Sikkim in May

10zing

Hi IM ians !
Can some body tell MUST Visit places in Sikkim between 12th May to 19th May ?
Can we get Rented Car without Drivers ? What about Motor Cycles ?
At which motorable place we are likely to find snow ?
Is there any good Map showing Roads and Altitudes of Sikkim ?

clawhammer

hi
firstly u will be going during the peak season so make sure u book hotels from before hand.
Places u can visit:
1.Tsomgo lake,Baba mandir,nathula(on Wed Thr and Sat only-as far as i can recall)(inform ur hotel 2 days prior ,they will make arrangements).
2.Yumthang and zero point(2 days 1 night)
3.Gurudongmar lake(3 days and 2 night)
4.Pelling(Pemyangtse monastry, khecheopalri lake and other places around)
takes around 6 to 7 hours to reach from gangtok.
Getting rented cars without drivers may be difficult during peak season,bikes may be easier.
For maps try:
Lonely planet road atlas for india.
TTK discover india series-road guide to sikkim.
http://mapy.mk.cvut.cz/data/Indie-India/India_250k/( very detailed maps showing topographic details).
Getting snow may be a problem-try out Zero point beyond yumthang or gurudongmar(both are more than 15000ft high)
Good luck

clawhammer

Tsomgo lake and baba mandir is a 2 to 3 hr drive from gangtok and altitude of 12000ft.Nathula is even higher-14000ft.
There is a small stream near baba mandir.We went there in winter-so it was part frozen.Walking up the frozen stream was a great experience.Hidden behind a couple of large boulders the falling water had frozen midway creating awesome structures,i had run out of film so couldn't take pics.

clawhammer

pelling is a small town "with a few houses and an abnormally large number of hotels".u can get awesome view of Kanchenjunga and nearby peaks on a clear day especially from the helipad ground.
lachen is much smaller a place and thangu is a high altitude valley(14000ft).
there are a lot to see around pelling-Pemyangtse,khecheopalri lake,falls etc. but thangu is more wild but very beautiful.thangu is a valley so u can see snow clad peaks around.
gurudongmar at more than 17000ft is one of the highest places where u can reach in a car.at such altitude there is almost no vegetation just rock and snow.if u are travelling with family make sure everyone is acclaimatised before going for gurudongmar.

10zing

Dear Clawhammer,
You are our Nevigator !
I think I am running short of 1 day.
Is it worth to drop Pelling and stay one more day at Thangu ?

As a gesture to acknowledge your goodwill, I would recommend that you should also think a Small Trek of Laka Glacier in Himachal Pradesh.
This is possibly, lowest altitude Galcier in Himachal and belongs to the southern most snowclad peaks in Western Himachal.
Triund ridge is a wonderful spot to spend the night.

clawhammer

post ur exact itenary then i can possibly suggest an adjustment.
We(4 college friends) went to sikkim last winter-since it was off season we could modify our itenary in as little as 18hrs(planned to go to yumthang at 3pm and set out at 9am the next day).
but u won't have that luxury in may,so prior planning is a must

10zing

May 12 > Reach NJP 7 AM> To Darjiling
May 13 > Darjilig
May 14 > Reach Ganagtok by 8 Pm
May 15> Go to Thangu
May 16> Gurudongmar and Back to Lachen
May 17> Yumthang and Back to Ganagtok
May 18> Pelling
May 19> Nathula etc.
May20> Reach Njp by 5 PM.
Pl. remeber , we are 14 Familes , 56 Persons, youngest 5 Years and Eldest 75 . The Fit persons would travel up to Gurudongmar ohers will rest at Thangu or Lachen.
Pl. let me know >
1. Is sufficient accomdation will be available at Thangu / Lanchen ?
2. Can Pelling /Nathula be skipped and still we won't be missing some thing .
3. Can Advanced bookings be done at Thangu and Lachen ?
4. What type of food is available ?

skinnylatte

you need to give darjeeling a bit more time!!

clawhammer

Darjeeling sight seeing can be completed in 1 day.Also u have 12th noon and evening for walking around.
Pelling can't be completed in 1day-it takes about 7 hrs to reach there from Gangtok.
An alt. route is from Darjeeling via Jorethang Bazar-takes about 2 to 3 hrs.But transport for Jorethang from Darjeeling is available only in the morning so proceed accordingly.
U better book a package tour for Gurudongmar with a travel agency-since ur group is large u may avail discounts.They will take care of accomodation at Thangu Lachen and food.
If u have food at hotel u will get normal food-its actually convinient.Also at decent eateries food is not a problem.But always carry water + purifying drops.
12th may is friday so enquire if nathula will be open on that day or not.
U can't go to both pelling and nathula.If u skip pelling u can go to Rumtek Monastery+ local sights in gangtok.

10zing

CH,
Darju to Pellingshort cut !!
That's great thing to know.
Is there any Road and Transport available between Pelling and Lachen bye passing Gangtok ?

Thanks !

jyotirmoy

Why Pelling to Nathu la? After returning from north Sikkim stay at Gangtok. Next day go early to Nathu la & then go to Pelling. Spend the night in Pelling, see the fantastic sun rise, visit the monestary & then return to NJP. On the way you can stop at the tea garden at Temi.
I had posted a detailed article on our Sikkim tour which is in the Sikkim forum, you might find it useful.
The accomodation at Lachung is basic & limited, since you are travelling with a big group in the peak season do your arrangements well in advance.

somnath

I was trying to prepare an itinerary for Darjeeling and Sikkim (excluding North Sikkim. Because I didn’t visit that area) it is mentioned here:
seeking Darjeeling info and advice not only this, as it is rightly suggested, plz search for other threads in Sikkim as well as West Bengal section.

And just a note, 5 year old kid will not be allowed for Nathula. And please be careful abut the senior most member of your team when you are planning for Gurudungmar / Nathula.

Cheers,
Somnath

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clawhammer

Agree with Jyotirmoy-first advanced booking is a must anywhere u go since its peak season+u have a large group.
U can return from Pelling to NJP directly but before going there enquire about timings of available transportation.
U can visit the Sikkim Tourism Office to get the exact details of accomodation
and routes available.

10zing

Which place would you think would be No 1 to Spend Full Moon Night on May 13th? 1. Pelling 2. Thangu 3. Lachen 4. Some Different Spot.

Those who Consider Full Moon night to be enjoyable any where over this planet , should make a sequence of their opinion amongst above 4 in the order of their preferences and explain why they think so.I want to select the right spot !!

papertiger

I originally wanted to see Khachoedpalri Mela, but didn't. However, a full moon over Khacheopalri Lake still sounds great--very serene.

My journey (starting next week) is dictated by the moon, too.