potala and other sikkim tour operators?

tacita · Dec 28th, 2006, 08:24

hello again,

i'm looking for info on the adviseability of using a sikkim tour operator. i can likely get this fleshed out upon arrival february 15, but i'd prefer to get things organized beforehand if at all possible, even if only to anticipate costs.

when i made a reservation at the tibet hotel in gangtok, i also noted my interest in visiting tsomgo lake and rumtek and desire to secure a driver/guide to take me to yuksom after my stay. i'd like to make stops along the way and, the following morning, leave yuksom for pelling, also stopping along then way. i don't know that i need a specialized guide, just a driver who knows his way around and can share an anecdote here and there.

(someone suggested i might pay for a driver to stay in cheap lodgings in yuksom for the onward passage to pelling.)

the tibet hotel referred me to potala treks and tours in gangtok to make my "guide" arrangements. does anyone know of this company? others? need i go through a tour company at all? (concededly, i have a mental block about them, thinking i'll be paying mostly commissions and very little for the actual service transport.) is using a company adviseable? has anyone any idea what i could expect to pay for a private car/driver per day? another bonus: if i use a company, i can also enlist their help securing hotel reservations for those places out of which i don't seem to be able to extract replies...but, again, at what commission cost?

(there may be innumerable "potala" tour companies. the one to which i was referred was: Potala Treks and Tours, Gangtok Phone No. 03592-202041,200043 email id: slg_potala@sancharnet.in)

thanks in advance for any replies.

k9healer · Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:16

If you PM me I can provide you with the contact info for the tour operator we used in Gangtok. He arranged everything for us - and I do mean everything! From our tours, right down to re-confirming our flights home and making all of our transport arrangements and the prices were very reasonable for all tours and transport. The little extras we weren't even charged for. (He even took our mail to the post office for us while we were busy working)

I found it was definitely worth having someone who speaks good English and knows their way around make our arrangements for us!

Phebes · Jan 22nd, 2007, 23:41

I used a tour operator and don't regret it for a minute. I paid what I thought was a reasonable price all in and enjoyed a problem- and worry-free holiday. (But then again, I had the comfort of knowing that my friend has been using this same guy for the last 15 years or so, ie, he's completely trustworthy and reliable). Our tour operator/guide did everything, including arranging excess luggage for us in Bagdogra for our return flight to Calcutta (30kg each, believe it or not!) He also arranged our North Sikkim trip with the North Sikkim operator (Very reasonable - US$300 per head for 5 of us for 5 days, including transport - good car (Mahindra Scorpio) and excellent driver, accomodation, all meals (they brought along their own cook), a really good English speaking guide and portable heaters - all our lodges had no heating). Our main tour operator/guide lent us the sleeping bags, fleece liners, heavy woollen blankets and hot water bottles we had used on our trek before Sikkim at no extra cost (we insisted, he declined. Maybe he'd already made enough on what we paid to hire them for the trek) and they really came in handy as it got rather cold in North Sikkim.

I liked having a guide even though I had read up on the various places before going there. They give you much more than just information about the places you're visiting. You get a better sense of how the people live and think. Hours on the road and walking around together give you lots of time to get to know a person. Both our guides were lovely people with lots of interesting stories to tell, and they were both into community service which was really heart warming. Our West Bengal and N. Sikkim drivers spoke enough English for basic communication but not for a satisfying conversation, though they too were really nice, polite and obliging people.

tacita · Jan 25th, 2007, 08:22

thanks, phebes. (k9healer, we've now "spoken" by PM - thanks again.)

my experience with potala has been surprisingly good. they're responsive and seem highly professional. there wasn't much for which i needed them, but they filled in a few remaining gaps for me. it gives me peace of mind i might not require were this not my first solo trip in asia and given some unique obstacles i face with a hearing impairment. i think it was indeed a good referral by the tibet hotel.

thanks again.

Dec 28th, 2006, 08:24	#1
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,413	potala and other sikkim tour operators? hello again, i'm looking for info on the adviseability of using a sikkim tour operator. i can likely get this fleshed out upon arrival february 15, but i'd prefer to get things organized beforehand if at all possible, even if only to anticipate costs. when i made a reservation at the tibet hotel in gangtok, i also noted my interest in visiting tsomgo lake and rumtek and desire to secure a driver/guide to take me to yuksom after my stay. i'd like to make stops along the way and, the following morning, leave yuksom for pelling, also stopping along then way. i don't know that i need a specialized guide, just a driver who knows his way around and can share an anecdote here and there. (someone suggested i might pay for a driver to stay in cheap lodgings in yuksom for the onward passage to pelling.) the tibet hotel referred me to potala treks and tours in gangtok to make my "guide" arrangements. does anyone know of this company? others? need i go through a tour company at all? (concededly, i have a mental block about them, thinking i'll be paying mostly commissions and very little for the actual service transport.) is using a company adviseable? has anyone any idea what i could expect to pay for a private car/driver per day? another bonus: if i use a company, i can also enlist their help securing hotel reservations for those places out of which i don't seem to be able to extract replies...but, again, at what commission cost? (there may be innumerable "potala" tour companies. the one to which i was referred was: Potala Treks and Tours, Gangtok Phone No. 03592-202041,200043 email id: slg_potala@sancharnet.in) thanks in advance for any replies. __________________ Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. ~Helen Keller

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Advice requested on tour operators	Eddi Legume	India Travel Itinerary Advice	4	Nov 24th, 2006 23:40
Payment to local tour operators	080472	India Travel Itinerary Advice	8	Feb 24th, 2006 19:22
Sikkim tour - 23 Dec to 2nd Jan	flyucool	Sikkim	2	Nov 22nd, 2005 10:18
Tour operators in Germany?	volga_volga	Chai and Chat	7	Jul 15th, 2005 15:06
Suggestion to IndiaMike on Travel Agents/Tour Operators/Car-Taxi Hiring Agencies	gs_uppal	Forum Help and Announcements	5	Mar 17th, 2005 05:11

Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:16	#2
k9healer Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 35	If you PM me I can provide you with the contact info for the tour operator we used in Gangtok. He arranged everything for us - and I do mean everything! From our tours, right down to re-confirming our flights home and making all of our transport arrangements and the prices were very reasonable for all tours and transport. The little extras we weren't even charged for. (He even took our mail to the post office for us while we were busy working) I found it was definitely worth having someone who speaks good English and knows their way around make our arrangements for us!

Jan 22nd, 2007, 23:41	#3
Phebes Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 1degN, 103degE Posts: 7	I used a tour operator and don't regret it for a minute. I paid what I thought was a reasonable price all in and enjoyed a problem- and worry-free holiday. (But then again, I had the comfort of knowing that my friend has been using this same guy for the last 15 years or so, ie, he's completely trustworthy and reliable). Our tour operator/guide did everything, including arranging excess luggage for us in Bagdogra for our return flight to Calcutta (30kg each, believe it or not!) He also arranged our North Sikkim trip with the North Sikkim operator (Very reasonable - US$300 per head for 5 of us for 5 days, including transport - good car (Mahindra Scorpio) and excellent driver, accomodation, all meals (they brought along their own cook), a really good English speaking guide and portable heaters - all our lodges had no heating). Our main tour operator/guide lent us the sleeping bags, fleece liners, heavy woollen blankets and hot water bottles we had used on our trek before Sikkim at no extra cost (we insisted, he declined. Maybe he'd already made enough on what we paid to hire them for the trek) and they really came in handy as it got rather cold in North Sikkim. I liked having a guide even though I had read up on the various places before going there. They give you much more than just information about the places you're visiting. You get a better sense of how the people live and think. Hours on the road and walking around together give you lots of time to get to know a person. Both our guides were lovely people with lots of interesting stories to tell, and they were both into community service which was really heart warming. Our West Bengal and N. Sikkim drivers spoke enough English for basic communication but not for a satisfying conversation, though they too were really nice, polite and obliging people.

Jan 25th, 2007, 08:22	#4
tacita Maha Mutant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gotham Posts: 1,413	thanks, phebes. (k9healer, we've now "spoken" by PM - thanks again.) my experience with potala has been surprisingly good. they're responsive and seem highly professional. there wasn't much for which i needed them, but they filled in a few remaining gaps for me. it gives me peace of mind i might not require were this not my first solo trip in asia and given some unique obstacles i face with a hearing impairment. i think it was indeed a good referral by the tibet hotel. thanks again.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password