information for Sikkim honeymoon tour in February- Help Needed

Hi all,
I have been reading various threads on SIKKIM for the last month and after lot of brainstorming I have decided upon following visit plan to sikkim & Darjeeling at some time around 10-25th February.


Day 01:
NJP(train) to Gantok . Rest of the day at leisure , Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02:
Gantok Local tour (Institute of Tibetology, Orchid Exhibition, Rumtek Monastery, Tashi view Point, Enchey Monastery, Ganesh Top, Hanuman Top etc.)
Arrange for a permit to visit “Nathu la”, “Baba Mandir” and “Tsomgo lake”.

Day 03 : Day Excursion To Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir/nathula pass.
A day excursion to Tsomgo Lake (departure in the morning) - situated at a height of 3,780 mts. Return back to Gangtok. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 : Gangtok To Lachung

Drive to Lachung. Enroute, enjoy a stopover at Tashi View point, which offers a panoramic view of the mountains. On arrival at Lachung, check into hotel. Later visit the Phodong Monastery and Chumathang Valley, twin falls and Vima falls. The evening is free to explore this village on our own.

Day 05 : Excursion To Yumthang Valley & Back To Lachung.

Early morning, proceed on an excursion to Yumthang Valley located at an altitude of 12000 feet. Enroute, visit the Hot Spring and Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary. Afternoon, return, O/N stay at Lachung.
Day 06 : Lachung To Pelling. Rest of the day at leisure, Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 07 : Full Day Sight Seeing In Pelling

Go for a full day sightseeing tour covering Rimbi Waterfalls, Rimbi Hydel Project, Khecheopari Lake & Kanchenjunga Falls. Back to hotel for lunch. After lunch, cover Pemayangtse Monastery, Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08:
Peling to Darjeeling. Take a jeep to for Darjeeling. Suggetions required for hotels for an exotic view of Kanchendzongha from over-crowded Darjeeling and the best quality of tea.

Day 08 & 09:
Darjeeling Local tour
Must see – sunrise from tiger hill, Darjeeling zoo, Ghoom Monastry, joy ride on Toy train, etc. (there are package tours called some - seven point or like that.).
Day 10: Darjeeling to Bagdogra & return


Note:
We are two couples so I think private vehical will be comfortable for us.
- Since we are coming for our honeymoon trip, I dont want to make the
program very hectic.
- Will hotels in Pelling- Gangtok have room heaters or not?
- The stay should be very comfortable.
- What are weather conditions at Lachung and Gangtok during this time of year?
- Yumthang valley and rhodenderon sactuary are accessible during this period?
-I have spared 2 complete days for Darjeeling.
Time period is Ok or too long?
- Can we get discount due to off season in SIKKIM?
- You can suggest if any changes are required in the above plan.

Hi Deep,
i am from mumbai and even i m planning a feb honeymoon, the only thing is that i have excluded darjeeling from my itinerary and i m doing n extra day in gangtok just to have to day off for ourself for relaxation before moving to pelling as i dont want to travel much and a few india miker have suggested to skip darjeeling as it has become over crowded and some tense situation there (no idea about it though).........
Even i have a few concern about north sikkim trip as have heard about roads mostly closed there during that time due to snowfall(going there especially to experience that), hoping other members here help us out regarding that.....

by the way would like to know whether you have made your itinerary yourself or are you going with some tourwala's?? have zeroed in on any hotels there?

Wishing you and all fellow India Miker A "Very Happy Diwali"......
Manojaiswal........

Happy Diwali to u 2...

Yeah Road concern is defenately there for north sikkim.I had asked one of the tour operator and he replied that last year roads were closed around mid february.Let us see wht happens this time..

I am in touch with a person Satish Bardewa (YAK AND YETI TOURS).He is yet to quote for the tour.I am not planning entire trip on my own as it will be somewhat difficult in an unknown area like sikkim. We can of course choose hotels by ourselves.And for north sikkim u cnt go on ur own.U've to choose some operator. I've shortlisted some of the hotels:

Gangtok:
1) Hotel Sonam Palgey
2) The Sidlon Residency

Lachung:
1) Le coxy
2) Hotel snow lion

Pelling:
1) Hotel Phamrong

Darjeeling:
Yet to be decided.

May be some of the IMers who had been there can guide us for hotels.

Wht r ur plans for hotels and tour operators?

surely nothing can b said about north sikkim right now as everything depends on the climate and weather situation when we reach there.....yes we can only hope we r lucky enough.....
yak and yeti seems to b a good choice, I have got a quatation from prabir sen(very well known for north sikkim tour on this site) of hotel frotuna for the entire trip, but i will be going only for north sikkim through tour operaters as we cant go there on our own

heres what he has sent:
DAY 01: NJP RLY STN / IXB AIRPORT - GANGTOK (ABOUT 130 KMS/4 HRS)
Meet and Greet on arrival at NJP/Bagdogra & transfer to Gangtok. Overnight Halt.

DAY 02: GANGTOK
After breakfast start Half Day City Tour of Gangtok covering Rumtek Monastery, Botanical Garden, Do-Dul Chorten, Institute of Tibetology, Flower show and cottage industry. Evening free for personal activities & shopping. Overnight Halt.

DAY 03: GANGTOK
Excursion trip of Tsomgo Lake (12,400-ft.) & Baba Mandir. Overnight Halt.


DAY 04: GANGTOK -LACHUNG (ABOUT 125 KMS /6 HRS)
After breakfast pick up at 0900 A.M from Hotel at Gangtok & transfer to Lachung (altitude 8610 ft). Enroute visit Tashi view point, lunch on the way, Overnight stay at Lachung.

DAY 05: LACHUNG -YUMTHNAG EXCURSION
Early Morning visit Yumthang-valley (known as Valley of Flowers), Yumthang is the summer grazing ground of the yaks & winter playgrounds of yetis. On the way back visit the Hot Spring considered to have medicinal properties. Back to resort for lunch. Spent afternoon interacting with the local people taking the idea of their simple lifestyle. Overnight Halt at lachung.

DAY 06: LACHUNG- GANGTOK (ABOUT 125KMS/6 HRS)
After breakfast departure (9.00 am,) for the Gangtok enroute witness the Beautification of the wonderful Bheema & Twin Falls. Overnight Halt at Gangtok.

DAY 07: GANGTOK SIGHT SEEN
after breakfast start half day city tour of Gangtok covering , Ranka Monastery, BanJakri Falls,Gangtok view ponit,Rope Way, Nam-nang view point, Evening free for personal activities & shopping. Overnight halt at Gangtok.

DAY 08: GANGTOK-PELLING (ABOUT 125 KMS / 5 HRS)
Transfer to Pelling via Temi Tea Garden (only tea garden in state) &. One can enjoy the spectacular Eastern Himalayan Range from Pelling. Overnight Halt.

DAY 09: PELLING
After breakfast start for full day sightseeing which includes Pemayangtse Monastery, Rimbi Falls, and Kanchenjunga falls, Khecheopalri Lake. Overnight Halt.

DAY 10: PELLING- NJP RLY STN / IXB AIRPORT (ABOUT 145 KMS / 5 HRS)
Departure for NJP/ IXB for return journey. Overnight Halt.

TOUR ENDS

so as per the above an itinerary our best possible rate for 2 pax is Rs.43,900/-net inclusive all the taxes

Hotel to be Used
IN Gantok :- Hotel Himalayan Hieght/Hotel Rendezvous on CP Plan
IN Lachung :- The Fortuna Resort on AP Plan
IN Pelling :-Hotel Pemaling Residency on CP Plan
Room :- 1 double

inclusion;
(i) for entire tour from NJP Railway station/IXB Bagdora airport to NJP Railway station/IXB Bagdora airport will be done by one exclusive non a/c sumo or maxx.
ii) all the sightseeing will be done by one exclusive non a/c sumo or maxx and Gangtok Local sightseeing will be done by one exclusive Maruti Van or Alto.
iii)all the sightseeing will be done by as per the itinerary not as disposal basis.
iv)all the taxes & permit charges


and got this from marcopolo world(well known) for north sikkim tour:

Ref to your mail about Gurudongmar tour, your itieneary will be as follows;


Day 1 Gangtok - Lachen
Day 2 Lachen - Gurudongmar lake Chopta valley - Lachung
Day 3 Lachung - Yumthang
Day 4 Lachung - Gangtok.

Rates; @ 10050/- per person.
but in Feb most of the time the rods are closed due to snow.


thanks
G sharma
marcopolo world travels


btw deep why have you excluded Lachen :Gurudongmar lake in north sikkim trip, its a must visit and not one of the, but 'the' best place sikkim has????

as for hotels you have choosed are good, i have yet to decide mine.