Needed help on Sikkim visit in first week of May

amitmishr

Hi,

I am planning a trip to Sikkim on my wife's birthday in first week of May.

I am reaching Bagdogra on 30th April 11am and plan to visit Gangtok, Yumthang, Nathula, Changu lake over the next 4 days.

Leaving back from Bagdogra on 5th evening. Am planning to go to Yumthang/ Lachung for 2 days and Nathula and Changu on 1 day.

Have another day available and wanted to know if Pelling would be good place to go. Otherwise what would be the best option.

Also, what would be the budget for the North sikkim trip. Have also seen people staying in Katoa and visiting Gurudongmar lake. Is it worthwhile and can it be done in two days only.

Also any possible sugestions to make the trip better would be welcome.

Thanks a lot.

Fan of India

Pelling is a good place to visit for lovely view of the Himalayas. Another alternative is Kalimpong - a beautiful (flowery) hill station about 2 hours drive from Gangtok.

Your total budget would be defined by the mode of travel which you opt from Mumbai to Gangtok and return. Sikkim being far fletched from Mumbai; the travel itself will form a major part of your expense.

Per person travel charges (airfare) would be approx as follows
Mum-Cal Return : Rs. 9000/-
Cal-Bagdogra Return : Rs 5000/-
Bagdogra-Gangtok Return : Rs. 500/- (jeep)

Hence Total Travel expense for 2 persons approx: Rs. 30000/-

Travelling to Yumthang - You'll most probably end up taking an entire vehicle for yourself, in which case it will cost you approx rs 4000-5000/-

Nathula pass and Changu lake are on the same route and a days trip from Gangtok. This will cost approx Rs. 1000-2000/-

Pelling will be approx Rs. 200/- (one way per person)from gangtok.

Stay and food of course depends on the standard which you choose and can vary.

Cheers.

amitmishr

Thanks a lot..

Actually have done my air bookings (which cost me 25k)..

I would definitely go to Yumthang/Lachung for 2D-1N, and have read about pelling but was just confused whether it might just become too much of travelling and i won't have much time to laze around. So was just looking at options of places around Gangtok which can be covered in 1-day (leave early morning, back by evening).

Also whether it is advisable to stay 1 more day in North Sikkim and cover it more extensively.

Also what are these permits and where to get them from. Can i pre-arrange them from Mumbai/Delhi.

Fan of India

An extra days stay - after travelling so far - is always adviseable. Go for it. Gangtok itself is an interesting town and you'll require a day exploring it.

Am sorry - but am unable to advise you about permits.

My tour of Sikkim had been arranged through ITDC, and they had arranged for the permits. However would NOT advise you to go with them since I had a HORRID experience!!

I have heard Nivalink is a very good travel agent (based in Mumbai). In case you do approach them for the Hotel bookings - then probably they will take care of the permits too.

jyotirmoy

30 APR Arrival Gangtok
1 May Visit Nathu la and lake.
2 May Gangtok to Lachung & night stay at Lachung
3 May start early, visit Yumthang and return to Gangtok in the evening.
4 May Gangtok to Pelling. Night stay in Pelling.
5 May Return to Bagdogra from Pelling.

Fan of India

Hi Jyoti,

I am not sure whether there is a direct route from Pelling to Bagdogra. Think that he would need to come back to Gangtok and then proceed to Bagdogra.

Also onward connetions from Bagdogra to Kolkata would depend upon the time he actually reaches Bagdogra.

jyotirmoy

There is a direct route.

amitmishr

Thanks Jyoti and Fan of india.

I checked out, there is a route from pelling to bagdogra.

BTW, what would be the best things to see around pelling. Also, what is advisable Pelling / Gurudongmar and Katao.

Also are there places to see along with yumthang. Have heard about a place called zero point. Is it really good to see.

My updated schedule is:

30th Apr BGd 11:30AM Off to pelling; check in a hotel and visit the areas at a stone's throw in pelling

1st May See sun rise and move out early for a trip around pelling and on the way to gangtok. Reach gangtok by evening check in a hotel.

2nd may Nathula pass and Changu lake. Shopping in the evening or if possible rumtek monastery/tibetolgy inst.

3rd may Off to Lachung

4th May Visit yumthang and back to gangtok

5th May leave gangtok for bagdogra and back to mumbai.

Hope that seems fine.

Amit

robin312007

HI amit,
Your idea is fine but check out the days for visiting Nathula Pass. I think its probably 3 days in a week.
But dear your tour will be a hurricane one.
you cannot enjoy the pristine beauty of Sikkim if you tour like this !!!!!

If you take my advice then i would advice you to cancel Pelling.
Try doing 2days 3nights in north sikkim. Thats enough to keep this tour in your long memory. Add them with Nathula Pass. No need going for Tsomgo Lake becoz if you once visit Lake Gurudongmar in Lachen, no need to see any other ! the place is 17800ft hight up and surrounding features like Leh Ladakh.

Anyway the Ball's in your court !

Good Luck.

amitmishr

Thanks robin... I was just a bit confused about pelling and Kato/Gurudongmar actually. Am looking at both the options and guess might head to Gurudongmar.. the reviews are rally great.
Also Pelling from whatever i guess is just monasteries and view of Kanchenjunga.

What other places in North sikkim for 2-3 days. I know of Yumthang, Gurudongmar and zero point. also would there be rhododendron in Yumthang in May.

Thanks for the advice.

robin312007

hi,
March-april is the right time for flowers in sikkim. Not sure about in May. Hope So. Anyway, North Sikkim has got more than you expect...!! ha..ha.
yumthang / Gurudongmar / Zero Point (Yumesandang) / Hot Spring in Yumthang / Chopta Valley / Katao.
Dear, Whole of North Sikkim is a special ! You cant even move your eyes for a second from those mighty mountains and pristine, misty and adventurous surroundings of this place. Just dont forget to check out the Foggy and Misty Surroundings on way to Zero Point (approx.16000 ft) where water becomes crystal.
Its just amazing......no words to describe those feelings.

Let me make you clear that, Katao and Gurudongmar are not in the same place.
Katao is from Lachung and Gurudongmar from Lachen.

I bet you wont feel like coming back !!

Try Booking your NOrth Sikkim Trip on the day you reach Gangtok as fast as you can. Try to go in Share Jeeps. That will be cheaper. I think 2D 3N will cost you around 1800-2000each.

Enough for now.

Good Luck

amitmishr

thanks robin,
Sorry for the delayed response as i was in singapore last week. What would be the best itinerary for 3D 2N north sikkim trip.
Day 1: Gangtok to Lachung, with sightseeing in transit. night stay at lachung.
Day 2: Visit Yumthang and zero point. Go to Lachen.
Day 3: Visit Gurudongmar and travel back to gangtok.
Are there anything else that i should look at in north sikkim or will these be more than enough. Would not like to make it a whirlwind tour and would prefer easy schedule.

Thanks a lot.
Amit

jyotirmoy

In my opinion this is enough.

robin312007

yep

this is it. Let give your foot a day rest on 4th. Well it is better to visit Rumtek Monastry once in the morning and spend the evening strolling around Gangtok and enjoy Momo's etc in Blue Ship Restaurant in M.G.Road. Ofcourse dont forget to shop till you drop all those Curio, imported Jackets, shoes etc. Ha...ha.. I really loved the shoes in the foreign markets. in lower Tibet Road.
Thats It................Take a good night sleep and Zoom back to your destiny on 5th.

Good LUck

amitmishr

Thanks Robin and jyoti,

I guess this will do for the north sikkim trip. Actually was planning a trip to Nathula pass on the day in Gangtok. Would i haveenough time post that to move to one of the monastries, or is it better to just go to nathula and back.

thanks
Amit