Helicopter to Gangtok? (or taxi?)

LazyGirl

Has anyone ever taken the helicopter from Bagdogra to Gangtok (or the other way)? It sounds like it might be a good thing to try. How did you get your tickets - were you able to book them in advance? And how was the ride?

I'd also be interested to know the cost of a taxi (or car) from Bagdogra or Silguri to Gangtok, from anyone who's done that - and did you just show up and get in a taxi, or was there some advance booking involved?

Thanks!

jyotirmoy

I would take a taxi. The drive from Bagdogra to Gangtok along the Teesta with the most fertile green fields is a treat to the eyes. Our cabbie got a bit pissed out as we stopped at so many places to take pictures. Anyway past the border in Sikkim a glass of Rum & Coke offered by me pacified him.
We had a bad experience in Sikkim the first time in my life in the Himalayas. We had booked a taxi from a travel agent to tour the northern parts. There were 2 couples sharing the 4 wheel drive jeep with us. Every thing went perfectly well. While returning to Gangtok the driver started taking a passanger for short lifts for money. There was enough space & considering the scarcity of public transport in this area we didnt really mind. We got stuck up in a mild landslide quite near Gangtok. Here the driver started drinking along with 2 local persons. When we finally started after the slide was cleared this 2 persons got in to the jeep. One of our bags containing a pentax compact camera & my large Cannon SLR was kept in the rear. We reached Gangtok quite tired & went to sleep in our hotel.
Next dawn I woke up & saw the snow ranges aglow with the orange rays of rising sun. Since my SLR was empty I didnt want to waste time & reached for the compact & didnt find it. We called the travel agent he sent the driver to me who returned a pair of socks to me saying that it had fallen out of our bag. The socks were kept along with the cameras. I use socks to cover my lenses while travelling. I made a report & on coming back to Delhi complained to the Sikkim Hose got a sympathetic hearing & thats all. So be careful.

somnath

Kolkata, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Assam transportation advice please

Somnath

LazyGirl

jyotirmoy. so you never got your camera back? That's too bad, I'm sorry and I will be careful.

About your taxi from Bagdogra to Gangtok: did you book it in advance or did you just grab a taxi when you arrived in Bagdogra? And how much did it cost?

Thanks!

GoanCanuck

Helicopter travel at altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet are not very safe. At those heights the thin air makes helicopter engines do strange things.

jyotirmoy

We had booked with a travel agency of Sikkim for our entire trip as I was a bit handicapped due to some illness. This agent had sent a car to pick us up. We found plenty of taxis in the parking lot of the airport waiting to be hired. If you are willing you can take seat in a share taxi too. To be frank we did a mistake of booking our tour in advance. I met other travellers who had negotiated much better rates there.
Do try the local millet beer called Chung. North Sikkim is just wild & vergin.
Enjoy your self keep posting.

LazyGirl

Will do, thanks for your help.

nomad28

Jyotirmoy, I think you need to file a complain with TAAS. http://www.taasindia.com they are the travel agents association of Sikkim and a very strong body, may be they can help about the camera.
Helicoptor fair from Bagdogra to Gangtok is Rs. 1700 per head but the helicoptor capacity is 5 persons and it will not fly unless 5 persons are booked.
I dont think you need to worry to much about flying in higher altitude. This year in April on one day there were 19 flights from Gangtok for sight seeing (Its been a record).

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