Sikkim - Weather NOW

jaekae

Hi,
I'm leaving for a week long trip of Sikkim in a couple of days and the places I'll be visiting are Pelling, Gangtok, Lachung, Yumthang, Katao, Zero Point, Lachen, Lake Gurudongmar.

Any pointers from localites / recent/ experienced travelers on how the weather there is like, now, especially in high altitude places in N. Sikkim? What are the temperatures like? How cold does it get at night? What kind of jackets/woollens should I carry? Any specific things I should carry (say torches etc)? Any relevant tips welcome!
Thanks,
- JK

tacita

oh, my, it seems you're soon to depart and have yet had no replies. i've been to sikkim only in february. it was very cold at night. it's probably warmer now, but you'll also be farther north than i was. i had a mini-mag-lite (small torch/flashlight) that i used to find the seemingly hidden candles in my hotel room when the power went out, and it was helpful, too, on poorly lit, hole-strewn sidewalks in the evening. probably an even better idea up where you'll be.

as for clothing, definitely be prepared with layers. i'm a big fan of long "silks" (undergarments), top and bottom, and i wore them every day and night. they dry quickly (well, nothing dried very quickly up there, come to think of it), very light-weight to carry and pack, a good first layer. a hat, gloves, and fleece were essential and, for me, who is always cold, a down jacket. you can probably get wool stuff there pretty easily but i'm allergic to it, so i didn't have that option.

sorry i can't offer more that's specific to your visit time, geography and altitude. hoping someone with more spring and north-country experience comes along before you leave...

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abhimeranaam

Me also leaving on 9th to visit the Sikkim's serene beauty,,,,, please if anybody could suggest and tell us both HOWZ WEATHER there ... would it be advisable to pack some heavy woolens ?? and what else (things) we must not forget to pack in.

bijapuri

daily reports here:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...?query=gangtok

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abhimeranaam

Wud April be the time to see alpine flowers and rhododendron FLowers and forests.. ??????????

Bhaswaran

Yes April-May is the prime time for rhododendron flowers and other alpine varieties. Do not miss Yumthang Valley , and if possible, visit Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary with a mild 4 km trek in West Sikkim.

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theyyamdancer

I was travelling in North Sikkim exactly a month ago. It must have warmed up since then. Anyway, in mid-March, I was very glad of my hat, gloves, thermal underwear, scarf and Down jacket. I also had a very warm sleeping bag. It is the night-time when you feel coldest. The hotels are comfortable (endless supplies of ginger tea and garlic soup) but you could see your breath when breathing out and first thing in the morning it was warmer outside at sunrise than it was indoors. We had a lot of snow in the Yumthang Valley - our route was blocked - and it was snowing when we visited Thangu and the Chopta Valley. Don't let that put you off! The scenery is amazing. The rhododendrons were in bloom then and will be even more spectacular now, I imagine. One very useful item is a small cushion for your back -those long jeep rides are something else - I used a cusion cover stuffed with discarded clothes that could then be folded up easily in the back-pack. Another very useful thing to have with you is a sleeping bag liner. Because sheets are not provided in the hotels, only blankets. And don't forget the Nepalese rock music to keep the driver happy! And some ear plugs for yourself. (Joke.)

jaekae

Thanks for your replies everyone; I'm sorry I had left before these were posted but am glad I had gone prepared! Anyways, reading all these posts took me back to those magical places
Thanks!
- JK

DeepPavi

Hi Jaekae,
Was katao and zero point accessible from Yumthang. I heard for road blocks bcoz of snow? I plan to be there on 3rd-4th May in an exclusive vehicle. Can these 3 sight seeing and return back to Gangtok by evening done in 1 day flat? Share your experience on the same.

jaekae

Hello again!
Yes, the routes to Katao and Zero Point were blocked due to snow (I was there on 10th Apr) and the jeeps go as far as the Army allows them to go.
If you have seen and played with snow previously, then you can skip these; but if you haven't done that before, go (as far as you can on the route) to Zero point. You'll see some good snow and can spend a good hour playing in some clean snow there! Plus the views from Zero point are awesome.

Anyway, enquire with the driver when you are there. If the entire route to Katao is open, then you can think about it, otherwise, I'd say skip it. There wasn't much to see at the place we were allowed to go up to. Plus the snow too had hardened here, so we did nothing but click a few snaps with some army officers there!
Btw, if you haven't negotiated these into your package, the drivers charge around Rs.1500 extra (per vehicle) for each of these - just so that you know!


Regarding doing all these in one day flat - here's what you can do - Katao is in a different direction. So go for an early start (5am-ish), see Katao and get back to your hotel for breakfast. Zero Point is beyond Yumthang on the same route - so leave after b'fast, finish these two and get back to your hotel by lunch time (you should be back around 1:30). Have lunch and start back for Gangtok, you should be there around 7pm. Yes this is very much doable; it'll be a long day for you, but worth the sights
Have a great trip!
- JK

DeepPavi

Hi Jaekae,
Thanks for all your inputs..just returned today at 6 AM. Had a really wonderful trip. zero point was fantastic.
I will post a detail of my trip later on. But must say managed lots of places in 5 days flat. Here is a preview:-

Day 1:- Reached NJP at 7AM. Went to Pelling at 1 PM. Local sightseeing at 2nd half.
Day 2;- Took a reserved vehicle. Toured Khechepuri lake,rimbi falls,kanchenjunga falls,Yuksam,Tashiding monastery,Ravangla and reach Gangtok by 7 PM.
Day 3:- Left for 2 days 1 night trip to Yumthang,Zero point.
Day 4:- Returned back to gangtok by 8 PM seeing Zero point and Yumthang Valley.
Day 5:- Took a reserved vehicle and saw Tsomgo Lake and returned by 2 PM to catch train from NJP at 8 PM.

jaekae

Hi DeepPavi,
Good to hear from you and that you had a great trip..look forward to reading details about your trip
- JK