My Pelling, Gangtok, Nathula - planning, travelogue and pictures

Hi All!! It is great to be a part of IndiaMike finally and I am very excited to post my first thread on my trip to Sikkim this Nov. I was so happy to see a perfect forum to get many of my queries answered from enlightened members and trippers.
Me and my wife are planning for our annual vacation in November 2011 to Darjeeling and Sikkim. We will be leaving Bangalore on 6th Nov to Kol by flight, take a train to NJP and visit Darjeeling on 7th Nov till 8th Nov. Will leave to Gangtok on 8th afternoon to reach by evening. Our tour dates are fixed since we have the return train and flight bookings already done.

Itinerary from Gangtok leg of the journey.
08 Nov - Arrive at Gangtok - evening
09 Nov - Leave for North Sikkim tour - morning ( 3 days / 2 nights)
11 Nov - Return from tour to Gangtok
12 Nov - One day tour to Nathula pass and lake border and return to Gangtok
13 Nov - Leave to NPJ railway station - by afternoon

We have some queries on the N Sikkim tour and Nathula pass trip

Part 1 – N Sikkim – Nov 9 - 11
The Plan - The N Sikkim tour tentative plan- Lachung(1st night stop), Lachen (2nd Night stop),Yumthang valley, Gurudongmar lake.
1. Is the above plan for N Sikkim good enough to cover all the important places or if you have any suggestions?
2. What are the places of interest around or while covering-
a. Lachung-
b. Lachen-
c. Yumthang valley-
d. Gurudongmar lake-
3. What is the average temperature during the first week of November and what type of clothing is required?
4. Have heard a lot of warning stories about the altitude sickness at Gurudongmar (altitudes above 15000), please specify the effects and precautions?
5. Please suggest good tour/ taxi operators with whom we can book our tour to N Sikkim (preferably if you have yourself booked through some one)
6. What would be the cost of the N Sikkim tour given the list of places on a shared vehicle basis?
7. Are there any of you who would be visiting on the same dates (pref couples/ families) please let us know so that we can pool up in advance?
8. We want to witness snow in N Sikkim and heard that either Katao or Zero Point has them. Please suggest which one to go for and how much extra does it cost?

Part 2- The Plan – Nathula - Tsongo lake - Baba Mandir – Nov 12

1. What are the requirements to obtain permit for Nathula pass and when do we obtain them?
2. What is the cost of this tour on a shared vehicle basis?
3. Are there any of you who would be visiting on the same dates (pref couples/ families) please let us know so that we can pool up in advance?
Thanks in advance hoping for some insightful responses and once again great to be here!!

You can contact the following tour operators that I have compiled from the Sikkim tourism site and the forum thread and get their quotes-

http://www.sikkimtourism.travel/Webf...TATO_List.aspx

Comprehensive Information for a North Sikkim Trip!!


Name: Omega Tours and Travels
Phone: Deepak Kumar Rai – 34103770
e-mail ID: megaskm@yahoo.com

Name: Tibet Tours and Travels
Phone: Prabir Sen - 09233424070/03592645909/03592645909/09434024070
e-mail ID : prabsen@gmail.com

Name: Galaxy Travels
Phone: Sonam Norgay – 3592201290; 9434868515
e-mail ID: galaxytravels@rediffmail.com

Name : Sikkim Tours & Travels
Phone No. : 03592202188
e-mail ID : Lukendra@gmail.com
Website : www.sikkimtours.com

Name : Blue Sky Tours & Travels
Phone No. : 03592-205113 Mobile No. : 94343-18498
e-mail ID : blueskytourism@yahoo.com
Website : www.himalayantorrismonline.com

Name : Yak & Yeti Travels Expedition
Phone No. : 03592201032 Mobile No. : 9933008822
e-mail ID : info@yaknyeti.com
Website : www.yaknyeti.com

Name : Khangri Tours & Treks
Phone No. : 03592206050
e-mail ID : khangritrek@yahoo.com
Website : www.khangri.com

Name : Marcopolo World Travel Agent
Phone No. : 03592204116 ,03592229407
e-mail ID : info@exploresikkim.com
Website : www.worldmarcopolo.com

Name : Dikcha Tours & Travels
Phone No. : 03592200131 Mobile No. : 9475709392, 9832327936
e-mail ID : dlama_123@rediffmail.com ; dikcha_tours@yahoo.co.in

Name : Alternative Tours & Travels
Phone No. : 03592201416 Mobile No. : 9474650188
e-mail ID : alternative.sikkim@gmail.com

Name : Siniolchu Travels
Phone No. : 03592205569 Mobile No. : 9434024572
e-mail ID : sig-sinolchu@sancharnet.in
Website : www.sikkimdarjeeling.com

Name : Fortuna Travels Consultant
Mobile No. : 9434204027
e-mail ID : fortuna-sonam@yahoo.com

Name : Sun Rise Tours & Travels
Phone No. : 03592202647
e-mail ID : sunrise-travels@yahoo.com
Website : www.sunrisetravelsgtk.com

@Krishna - this is an exhaustive list of travel agents. I myself found some while going through IM posts on NSikkim. Will start contacting them and get quotes.

However I have a few basic questions to you and other IMers-
1. Have you had a first hand experience of any of these tour operators? If so how were their services and what cost for my tour?
2. Is the tour schedule planned by me feasible option in Nov for 2pax? Any changes required?
3. Is it better to pre-book the NSikkim tour or can I fix it at Gangtok when I reach Gangtok, if so what is your experience?

All IMers provide your valuable opinion and help me out of this.

See my answers to your queries -
1. I am planning for Sikkim tour early next year, hence have not experienced first hand. Any one who have please suggest good operators from the list
2. Seems a standard plan. But get proper update from the local operators after the recent earthquake
3. I am open to book it once in Gangtok unless it proves to be a difficulty, all please suggest

Hey girish..

we went to sikkim last year with almost the same plan (north sikkim part though).. and im giving few answers based on my experiences.

1. Is the above plan for N Sikkim good enough to cover all the important places or if you have any suggestions?

looks good... thats the standard package that is normally provided

but at the end of the trip i felt we couldve skipped lachung and yumthang valley.. because its the same what you get to see from lachen to gurudongmar..
2. What are the places of interest around or while covering-
a. Lachung-
b. Lachen-
c. Yumthang valley-
d. Gurudongmar lake-

considering the fact that you have to cover all these places in 3 days 2 N time.. you'll not get much time exploring these places..
places like lachen will be only a stop for 1 night.
Gurudongmar lake in itself is an experience .. dont miss that..
3. What is the average temperature during the first week of November and what type of clothing is required?

we went in sep.. it wasnt too cold except in gurudongmar lake..
but in november.. i guess its gonna be 8 below.. not sure though.. for sure you'll need a good set of warm clothes... and dont forget to get some good gloves and skull caps..
4. Have heard a lot of warning stories about the altitude sickness at Gurudongmar (altitudes above 15000), please specify the effects and precautions?

by the time you reach gurudongmar.. you can feel the air thinning out.. but its not gonna have much effect if your activities are normal.. just dont exert much.. normal walking stuff shouldnt be a problem there..
and as locals say.. carry popcorn and chocolate to ease out altitude sickness.. there are many other medicines you can find at the local medical store which will help.. but all that wont be needed..

5. Please suggest good tour/ taxi operators with whom we can book our tour to N Sikkim (preferably if you have yourself booked through some one)


we booked it through Yhang la tours and travel
contact person : Bappa : 9433067673/9836556139
it was decent enough. they have some good drivers.. Tsering, Ramesh are few of them

6. What would be the cost of the N Sikkim tour given the list of places on a shared vehicle basis?


i went with a group of 6 and the total cost including everything came around 16-17k,...
My opinion: Dont go for a shared trip.. It'll ruin the experience..

8. We want to witness snow in N Sikkim and heard that either Katao or Zero Point has them. Please suggest which one to go for and how much extra does it cost?

Zero point was very cold when we went in september.. ya.. it may snow in november there..
it costs extra 1500-2000 ... you would have to strike a deal with the driver for that..


Permits will be taken care by the tour operators itself.. you just have to provide them the right documents.

Hope this helps

@iambharat thank you for providing detailed and comprehensive explanation to my list of queries. Also for sharing your personal experience and contact numbers of the tour operator you went through. Very helpful. I have two questions-

1. Did you book before you reached Sikkim or once you were there and what was your experience in booking (initial quotes and discounts etc)?
2. Did you come across or notice taxi/ tour operators offering the tour in Gangtok on a per seat basis?

I have been awestruck myself as just when I had made the hotel bookings at Gangtok (@Tashi Tagey), the next day the earth quake struck. I am still keeping a wait and watch stance. The region of N Sikkim is totally cut off from communication and access and I m watching the developments very closely. One of the main objective of the Sikkim trip is to visit N Sikkim and if that is not possible have to rethink of postponing the visit all together.

Keeping fingers crossed and hoping that the N Sikkim parts (Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang) are all relatively undamaged (however bleak the updates may be) and if the restoration of access roads with clearing of landslides works, I would still love to keep on to my plans. Will get in touch with Tenzing owner of Tashi Tagey who has been a wonderful gentleman and answered many queries during my booking.

Guys any of you get more info of N Sikkim please update since it will make or break the decision to go on.

we booked it before arriving in sikkim.. just the permits part was done once we reached there..

no i didnt come across any because we didnt look for one but ive heard many tour operators arrange shared transportation also..

Yeah.. lets hope sikkim recovers quickly and not much damage is caused, already so much has been affected..

Thanks @iambharat for your inputs. Heartning to know that Lachung is not badly affected but information is still sketchy about other parts of N Sikkim. IMers any one who have planned for the same period November first two weeks please let know of your latest thoughts / plans to visit Sikkim and especially N Sikkim.

That's what I got from a travel agent. I am planning to visit sikkim on 14th feb 2012 to 20th feb. It will be helpful to you

Day 01: Bagdogra to Gangtok
Day 02: Gangtok to Lachen
Day 03: Lachen to Thangu valley ~ Chopta Valley ~ Gurudongmar Lake and back to Lachung
Day 04: Lachung to Yumthang Valley and drive back to Gangtok
Day 05: Day excursion to Tsomgo Lake ~ Baba Mandir ~ Nathula pass
Day 06: Gangtok to Bagdorgar.


For the above mention itinerary it would cost Rs. 41,600 + 10.30 % service tax for 2 pax inclusive of transportation ( with Scorpio/xylo/ Innova), accommodation with break fast 3 nights at Gangtok Hotel Himalayan Heights and all meals at Lachen Hotel view point, Lachung at Lecoxy Resort and all necessary permits.

Would like to know if tour operators have re-started to book N Sikkim tours for Nov. Last heard that they have suspended all booking till November considering the fact that these area have not yet normalized.

Good info here :-)

Any updates if Nathula will be opened up at least by Oct end or Nov beginning since it is presently closed for tourists?

Also if anyone has planned travel on similar dates in Nov then do let know your current thoughts and plan.

I have planned from Nov 1st -11th. Currently on wait and watch mode to see if N.Sikkim and Tsomogo open up by then. If not the alternative would be Darjeeling and West Sikkim - Pelling/Kaluk/Yuksom.

There are reports that Nathula has opened for tourist (see link below). Can anyone confirm if that is so and if not any idea by when will it be re opened to the public.

http://www.easydestination.net/blog/...hp?itemid=2347

I spoke to my tour operator and he said that N.Sikkim is not going to be possible in Nov 1st week. He was hopeful of Nathula pass though and said that even if it was not functional, he would take me through some other route. I am awaiting his email on the changed itinerary.