West Sikkim- Uttarey, Pelling, Bermiok, Okhrey, Barsey - After Earthquake

Thanks IM friends for responding to my PMs. Just now I booked 21st night at Okhray & 22nd night at Varshey. The rest ,I hope, would fall into places soon:-) My return ticket is on 29th May,Ruchira. I am considering spending the last night at Baramanwa which is near Teesta bajaar.

Hi Ruchira,

First of all I would like to say a big THANKS! to you for sharing this travelogue. It is an excellent source of information for travel newbies like me or any one who want to explore west and south Sikkim.

I'm planning for Bersey/ Versey trip this May but want to clear out some points prior that.

I'm looking a straight bersey trip and won't be like to go for any other places this time. What is the fastest and cheapest (we're some friends travelling on a strict budget)way to reach versey from NJP ? I've heard that in 1 day it will be possible to reach bersey, so is their any place near to bersey from where we could trek to bersey ? If yes then plz give some approx idea about the rents and all.

Secondly expect Guraskunj at bersey is there any other place to stay there ? Is there any arrangements like dormitory ? What is the expense for staying at guraskunj/ head ?

Well I guess I've asked many questions but couldn't resist asking this last one have you found the wild berries beside the trekking path towards bersey?

Thanks a lot in advance

Thank you Aritro for the good words.

Most quick yet economical way would be to go to Sombaria/Okhrey via Jorethang in shared cars.
You will get shared car for Jorethang(there are a few to Sombaria also) from Siliguri. The stand is just at the opposite of Payel Cinema. Ask any ricksaw or auto to drop you to Jorethang stand near Payel cinema.
It would take 3-4 hours to reach Jorethang and another 1-1.5 hrs to reach Sombarey. You will get shared car to Okhrey from Jorethang. If you get a shared car to Sombarey from Siliguri, go for it and then reserve a car to Hilley. From Hilley you can trek to Barsey. The trek route is a easy one. So if you are late,still you can reach Barsey in the evening.

Apart from Guraskunj there is a Forest Guards' barrack which is converted to a guest house.
Guraskunj consists of only one family room and dining in the ground floor and a large dormitory at the 1st floor. We were charged at Rs 800 p.h with food and the caretaker Bandhu had said it is the rate for dormitory.But as there were no other guests the room was allocated to us.
Guraskunj also arranges for tents in its compund. I asked the rate but can not remember right now.

For the last question,I do not have a clear idea on how the wild berries look, but I have not noticed any berry like fruits.

Ruchira, Really enjoyed your account of your trip, gave me lots of ideas for my upcoming trip to Sikkim in Sept-Oct. Great fotos too!

Thank you Palwandave.

Thanks a lot ghosh.ruchira for your insightful information.

How is the weather in west sikkim during june-july

Wet & cold. Wind cheater/ rain coat is effective.

So Santanu - you will be off to Okhrey and Varsey this month-end! Looking forward to your trek photos in this thread.

ghosh.ruchira - you've really inspired us to go to this beautiful part through your lovely and detailed write-up.

Thank you Akarn_navokas.

Santanu da, have a nice trip.

Thanks Akarn_Navokas & Ruchira. I should be in the Himalayas this time next Monday.

loved going through your experience in Sikkim.
One has to leave vehicle behind and take a walk among the Sikkamese countryside else any number of visits would remain incompleate, thats for sure.
But was sad to see someone mention that tourism has somewhat changed the simple nature of its people.
Hope its not that bad also like our concrete jungle in the plains.

Very informative post Ruchira - many thanx. And looking at your photos it seems that it will be a photographer's paradise.

I'm thinking of going to Varsey, Uttarey, Bermiok and Kaluk during the pujas this year. I have been to Pelling before - so I'll skip that. My plan is something like this -

Day 1: NJP to Uttarey, night stay
Day 2: Uttarey sight seeing
Day 3: short walks in the morning, travel to Hilley in the afternoon, night stay at Hilley
Day 4: Trek to Varsey and back, night stay at Hilley
Day 5: Travel to Kaluk, night stay
Day 6: Sight seeing around Kaluk & Bermiok, night stay at Kaluk
Day 7: back to NJP

Does it make sense? I have two kids - one 10 yrs - he has been to walks before, the other is nearly 5. For them I'd need some decent accommodation.

Can anyone please let me know if this plan is any good?

Regards
Arijit

Dear Ruchira, thanks for the nice travelogue & beautiful pics... I'm planning to visit Pelling & Rinchenpong this Oct 2012... I will arrive NJP on 19th OCT 2012 around 1:10AM & will leave from NJP on 22nd OCT 2012 evening... Could U pls suggest me a budget travel plan covering these two places plus any other nearby places... I may be accompanied by my wife or may come alone depending on the situation... awaiting ur response... Thanking U in advance... Anjan

Last June was my 2nd visit to Sikkim. Previously I wwent to gangtok and Pelling. But this time it was a spectacular experience all together. My husband decided to go to few off beat destinations, away from crowded folk. So our plan trip included Auritor, Zuluk and Rishikhola. No words to explain, however I would surely take some time to detail my trip here with few pics.

For now, we plan to revisit sikkim, this time may Uttarey in the coming year March. I hope that will be a good time to visit Uttarey?
Can anyone suggest the best available accommodation in Uttarey?