Sikkim in December

luniapankaj · Nov 16th, 2006, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by neeleem

I know what you mean about the Coimbatore-Ooty route. It is so touristy, that lots of people just try to make a living by ripping off tourists. You are absolutely right about Gandhipuram. That is the central area with the central bus stand.

Yeah but since I got the tip about Siliguri, better check out even there and ask for talking to driver.

neeleem · Nov 16th, 2006, 17:01

Quote:

Hi,

I think if there is not much snow, you can move up to Katao, which is on the eastern side of Lachung village, as it is a border outpost of the Indian Army, they try to keep the road clear all over the year, the same thing applies to Yumesemdong also. but they have snow cutters, and you have simple jeeps, so your chances are 50-50.

but i think early dec will have greater chances.

Bhaswaran

Well I'll keep hoping that we make it. If not just enjoy whatever we get to see.

Quote:

Yeah but since I got the tip about Siliguri, better check out even there and ask for talking to driver.

Will do. Thanks Pankaj!

luniapankaj · Nov 16th, 2006, 17:15

And this is for all those who want to keep an eye on Gangtok weather

http://weather.uk.msn.com/local.aspx...=wc:INX X0049

nanda · Nov 18th, 2006, 17:23

These were the rates during Oct:
2N/3D trip to gurudmonger lake, yumthang including food and accomodation , permissions in a share jeep (10 people in a sumo) = Rs2200/head.
Day trip to Nathula and Tsomgo (share jeep) = Rs500/Head.
2D/1N trip to Yumthang, incl food , accom and permissions = Rs750/head
8 point day trip around Gangtok in a Maruti Omni (4 people in a taxi) = 750/head
Room with attached bath and geyser: 300/double incl taxes in MG road (Green hotel)
Note: Food provided it not so good. Better to carry snacks and bread/biscuits. Accom is very basic but was clean.

If you want to visit Nathula, book in advance as there is limit on number of vehicles that can enter per day.

neeleem · Nov 19th, 2006, 20:18

Thank you very much for the information.

victory21 · Nov 21st, 2006, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhaswaran

there are many travel agents in gangtok other than Marco polo who takes less money for this trip. i do not prefer Marco polo. although, their have good lodging facilities.

you need not book this in advance.

go to Gangtok, go stright to travel agents office, do a hard bargain as this is off season (dec),. i did Yumthang in dec for Rs.900 per head, they had asked for Rs. 1500 per head.

Bhaswaran

Hi Bhaswaran,

You mentioned that you negotiated the yumthang tour for Rs.900 per head. Was that 2 days and 1 night trip to yumthang? Could you please also let me know the places you covered during that trip?

Bhaswaran · Nov 22nd, 2006, 10:38

yes, that was 2 days 1 night trip. we proceeded from gangtok and saw sceneries all the way, and reached lachung in the evening and it was already snowing. we visited katao in early next morning and then went to yumthang, and then returned all the way to gangtok

mridula · Jan 5th, 2007, 17:00

I also got Yumthang for Rs. 900 last week (December 2006)

Sikkim is entirely doable in December and the lower regions like Pelling and Gangtok are not really that cold. It felt cold to me at Lachung and Yumthang and also at Nathu-La. Here is a detailed account of my trip in December 2006.

http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfr...en-for-me.html

victory21 · Jan 5th, 2007, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

I also got Yumthang for Rs. 900 last week (December 2006)

Sikkim is entirely doable in December and the lower regions like Pelling and Gangtok are not really that cold. It felt cold to me at Lachung and Yumthang and also at Nathu-La. Here is a detailed account of my trip in December 2006.

http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfr...en-for-me.html

I have checked the link and it was a great description about your trip. How fast can we get the permits arranged for yumthang trip?

If we reach gangtok previous day evening and can we get the permit arranged for yumthang for next day?

Cheers,
Victory21

mridula · Jan 5th, 2007, 18:12

We asked for a trip to Yumthang at 3.00 in the evening and got both permit and a place in the back row (front and middle rows go earlier) of the Jeep for the next day. Not sure if this is normal or we were lucky.

And I am so glad you liked my account.

victory21 · Jan 5th, 2007, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

We asked for a trip to Yumthang at 3.00 in the evening and got both permit and a place in the back row (front and middle rows go earlier) of the Jeep for the next day. Not sure if this is normal or we were lucky.

And I am so glad you liked my account.

Thanks much! Mridula...

Yeah, I guess you should have some other people to share the jeep on the same day. I believe travel agent needs required strength for starting the tour. So, it depends on luck as you said. Once the required strength is there then getting permits should not be difficult for the travel agents.

Cheers,
Victory21

Host · Jan 5th, 2007, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by victory21

Thanks much! Mridula...

Yeah, I guess you should have some other people to share the jeep on the same day. I believe travel agent needs required strength for starting the tour. So, it depends on luck as you said. Once the required strength is there then getting permits should not be difficult for the travel agents.

Cheers,
Victory21

Is it possible to get a non-sharable Jeep?

Bhaswaran · Jan 6th, 2007, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Host

Is it possible to get a non-sharable Jeep?

Possible, but you have to pay for all the minimum number of passengers that is needed to start the trip.

mridula · Jan 6th, 2007, 09:54

Host, it is possible to get a non-shared jeep and obviously they will cost more.

luniapankaj · Jan 8th, 2007, 14:41

You can either book on per head basis or book the entire vehicle. You also have options for booking specific seats especially middle seat which cost you equivalent to 4 heads and is quite comfortable. Some others book front 2 seats as well.

I got Nathula (middle seat) for 1600/- and Full vehicle for Yumthang for 6000/- this december. I booked the Yumthang tour without accommodation and food. Accommodation at Lachung is quite cheap. A decent double room costed me 350/- for a night.

In fact I had booked the vehicle for entire Zero Point route (including Lachung, Yumthang, Katao) and Gurudongmar route (2 nights 3 day) for 8000/- with self accommodation and food. Unfortunately had to drop the plan because of my daughter’s altitude sickness. The full vehicle rates change depending upon tourist inflow and number of vehicles available for hire. You might get an even better deal. Look for a person who drives his own vehicle. A leisurely walk to SNT stand is really worth.

You can carry your food stuff and get is prepared at the hotel kitchen and tip the cooks accordingly.

thanks...Pankaj

Jan 5th, 2007, 17:00	#38
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,272	I also got Yumthang for Rs. 900 last week (December 2006) Sikkim is entirely doable in December and the lower regions like Pelling and Gangtok are not really that cold. It felt cold to me at Lachung and Yumthang and also at Nathu-La. Here is a detailed account of my trip in December 2006. http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfr...en-for-me.html __________________ mridula http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

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Nov 16th, 2006, 17:15	#33
luniapankaj Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 19	And this is for all those who want to keep an eye on Gangtok weather http://weather.uk.msn.com/local.aspx...=wc:INX X0049

Nov 18th, 2006, 17:23	#34
nanda Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 4	These were the rates during Oct: 2N/3D trip to gurudmonger lake, yumthang including food and accomodation , permissions in a share jeep (10 people in a sumo) = Rs2200/head. Day trip to Nathula and Tsomgo (share jeep) = Rs500/Head. 2D/1N trip to Yumthang, incl food , accom and permissions = Rs750/head 8 point day trip around Gangtok in a Maruti Omni (4 people in a taxi) = 750/head Room with attached bath and geyser: 300/double incl taxes in MG road (Green hotel) Note: Food provided it not so good. Better to carry snacks and bread/biscuits. Accom is very basic but was clean. If you want to visit Nathula, book in advance as there is limit on number of vehicles that can enter per day.

Nov 19th, 2006, 20:18	#35
neeleem Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 74	Thank you very much for the information.

Nov 22nd, 2006, 10:38	#37
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 964	yes, that was 2 days 1 night trip. we proceeded from gangtok and saw sceneries all the way, and reached lachung in the evening and it was already snowing. we visited katao in early next morning and then went to yumthang, and then returned all the way to gangtok

Jan 5th, 2007, 18:12	#40
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,272	We asked for a trip to Yumthang at 3.00 in the evening and got both permit and a place in the back row (front and middle rows go earlier) of the Jeep for the next day. Not sure if this is normal or we were lucky. And I am so glad you liked my account.

Jan 6th, 2007, 09:54	#44
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,272	Host, it is possible to get a non-shared jeep and obviously they will cost more.

Jan 8th, 2007, 14:41	#45
luniapankaj Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 19	You can either book on per head basis or book the entire vehicle. You also have options for booking specific seats especially middle seat which cost you equivalent to 4 heads and is quite comfortable. Some others book front 2 seats as well. I got Nathula (middle seat) for 1600/- and Full vehicle for Yumthang for 6000/- this december. I booked the Yumthang tour without accommodation and food. Accommodation at Lachung is quite cheap. A decent double room costed me 350/- for a night. In fact I had booked the vehicle for entire Zero Point route (including Lachung, Yumthang, Katao) and Gurudongmar route (2 nights 3 day) for 8000/- with self accommodation and food. Unfortunately had to drop the plan because of my daughter’s altitude sickness. The full vehicle rates change depending upon tourist inflow and number of vehicles available for hire. You might get an even better deal. Look for a person who drives his own vehicle. A leisurely walk to SNT stand is really worth. You can carry your food stuff and get is prepared at the hotel kitchen and tip the cooks accordingly. thanks...Pankaj

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