tour in N. Sikkim/Dzongu-cost appropriate?

JanineG

I emailed a tour operator about costs for a homestay in Dzongu for a few nights, then moving on to Lachung for one overnight with a trip to Yumthang. Below are the costs they stated. they seem high to me. The vehicle to Dzongu and retention fee seems high and the Lachung/Yumthang cost really seems too much. I have heard from others that it is less expensive to wait until one is Gangtok and arrange a tour. My concern, though, is we really want to do a Dzongu homestay and I'm not sure if this can be arranged the day before. None of the homestay agencies are responding, so we must go through a tour operator for the Dzongu homestay. Any comments?

1. The Dzongu home stay with all meals cost INR 1600 per night per double room
2. Additional cost for Camping overnight at Pentong estimated at INR 1000 for porterage
3. One night for one double room at Lachung Le Coxy Resort with Yumthang excursion and R/T transportation is INR 12,180
4. Vehicle to Dzongu and retention charges - INR 2500 per day
5. Local Guide for Dzongu - INR 750 per dayg Valley. Below are the costs they stated:

username_x

I have just come back from a trip to North Sikkim.
We spent two nights at Dzongu and then proceeded to Gurudongmar.
From what I gather, these rates are very high.

Dzongu home stay should cost at least half of that amount.
I stayed at the house of a Lepcha friend whose wife runs a Home Stay and makes excellent food. I can give you the contact details if you want.

I didn't go camping, but my friend mentioned some Rs. 300 - 400 for porterage per night.

I have no clue about the Lachung resort. It could be that expensive. Another good option, from what I hear, is Fortuna Lachung, though I haven't been there. Rates are available on their website.

Vehicle charges may come out to be Rs. 2,500 or a little less. Depends on how many people are sharing the cab with you. Exclusive taxi upto Dzongu will cost you somewhere around Rs. 1,400 while a shared cab may cost only 150 or so. Shared cabs ply from Vajra stand in Gangtok, though a cab for Dzongu may not leave regularly. Another option is to take the cab upto Mangan and then take another cab to Dzongu (not too far from Mangan). Both cabs should be fairly easy to get.
I can't say about the local guide thing ... although I think even this may turn out to be a little cheaper.

Hope I have been of help.

JanineG

Thank you so much for your help. The contact information for the Dzongu homestay option would be much appreciated. We are still debating between north Sikkim and west/south Sikkim, but are trying to gather as much information as we can. THanks!

username_x

From what I hear, West Sikkim is pretty commercialized .. especially Pelling, Yoksum etc. .. and the tourist season has started (will continue upto October end/ mid November).

Contact Gyatso Lepcha at his email ID g23rongkup<at>yahoo<dot>com .
He is a dear friend and a very nice guy at heart. He'll help you with everything.

username_x

For anyone visiting this thread .. this guy made his website. See the beauty of Dzongu at http://www.mayallyang.com/ .

roj,roy

Hi JanineG,
The rate varries with hotels. Home stays are always very expensive. To make your trip cheaper you can stay in economy hotels in Gangtok instead of Dzongu. For North Sikkim you have to book through travel agents for your entire trip.