Trip to Sikkim in Jan

Hi,

We're planning to visit Sikkim next week (end Jan) and had a few queries :
1. How cold is it in SIkkim and what would be the average temperatures in Gangtok, Lachen and Lachung around this time? Will it be raining around this time and should we carry waterproofs?
2. Has anyone stayed at Hotel Apple Orchard at Lachen and Yarlam Resorts in Lachung? Any feedback regarding these 2 resorts?
3. We are planning to try to go upto Gurudongmar Lake...but in case it is inaccessible due to snow/landslides , could anyone suggest any other place to visit in/around Lachen? We will be staying 1 day in Lachen before proceeding to Lachung.
4. Will Yumthang be accessible at this time and if not any alternate places we can visit or walk around/hike someplace in/around Lachung?

Thanks in advance!

Hi IndiaMikers,
Just back from a fantastic trip to Sikkim and many thanks to all of you for all the info and help I got from you all! We got snowfall in North Sikkim and weather was sunny and glorious everywhere we went! I would like to post a travelogue about our expereiences - so does anyone know how I can upload my trip report & photographs to either Journal or Articles in IndiaMike? I couldn't locate any Link or Button which allows me to add my entry...so need help on how to upload my travelogue.

Thanks IndiaMikers for all te help and suggestions! We just got back from a fantastic 8 day trip to Sikkim and here's my trip report:
http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...journal&j=9603

hi modeb
just went thru your trip details and pictures.Absolutely fantastic.
I am planning a trip to north and west sikkim in late april. as i am travelling with two small kids i am quite particular about the hotels ,their services etc . After much research i zeroed down to apple orchard in lachen and yarlam resorts in lachung but was suspicious about their services. Your account has put my mind to rest.However there are few details on which i would like to have information from you.
Did u book these two resorts thru some travel agency or personally? which way it would be economic?
do these hotels provide adequate drive,permit etc to travel in north sikkim?
please let me know the package details(cost etc) u took for lachung and lachen
thanks very much

Hi Can u prove soem idea about expenses to tour north sikkim and west sikkim

One Agent quoted me Rs 5.5K for Nathula day trip - is it ok ?

Also 3N/4D north sikkim trip is quoted as Rs 23K for 3 people in a jeep is it realistic ? I am planning to visit first week of April. Please help me to plan my budget

@open_2see... its definitely costly.. .. am also planning to visit Gangtok & north sikkim from 30th march with my wife.. .. i have got lots of tour operators contacts and also the taxi drivers.. .. i got min 1500 for north sikkim 2nt/3days trip per person on sharing basis (max 8) including fooding lodging travelling and all.. and nathula trip 800 per head on sharing basis too. .. from all the advices i got, everyone is preffering to visit sikkim on sharing basis.. .. 4-6 persons..

@modeb .. can u please provide me the contact numbers and prices of the hotels you stay on ur trip to gangtok, lachen and lachung.. .. my mail id is shrikant_agrawal83@yahoo.co.in

@ Modeb,

Nice write up and amazing photos..

Hi modeb
nice travelog and pics...i had been to sikkim just a month b4 of urs i.e. dec 2nd week and cud manage to visit Gurudongmar lake...being thr is once-in-a-lifetime experience.
have a look at my photographs

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/amitvi...rePhotographs#

Thanks for your info. I will be in Gangtok on 2nd April and plan to start for North Sikkim on 5th morning for 3D/2N trip. Would like to share with one family. We are 3.

Shrikant Thanks for yr response...
I plan to start 4D/3N North sikkim trip starting 5th April 2010 from Gangtok. would like to share with 2 more person (we r 3 so total 5 people in the vehicle) I received a quote of 25K. Any one interested to join ? pl send me personal mail in open_2see@yahoo.co.in