Sikkim Via Bagdogra in January'08

the opoponax · Dec 4th, 2007, 19:23

I'm wondering the same thing. Especially after this morning, which has been our first really cold morning of the winter here in New York. There's no way I'm going to be able to handle freezing temps without a coat, heavy sweater, scarf, hat, etc etc and it seems ridiculous to haul all that stuff just for a few days in Rumtek seeing the chaam dances.

Advice?

backpakker · Dec 4th, 2007, 19:40

Ok..we just had some thermal stuff and a jacket ..you will get some
winter wear in gangtok .. which you can just use and throw

the opoponax · Dec 4th, 2007, 19:44

I figured they had sweaters, hats, etc. but it's really good to know you guys got by with jackets and thermals. I'm planning on bringing long underwear and a down vest for the more termperate Indian winter in Delhi and the surrounding areas -- you think I'll get by with that and what I can find cheaply in Gangtok?

backpakker · Dec 5th, 2007, 09:30

Not an issue, I would think..You would need a good cap/hat and gloves which shd be available in Delhi if not in Sikkim . You can shop for your warm clothing in India . Suggest you bring a good jacket along with what you have planned though !

whatiyam · Dec 14th, 2007, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDatura

I've thought about going from Darjeeling area to Gangtok in mid-January, but now I'm wondering about the cold. What are the day and night temperatures? How much snow?

At that time of year, would climate conditions in eastern Nepal (and even as far as Kathmandu) be similar to southern Sikkim? I'm not planning to go on a trek, just thinking of spending a few days at the lower elevations.

gangtok is not any colder than darjeeling, maybe slightly warmer being at a lower altitude. i was in gangtok in february during a cold spell and there was no snow, the hills across the valley got a slight dusting on the peeks but not in gangtok town. the day i arrived in gangtok in february was very sunny and no jacket was necessary. but if the sun doesn't come out it will not warm up in the day. i left yesterday and there was plenty of sun and the days have been sunny, but my recollection of february last was that it was not so sunny.

robin312007 · Dec 14th, 2007, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by backpakker

Hi,

My suggestion would be to look at Bagdogra-Pelling-Gangtok . It will take about 4-5 hours by road. We stayed in Norbu Gang in Pelling and Hidden forest Retreat in gangtok..its slightly away from the city, but beautiful

You can see my blog and my sikkim post for details
http://backpakker.blogspot.com/search/label/Sikkim

yep, in my suggestion too Norbu Gang resort in pelling and hidden forest retreat in gangtok is very good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatiyam

gangtok is not any colder than darjeeling, maybe slightly warmer being at a lower altitude. i was in gangtok in february during a cold spell and there was no snow, the hills across the valley got a slight dusting on the peeks but not in gangtok town. the day i arrived in gangtok in february was very sunny and no jacket was necessary. but if the sun doesn't come out it will not warm up in the day. i left yesterday and there was plenty of sun and the days have been sunny, but my recollection of february last was that it was not so sunny.

yap, you are right.... Gangtok is not that freezing as Darjeeling in January. Temp in gantok may dip down to somewhere 1degree in jan sometime. But depends. But I can assure you that Darjeeling in Jan can give you heart attack......he he ! its bitter cold in Darjeeling. Its below "zero" somedays. If lucky you may get snowfall too...

Well try to avoid heavy woolens much. The one that is must for you in this kind of biting cold is a Good Windcheater. You just have to stop those chilling wind. You can also carry woollen materials but it wont help much other than using a Good Jacket to stop that chilling factor .

Good luck

Hey dont bother much about buying woollen materials and jackets before reaching Gangtok.
I bet you will get much better and good quality foreign Jackets in Gantok. and also Gangtok is famous for imported Snickers.
try buying one.

whatiyam · Dec 15th, 2007, 09:32

i saw some thermals in the shops there, but size is always an issue, but i would recommend having some.

there is a used outdoor clothing and equipment shop (down jackets, sleeping bags) among the shops near lal bazar that overhang the national highway. there is also a good internet cafe on the middle tier

Quote:

Originally Posted by robin312007

yep, in my suggestion too Norbu Gang resort in pelling and hidden forest retreat in gangtok is very good.

yap, you are right.... Gangtok is not that freezing as Darjeeling in January. Temp in gantok may dip down to somewhere 1degree in jan sometime. But depends. But I can assure you that Darjeeling in Jan can give you heart attack......he he ! its bitter cold in Darjeeling. Its below "zero" somedays. If lucky you may get snowfall too...

Well try to avoid heavy woolens much. The one that is must for you in this kind of biting cold is a Good Windcheater. You just have to stop those chilling wind. You can also carry woollen materials but it wont help much other than using a Good Jacket to stop that chilling factor .

Good luck

Hey dont bother much about buying woollen materials and jackets before reaching Gangtok.
I bet you will get much better and good quality foreign Jackets in Gantok. and also Gangtok is famous for imported Snickers.
try buying one.

loonypooh · Jan 15th, 2008, 11:11

we were in gangtok in the first week of jan. It was quite hot. we didnt even need our sweaters.But if u planning to go to north sikkim, get plenty of warm clothes.We stayed at CHumbi residency on tibet road. Good peaceful hotel, very good food. And good room service.Priced at around 2700 a day, we got a discounted price of 2100

Dec 4th, 2007, 19:40	#17
backpakker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164	Ok..we just had some thermal stuff and a jacket ..you will get some winter wear in gangtok .. which you can just use and throw __________________ www.backpakker.blogspot.com

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Dec 4th, 2007, 19:23	#16
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	I'm wondering the same thing. Especially after this morning, which has been our first really cold morning of the winter here in New York. There's no way I'm going to be able to handle freezing temps without a coat, heavy sweater, scarf, hat, etc etc and it seems ridiculous to haul all that stuff just for a few days in Rumtek seeing the chaam dances. Advice?

Dec 4th, 2007, 19:44	#18
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	I figured they had sweaters, hats, etc. but it's really good to know you guys got by with jackets and thermals. I'm planning on bringing long underwear and a down vest for the more termperate Indian winter in Delhi and the surrounding areas -- you think I'll get by with that and what I can find cheaply in Gangtok?

Dec 5th, 2007, 09:30	#19
backpakker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164	Not an issue, I would think..You would need a good cap/hat and gloves which shd be available in Delhi if not in Sikkim . You can shop for your warm clothing in India . Suggest you bring a good jacket along with what you have planned though !

Jan 15th, 2008, 11:11	#23
loonypooh Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai,India Posts: 50	we were in gangtok in the first week of jan. It was quite hot. we didnt even need our sweaters.But if u planning to go to north sikkim, get plenty of warm clothes.We stayed at CHumbi residency on tibet road. Good peaceful hotel, very good food. And good room service.Priced at around 2700 a day, we got a discounted price of 2100

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