Sikkim:Early April - Itinerary help

jaekae

Hello,
I'm planning a trip to Sikkim in the first half of April and seek your help in firming up the itinerary. Here's the tentative plan I have in mind; am listing my questions at the end:

Sat night - sun morn - Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri by train, reaching NJP at 8am, Sunday
Sunday Morn - NJP to Gangtok by taxi
Sunday afternoon - Walk around Gangtok
Monday - Gangtok to Lachung by road - stay at Lachung
Tuesday - Visit Yumthang valley, hotsprings and Katoa. Back to Lachen; spend the night at Lacheng
Wednesday - Visit Gurundongmar Lake and return to gangtok. by evening
Thursday - Gangtok - Tsongo Lake - Nathula, back to Gangtok
Friday morning- Gangtok Pelling
Friday afternoon - Walk around Pelling, and maybe visit a few monasteries
Saturday morning - Walk around a bit
Saturday afternoon - Pelling to New Jalpaiguri by road
Saturday night - New Jalpaiguri to Calcutta by train


QUESTIONS:

1. I'm the kind who prefers to go around and "see all" during a holiday, rather than just relax and laze....but still, am I packing too much into a week? If so, what do you suggest I cut - Yumthang / Gurundongmar / Nathula / Pelling?
2. I want to confirm that Nathula is open on Thursday (April 10th)
3. What are all the permits I (Indian National) would need? Do I need to arrange these in advance? How?
4. Does the Gangtok to Lachung drive take up all day? Or can I finish off either Yumthang or Lake Gurundongmar on the same day?
5. I'm debating between Kalimpong and Pelling on the way back...which do you suggest, given that I'll have one day (Fri afternoon to Sat afternoon) at either place? Are these places "very different" from what I'd have seen in the rest of the trip?
6. Any suggestions on tour operators / hotels are welcome!
7. If I'm not asking for too much, would be great if you can give a rough idea on how much shared and independent taxis would cost for these trips.

Appreciate your help, and thanks for reading this longish post!
Regards,
JK

Aishah

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jaekae

Thanks Aishah, sorry for the confusion!

madhu_s1

Jaekae: i've nothing to contribute yet, but for my similar trip in May, Im curious to know views of folks here on your Wednesday plan:
"Wednesday - Visit Gurundongmar Lake and return to gangtok. by evening"

to know if that's doable!

Anyway, ive selected Kalimpong over pelling...Kalimpong seems to be this lazy hill station where you can take leisure walks and stuff like that. Also have planned a white water rafting on the way from gangtok to kalimpong....but ive heard Pelling has great views too...

jaekae

Hi Madhu,
Well, I had the same question, but I saw this Wednesday itinerary suggested on a couple of older posts, (for example, by Robin in the post titled "Needed help on Sikkim visit in first week of May") - so I presume it is!
Good luck with your planning! Am sure it'll be a great vacation! Btw, Kalimpong seems a lovely place....I'm really split between Pelling and there - wish I had a couple of more days!!!
- JK

jyotirmoy

I wouldn't choose Kalimpong over Pelling any day.
Instead of 2 days in Pelling you can spend one day in Ravangla. Views from both Pelling & Ravangla are really awsome.

jaekae

Thanks Jyotirmoy! Just to confirm - you said you wouldN'T choose Kalimpong over Pelling right? (In other words, Pelling is better right? Sorry, just wanted to make sure I understood right!)

Unfortunately, I have just about a day in Pelling (reach there late Friday morn and leave Sat afternoon)....but is Ravangla en route from Gangtok to Pelling?
Also, I was thinking of staying at The Bliss Resort (www.theblissresort) in West Sikkim after reading some good reviews of the place here. Is this a good choice if I want to see the attractions in West Sikkim (Pemayangtse, views of Kanchenjunga etc)? How easy is it to get a car at this resort (a) to view the attractions and (b) go down to NJP? Alternately, any other places you recommend?
Thanks,
- JK

jyotirmoy

Yes Pelling is much better a destination than Kalimpong.
The state run tourist resort is a good place to stay in Pelling. Great view of Kancenjungha from the lawns and also from some of the rooms. The monestary is just next door. As is the case with most state run properties the location is the best possible but the maintanence of the resort is sloppy.
You can hire a car from Gangtok and travel to Pelling and next day get dropped at NJ. On the way you can visit the tea gardens of Tema.

jaekae

Thanks for your help Jyotirmoy, it's really helpful to hear from people who've been there!
Appreciate if anyone can throw some light on the other questions too!
Thanks once again,
JK

jyotirmoy

If you start from Gangtok in the morning you will reach Lachung in the afternoon. Choice of accomodation is limited in Lachung. You will need to book your north Sikkim tour with a tour operator. You will be sharing a 4WD with other tourists. Try to get front seats. There are plenty of them in Gangtok. Compare prices and check the kind of accomodation offered in the package.
You will also need a permit to visit Nathu la which takes a day to obtain. Your tour operator will do that.

robin312007

hi jakee,

your itenery seems to be perfect. It fits right. Coz we have done the same trip before. Its enjoyable. But there has to be one change.
Dont waste your Saturday by just walking around. Coz pelling has lots to see. There are lots of places to visit including Monastries / wishing lakes / water falls / Asia's second highest Bridge etc. Dont miss them. Book a Jeep and travel all these places. It will take around 5-6 hrs to complete them.
There is a 16th century monastry. I would advise you again not to waste the day just strolling around.

Otherwise your tour plan is 100% perfect. You got the perfect no. of days to enjoy Sikkim and return with a full heart. And sure would again come back again and again for the same.

Regarding your choice of Pelling over Kalimpong is also perfect.
Regarding your expenditure : for 2N 3D in North Sikkim would cost around maybe 1800-2000INR each in Shared Jeeps. Its advisable to use shared vehicles otherwise booking a jeep for North Sikkim would cost you a Mammoth.(Just add this amount X 10 heads)????
if u got enough money then go for it otherwise for us it is too much.
Drive to Lachung will take around 6hrs and you reach there in the evening. Also Yumthang and Gurudongmar cannot be done in the same day. Becoz both are in different directions. Katao is good. Try to include Zero Point also. Its at a hieght of 16000ft. and got Mistry surroundings. For trip to yumthang / Katao etc you have to pay and extra 150-200 INR each to the driver and thats been a custom there.
Regarding permits for North Sikkim and Nathula it is not your concern. It would be done by the Travel ageny itself. Don't worry.

Just enjoy Sikkim and forget everything. ha ha ha

Good Luck

jaekae

Hi Robin,
Thanks for your great reply, it's really informative!
A couple of followup questions:

1. Any specifics on what to see around Pelling?
2. Will I be able to see these AND drive back to NJP, to catch a train that night? If not, what should I prioritize?
3. Will I be able to pack Yumthang, Katao and Zero Point into one day and come back to Lachen for the night? I read about a Rhododendron research institute too, somewhere there. Is that doable / worth doing?
4. I'm a little worried about the permits for N.Sikkim. Since I'll be reaching Gangtok only on Sunday afternoon and want to leave for N.Sikkim on Monday morning, is that enough time to fix up on the spot, or should I arrange for this before reaching there? I'm just apprehensive I'll be ripped off if I arrange from here!
5. Also any tips on clothing I should carry?

Thanks once again for your informative posts!
- JK

robin312007

hi again,
1)First of all its not advisable to do local visits in pelling and back to NJP. Too much risk.
2) In pelling the must visits are : Khechipeolri Lake(a lot of myths about this lake), Kanchenjunga Falls , Shinshor Bridge(sorry for spelling)Asia's second highest, a 16th century monastry near upper pelling, and other monastries also. A lot of distance to cover between them. and also take on account around 4hrs back to NJP.
3) yes you can visit Yum / Kat / Zero in one day and back to Lachen.
4)Yes there is a Rhododendron Sanctuary on the way to Yumthang.Yes ask the driver to drop you once here for sometime.
5)if you are worried about permits then you can confirm about it with D.Bhutia of Norling Tours & Travel in Gangtok.
Ph no.09832027475.
6)Regarding dress. Do take some good warm clothing and a Good Wind Proof Jackets Coz North Sikkim will be cold enough. The reason is the chilling wind which blows straight from those icy peaks around. Zero Point will be freezing (-). You can also get good imported jackets and warm materials from Gangtok.

Good LUck

jaekae

I spoke to Mr.Bhutia. I'm coming with my wife - and the individual tour would work out very costly for us. And it appears that all the group tours he arranges carry 10 people + driver.
Now I'm really tall (6'3") and find it very uncomfortable in a crowded jeep - I'm afraid I'll end up not enjoying the tour. So wanted to check if I can get the details of any operator who organizes group trips, but for small groups, say 5-6 + driver.
I checked with Yak n Yeti, but they arrange only individual tours; they've said they'll try to synchronize with another couple, but can't promised.
Once again, thanks for your help!
Regards,
- JK

robin312007

hi,

You seem to be in very tight situation. But what you want is very hard to fit in at this time of season. But if you can take the front seat with your wife then it is manageable.
Anyway try your luck.