2N/3D - North Sikkim - suggestions pls

arinhere

have a great trip ahead

amitsanghvi100

I'm looking to do a tour for 3 adults:

D1 - Leave Gangtok for Lachen
N1 - Overnight at Lachen
D2 - Yumthang valley
N2 - Overnight at Lachen
D3 - Lachen - Gangtok.

I can also spend an extra day if required. I have been quote from rs. 4000-18000 per person for 3 people!! (Arinhere mentions 1800-2400/head). Please could someone let me know of a reasonable agent who would do the tour for around this price?

We are foreigners (so this will probably add something to the price).

neeleem

amitsanghvi100, i think you might have got the place name wrong. The base for visiting Yumthang is Lachung and not Lachen. Lachen is used as a base to visit places like Thangu, Chopta valley and Gurudongmar Lake. The road bifurcates in a place called Chungthang. The road east goes to Lachung, Yumthang and Yumesamdong. There is also a road from Lachung to Katao (Snow Point). The road west goes towards Lachen, Thangu, Chopta and Gurudongmar. To visit Yumthang you need only one night in Lachung. If you have two nights you could try visiting Gurudongmar Lake (though if you are not Indian you will be permitted only to go upto Thangu). Alternately you can try to visit Katao.

The best deals are to be had by turning up at Gangtok and negotiating with one of the drivers in the jeep stand but through them you don't know where you are going to stay. If you go through an agency it will cost you more but you might get a better hotel to stay in. 18k per person is a ripoff. But 4k is a good price if that is for 3 people exclusively having a vehicle. I assume you will share. I am sure some member can give you the name of a good agency to use.

amitsanghvi100

Neeleem, thank you very much for your e-mail.

(you are right, i meant Lachung)

So...

D1 - Leave Gangtok for Lachung
N1 - Overnight at Lachung
D2 - Yumthang valley
N2 - Overnight at Lachung
D3 - Lachen - Gangtok.

Extra day now in Kalimpong. We cannot go to Gurudongmar Lake, as we are not Indian citizens. Would you say Katao is better than Kalimpong in October?

We have opted for the rs. 4000 per person package.Most of the others offered 3000-5000 but (as soon as we said we were not Indian) it shot up to above 15000. I'm not sure if it's exclusive or not, but I don't really mind.

We are using:
http://www.ecotoursandtreks.com/

Has anyone used them before? How did you find them?

Additionally, we have to use a travel agent as it takes them up to 48 hours to process ILP permit.

Regards,

Amit

neeleem

Amit, you are welcome.

I have not been to Katao as we went in December and managed to go about half the way from Lachung to Katao. Then we got too much ice on the road and it was getting dangerous, so had to turn back. I am sure someone else should be able to comment on Katao.

IMHO comparing Katao to Kalimpong is a bit of apple and mango comparison because Katao is one point where you drive to, spend a few hours at most and drive back. Kalimpong on the other hand is a hill station where you can easily spend a few days relaxing and exploring. Katao is very high amongst snow laden peaks. Kalimpong is really in the foothills of the Himalayas. So your call really.

I think if you are going to stay two nights in N.Sikkim you should try to visit one other place as you will have the time for it. If you are of Indian origin, just tell the agents you are coming from somewhere in India. For the permits there is no check on passports or any identity documents (atleast this was the case in 2006). The agent just asks for name, sex and age. At checkpoints they only check the permit against the passengers.

sameerpandya

I think 4k per person is more than enough. You can even ask your driver to include Zero Point in the trip. It is worth visiting and I think it shd be mangeable within this amount. Avoid Katao as it is a military base, more so as you guys are foreigners. These areas become sensitive within no time. Also, I would suggest that spend the time walking or trekking around the Lachung town - it is a very beautiful. Are you guys going to Lachen before you return to Gangtok? I would not advise it - the travel time is a waste if you are not going up north.

nikon_D300

hi Amitji

Its great that you booked the trip...!
Try Zero Point. Katao and Zero Point both r out of the travel list. These two points are never included in the itenerary. These two places are to be visited by paying an extra amount of 100 - 200 rupees to the driver. quit reasonable. And this is a normal practice here.
I should suggest you to visit Zero Point. This place is approx.16000 ft. and the road to this place is awesome. But you could face chilling wind which feels like biting off ur nose. ha ha..

Take care

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