A Little Help for short North Bengal tour

stake501 · Apr 7th, 2008, 19:03

Hi guys

i have booked tickets for the entire family to West Bengal for puja.

On bijoya dashami (10th october) we will fly to bagdogra from kolkata and arrive at around 15:00.

We have to be back at bagdogra for a 15:30 flight back to kolkata on the 17th October(my flight back home leaves on the 18th).

Now for what to do. Can you help me with a suggested itinerary for this short trip. What we want to do is see darjeeling (tiger hill of course), Kalimpong and spend at least two days at Jaldapara.

Any suggesions on mid-range places to stay and the best/most economic way of commuting around north bengal to see these wondeful sights. and if you think we should be able to squeeze some other place in, please advise. I have been given the task of organising this holiday.

Cheers

somnath · Apr 11th, 2008, 00:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by stake501

...... I have been given the task of organising this holiday.

Cheers

Congratulations ……….. new responsibility

!!!!!!! ha ha ha….
Darjeeling + Sikkim is not a bad idea. seeking Darjeeling info and advice - if this thread helps you to collect some Darjeeling info. Sorry no firsthand info for Kaziranga.

stake501 · Apr 11th, 2008, 01:02

nice one somnath

kaziranga is off the menu now- too far and a hassle to get to when you only have 7 days

jaldapara however is most certainly on, but i've been told it is closed on thursdays so i have to switch my itinerary around

i was originally thinking bagdogra - darjeeling - kalimpong (and gantok)- jaldapara - bagdogra over the seven days but now think jaldapara has to be done first

mousourik · May 16th, 2008, 13:05

Instead of Kalimpong (and Gangtok), think of Lava-Lolegaon.

stake501 · Jun 24th, 2008, 22:27

right....still need a little help on this

Firstly ls hope the strikes are ended soon (especially by October)

Jaldapara is closed on thursdays and saturdays are only for tour package groups. If you want to stay in Hollong Rest House, the date opens up exactly 3 months before you the date you want to occupy, and can only be booked in Siliguri or Calcutta with up front payment of cash....(absolute madness)

anyway, I will send a relative up to BBD Bagh to pay for this in July.

So we arrive at Bagdogra around 1pm on friday 10th october
and leave at around 3pm on friday 17th october

Will be in Jaldapara from 13th and 14th leaving on the 15th.

So whats the best way to spend the rest of the days....i.e. 10th-13th (not including time to get to Jaldapar) and the 15th-17th in N Bengal.

mousourik · Jun 24th, 2008, 22:49

I think, under the circumstances, only bimal gurung can say whether north bengal will be the right choice then.

cutiepie · Jun 25th, 2008, 14:04

I m really going mad with the thought of the strikes continuing till eternity

Me too planned a short trip to north bengal/sikkim during pujas, but cant really go ahead and make the bookings as i really dont know wat wud be the situation.

Stake... you can definitely try for lava-lolegaon. heavenly place to be in the the forest bungalows are so cosy. U wud get a spectacular view of the snow capped peaks from there too.

stake501 · Aug 12th, 2008, 20:20

OK IM'ers

Jaladapara has been booked, which was a nightmare, so it better be worthwhile

My new provisional itinerary is

Fridy 10th Oct
- Arrive Bagdogra (PM)
- Take Jeep to Darjeeling (overnight) (PM)

Sat 11th Oct
- Darjeeling (overnight)(AM/PM)

Sunday 12th Oct
- Tiger Hill (very AM)
- Leave for Kalimpong PM
- Kalimpong (overnight)

Monday 13th Oct
- Kalimpong
- Day trip to Lava/Lolegoan or Gantok (is this possible)
- Kalimpong (overnight)

Tuesday 14th Oct
- Leave for Jaldapara
- Jaladapara (overnight)

Wednesday 15th Oct
- Jaladapara (overnight)

Thursday 16th Oct
- Leave Jaldapara for Mirik/Siliguri/Cooch Behar
Overnight at one of the above

Friday 17th Oct
- Get to Bagdogra for 2pm fight out of North Bengal

My main questions are:

1./For the Thursday, after leaving jaladapara, where is a reasonable place to go which wont make getting to the airport the following day a hassle or tight experience?

2./Is it reasonable to do a day trip to Gantok or Lava/Lolegeon from Kalimpong or should we stay overnight there?

3./Do I need a car and driver for the whole week or is it more convenient/cheaper to source teh car/driver for each leg of the journey as needed.

somnath · Aug 13th, 2008, 01:02

Great!!!!
My personal opinion :

#1
Mirik is near Darjeeling. Hence you can cover this Mirik from Darjeeling. Jaldapara > Shiliguri (nightstay) is better or any small place in between.

#2
Only Gangtok visit …. Well not recommended. There are so many things in Sikkim. Beter to stay at Rishap (if possible). And next day at Delo (I don’t think you’ll get a room there – it should be over by now).

#3
It would be better if you rent a car from Shiliguri > Jaldapara > Shiliguri. And for rest of the places no need to keep a car for whole week.

abhijit.s · Aug 13th, 2008, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by somnath

Great!!!!
My personal opinion :

#1
Mirik is near Darjeeling. Hence you can cover this Mirik from Darjeeling. Jaldapara > Shiliguri (nightstay) is better or any small place in between.

#2
Only Gangtok visit …. Well not recommended. There are so many things in Sikkim. Beter to stay at Rishap (if possible). And next day at Delo (I don’t think you’ll get a room there – it should be over by now).

#3
It would be better if you rent a car from Shiliguri > Jaldapara > Shiliguri. And for rest of the places no need to keep a car for whole week.

why not Moorty..

stake501 · Aug 14th, 2008, 03:31

Somnath: Are you saying it would be easier/more realistic to go back down to siliguri to get to jaldapara, rather than get a car from kalimpong (or surrounding area)direct to the national park?

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Apr 7th, 2008, 19:03	#1
stake501 Jake. I need my money...Jake Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 65	A Little Help for short North Bengal tour Hi guys i have booked tickets for the entire family to West Bengal for puja. On bijoya dashami (10th october) we will fly to bagdogra from kolkata and arrive at around 15:00. We have to be back at bagdogra for a 15:30 flight back to kolkata on the 17th October(my flight back home leaves on the 18th). Now for what to do. Can you help me with a suggested itinerary for this short trip. What we want to do is see darjeeling (tiger hill of course), Kalimpong and spend at least two days at Jaldapara. Any suggesions on mid-range places to stay and the best/most economic way of commuting around north bengal to see these wondeful sights. and if you think we should be able to squeeze some other place in, please advise. I have been given the task of organising this holiday. Cheers __________________ Live fast, Die Young, Leave a good looking corpse

Apr 11th, 2008, 01:02	#3
stake501 Jake. I need my money...Jake Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 65	nice one somnath kaziranga is off the menu now- too far and a hassle to get to when you only have 7 days jaldapara however is most certainly on, but i've been told it is closed on thursdays so i have to switch my itinerary around i was originally thinking bagdogra - darjeeling - kalimpong (and gantok)- jaldapara - bagdogra over the seven days but now think jaldapara has to be done first

May 16th, 2008, 13:05	#4
mousourik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KOLKATA, INDIA Posts: 1,188	Instead of Kalimpong (and Gangtok), think of Lava-Lolegaon.

Jun 24th, 2008, 22:27	#5
stake501 Jake. I need my money...Jake Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 65	right....still need a little help on this Firstly ls hope the strikes are ended soon (especially by October) Jaldapara is closed on thursdays and saturdays are only for tour package groups. If you want to stay in Hollong Rest House, the date opens up exactly 3 months before you the date you want to occupy, and can only be booked in Siliguri or Calcutta with up front payment of cash....(absolute madness) anyway, I will send a relative up to BBD Bagh to pay for this in July. So we arrive at Bagdogra around 1pm on friday 10th october and leave at around 3pm on friday 17th october Will be in Jaldapara from 13th and 14th leaving on the 15th. So whats the best way to spend the rest of the days....i.e. 10th-13th (not including time to get to Jaldapar) and the 15th-17th in N Bengal.

Jun 24th, 2008, 22:49	#6
mousourik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KOLKATA, INDIA Posts: 1,188	I think, under the circumstances, only bimal gurung can say whether north bengal will be the right choice then.

Jun 25th, 2008, 14:04	#7
cutiepie Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: KOLKATA Posts: 60	I m really going mad with the thought of the strikes continuing till eternity Me too planned a short trip to north bengal/sikkim during pujas, but cant really go ahead and make the bookings as i really dont know wat wud be the situation. Stake... you can definitely try for lava-lolegaon. heavenly place to be in the the forest bungalows are so cosy. U wud get a spectacular view of the snow capped peaks from there too.

Aug 12th, 2008, 20:20	#8
stake501 Jake. I need my money...Jake Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 65	OK IM'ers Jaladapara has been booked, which was a nightmare, so it better be worthwhile My new provisional itinerary is Fridy 10th Oct - Arrive Bagdogra (PM) - Take Jeep to Darjeeling (overnight) (PM) Sat 11th Oct - Darjeeling (overnight)(AM/PM) Sunday 12th Oct - Tiger Hill (very AM) - Leave for Kalimpong PM - Kalimpong (overnight) Monday 13th Oct - Kalimpong - Day trip to Lava/Lolegoan or Gantok (is this possible) - Kalimpong (overnight) Tuesday 14th Oct - Leave for Jaldapara - Jaladapara (overnight) Wednesday 15th Oct - Jaladapara (overnight) Thursday 16th Oct - Leave Jaldapara for Mirik/Siliguri/Cooch Behar Overnight at one of the above Friday 17th Oct - Get to Bagdogra for 2pm fight out of North Bengal My main questions are: 1./For the Thursday, after leaving jaladapara, where is a reasonable place to go which wont make getting to the airport the following day a hassle or tight experience? 2./Is it reasonable to do a day trip to Gantok or Lava/Lolegeon from Kalimpong or should we stay overnight there? 3./Do I need a car and driver for the whole week or is it more convenient/cheaper to source teh car/driver for each leg of the journey as needed.

Aug 13th, 2008, 01:02	#9
somnath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,371	Great!!!! My personal opinion : #1 Mirik is near Darjeeling. Hence you can cover this Mirik from Darjeeling. Jaldapara > Shiliguri (nightstay) is better or any small place in between. #2 Only Gangtok visit …. Well not recommended. There are so many things in Sikkim. Beter to stay at Rishap (if possible). And next day at Delo (I don’t think you’ll get a room there – it should be over by now). #3 It would be better if you rent a car from Shiliguri > Jaldapara > Shiliguri. And for rest of the places no need to keep a car for whole week.

Aug 14th, 2008, 03:31	#11
stake501 Jake. I need my money...Jake Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 65	Somnath: Are you saying it would be easier/more realistic to go back down to siliguri to get to jaldapara, rather than get a car from kalimpong (or surrounding area)direct to the national park?

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