Visiting Gurudongmar, Yumthang early this November

amitava

Hi Everybody,

I am new to this Forum and find this a truly remarkable place to get first hand info.

I am planning to visit Gurudongmar and Yumthang during the first week of November. Would greatly appreciate if I could get the following info:

Can we put up at Yumthang for the night or do we need to come back to Lachung the same day ?

How cold would it be at that time ? Would we be able to make it to Gurudongmar and Yumthang at that time of the year ?

Rgds,
Amit..

Bhaswaran

Hi Amitava,

Welcome to Indiamike.

It will be cold in North SIkkim in November. So take adequate clothing.

You can make it to both the places in this time.

You cannot stay at Yumthang. You have to stay at Lachung and visit Yumthang, and have to stay at Lachen and visit Gurudongmar.

amitava

Thanks Bhaswaran for the quick reply ..

I have been awed by the pictures of the plateau of gurudongmar. It's truly surreal and I find it hard to believe the pictures. Just can't wait to see it with my own eyes.

as far i've read, thangu falls on the way to gurudongmar. Is there anyway we can halt for the night at thangu ?

Rgds,
Amit..

kumar111

Hi Amitava,

There's no way you can halt at thangu coz the travel agent will not allow you to do so.

Bhaswaran

it depends...I have heard of experiences of someone halting at Thangu (at the jeep driver's home) but Thangu is devoid of any facilities. You have to a bit more adventerous and tell the Jeep driver that you want to stay in his home if it is at Thangu...just try your luck

Subhrajit_sg

Hi Amitava,

We are also going to visit North Sikkim during that period.
We have confirmed our trip and it will be 4 nights / 5 days tour to North Sikkim including Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley, Lachen, Lachung, Katao, Yumthang, Yumesamdong and Zero point. 2 nights stay at Lachen and 2 nights at Lachung.

Hope we will meet there....

Thanks
Subhrajit Sengupta
Kolkata

amitava

Hi Subhrajit,

Are you talking to any travel agencies ? Do pass on some info like how much they are charging for the trip, acco provided etc.

All chances that we might meet somewhere in north sikkim ...

Thanks,
Amit..

Bhaswaran

My advice is - do not book from Kolkata, there will be brokers and will cost more to your pocket. Go to Gangtok and bargain. You will be the gainer.

clawhammer

Thangu is much less inhabited and being situated in a broad valley, offers better views than Lachen though the accomodations will be very basic. But isn't that the fun of going to these places? Unless comfort is ur top priority u can give it a try
But there r certain things that u should be aware of:
1. Thangu is close to 13000ft, so its not wise to go directly from gangtok. The travel agencies plan the night stay deliberately at lachen to allow u to acclimatise
2. But if u r bent on staying at Thangu and can overcome these problems, then u'll need to get in touch with the locals. Most of the jeep drivers will have contacts thr, who can arrange for acco thr.
3. U need not prebook since early november is still high season and u can easily find a deal suitable for u. I went thr last year in late december, without prebooking and still found myself heading for Lachen next morning for just 2000 bucks!!
4. high season cost for 3d/2n trip varies from 2200 to 3000
5. explore a few travel agencies to judge which one offers a better deal
6. I went with an agency based on the Diesel Power house road of Gangtok. Can't recall thr name but thr service was excellent
7. To stay in Thangu u might need to go in for a 4d/3n package.

__________________
.... Wanderer of Lonely shores....
http://www.subhojitchakz.blogspot.com/

amitava

Thanks for all that info .. consider myself much wiser now

Subhrajit_sg

Hi Amitava,

Yes, I have booked my trip with a Travel Agency based on Gangtok. It will cost 28000 for 6 persons, and it will be 4N / 5D tour to North Sikkim [Gurudongmar, Yumthang] including Yumemsamdong - Zero point, Katao. We don't have to pay anything extra to Driver for these places. 2N in Lachen and 2N in Lachung.
Accomodation will be the budget category and one exclusive cab will be provided for us only.

Most of the travel agencies offer you 3N/4D trip for Rs.4000/5000 per head and you have to pay extra for places like Katao and Zero Point.

Don't go for travel agencies those are arranging the tour via other agencies. It will much more costly. You may find many of these type of agencies on NET!!!

If you need help then I am here.

rian

Hi guys,

I am planning to make a trip to North sikkim according to the following itenary. Is it compulsory to book your north sikkim trips through travel agents as they say that you need special permits for visiting north sikkim even for indian nationals.

No of persons: 4 people

19th October : Leave from Gangtok to Lachen . Stay Over night at a Village home stay (preferably) or a nice small resort with decent accomodation. Can anyone suggest good places with contact name and numbers to stay at lachen ?

20th October : Leave for Gurudongmar lake early morning and return to Lachung from there . Stay Over night at Lachung again village home stay ( preferably ) or a nice small resort. Suggest good acco with contact name and number for lachung ? Does anyone has the contact details of apple valley resort in lachung?

21st October : Travel to Yumthang and travel back to Singlik or some where in between for a night halt at some decent place if there are any. Any idea of a small resort or village stay on the route from lachung to gangtok for a night ?

22nd October : Travel to New Jalpaigudi directly from our night halt place. Train leaves in evening from NJP/

We would need a nice comfortable Mahindra jeep for our ride ( preferably ) or else a Tavera / Tata Safari

Please suggest if our itenary looks too hectic as my parents are 60 nd 53 years of age ?

Thanks for the information

@ subhrajit : Can you give me the contact details of the travel agency from where you have booked your trip?

Rian

clawhammer

Everybody (even Indian nationals) need a permit to visit North Sikkim. The travel agent can get it for you within a day. It is more relaxed and convenient to go with a travel agency.
Also if you bargain well, you might get a very profitable deal as well. If you can team up with another group of 4 then it will be a better deal since you can hire the entire car and regulate your pace.
I have seen people in their late 50s comfortably completing and enjoying their trip (even play with kids on snow!). So it may not be a problem but you should not overexert yourself. The primary concern should be how they adjust to altitude. But I think its worth taking chance, especially considering the view that it offers - a once in a lifetime experience.

amitava

Do we need to submit any papers (like passport / license xerox) for getting the permit ??

clawhammer

no papers is required ..... just your name and age. but just to be on the safe side keep a photo ID card along with you.