North Sikkim 22nd - 24th Sep '09

username_x · Sep 11th, 2009, 18:20

Me and 2 of my friends are planning to visit Sikkim next week.
We have finalized the following broad itinerary:

Day 1: Delhi to Bagdogra(Flight). Then to Gangtok.
Day 2: Gangtok. Tsmgo Lake/ Nathula
Day 3: Gangtok to Lachen
Day 4: Gurudongmar and then to Lachung
Day 5: Yumthang, Zero Point and then Gangtok
Day 6: Back to Bagdogra and then off to Delhi via Flight.

From what I have read on all the posts on Indiamike, I think this is pretty manageable, provided rains don't play spoil sport. We are people who can brave rains too though, provided somebody is willing to drive us to Gurudongmar Lake.

Your comments on the above are welcome.

After reading Steve's Comprehensive North Sikkim Guide, I contacted Mr. Parabir Sen for arranging our trip to North Sikkim. But he has quoted Rs. 19,500/- for 3 people. Now that is too steep for us. Other option as I understand is shared taxis (@ Rs. 2,500/- or so), but from what I have come to know, it means sharing the taxi with 9 - 10 other people, which really takes the fun out of the drive (and doesn't give you the elbow room to take pics). So herein lies our problem.
Can anybody suggest anything else ?
Anybody who is traveling to North Sikkim on the same dates and may like to share the taxi? (We are nice people !)
We'll start from Gangtok on 22nd morning and come back on 24th evening. This can be preponed by one day.

Your suggestions welcome.

mridula · Sep 12th, 2009, 17:05

I have done it the shared way and it was not too bad. Only they will not stop if you saw a beautiful scene but that is a reasonable price to pay for paying a reasonable price for a tour.

Bhaswaran · Sep 12th, 2009, 17:12

Please cross check on Gurudongmar tour. I have heard that due to problems along the border, the army is thinking of restrictions. I am not sure but please cross check it.

Anybody coming from there recently might give a good view. But remember this is a very recent development.

Bhaswaran · Sep 12th, 2009, 17:14

You can even reach Gangtok and visit the plethora of travel agencies that is in the city and book a car for yourself for the North Sikkim trip, rather than pre-booking it now. I think it will cost a little less. Moreover, you can bargain.

Bhaswaran · Sep 12th, 2009, 17:16

Keep Tsongmo lake/Nathu La for day 5. You can visit Tsongmo but Nathu La has a restricted number of tourists allowed per day. So, pre-book on reaching Gangtok after reaching there, and leave for North Sikkim on Day 2.

username_x · Sep 12th, 2009, 17:51

Thanks a lot Mridula and Bhaswaran.

None of the tour operators I have been in touch with have told me of any problems with Gurudongmar, but thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind.

We have decided to go the exclusive vehicle route as of now. One of my friends has a friend who is in Dzongu. He'll help us out with stay .. we will still have to look for the vehicle though .. and the permits ..
We have decided that we'll do it when we reach Gangtok.

Sep 11th, 2009, 18:20	#1
username_x Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 22	North Sikkim 22nd - 24th Sep '09 Me and 2 of my friends are planning to visit Sikkim next week. We have finalized the following broad itinerary: Day 1: Delhi to Bagdogra(Flight). Then to Gangtok. Day 2: Gangtok. Tsmgo Lake/ Nathula Day 3: Gangtok to Lachen Day 4: Gurudongmar and then to Lachung Day 5: Yumthang, Zero Point and then Gangtok Day 6: Back to Bagdogra and then off to Delhi via Flight. From what I have read on all the posts on Indiamike, I think this is pretty manageable, provided rains don't play spoil sport. We are people who can brave rains too though, provided somebody is willing to drive us to Gurudongmar Lake. Your comments on the above are welcome. After reading Steve's Comprehensive North Sikkim Guide, I contacted Mr. Parabir Sen for arranging our trip to North Sikkim. But he has quoted Rs. 19,500/- for 3 people. Now that is too steep for us. Other option as I understand is shared taxis (@ Rs. 2,500/- or so), but from what I have come to know, it means sharing the taxi with 9 - 10 other people, which really takes the fun out of the drive (and doesn't give you the elbow room to take pics). So herein lies our problem. Can anybody suggest anything else ? Anybody who is traveling to North Sikkim on the same dates and may like to share the taxi? (We are nice people !) We'll start from Gangtok on 22nd morning and come back on 24th evening. This can be preponed by one day. Your suggestions welcome.

Sep 12th, 2009, 17:05	#2
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 2,587	I have done it the shared way and it was not too bad. Only they will not stop if you saw a beautiful scene but that is a reasonable price to pay for paying a reasonable price for a tour. __________________ Mridula Travel Tales from India

Sep 12th, 2009, 17:12	#3
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 1,353	Please cross check on Gurudongmar tour. I have heard that due to problems along the border, the army is thinking of restrictions. I am not sure but please cross check it. Anybody coming from there recently might give a good view. But remember this is a very recent development. __________________ ....life is a journey.....and the journey is more important than the destination........ Photos in Indiamike :http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/15496 Photos in Flickr :http://www.flickr.com/photos/bhaswaran/ Darjeeling trip Video : "Darjeeling - The Queen of Hills" DVD

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Sep 12th, 2009, 17:14	#4
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 1,353	You can even reach Gangtok and visit the plethora of travel agencies that is in the city and book a car for yourself for the North Sikkim trip, rather than pre-booking it now. I think it will cost a little less. Moreover, you can bargain.

Sep 12th, 2009, 17:16	#5
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 1,353	Keep Tsongmo lake/Nathu La for day 5. You can visit Tsongmo but Nathu La has a restricted number of tourists allowed per day. So, pre-book on reaching Gangtok after reaching there, and leave for North Sikkim on Day 2.

Sep 12th, 2009, 17:51	#6
username_x Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 22	Thanks a lot Mridula and Bhaswaran. None of the tour operators I have been in touch with have told me of any problems with Gurudongmar, but thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind. We have decided to go the exclusive vehicle route as of now. One of my friends has a friend who is in Dzongu. He'll help us out with stay .. we will still have to look for the vehicle though .. and the permits .. We have decided that we'll do it when we reach Gangtok.