Sikkim Darjeeling in May - itinerary suggestions please

Dear IMers,

Its wonderful reading through the write-ups and travelogues of fellow IMers. While there have been a few post before on this, I thought of postng a new one, since I'm confused on a few points.

We're a family of 4 adults and 2 kids (7 and 4), planning a Sikkim- Darjeeling trip from Mumbai in May (18 to 26). We'll be flying to Kolkatta and then to Bagdogra on May 18. I'm mighty confused about the itinerary post that. More specifically, would appreciate suggestions on the following.

1. Is it better to visit Darjeeling first and Sikkim later or the other way round? Have a 14.20 flight to catch from Bagdogra on May 26 on the way back to Kol.

2. We're considering the helicopter ride either to Gangtok or on the way back. Any thoughts on that? Any idea if these flights are on time or can they get late? or worse, get cancelled?

3. Is veg food an issue on this route? especially Sikkim?

4. I hear North Sikkim is the most beautiful part. The idea is to have a balanced tour, (not too loaded with hectic travel, specially keeping in mind the kids) and yet try and not miss out the beautiful sights; in that case, what route could be ideal?

5. Any suggestions on the hotels on this route are most welcome.

Thanks a lot, would really appreciate your responses.

rgds,
Kalpesh Gada

There is a very old thread in Indiamike: seeking Darjeeling info and advice
This thread could help you to get a basic idea – please read the posts and you’ll get some answer (and some more questions as well). Veg food is freely available but please don’t expect lavish veg menu

Cheers …

Thanks, Somnath. Will read through it in detail, and yeah, looks like, as u said, there'll be some answers and some more questions.

Hi Somnath...Went through the thread you'd pointed out above, and as expected, got lot of answers as well as lot of more questions. After reading all that, have charted this itinerary –

Day 1 – Arrive in Gangtok from Bagdogra (hope to take the helicopter flight, but booking not open yet)
Day 2 – Changu lake, Nathu La Pass and Baba Mandir (it’s a Sunday)
Day 3 – Gangtok local sightseeing (Inst of Tibetology, Orchid exhibition, Rumtek Monastery, Ganesh Top, Hanuman Top)
Day 4 – Leave for Pelling
Day 5 – Pelling local sightseeing (Kanchenjunga falls, Rimbi falls, Pemyangsy Monastery, Khechiperi Lake, Sinsore Bridge)
Day 6 – Leave for Darjeeling
Day 7 and 8 – Darjeeling local sightseeing (Zoo, joy ride on train, ropeway, what else?)
Day 9 – Leave for Bagdogra

Have a lot of questions.
1. Does the above look doable? Any thoughts, comments, suggestions most welcome.

2. Can the hotel arrange for the permit for Nathu La in advance? Or are tourists required to do it themselves? Is a visit to Nathu La a must-do?

3. I guess the Orchid exhibition at Gangtok would be a seasonal thing. Is May the time for this exhibition?

4. I suppose there are beautiful monasteries all over Sikkim (Rumtek, Enchey, Sangakchoilong,etc) but in the interest of time, if I have to skip some and see some, which ones can be skipped?

5. Padma’s old post is worrying, looks like May 3rd week is a wrong time for Sikkim, but in terms of time, I don’t have a choice. Hope its not a cloudy washout. Also, she says Darjeeling to Gangtok, or Pelling to Gangtok are all day-long journeys, while most sites mention these as 3-5 hr journeys. Anyone on the road conditions in more recent times?

6. For day 4 and 5, if I have to choose between Pelling and Kalimpong, which place could be more preferrable?

7. I guess Ravangla falls on the way from Gangtok to Pelling; should one take a break there?

Thanks in advance all you IMers. This is a wonderful site. Hope to get good first hand advice as always.

- Kalpesh

1. Its Doable. But you have to leave Darjeeling Early in morning to catch the Flight or can stay in Siliguri day before.
2. What I can remember, Nathu La is open on Sunday. Your Tour operator will arrange Permits. Be ready with 2 copies of PP size Photograph & photo Identity/Address proof of each members. School I card / Birth Certificate is enough for your Child. IMHO visit to Nathu La is must. Keep warm clothes & layers with you.
3. Yes.
4. Visit Rumtek. You can also visit BonJakhri Falls on this day.
5. Its a Good Time to visit Sikkim. Sometimes may be cloudy or raining. Usually get cleared most of times and Rain in Gangtok in Night means get snows on next day at Nathula . Pelling to Gangtok 4 to 5 hrs drive.
6. Pelling is more preferable.
7. Its a good Idea.

Hope these will help you.

Thanks Anir, that helps. and it sounds good. Will come back with more.

Good suggestion from AnirM
Let me make the thing more complicated in my experience Sangakchoilong is the best (Rumtek is huge and there are so many things to see there but the location of Sangakchoilong is just awesome).

Kalpesh, what about the plan B? If you are forced to skip Darjeeling (due to bundh / road block) then? North Sikkim (Yumthang / Gurudongmar lake)?

I always prefer North Sikkim instead of Darjeeling. But Kalpesh has a 4 year old kid. I am not sure but heard that, authority do not issue Permit to Gurudongmar for anyone less than 5 years. (Any idea? @Somnath.) Though permit for Yumthang is issued and as May is blooming session travelling through Singbum Rhododrendon sanctuary towards Youmthang Valley is superb.

Oh god, just keeping my fingers crossed on that. Hoping that the strikers will abstain from all that in the peak season. Actually, wifey and my bhabhi are quite keen on Darjeeling, that's how the plan started with Sikkim getting added on eventually. But seriously, had heard about strikes etc earlier, but are they very common even now?

Have read such rave reviews about north Sikkim, but yeah, the long road journeys made me drop it from the original plan. I think the kids (mine is 7 and the nephew is 4) might get quite cranky, also wifey sometimes gets affected by motion sickness. While hair pin bends and winding roads are unavoidable even on the route I'm looking at, I guess North Sikkim roads might be worse in that respect. But yeah, if D'ling turns out to be closed, N Sikkim it might be.

So many things to pray for - heli booking materialises, clouds decide to take a break, peaks show up in full glory, no landslides, no strikes...waav.....

AnirM,
This is good point – permit for 4 years kid. I am sorry, I am not sure about this. I am panning for this part of the Sikkim and I think I’ll be able to share some first-hand info after the trip.

Kalps,
All the best.

Good News! Waiting for some nice images!

I am also waiting for a latest report. Expecting update regarding road condition and travel costs involved.

Manoj

Hey friends, after a long gap, I'm back. Got busy with Mar-end pressure, but now its time to finalise the hotel and travel arrangements.

Anir, have you finalised your trip?

I'm now struggling with the hotel booking. Shortlisted the following : Gangtok - Royal Plaza, Sonam Delek, Tamarind; Darjeeling - Cedar Inn, Swiss Hotel, R J Resort; Pelling - Norbo Ghang, Mt. Pandim. Anyone with first hand experience of any of these places? or any other mid-range acco suggestion?

Also, I'm talking to travel agents in Mumbai to book a vehicle for the whole trip. Any idea how much does a Tavera / Sumo work out to per day on this route? Is it better to have it all tied up from here, or is it easy to find a vehicle for the week trip after landing in Bagdoogra? I guess that may work out cheaper.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Thanks agn.

Oops, goofed, sorry...I meant it for Somnath - not Anir. Its Somnath planning for a trip...

Hi!!
A bit of more ideas,
Hotels:
For Gangtok,Royal Plaza will definitely give you a pleasant experience with a flavor of the Casino.Or Mayfair(better than Royal Plaza and got Casino)/Suhim Portico/Denzong Regency.
For Darjeeling, please opt for Windamere or else go for Cedar Inn.
For Pelling, Elgin's Mount Pandim would be the best.

I would say that you should better opt for a car from Gangtok itself for moving throughout Sikkim.It becomes a problem sometimes with cars bearing WB registration.A drop at Gangtok from Bagdogra is ok with a WB registered car and a drop from Sikkim to Bagdogra in a Sk registered car is fine.

As for the tariff,a Tavera/Innova would quote 3500-4000/- max for a drop to and from Bagdogra.On a per day basis this may drop to 2300-2500/-approx.
Have a nice trip!!