Sikkim vs Darjeeling?/Sikkim from Delhi

rahul__rahul__ · Jul 15th, 2006, 23:49

Hello, I am thinking of going to Sikkim next year in the summer (it is monsoon season but oh well..?), could any of you sum up the difference between sikkim(gangtok) and darjeeling and which is better in your opinion?
and also, what is the cheapest way of arriving to Gangtok from New Delhi, but somewhat comfortable (such as a train ride)?
Thanks

Rahul

mani · Jul 17th, 2006, 14:53

Well to compare the two willnot be fair.

Darjeeling as a hill station is crowded, noisy and well a touristy place and filled with bangla bandhu. our stay for one day was enough for us. we did enjoy the visit to the zoo and the mounteneering institute.

Gangtok in comparision is cleaner, quiter and generally a happier place to be in.

If I have to make a choice then sikkim - there is no question about it.

To get to gangtok:

1. Take the train to New Jalpaiguri ( train no 2506 guwahati Express dep : 6:40 arrival : 9:15, 4084 Mahananda exp dep :6:35 arrival : 1405hrs)
2. From Newjalpaiguri take a share jeep, bus to gangtok : travel time 5 hrs cost share jeep 150-200/ per person

hope you have a great time

Mani

somnath · Jul 17th, 2006, 15:48

This is a very common but really very tough question. In my opinion :
Gangtok – very clean, disciplined, safe place where wine is dart cheap.
Darjeeling – Queen of Hills, Govt. did their best to ruin her glory. If you are able to ignore the market and explore the town (mainly upper part of Darjeeling) you will be amazed. It is so beautiful.

The bottom line it should be a combo tour, Darjeeling + Sikkim. If you love hill stations plz don’t miss any one of them.

I just love Sikkim but I cant ignore these features of darjeeling:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89618521@N00/139578852/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89618521@N00/138954454/
or
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89618521@N00/139548707/

And Mani, your observation is absolutely right

. Darjeeling and Puri is the most favorite destinations of Bengali tourists. Moreover, Darjeeling is the biggest market of eastern Himalaya since last 100 years. Thousands of people are dependent on this market so it is crowded.

Cheers,
Somnath

arunchs · Jul 17th, 2006, 16:51

In case you also want to go around sightseeing, Sikkim has many many options than Darjeeling.

rahul__rahul__ · Jul 17th, 2006, 20:04

Ok thanks.

How much does it cost to go from Delhi to New Jalpaiguri by train?

Would it be better to go from Delhi-New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling-Sikkim or Delhi-Kolkata-Darjeeling-Sikkim and see Kolkata too?

If we go to Sikkim, we will also be seeing Darjeeling .

How are Darjeeling and Sikkim in the Monsoon season?

rahul__rahul__ · Jul 17th, 2006, 20:17

Oh and also, is it possible to go to Bhutan from Sikkim/Darjeeling?

mani · Jul 18th, 2006, 11:46

weather to stop at kolkata on the way is your decision. you can go directly from Delhi to newjalpaiguri without getting to kolkata.

Personally I would not miss kolkata. I will let the Imers from Kolkata lobby for their city.

Delhi Newjalpaiguri by train would cost Rs. 440 (II sleeper), 1100 (3AC), 1680 ( 2AC). you can check it on the following site

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/.

As far as I know it is possible to get to bhutan from Siliguri/Darjeeling

Mani

somnath · Jul 18th, 2006, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by mani

Personally I would not miss kolkata. I will let the Imers from Kolkata lobby for their city.......

Ha ha ha…….. Mani –

BTW, when you are planning to visit Kolkata?

Rahul, that’s a good idea. I think you will enjoy a couple of days in Kolkata.
There are so many wonderful threads in West Bengal section regarding Sikkim + Darjeeling trip and this is the thread I always try to ‘promote’ :
seeking Darjeeling info and advice

You can go to Bhutan from NJP / Shiliguri to Phuntsholing – 150 KM. (Mani is also right, it is possible from Darjeeling too but then you need to come down to Sevok which is not far away from Shiliguri. So I think if you are hiring a car from Shiliguri, it would be more economical than darjeeling).

ferml · Jul 19th, 2006, 11:48

As I understand it, the closest airport is in Bagdogra, which is approx 90k from Darjeeling (estimated at a 2.5hr cab ride).

Does that sound right?

somnath · Jul 19th, 2006, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferml

......
Does that sound right?

Perfect

.
If the road is clear, Bagdogra to Darjeeling 3+ hr. and Gangtok 5+ hr.

san_dady · Jul 20th, 2006, 01:32

In sikkim, the govt is constructing an airport near "Pakyong", But it will take ages..

Jul 15th, 2006, 23:49	#1
rahul__rahul__ राहुल Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 166	Sikkim vs Darjeeling?/Sikkim from Delhi Hello, I am thinking of going to Sikkim next year in the summer (it is monsoon season but oh well..?), could any of you sum up the difference between sikkim(gangtok) and darjeeling and which is better in your opinion? and also, what is the cheapest way of arriving to Gangtok from New Delhi, but somewhat comfortable (such as a train ride)? Thanks Rahul

Jul 17th, 2006, 15:48	#3
somnath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,371	Hi Rahul, This is a very common but really very tough question. In my opinion : Gangtok – very clean, disciplined, safe place where wine is dart cheap. Darjeeling – Queen of Hills, Govt. did their best to ruin her glory. If you are able to ignore the market and explore the town (mainly upper part of Darjeeling) you will be amazed. It is so beautiful. The bottom line it should be a combo tour, Darjeeling + Sikkim. If you love hill stations plz don’t miss any one of them. I just love Sikkim but I cant ignore these features of darjeeling: http://www.flickr.com/photos/89618521@N00/139578852/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/89618521@N00/138954454/ or http://www.flickr.com/photos/89618521@N00/139548707/ And Mani, your observation is absolutely right . Darjeeling and Puri is the most favorite destinations of Bengali tourists. Moreover, Darjeeling is the biggest market of eastern Himalaya since last 100 years. Thousands of people are dependent on this market so it is crowded. Cheers, Somnath __________________ Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow. * My Travel Pix...

Jul 17th, 2006, 16:51	#4
arunchs Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 296	In case you also want to go around sightseeing, Sikkim has many many options than Darjeeling. __________________ My India travel blog and my Images from India

Jul 19th, 2006, 11:48	#9
ferml Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 32	Flying to Darjeeling/Gangtok As I understand it, the closest airport is in Bagdogra, which is approx 90k from Darjeeling (estimated at a 2.5hr cab ride). Does that sound right?

Jul 20th, 2006, 01:32	#11
san_dady Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 53	In sikkim, the govt is constructing an airport near "Pakyong", But it will take ages.. __________________ Sikkim

Jul 17th, 2006, 14:53	#2
mani Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: body in Mumbai - mind in himachal Posts: 456	Well to compare the two willnot be fair. Darjeeling as a hill station is crowded, noisy and well a touristy place and filled with bangla bandhu. our stay for one day was enough for us. we did enjoy the visit to the zoo and the mounteneering institute. Gangtok in comparision is cleaner, quiter and generally a happier place to be in. If I have to make a choice then sikkim - there is no question about it. To get to gangtok: 1. Take the train to New Jalpaiguri ( train no 2506 guwahati Express dep : 6:40 arrival : 9:15, 4084 Mahananda exp dep :6:35 arrival : 1405hrs) 2. From Newjalpaiguri take a share jeep, bus to gangtok : travel time 5 hrs cost share jeep 150-200/ per person hope you have a great time Mani

Jul 17th, 2006, 20:04	#5
rahul__rahul__ राहुल Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 166	Ok thanks. How much does it cost to go from Delhi to New Jalpaiguri by train? Would it be better to go from Delhi-New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling-Sikkim or Delhi-Kolkata-Darjeeling-Sikkim and see Kolkata too? If we go to Sikkim, we will also be seeing Darjeeling . How are Darjeeling and Sikkim in the Monsoon season?

Jul 17th, 2006, 20:17	#6
rahul__rahul__ राहुल Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lexington, Kentucky Posts: 166	Oh and also, is it possible to go to Bhutan from Sikkim/Darjeeling?

Jul 18th, 2006, 11:46	#7
mani Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: body in Mumbai - mind in himachal Posts: 456	weather to stop at kolkata on the way is your decision. you can go directly from Delhi to newjalpaiguri without getting to kolkata. Personally I would not miss kolkata. I will let the Imers from Kolkata lobby for their city. Delhi Newjalpaiguri by train would cost Rs. 440 (II sleeper), 1100 (3AC), 1680 ( 2AC). you can check it on the following site http://www.indianrail.gov.in/. As far as I know it is possible to get to bhutan from Siliguri/Darjeeling Mani

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