Itinerary for Sikkim mid-May

NikkiSunshine

Hi all,
I know there is a similair thread of must-sees in Sikkim in May, but for a large group with a lot of moving around it seems.

2 of us will be travelling there May 8 - 15th, and would like to experience the "must-sees", while not having to rush from place to place to "fit it all in". I'm hoping someone can help with recommendations. We will start in Gangtok obviously, and from what I've read, another "must-see" is Yumthang Valley. (Not sure how far that is from Gangtok or if there is a place to go in between.)

Other possibilities: Darjeeling, Pelling, Thangu, and someone mentioned Tsomgo lake? I have no idea how far these are from each other/how long it takes to get there, and to see them. Once I get an outline of an itinerary, we can start planning what to see in each place.

We have 6 full days, not including the days of our flights/travel (8th, 15th). Can someone recommend an itinerary for 5/9 - 14, starting and ending in Gangtok, where we would have at least one full day in each place we visit, so our pace could be leisurely and we could really explore and get a feel for each location's unique charm?

Thanks so much!!!

ps. is it absolutely necessary to book hotels in advance in all locations? We are on a low/mid budget (US$20/night or less). Or will we be able to find accomodations when we arrive?

10zing

Hi !
Just Two People !! .. my dream .. !! But seems it's not possible ..in this life.. since last 12 years , our group of friends is ever growing !! May be next year 100+ !!
You may enjoy liberty not make any itinary and keep all options open.
Take Weather forecast a day before and decide the destination.
Consider Sandakphu in WB near Darjiling. Look at Sandakphu Posts. We dropped it for uncertanity of weather and size of the group.You can see Mnt. Everest from there in addition to ususal Sikkim peaks.
I am still in planning stage of our trip , so , I cannot answer Times and Distances you are currently focusing over.
The weather and Govt Permits are to be drawn in your favour . So, try to be in North Sikkim as much time you can, where pri mansoon rains are possibly least and North Sikkim needs govt. Permits your travel agent would arrenge for you.
Wish you a nice time.

clawhammer

May is the peak season,so advanced booking is a must.
Most convenient way to travel to Yumthang(2 days+1 night halt at Lachung)
Thangu or Tsomgo lake is in conducted tour.Your hotel manager will be able to make suitable arrangements through a travel agency and get the required permits.
To reach Lachung or Thangu or Pelling from gangtok will almost consume the whole day(each of them is a 5 to 7 hour journey).
Here is my suggestion:
Gangtok-there u have the options of Rumtek monastery+local sight seeing.(1 day)
Tsomgo lake(1 day)
Choose between Yumthang,Thangu or Pelling.(2 days)
Travel to Darjeeling(3/4hrs).
Spend a day or two in Darjeeling and get back to Bagdogra for your flight.
As far as hotels are concerned you can get a decent double room for $20/night.
If you go to Pelling you can reach Darjeeling via Jorethang(without having to come to gangtok once again)

NikkiSunshine

THanks for the suggestions. After looking at all the possibilities, we decided we didn't want to miss Gangtok, Tsomgo lake, Yumthung Valley, Pemayangste, or Darjeeling. Our possible itinerary looks like this:

May 8 - arrive at airport at 5pm, drive to Gangtok
May 9 - sightseeing in Gangtok
May 10 - Tsomgo lake excursion (2 hours away), then drive to Lachung - stay o.n. in Lachung
May 11 - Visit Yumthung Valley (about 2 hours from Lachung, I think), then back to Lachung - stay o.n. in Lachung
May 12 - Drive to Pemayanste early morning (probably will take 7 or 8 hours); sightsee in Pemayangste in the late afternoon/evening - stay o.n. in Pemayangste
May 13 - Pemayangste sightseeing until the late afternoon/evening, then drive to Darjeeling (about 5 hours drive) - stay o.n. in Darjeeling
May 14 - sightsee in Darjeeling - stay o.n. in Darjeeling
May 15 - Early morning trip to Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise, drive back to airport from Darjeeling by 1pm for 3pm flight

There are a few questions we have, though, before finalizing. Hopefully someone can help?

1. Can we drive between Tsomgo lake and Lachung without returning to Gangtok first? How long does it take?

2. Can we drive between Lachung and Pemayangste, and how long does it take?

3. Will the car stay with us at Tsomgo Lake, since we will have our bags with us to go straight to Lachung?

4. What should we want to be sure to see in each place given the time we have, and what are the "if we have time" things?

Thanks so much!!!

clawhammer

Itenary looks a bit hectic
Firstly make sure you will get transportation from Bagdogra to Gangtok at 5pm
Tsomgo lake will consume more than 2 hours(4 at least) and requires prior permits(any travel agency or your hotel can arrange it for you).
Going to Lachung the same day may not be feasible.
While travelling in the hills always have some extra time just for the sae of safety.Don't travel by night-especially from Pemyangtse to Darjeeling(u won't get anything probably).
Visit similar recent threads to from an idea of the time required to travel.

holiday

Hi ! Nikki
It is nice time in North Eastern India and indeed the best time to visit with flowers in full bloom. I would take some initiative to ammend your programme as it seems some line of uncertinity in it.

May 8 - arrive at airport at 5pm, drive to Gangtok
May 9 - Tsomgo lake excursion (2 hours away), or drive to Lachung - stay o.n. in Lachung
May 10 - Visit Yumthung Valley (about 2 hours from Lachung, I think), then back to Lachung - stay o.n. in Lachung
May 11 - Back to Gangtok and overnight stay.
May 12 - Drive to Pemayanste early morning (probably will take 7 or 8 hours); sightsee in Pemayangste in the late afternoon/evening - stay o.n. in Pemayangste
May 13 - Pemayangste sightseeing until the late afternoon/evening,
May 14 - Early morning drive to Darjeeling - stay o.n. in Darjeeling
May 15 - Early morning trip to Tiger Hill to watch the sunrise, drive back to airport from Darjeeling by 11am for 3pm flight

I beleive this programme will be appreciated by you, as it will be relaxing too.

Cheers!!!!

mani

Dear Nikki,

Leave a day between your arrival into Gangtok and leaving for Tsmogo / Lachung. This is required for Inner line permit for travel. also if you see the map Tsmogo lake is to the east of gangtok and Lachung is north so you will have to return to gangtok anyways. also the by the time you are back from tsmogo it will late evening and then it is not safe to drive into the mountains because of the road conditions.
Suggest that you use the first full day to see gangtok
in the next three days you could see Tsmogo and Lachung ( Lachung will need Two full days) do get your diver to take you further up towards snow point or yumisanthong where you drive throug snow covered mountains and is quite an expereince.

Enjoy

mani

clawhammer

Yes if you want to have snow-Zero point or Katao beyond yumthang is ideal.But you must start early from Lachung to cover all these and get back to Gangtok before dark.
I guess you will have to choose between Yumthang and Pemyangtse-doing both may not be feasible and too hectic.

NikkiSunshine

Thanks again for the advice! We've decided to skip Pemayangste this trip, and just do Tsomgo Lake, Lachung/Yumthung, Gangtok, and Darjeeling.

If we leave a whole day for driving to Lachung, and then do Yumthung Valley the following day, should we stay overnight again in Lachung before returning to Gangtok? Or can we return the same day, after Yumthung? And are there other things to see/do on the way or back from Lachung?

Also, I've only found 4 or 5 things to see/do in Darjeeling... what are the must sees there?

Finally, can anyone recommend a good travel agency to arrange this tour with? Someone reputable and dependable with reasonable rates?

Thanks! I am getting SOOOO excited!!

clawhammer

While returning from Yumtahng you need not halt at Lachung for the night.But start early in the morning for Yumthang from Lachung if you want to cover Zero point or Katao the same day.
You will be able to reach Gangtok before nightfall.
For Darjeeling must sees look into the tread "Kolkata to Darjeling..." in minor destinations,West Bengal section of this forum.Thi section will also have similar and probably more useful threads.

holiday

You can browse google and check any tour of north east india and will find agents offering tour in the region.