Sikkim Tour

rohit_hit

Hi There,

I will be travelling to Sikkim on a family tour during 2/May to 6/May ( 4 nights 5 days).

After reading many messages from this forum I have arrived at the following itinerary

2/May/07 - Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok. Visit Rumtek monastery if possible. ( ~100 Km)
3/May/07 - Drive to lachung with breaks to do the site-seeing enroute. ( ~115 km run)
4/May/07 - Visit Yumthang early and return to lachung by lunch time. Drive to gangtok after lunch. ( ~ 170km run)
5/May/07 - tsomgo-lake and nathula visit ( ~130 km run)
6/May/07 - visit the gangtok bazaar in the morning and by lunch time drive back to new jalpaiguri to catch the darjeeling mail.

I know this will be a bit hectic tour but can't help. want to cover as much places as we can in the limited time.

I would like to know:
1. can this trip gangtok - lachung - yumthang -lachung - gangtok be covered in 2 days and 1 night ?
2. I would also like to know some approximate cost if I decide to hire a taxi for 3rd , 4th and 5th may ( total ~420 km).
3. Is there any budget hotel in lachung where we can stay. Of all the hotels that I have seen are in the 1000-1200/- per double room types. Is there any other cheaper option?
4. Can you suggest a reliable and good tour operator that you may have come across who can arrange this tour.

Thanks in advance,
Rohit

rohit_hit

Just forgot to mention.. We will be 8 persons totally. So we have to hire a jeep.

arunchs

1. People do cover this distance in 2 days 1 night often. But it is really a rush. I would rather suggest adding another day if you really want to enjoy the road.

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Bhaswaran

Normally, this Yumthang tour is done 2 days 1 nights in package tour, so they take care of everything from fooding to lodging.

It was a must to take permits and to go by conducted tours in that area, but now things might have been softened a bit. Although I am not sure. Approach Gangtok taxi stand and get the latest info.

mridula

We did Gangtok Lachung Gangtok in two days one night. Booked two seats in a shared taxi and each seat cost us 900 rupees (December 2006) with night stay and major melas included. And we booked with the first travel agent we found in Gangtok without any bargaining Hope this helps a bit.

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rohit_hit

Thanks for your suggestions.. I was able to contact one of the tour operators in gangtok and here is what they are quoting me or my trip. Please do remember that mine is a family of 8 persons.

2/May/07 - Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok. Visit Rumtek monastery in between if possible.

One Tata Sumo : Rs. 1800.00

3/May/07 - Drive to lachung for a 1 night stay tour
4/May/07 - Visit Yumthang early and return to lachung by lunch time. Drive to gangtok after lunch.

Lachung tour is offered as a whole package and the best price that I can give is Rs. 1000.00 per person ( children above the age of 5-10= 50%) This would be on sharing basis as the jeep accomodates 10 people

This includes: Accomodation in 4rooms at Mistique hotel in Lachung, all meals, trasportation and sightseeing in one 4x4 vehicle.

5/May/07 - tsomgo-lake and nathula visit

One Tata Sumo : Rs, 5500.00

6/May/07 - visit the gangtok bazaar in the morning and by lunch time drive back to new jalpaiguri to catch the darjeeling mail.

One Tata Sumo from Gangtok to NJP drop : Rs. 1600.00


Now, I would like to know are these rates OK or expensive ? Well what is puzzling me is why is this tsomgo lake - nathula pass tour so expensive. I guess I need to check it out with the tour operator. But still please let me know what do you guys think.


regards,
Rohit

Bhaswaran

You can arrange the same once you reach Gangtok and talk directly with the driver at the taxi stand rather than going through a travel agent. There are plenty. You will get it at a much cheaper rate.

rajeev1008

Hi Rohit,

Have you finalized the plans? I am planning to visit similar places in May end with my parents and kids. Please let me know what travel plans did you finally settle on. And also if you have booked with the travel agent - a contact e-mail/tel would be really helpful.

Thanks,
Rajeev

Sradha Sharma

Hi there,
If you are visiting Yumthang you should definitely not miss out Gurudongmar Lake, its about 4 hrs from Lachung. It’s a place that you can not and should not miss if you are going all the way Lachung. I have written about it in IndiaMike check out the pictures… Ok this is what I suggest,

Day 1: Drive from Gangtok to Thangu, its futher than Lachung and the journey will approx be about 6 hrs from gtk.
Day 2: Early morning drive from Thangu to Gurudongmar and you can be in Lachung by 2 pm. It would be appropriate if you stay at Lachung that night.
Day 3: Yumthang early in the morning and then head back to Gangtok.

I know it will extend your trip by one more night but believe me you have not visited North Sikkim till you visit Gurudongmar and the experience is totally out of this world.

Rest is up to you. Let me know if you need anymore info.

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rajeev1008

Sradha,

Knowing the travel times is really helpful in planning!! As I would be travelling with my parents and kids (60 + and 5, 9) travel times do restrict the plans.
I was thinking of this:
Day 1 Gtk - Lachung (abt 6 hrs? )
Day 2- Yamthung and then move to Lachen/Thangu (total 4-5 hrs on road?)
Day 3- Lachen/Thangu to Gurudongmar and Chopta valley - back in Lachen/Thangu (i am not sure if this is doable in a day)
Day 4- Lachen/Thangu to Gtk.

Please comment. It would help if you can tell me how much time

gamu

Wow! I am also going to tour sikiim soon . I need not plan
anything because my uncle is going to take care of all that .

Sradha Sharma

Hi,
Yes, i think its doable because Gurudongmar is about 2 hrs from Thangu and Chopta Valley is very close to Thangu, so if you leave for Gurudongmar at abt 7-8 in the morning from Thangu then you'll be back by 12-1 and then you can do CV.

I hope it helps.Enjoy your holiday.

rajeev1008

Thank you so much. This is very valuable info for me.
Also could you please tell me how far (time wise) is Thangu from Lachen - I hear that the accomadation options are far better in Lachen as comapred to Thangu .
And any recommendation for a travel agency (not too expensive to arrange the North Sikim tour.
Thanks in advance.

rajashrik

Hi

I am also going to Sikkm in May. We have stay of 3 days in Gangtok and 3 days in Darjeeling. Which places would be best?

Rajashri

tacita

can you clarify whether you mean places to stay, sights to see, or both?

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