Gangtok-Yumthung-YumseDong & Chopa Valley during XMas

CoolKits

Hey All,

We are a group of friends (6 People) from Bangalore, wanting to visit Sikkim from 25th Dec - 30th Dec .. We plan to Visit Lachun, Yumthung, Chopta Valley, Lachun, Tsango Lake, Natulla Pass & Rutem before heading back to NJP for our train to Guwahati.

We checked out some Travel agents and they are quoting some 7K per person for the whole itenary (including pickup-drop from/to NJP). But I feel this is very expesnive & we can arrange a tour for ourselves when we reach there ..

But the Travel agents say December is a peak season in Sikkim & we have to book in advance or else everything will be full. I want to know the following:

Is it really a Peak season in December?

Will we be able to visit Yumthung & Chopa valley during this time.

Can we book a package to these places once we reach Gangtok ?

How soon we have to book for Natula pass (as I have heard that only 20 vehicles are allowed per day)

What is the cost of hiring a TataSumo/Qualis per day?

Your info would be really helpful for our trip ..

Thanks
CoolKits

joy_g72

Well just to let you know that the Travel Agent you have got in touch with is charging you high for sure.

It is a wonderful circuit you have choosen so happy travelling and I am sure you will njoy the trip.

somnath

Hi CoolKits and Joy,
Welcome to IndiaMike.

CoolKits, First of all I’ll suggest you do just forget the travel agent part. You can do it at your own. There are so many threads in Sikkim and West Bengal section of IM plz read those posts and take your decision.

7k is expensive. December is the pick season in Sikkim? Just DON”T book anything other than railway tickets.

Yumthung & Chopa valley during this time is very tough. There are hundreds of tour operators in Gangtok. Collect the latest info from there and then book the package.

There are weekly schedule for Nathu la, so the day you will reach Gangtok visit some agents office and they will arrange for permits and other papers for you. I think, you will be able to reach up to Tsomgo lake (may be up to Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir).

- Somnath