Borong/Ravangla or Pelling first from Siliguri?

JanineG

We are going to spend about a week in Sikkim in November. We will be arriving at NJP by overnight train and want to take a shared jeep from Siliguri up to W. or S. Sikkim. Places we want to visit are Pelling, Ravangla ,Borong, and Darjeeling. Darjeeling is the last place we will see before heading out through Bagdogra airport. Is it easiest to get to Borong or Pelling straight from Siliguri? And is it easiest to get from Pelling or Borong to Darjeeling? I am trying to determine if we should do Pelling or Borong first on our trip. Thanks!

vko

I see a road distance and route map at the below link, does this help?

http://www.ttmi2.com/sikkim.html

samya.indya

@JanineG

Yes you can reach all the places you have mentioned above in one day.My suggession would be try to visit Pelling first.Then Go to Ravangla & then to Borong.From pelling Ravangla comes into the way of Borong.So it will be easy to visit in that manner.

And from Borng u can also reach Darjeeling.It will take around 5 hours or so to reach there...

And one thing in Borong you must have your booked till Darjeeling atleast. Because there is no proper car service in that region.And do book your cottages in advance(if u havent yet) as there are only seven of them and most of the time they remain fully booked.

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SAMYA
My Travel Blog

JanineG

Are you saying that we need to reserve a car in advance in order to get around? Who is good to do that with? Thanks! And did you prefer North Sikkim or South or West? I read your travel blog. Thanks for sharing!

JanineG

One more thing, Samya.india-would you recommend Rinchenpong over Pelling?

samya.indya

We went to West Sikkim in May.We were 14 people, so we booked to sumo from siliguri.It cost us arround 1300 per day per suma plus fuel cost.
In most of the places you will find transports but at BORONG there is nothing but to book your own car.So its better to book a car from Siliguri for the rest of the trip.Or u can book it from RAVANGLA(Dont know that they will stay for a night at BARSEY or not).

I allways prefer North Sikkim.There is lots of places to go and lots to do, but not in the month of november.I will prefer to go in the December.End of December rather.Just to see loads of snow in that region.

I like Rinchenpong more than Pelling because of its quietness and awesome view of Kanchandzonga range.Actually theres not much of a distance in both of those places except that Pelling has become much more popular(Getting Congested day by day).Rinchenpong is a nice place to get relaxed.

Chandan Biswas

Dear Soumya
I try to hire one from Tanmoy. He gives at 1100 per day. You can contact him.

Chandan Biswas

Dear Samya

I tried to hire vehicle from a Man named Tanmoy. He is available at Hill Cart Road Sevoke Road Crossing at Siliguri. His driver are good and he charged us 1100.00.

samya.indya

Thats really good..

Best of luck for your trip.....


Cheers...

asishdas

Me with my family would be visiting Pelling, Ravangla & Rincenpong (or Kaluk - which one is prefereable?) during mid-January, 2010. I understand from this thread that many of its contributors have visited this area during month of Dec/January. I have a few questions to them :

1. I am sure Pelling in particular and South Sikkim in general would be quite cold during Jan. But how much cold ?

2. Get me a few Hotels' names, which will remain open (I understand many of hotels close down duirng winter) duirng Jan and have adequate heating arrangements at all the above 3 locations.

3. Which place is better - Rincenpong or Kaluk ? We prefer quite place which will give a better view of snow capped himalaya. What are the accomodation available at these places.

4. Chandan has written that he had hired a vehicle @ Rs.1100/- from one Mr. Tanmoy at Siliguri. Can I have his contact Nos. and/or contact address ?

5. I am planning NJP-Pelling-Ravangla-Rincenpong (or Kaluk)-NJP route. Would it be okay or I should take NJP-Rincenpong (or Kaluk)-Pelling-Ravangla-NJP route ?

6. If I leave Pelling after Breakfast, can I reach Ravangla via Yuksum same day ? How much time it will take if I take a break for 2 hours at Yuksum ?

Thanks!

roj,roy

1. around 3 to 4 degree celcius
2. Nest in Rinchenpong, Rabdentse in Pelling, Babumoshai in Rabongla. you can book from SLC at saflec@yahoo.com. 9836077202
3. Rinchenpong is better but Kaluk has better resorts
5. NJP-Rincenpong (or Kaluk)-Pelling-Ravangla-NJP route is better option
6.Yes yo can reach Rabongla via Yuksom from Pelling. Approx 6 hours with the break.

roj,roy

Janine,
I would suggest you to make the route like. Njp-Borong- Rabongla-Pelling-Darjeeling.It is difficult to find shared vehicle from Borong. So you can stay at Rabongla and have sight seeing to Ralong Monastery and Borong in 1 day