Tour plan for Kolkata-Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Gangtok

Prix

Hi!
I'd like to visit the North eastern Himalayas in Mid june. I'll be travelling with my parents (47 and 52). I'd prefer to avoid tour operators.

1. Please suggest a suitable route from Kolkata to the hills. Also which of the two is wiser?- Kolkata-Kalimpong-Darjeeling-Gangtok OR;
Kolkata-Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Gangtok?

2. Also what are the normal cab rates like for travelling? Would a ring route work out more cost effective?

3. How many days should one spend at each of these places?

4. Its a dream to see the Nathu La. will it be open for visitors at that time of the year?

5. Any other place in that route which is worth visiting and I've missed? (I've heard Kurseong is also a calm and peaceful place)

Any other tips...Last year I planned a wonderful trip to Manali-McLeodganj-Dalhousie thanks to the amazing tips I got from the travelers at Indiamike!

nikon_D300

Hi

But For How many days ????????

__________________
With Best Wishes...

Prix

about 20-21 days.

nikon_D300

hi,
20-21 days is more than enough to cover the whole of north eastern hills ..... Its good that you chose this long schedule as your parents can make the whole trip with ease and fine memories.

Regarding your queries :-----
1. Please suggest a suitable route from Kolkata to the hills. Also which of the two is wiser?- Kolkata-Kalimpong-Darjeeling-Gangtok OR;
Kolkata-Darjeeling-Kalimpong-Gangtok?

Ans : Kolkata - Kalimpong-Darjeeling-Gangtok is good enough

2. Also what are the normal cab rates like for travelling? Would a ring route work out more cost effective?

Ans : Cant give you any idea on exclusive fare for travelling. But if you are ready for share travelling then most of the travelling (up/down) cost will come down to an Average Rs.100-200(one way). Also in share Travelling you can meet up with more friends and you may enjoy more in your whole trip.

3. How many days should one spend at each of these places?
Ans : Oh dear, you have lot of time to spend !!! Well if you take my advice then it goes like this :- Check out the itenerary given below with new places to visit.

4. Its a dream to see the Nathu La. will it be open for visitors at that time of the year?
Ans :- Offcourse.

5. Any other place in that route which is worth visiting and I've missed? (I've heard Kurseong is also a calm and peaceful place)
Ans: - There are innumerable places to visit in whole of Eastern Himalayas.
Check my itenerary :-
1) Kalimpong -- 2 nights
2) Karseong -- 2 nights
3) Darjeeling -- 1 nights
4) Manebhanjyan -- 1 night ***
5) Sandakphu -- 2 nights ***
6) Darjeeling --- 3nights
7) Gangtok -- 3nights
8) Lachung -- 1nights
9) Lachen -- 1nights
10) Pelling --- 2 nights
11) Lava -- 2nights

*** Sandakphu is an easy Trek Route which can be covered by Jeep.
The Road is bit rough. But the whole trip is enjoyable. The
whole of Himalayan range will look upon you while to travel.
Sandakphu is at 12000ft. and you will get a mesmerizing 180
degree view of whole himalayan ranges with lofty peaks.
For this trip you have to stay at Manebhanjyan 1night for acclimatisaton.

What I have placed is a general IDEA. Now you have to arrange if possible to cover all these places.

Best Wishes

sagarneel

20 days is much more than sufficient for touring the places you have mentioned.
Do you have any problems with offbeat locations,? Are your parents physically fit? I could suggest a few great places...
Looking forward to hearing from you...

Prix

thanks a lot nikon!

Hi Sagarneel!
I'd love to visit off beat locations if they're peaceful and not like typical tourist spots...My parents are fit but not the kind who would trek! But nevertheless, if you know any places which are worth visiting and not very difficult to access, please let me know...
thnx!

nikon_D300

Try To spend sometime in Temiti Tea Estate Valley in Sikkim. Its a beautiful place to visit and stay.
Dear Prix, Sandakphu can be reached both by Trek & Jeep. They will charge 100/- extra for per night stay. I would bet the place is very remote and peaceful for you all to spend sometime out of this world with some breathtaking view of Himalyan Ranges.....Mt.Everest, Kanchenjunga, Three Sisters, Mt.Kumbhakarna, Pandim, Kabru, Siniolchu, Lhotse, Makalu etc...

Lots of foreigners visit this place and this place was found by the British.

Best Wishes

Prix

Wow!!!! this sounds really interesting! Going by the way I'm getting useful tips, I guess this holiday of mine is also going to be like the one I had last year visitng the northern Himalayas! thnks a lot people!

sagarneel

Hi Prix,
I tried to answer your query yesterday, but there was a problem with the server….
The best thing is that you have a lot of time in your hand. 20-21 days is way too much time to enjoy almost the entire Bengal and Sikkim hills.

As you said your parents are physically fit, I shall suggest you the following tour plan.

Day0- Departure form Kolkata to Siliguri / New Jalpaigri, by bus/train.

Day1- Head staright to Darjeeling. You’ll get plenty of buses, share jeeps. If fund is not a constrain, you can book a Sumo or Indica.. A share jeep will cost you somewhere around Rs 80 per head. If you book an Indica, it will cost approx. 1500. Bargaining is highly recommended.
If you like to be in place with lesser clutter and greater peace, Lepchajagat, a place 15 km from Darjeeling, should be your ideal destination. There’s a forest bunglow over there, which is the only mode of accommodation there. You can check the availability at www.wbfdc.com.

Days 1&2- Spend your time at Darjeeling/ Lepchajagat . Try your luck with the sunrise at Tiger Hill.. You can spend dome time at Tinchuley ….a hired car will take you and bring you back.

Day 3- Head for Loleygaon. I would suggest you this little village instead of Kalimpong. Quite a few hotels are available. There’s a wbfdc accommodation too!!! Check availability from the above website. I am not sure whether you’ll get a direct bus or share jeep service form Darjeeling to Loleygaon. You might have to book a car. The fare will be around 1000 bucks.
Spend this day in Loleygaon, enjoying doing nothing.

Day 4- Head for Rishap, another beautiful hamlet. Nestling amidst a hilly gradient, this little place offers stunning views of Mt, Kanchenjunga (like all the other places I stated). Note- You need to book car from Loleygaon to Rishap, and you should ideally keep the car so that it takes you to Sikkim. Jeep service is not available in Rishap. So, booking is car is essential.

Day 5- Move to Sikkim. Head straight to Gangtok. Relax in yor hotel or take a stroll.

Day 6- Go for a local sight seeing in Gangtok. Hire a taxi. Make sure to go to Rumtek monastery. Make your bookings for Nathula pass and North Sikkim during the evening. Yor hotel reception will help you out in this regard.

Day 7- Head for Nathula Pass. In June, there’s all probability that the road will be open. Enjoy the beautiful Tsomgo Lake on the way.

Day 8- Start you r North Sikkim tour. Go for a 4 days 3 nights package tour to Gurudongmar Lake, Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang. These places are accessible only by a conducted tour which needs to be booked from Gangtok or Kolkata. If you wish to make a prior booking instead booking the package from Gangtok, you are welcome .
North Sikkim, offers stunning views of wondrous landscapes. With its amazing waterfalls, beautiful valleys, and the high altitude lake , Gurudongmar (17.800 ft.), North Sikkim is MUST go.

Days 8 – 11- North Sikkim tour.

Day12 & 13- Spend a day at Singhik, on your way back to Gangtok from North Sikkim. Theres a couple of hotels there. This palce too, offers one of the closest views of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Day 14- Return to Gangtok. You’ll get a direct share jeep service from Singhik. Otherwise, take a jeep to Mangan, and return to Gangtok from there. Rest at Gangtok.

Day15- Go for a 2 day tour to Ravangla. Plenty of share jeeps are available from Gangtok.

Days 15 and 16- Enjoy the beautiful Ravangla. Make sure to go to the Temi tea garden, and buy some tea from there. The quality is wonderful!!!

Day 17- Head for Pelling. If you want a more peaceful destination, you can opt for Rinchenpong. Same views, but the latter provides a ore peaceful ambienece.

Day 18- Go for a 1 day conducted tour from Pelling/Rinchenpong. This tour involves the beautiful Khacheopalri lake, Kanchenjunga falls, Rimbi falls etc. A good tour.

Day 19- Descend from the hills to Siliguri. Board the night train/ bus.

Day20- Reach Kolkata.

This tour plan , should provide a good balance between a lot of touring and enough rest. I haven’t put Sandakphu in this plan, to accommodate North Sikkim, which , according to me is a wiser destination, keeping in mind the time of the year you are touring(monsoon renders the road to Sandakphu risky).

sagarneel

Enjoy your trip..

nikon_D300

But dear Sagar,

Gurudongmar i would not suggest as at this height at Approx.18000fit there tends to be breathing problem. At the age of 50+ you have to be very cautious. But i hope u can make it prix !!

"I TOO AGREE NORTH SIKKIM IS HEAVEN" sagar.

During rainy season hills are always risky. Thats very common....!! Even going to North Sikkim during Rainy season is very risky as you must know the road condition to North Sikkim !!!!! The road is dangerously beautiful. You cant avoid this beauty...ha ha...!

But Prix dont ever think negative........always think positive. Just go for it and I am sure the brave always wins..! Believe me, I have been there in both season and tell you not to worry.

Best Wishes.

sagarneel

Yeah!!!!!!
Whether you are in Sandakphu or in North Sikkim, you're in the Himalayas.....thats whats most important!!!!!!
I just provided another tour plan.....Iam sure, wherever you go, you'll enjoy your trip.....

Prix

Hi Everybody,
Thanx so much for all your wonderful suggestions and help.
With deep sadness I'm here to say that due to some unforseen crisis we've had to postpone our trip and now i hope to execute all these plans next year. I may need you all again at that time and feel sure that you all will be right there to guide me. I was so keen that though it may sound crazy, I've already started my count down.
Pl....ease be there for me next year.
Thanks once again!

sagarneel

Hi Prix,
Exegencies are a part of ,life....dont worry, plan well for the next year..and plan your visit around October or November..the weather remains the best during that time of the year.
Regards,
Sagarneel.