North Sikkim

broll · Mar 12th, 2007, 21:01

We, a couple from Germany, are planning to visit Sikkim in April/May. Would it be possible to go to the northern part to see rhododendrons blooming? The question refers to the special permit tourists need to go there. Can we arrange a trip in Gangtok without losing much time? How expensive would it be to spend about 3 nights in the region?

broll

kolobar · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:27

The permit has to be arranged by an agent from Gangtok. You should contact an agent as soon as you arrive in Gangtok, tell him you want to visit northern Sikkim and give him some time during which you can travel around Gangtok (Tsomgo lake, Rumtek, Pelling...even Goecha la trek). I think it took my agent about 10days to arrange everything. You have to arrange a trip to the north through the agent so he will give you a price per day, arrange transport, guide, food, book hotels etc.)
By my opinion north of Sikkim is not worth the money and the effort. Foreign tourists are much more restricted than indian tourists. You can not go much further than Thangu. We were even forbidden to take photos (by indian army). Not even photos of rhododendrons.
You can walk through rhododendron forest in areas which are not restricted as well. For instance there is a rhododendron forest above Tsoka on the way to Dzongri or visit Barsey Sanctuary and save some money.
http://www.sikkiminfo.net/barsey_rhododendron_sanctuary. htm

kolobar · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:35

Forgot to add.
Probably you can speed up permit procedure and figure out more about North Sikkim trip by contacting an agent via email. If you are interested in an agent who impressed me with his immediate email responses, send PM.

carsten · May 6th, 2007, 20:38

Sorry for disagreeing, but I do believe North Sikkim is worth it, though it definitely is too much red tape.

The Lachen valley will probably not be very interesting because there is few rhododrendron, however the Lachung side up to Yumthang has much rhododendron, and I don't believe it is difficult to get the permits. All the travelagencies in Gangtok offer this trip.

What is even more rewarding (and more difficult to organize) is a trek between Yumthang and Lachen: I was there last fall, and entire hillsides are covered by rhododendron bushes.

Here's a picture, just imagine what it would look like in spring.

- Carsten

Mar 12th, 2007, 21:01	#1
broll Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 1	North Sikkim We, a couple from Germany, are planning to visit Sikkim in April/May. Would it be possible to go to the northern part to see rhododendrons blooming? The question refers to the special permit tourists need to go there. Can we arrange a trip in Gangtok without losing much time? How expensive would it be to spend about 3 nights in the region? broll

May 6th, 2007, 20:38	#4
carsten Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 33	North Sikkim is worth it Sorry for disagreeing, but I do believe North Sikkim is worth it, though it definitely is too much red tape. The Lachen valley will probably not be very interesting because there is few rhododrendron, however the Lachung side up to Yumthang has much rhododendron, and I don't believe it is difficult to get the permits. All the travelagencies in Gangtok offer this trip. What is even more rewarding (and more difficult to organize) is a trek between Yumthang and Lachen: I was there last fall, and entire hillsides are covered by rhododendron bushes. Here's a picture, just imagine what it would look like in spring. - Carsten Attached Thumbnails

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Mar 13th, 2007, 02:27	#2
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	The permit has to be arranged by an agent from Gangtok. You should contact an agent as soon as you arrive in Gangtok, tell him you want to visit northern Sikkim and give him some time during which you can travel around Gangtok (Tsomgo lake, Rumtek, Pelling...even Goecha la trek). I think it took my agent about 10days to arrange everything. You have to arrange a trip to the north through the agent so he will give you a price per day, arrange transport, guide, food, book hotels etc.) By my opinion north of Sikkim is not worth the money and the effort. Foreign tourists are much more restricted than indian tourists. You can not go much further than Thangu. We were even forbidden to take photos (by indian army). Not even photos of rhododendrons. You can walk through rhododendron forest in areas which are not restricted as well. For instance there is a rhododendron forest above Tsoka on the way to Dzongri or visit Barsey Sanctuary and save some money. http://www.sikkiminfo.net/barsey_rhododendron_sanctuary. htm

Mar 13th, 2007, 02:35	#3
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	Forgot to add. Probably you can speed up permit procedure and figure out more about North Sikkim trip by contacting an agent via email. If you are interested in an agent who impressed me with his immediate email responses, send PM.

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