Darjeeling and Sikkim in 10 days!!!!

mfrc

Hi, I'm planning to go back to India in December, this time to visit Darjeeling and Sikkim. I have only 10 days to visit both places! Do you think that is a bit too crazy? what sites do you think I must definately visit?

What is the best way to get there from Delhi? Is train a reasonable choice? how expensive would be a round trip flight?

Could you recommend me a short and nice trekk in the area?

And one more thing... how safe is it for a woman to go trekking in the area?

Thanks!

Judi

Welcome to IndiaMike -

Most, if not all of your questions can be answered by searching on this site. Perhaps if you then have more questions, members will be able to help you.

Good Luck ( and you'll love Darjeeling, by the way)

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dhans

Hi,

We visited Sikkim and Darjeeling in november 1998 . We came from Kathmandu, crossed Nepal by bus and flew out later from Calcutta.

10 days should be a nice period, where you can visit a couple of places in Sikkim and Darjeeling itself. We loved the atmosphere. Tranquile compared to the rest of India, clear blue skies, crisp air (bit cold at night) and we liked the budhist temples a lot. Beside the tea plantations, the zoo in Darjeeling was also great. Transport is not for the feelehearted. If you travel by bius then at some time you will find yourself dangling more over the valey than above the road.

Have a great time,

Hans

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jyotirmoy

Look in December you dont have much treking choices. Snowfalls are early this year. In Sikkim it will be very cold indeed. What you could do is visit Gangtok, Ravangla.
In Darjeeling make sure the hotel you stay has generators to run room heaters in case of power failure or fireplace with coal. Same is the case with hotels in Gangtok & Ravangla.
Good luck.

jyotirmoy

From Delhi the train journey is very long. A normal flight costs around Rs.8000/ one way to Bagdogra which is the nearest airport for both Sikkim & Darjeeling. Share taxis buses are plenty from Bagdogra.

somnath

Hi mfrc,
Welcome to IM and India.
Darjeeling and Sikkim in 10 days . Please visit this thread:
seeking Darjeeling info and advice

I think your answers are already there. if you have some more to ask let us know. there are some more useful info regarding this area in Sikkim and West Bengal section. As Jyoti rightly said, be prepared for the cold weather conditions.


Cheers,
Somnath

torryquine

10 days is enough time to see a good bit of Sikkim and Darjeeling - we squeezed both into 6 days! It would help if you had your own transport (jeep and driver) however.

We were there in early January and had no problems with the weather (but we are from the north of Scotland), yes it's a little cold so take some warm clothes otherwise you will be fine - we found that we were always offered "hot bags" (hot-water bottles) in our hotels and were very cozy at night.

Things you must not miss:

DHR - you must take a ride on this, even if it's just the short trip from Darj to Ghoom - wonderful fun

Sunrise from Tiger Hill for the views of Kanggenjunga

Ghoom Monastery

Rumtek Monastery near Gangtok - the most beautiful Gompa I have seen - remember to take your passport, these are always checked here before you are allowed entrance. (It's a bit of a long story but it's to do with the controversy regarding the Karmapa)

The Museum of Tibetology in Gangtok - some of the most amazing works of Tibetan art you will ever see.

Pemayangtse Gompa - for the incredible Zandog Palri sculpture, the enormous prayer-wheel and some exquisite old paintings. Nearby are the Rabdentse ruins wich we were impressed by.

There is lots more to Sikkim, which we didn't have the time for and others could tell you about - ask Somnath!

Oh and it's a VERY safe area, we felt quite at home there and I'm sure you will be impressed as we were by the cleanliness and orderliness of Sikkim - Gangtok especially. Darjeeling is a wonderful friendly place that we didn't want to leave! Check out some of the smaller, lesser known gompas - wonderful atmosphere.

Enough - I could bore for Scotland on that part of India - we loved it!

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