimatization is not a question of fitness, so I would be careful. 6 days for Goecha La is really pushing it, plus I am sure the guide wouldn't like to do it, because they want to sign you up for 8-10 days to do this trek. If you are prepared to pay more, you can go on your own with a guide. We paid 80.- USD per day for 2 people. Hope this helps... Last edited by zauberberg : Sep 30th, 2009 at 18:50.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Himachal in Oct end	gladiator	Himachal Pradesh	2	Oct 7th, 2008 00:47
yungtham -lachen in oct end	mantru	Sikkim	6	Sep 25th, 2007 01:42
Oct End Goa - Tourist Rush	amarshah	Goa	3	Sep 14th, 2007 14:52
Manali in End Oct - Ear Nov	Djay	Kullu and Manali	2	Aug 29th, 2007 12:29
Goa end Oct	amarshah	Goa	12	Aug 11th, 2007 05:26

Oct 18th, 2009, 15:33	#3
Cachaca Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: New kid in Gurgaon! Posts: 50	Many thanks Zauberberg. Any tips from anyone else (I am reading the other threads on the forum too). If I am pushing i too much to fit Goecha La in, are there any other 3/4/5 day treks in Sikkim /Darjeeling that people would recommend?