5 days in sikkim.... help needed..

subabu2002

hi IM members,

we are 3 (i,my wife,5yrs son) planned to going to sikkim on coming march end for 5 nights 6 days programme. before going,i have a lot of questions and doubts about sikkim.

my itinerary is:

day.1: reach gangtok and take rest or if possible walk along local sights.

day.2:go to yamthang trip.full day travelling, stay at lachung.

day.3:visit yamthang valley and katoa.and return to lachen for next days gurudongmar lake trip.stay in lachen.

day.4:visit gurundongmar lake and return to gangtok.

day.5:visit day trip to tsmogo lake and return to gangtok.

day.6:return to njp to catch the train to calcutta.


in this itienrary, does two lakes are must to see? or skip
any one for pelling visit?

if pelling is worth visit than tsomgo or gurudongmar,will one day is enough for pelling and surroundings?

we liked to visit snowy places .. we dont like general
spots like parks,monestarys,temples,garde ns..

in march end,does any oppertunities of frozen lakes and snow covered landscape to see?

for yamthang and gurudongmar lake visit,if travel agency only the option how would it cost? i am in budget people line...

do you think this itinerary is busy with travelling? if yes what will i do?

is there any problem to visit tsmogo lake and nathulla pass? does it possible in march end?

please help..

thanks
suresh babu.

robin312007

hi suresh babu !

yes your itenerary is perfect. There is no scope of including Pelling in this schedule. Pelling is a calm and serene place to visit with Waterfalls, monastries etc to visit. and if you are not at all interested visiting these places then your plan is perfect for snow and adventure in North Sikkim.
No you dont need to see both Gurudongmar lake and Tsomgo lake as well. Gurudongmar in itself is a mesmerizing lake and place to visit with a topography like Leh. no need visiting tsomgo after this. Well for Nathula you can take a chance coz its a visit of a lifetime with Chinese soldiers in a stone throwing distance.
But for Nathula you have to check the days of visiting this place. All these you can rest assure on your Travel Agency. They will fix the day and permit to visit. I would advise you to fix a Travel agency and get advise on how to cover North sikkim as well as Nathula. No one can give you idea better than them.

And for visiting North sikkim your plan will be 2nights and 3days which may cost somewhere around 1800/- each maybe in sharing basis. If March end is offseason then you will get a hefty discount in lodging as well as Travelling too.

Good Luck

Radjesh

Good plan. Both Gurudongmar and Tsongo are beautiful lakes, of course Gurudongmar is the better one and yes some part it might be frozen although not completely. For North Sikkim, you can travel there only after getting permits via travel agent. It might cost you around 2-2.5k/person(includes jeep, food and accomodation) for 3days/2nights package.

North Sikkim will be very cold during that time, so go fully prepared.

travel joy

Your itinerary is perfect for the short trip.But Gurudongmar is definitely more appealing than Tsomgo lake.If you want to take a close look at Kangchendzonga, you can try visiting Pelling.For that you will need two more extra days.But no chance of snow in Pelling.
The rates for Yumthang trip will vary as per the facilities provided. You can also try Yumesongdong from Yumthang instead of Katao, if you want.You can take an approx of 2000 per head.Also March - April is season time in that region so do expect some rush.

subabu2002

thank you robin,rajdesh,traveljoy...

sorry for delayed reply..

for cold,already we did succesfully our manali trip on last february.my son also managed easily that conditions.

but i dont know the height levels of yamthang and gurudongmar areas.

do i expect the same height levels and cold as manali`s rohtang pass??

going with with my son in that area`s is safe?

how is the road condition`s in that area`s?

if any link is available for booking travel agencies for yamthang and gurudongmar visit,please send it.

thanks
-suresh babu.

Radjesh

Gurudongmar lake is 4000 ft higher than Rohtang pass, I couldnt stay there for more than 10 minutes. Since you have a kid maybe carry some medication for emergency purposes.

travel joy

Gurudongmar is around 17000 ft.So there can be some breathing problems and other altitude related problems for a few people.But the Indian Army does offer medical help to the tourists in case of emergency in that spot. Actually Gurudongmar is not just a normal tourist spot but more like adventure tourism.

robin312007

hi

No need of prior booking for north sikkim. its better you book the trip there on spot on the first day you land in gangtok.

jyotirmoy

Yes don't pre-book. Children may have some problem due to high altitude.

subabu2002

once again thanks to all...

how serious the high altitude problems? does it bearable?

which time is the best time to visit that places?? march or april?

-suresh babu.

jyotirmoy

The nature and severity of altitude sickness varies from person to person and I don't think it can be predicted or tested. tHe most common symptom is feeling guidy and headache. If your son at any point of time complain of these you should not proceed further.
Season wise March end is the perfect time.

robin312007

Well as jyoti says is right. Headache is a clear symptom. But dont worry. Try drinking more water in high altitude. I mean dont reduce your water consumption. This will make you fit for altitude. This is a Tip to be followed while trekking in high altitude.
Dont get worried. just enjoy your trip.
March-Aril is best season in sikkim as you can see snow as well as rhododendrons / primul etc.

Good Luck

tacita

there's a lot to see in and around gangtok, but it takes time. with a five-year-old, you probably can't reach much on foot very quickly, save perhaps the market and ropeway--which he'd surely love!

alternatively, head to the taxi stand and, for a small sum, you can take a 3-, 5- or 7-point tour of the area. just pick your preferred sights and let the driver know your time constraints. he can help you plan a nice day or afternoon.

__________________
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

sasi

suresh babu, let me use this thread for my questions too..

Friends i too have plan for HM in sikkim on may first week.

coming by train. chennai - NJP..

i hope i will get down at NJP around 21 Hrs(may be around 10 in nite),

Can i get Cabs/shared jeeps from NJP to Gangtok in that night?

Is it safe to take cab to GagTk.or i can stay in NJP or siliguri?


Itinerary

NJP to Gangtok(on nite)

1 day- Gangtok- local sight seeing(please advice some places)

2-day gangtok to lachen(nite stay)

3-Yumthang/zero point/etc or Gurudongmar lake and back to Gangtok (N) (can i get back to gangtok or Darjeeling)

Is it possible to go Darjeling after the yumthang and other site seeings? Please suggest..

4- (if gangtok) nadhulla pass, baba mandir and to Darjeeling

5 - Darjeeling (just see the town) and to NJP



The train is around 2 in noon from NJP.. so when i have to start from Darjeeing..?


Is my plan quite confusing?? me too confused.

How abt these places in May first Week? will be good rite??

ROBIN, JYOTHI, Agarwal, Amit, janice, somesh, miru....friends please help me..

tacita

i'm afraid i don't know how late cabs will run to gangtok, but can tell you based on my daytime travel from bagdogra to gangtok that the drive into the mountains on roads of questionable safety, in an automobile of questionable safety, with a driver of questionable safety, and the ever-looming fear (not unfounded, as it turns out) of plummeting into a deep ravine with no chance of survival, that i wouldn't even consider it at night. and if the danger isn't enough to dissuade you, think about all the lovely scenery you'd miss along the way--it's a lovely climb up into the himalayan foothills!

yes, you can stay in the vicinity of the train station overnight and get an early start the next morning, which i think would be a special way to make the drive up.

there's a lot to see in and around darjeeling, but it seems you have little time. i don't think it would be worthwhile to go to darjeeling to "just see the town." the sights aren't such that you can reasonable see them on a drive-by schedule. i would suggest going when you have time to take it all in more fully. it's a wonderful destination that i enjoyed immensely--but over a span of several days!

hope this helps. i'm sure others here can offer you more information regarding accommodations near NJP/siliguri.