Sikkim itinerary

jyotirmoy

This is how we had travelled in Sikkim it might be of some help.

Day 1:
Arrive Bagdogra IXBT & transfer to Gangtok by road. Drive time, Approx. 4-5 hrs. Halt. Try the local millet beer called Chung.
Hire a 4 wheel drive jeep in Gangtok. Enquire & bergain hard. Insist on seeing the vehicle before you hire. Ask the agency for all details. Make sure you are not to pay anything for the driver for his food lodging etc. There is only one good lodging at Lachun called Snow Lion I think as we moved in after dusk & never bothered to note as it was arranged by the agent who had justified an extra amount for putting us up there. Rest are very very basic.

Day 2:
Day return trip to Changu Lake at 12400 ft, at Indo China Border, Return by evening fall, Halt overnight at Gangtok Great Momo places at stalls near the lake. These will be freshly steamed & served.

Day 3:
Drive from Gangtok to Lachung, North Sikkim,Approx.120 kms,6 hrs.Halt. Enroute for lunch & cross numerous Sikkimese Villages and fantastic waterfalls. The wind screen of your jeep will get frequent cleaning while driving across these. Stay at Lachung village. Facilities are limited. Carry some snacks, some canned foods etc. Carry one set of new battery for your camera. Used ones conk out too soon in the cold. Carry a Polaroid filter for your camera you will be able to take stunning pictures with it. The prevalent environmental condition requires a different approach to photography ; always bracket your shots i.e taking additional shots with aperture one stop below the chosen one & another one stop over.

Day 4:
Visit Yumthang Valley of Flower after breakfast via Singhba Rhododendron Sanctuary and also visit Hot Springs, there are patches where you will think that some one has painted red patches on the mountain face, its actually due to a type of fungus that is bright red in colour. Return and have lunch and stroll around & enjoy the sunset sitting on a boulder near the river in the village. Halt overnight.
Day 5:
Drive to Lachen Valley after breakfast, Approx.85 kms, Explore and also visit Lachen Monastery. Overnight Halt

Day 6:
Visit Thangu and Chopta Valley after breakfast, drive to Thangu. Return and Halt.

Day 7:
Return drive to Gangtok, Halt at Gangtok.

Day 8:
After breakfast drive to Rai Bangla. Halt. You will get a stupendous view of snow peaks here during sun rise so get up early next day. Halt. There is a great Chinese joint run by a matronly lady. Chilly fried pork slices & beer is the ideal combo. The water from the mountain brooks adds to the taste of beer here in Sikkim.

Day 9:
Drive out after breakfast to the tea gardens of Tema. A supervisor will gladly show you the process of tea making right from the green leaves. They have a shop where you can buy the very best. There is a bungalow here true Raj type. If stay here you will enjoy the solitude & peace.

Day 10:
Drive out to Pelling. Whole day sightseeing in Pemayangste - Sanga Choeling Monastery, Pemayangste Monastery and Rabdanste Palace (Rabdanste was the second capital of Sikkim). Halt



Day 11:
After early breakfast drive to Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim where the first Chogyal (Religious King) of Sikkim was consecrated in 1642. On the way visit Kecheopalri Lake. Check into hotel and after lunch walk to hermit's retreat at Dhubdi Monastery (circa 1700), possibly the oldest monastery in Sikkim.

Day 12:
After early breakfast drive to Kalimpong. Visit Tashiding Monastery on the way. It takes about 45 min to 1 hour to walk up to the monastery and about 30 min to walk back. Proceed to Kalimpong after monastery visit. Halt. Try the local cheese & yes there is a great Chinese restaurant here too. Hakka fried noodles, Momos, pan fried pork, clear soup with black mushrooms, diced chicken with garlic & walnuts. Here in the evening over glasses of beer chasers I sorted out a rather difficult issue with my daughter with whom I was traveling. I think the pan fried pork did the job.

Day 13:
Drive to Bagdogra airport. Great Fish fry & chips at the airport restaurant so forsake your aluminum casserole of the airline & tuck in to a plate of this & looking at the Beer price you will remember what a heaven it had been in Sikkim.

Pappadumelf

Thanks for all the tips Jyotirmoy, sounds like a lovely trip.
I notice you mention when bargaining for a car a driver to make sure you don't pay for the driver's food and lodging. Does the company pay for this instead? Or is it then left to the driver to ensure they have food and lodging?

jyotirmoy

Yes it is a better arrangement when the company employing the driver pay for the driver's personal expenses. Ofcourse this will be a part of the total amount you will pay but you wont have to bother every day & scream if he spulrges.
Good luck.