Lolegaon-Rishap-Sikkim in Feb

NeelRoy

Hi Friends,

My first post in this wonderful forum...I plan to make my honeymoon trip from 8th Feb'10 till 18th Feb'10. Initially I was thinking about going to north Sikkim only but then I decided to pack in some time for Lolegaon

I been there with my brother on 2005 during pujas and simply loved the tranquility so I plan to visit once again. I have been reading through various posts for the last few days and have come up with the following plan (Sikkim part I will be posting in another thread)...

8th Feb: Board Darjeeling Mail from Sealdah

9th Feb: Reach NJP in morning, take a cab to Lolegaon (around 2000/ I think)...now I have read that Hornbill is THE place to stay (last time we stayed with a local family)...so do I book it right away? Any significant difference with other cottages? Anyway we spend the night at Lolegaon

10th Feb: Take the canopy walk (is this ok now?) and roam around enjoying the peace

11th Feb: Trek to Rishap (I believe its 4 KM)...do you think it will be ok? And most importantly, I have never been to Rishap so do I need to stay there for a night or do we come back to Lolegaon? Any other place worth visiting there (maybe Tiffindanra)?

12th Feb: Checkout from Rishap/Lolegaon and move to Gangtok. Please let me know from where can I book cars for this and whats the approx charge.

The above does not appear to be very good plan but its the best I could come up with...do you think it will help if we move straight to Rishap from NJP, stay there overnight, trek to Lolegaon the next day and after 1 or 2 days move to Gangtok by car?

Looking forward to help from experienced members Also I think the remaining 5/6 days will be ok for a north Sikkim tour

Do let me have your views on this

NeelRoy

Ohh...in that case, I need to take a cab to Rishap perhaps? Or should I first move to Rishap from NJP, spend the night there and then move to Lolegaon?

I do not intend to stay at Lava since there is too much crowd

apurba1982

HI Neel,
I welcome you in Indiamike. Normally Destination Lava-Lollegaon-Rishap thread is the most popular one and that is why your new thread about the same place was not given attention atleast by me.Sorry for that.
I think you should not skip Lava (I am sure in that time Lava will be very less crowded..as it is only the onset of the season).Also from Lava/lolegaon you will be able to hire car to Gangtok whearas from Rishap it is a bit unlikely in that time of the year as the Car syndicates are not in full fledged condition for less no of tourists.The 4 seater rate from Lolegaon to Gangtok is Rs. 2300 if you go via Mongpong, and via Kalimpong it will be Rs 2600.
I think you should go by this:
NJP>Rishap(neora valley resort)>Lava(wbfdc, Dukpa 1 or Lepcha 1)>Lolegaon(Hornbill 3 or 4)>Gangtok...

5-6 days are enough for package Tour to North Sikkim ( Infact 2nt 3 days one is enough), but there is some doubt how far you will be able to go(Gurudongmar..Katao:confused : ) as there are every chances of road blockade due to heavy snowfall in that time..

... Let me know if you have any other query..
Thanks..

__________________
Planning.....

apurba1982

See the last year availability chart for February in WBFDC, Lava..It was all Vacant..no rush at all.Please visit there...Specially for honeymooners going at that time, WBFDC Lava is incomparable to any other place in West Bengal.

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NeelRoy

Apurba, thanks a lot for helping...in fact I went through your entire post at least a couple of times before I posted it helped me a lot

I would like to plan my travel like this...

NJP->Rishap->Lolegaon->Gangtok (North Sikkim tour)->NJP

I agree Lava will not be crowded at that time but is it worth spending time there (only a monastery)? I would rather spend time at Rishap...However I am bit confused here so request your suggestion

I hope I can get transport from Rishap to Lolegaon else I plan to hike to Lava (from Rishap) and from there travel to Lolegaon

I shall leave on 8th Feb from Kolkata and take return train on 18th Feb from NJP

I know it is asking too much of you but can you please chalk out a plan for me for the pre Sikkim part (where to stay and how many days etc)

Also I dont remember if I noticed anything regarding the booking for Neora Valley resort so any info will be great...and you are right in the sense that GD lake, Chopta will not be available (most probably). I had a discussion with MarcoPolo and they are quoting Rs. 9150/ per head (+ Rs 6000 in case GD lake, Chopta is accessible) I think this is a bit on higher side. I might go with Mr. Prabir Sen in that case...

Lastly thanks once again for helping a newcomer

apurba1982

Very sorry to know that you are so much reluctant to visit Lava..which is a must for Honeymooners if one is staying at WBFDC in that time of year.The beauty of this quiet and romantic place lies in its dense forests of Berch, Pine and Juniper and the variety of orchids which you will never understand unless you visit...

NeelRoy

Apurba, in that case please let me have an itinerary for Lava/Lolegaon/Rishop ... however in that case I have to cover all 3 places within 4 days so the schedule will be hectic I believe I dont just want to hop from one place to another, hope you understand

I simply have to keep remaining days for north Sikkim

Please provide your final suggestions so that I can go and make the bookings ASAP...if possible also provide inputs regarding the cost for Marco Polo

apurba1982

Ok...Skip LAVA.. then also you wont be able to enjoy the trekking route between LAVA and Rishap through the Neora VAlley Resort.

Day 1 Start for NJP
Day 2 Start for Rishap from Njp, reach there at 12 O'clock(Neora Valley Resort)see http://holidayhomeindia.com/hhi_rishop.htm for booking
Day 3 Stay at Rishap..visit to tiffindara for Sunrise/sunset
Day 4 Start for Lolegaon (cab: RS.900/-)Insist the driver to bypass the route via Lava for a few more rupees..Evening Canopy walk in Lolegaon... night stay..
Day 5 Start for gangtok from Lolegaon.

I do think marcopolo is asking too much..you should talk to Mr Sen about their rate..however if Marcopolo is providing full SUV just for you 2 it is Okay then..Normally in a sharing basis the local travel Agent arranges 2nt 3 dys tour within RS. 3000/ per head for Gangtok to Gangtok covering GD-Zero mile-Katao.

For the 2 night three day package contact below. They have very good service. Food and stay is included. Price is aprox. Rs.2700(500 rupees Extra for Zero mile)per person. Just book with them. No need for sending advance.

www.tourhimalayas.com.
Galaxy Tours and Treks
Metro Point, Gangtok,
Sikkim - 737 101, India
Phone: 91-3592-222 4692, 222 5600
Mail: galaxytravels@rediffmail.com

Thanks.........

NeelRoy

Apurba,Roj...I have planned as below...

Date Plan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
08-Feb-10 Board train from Sealdah at 10 p.m.
09-Feb-10 Reach NJP at 8 a.m. -> Reach Rishap by car by 12 at Neoara Valley Resort
10-Feb-10 Stay at Rishap..visit to Tiffindara for sunrise/sunset
11-Feb-10 Trek/take cab to Lava before lunch -> take cab to Lolegaon
12-Feb-10 Stay at Lolegaon -> Canopy walk
13-Feb-10 Start for Gangtok -> Stay at night
14-Feb-10 Move out in morning/noon for 3N/4D North Sikkim tour
15-Feb-10 Sikkim tour
16-Feb-10 Sikkim tour
17-Feb-10 Sikkim tour -> return to Gangtok in evening
18-Feb-10 Checkout from Gangtok at noon -> Move to NJP and board train at 8 p.m.
19-Feb-10 Reach Kolkata at 6 a.m.

Hope this seems ok to you

apurba1982

Good Plan..
What about travel agency for North Sikkim? Marcopolo or other?

NeelRoy

I am going with Fortuna (Mr. Prabir Sen)...pfb the details

--------------------------------------------------------------
DAY 01: GANGTOK - LACHEN.
After breakfast drive to Lachen for about 6 hours. Enroute visit Singhik View point, Seven Sisters Water Falls, Naga Water Falls. Stop on way for lunch. Reach Lachen by evening. Dinner at hotel. Overnight halt at Lachen hotel.

DAY 02: LACHEN - GURUDONGMAR - LACHUNG.
Early Morning after breakfast start for an excursion tour to Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley & Thangu. Back to hotel for lunch. After lunch transfer to Lachung. Reach Lachung by evening. Dinner at Hotel. Overnight at hotel. .

DAY 03: LACHUNG -YUMTHANG EXCURSION (24 KM. & 11,800 FT)
Early Morning after breakfast drive for 24 km to Yumthang-valley (known as Valley of Flowers), Yumthang is the summer grazing ground of the Yaks & winter playgrounds of Yetis. On the way back visit Hot Spring considered to have medicinal properties. Back to hotel for lunch. Afternoon free to stroll around Lachung village. Dinner at Hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04: LACHUNG- GANGTOK (ABOUT 125 KMS/6 HRS)
After breakfast drive for Gangtok ,enroute witness the Beautification of the wonderful Bheema & Twin Falls. On arrival at check-in to your hotel at Gangtok. Overnight at hotel.

TOUR END.

For the above itinerary our best possible rate is Rs. 18,500/- nett inclusive of all the taxes for 2 person at The Fortuna - www.fortunalachung.com with AP plan ( breakfast + lunch + dinner ) for entire tour from Gangtok to Gangtok by an exclusive non A/C sumo or max.

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Hope this is alright I am going to ask about Cherry guest house from Mr. Sen since I have heard good reviews about it

One more thing,GD lake will most probably be inaccessible so should I ask for a decreased rate in that case?

apurba1982

I have heard that Furtuna offers a very luxurious stay with every comfort.I think they have offered u a pretty good rate, but you must ensure front seating in the cab, if not beside driver atleast in the the second row, viewing front.

How did you book with them? Online transaction or by EMO?

NeelRoy

Mr. Prabir Sen has confirmed the following...

"If there in any inaccessible for Gurudongmar Lake & Chopta Valley due to natural condition then the cost will be revised @ Rs. 2,000/- nett"

I will book tomorrow by depositing 25% advance through netbanking

Also I will definitely follow your advice while in the jeep

One small thing, Mr. Sen has quoted 1200/ for 1 day sightseeing in Gangtok...is this worthwhile or its better to just roam around ourselves?

apurba1982

"If there in any inaccessible for Gurudongmar Lake & Chopta Valley due to natural condition then the cost will be revised @ Rs. 2,000/- nett"

..Good

Mr. Sen has quoted 1200/ for 1 day sightseeing in Gangtok...is this worthwhile or its better to just roam around ourselves?

.. If the tour is covering Tsomgo-Nathula then it is very much reasonable, if not,.. Costly..No doubt.

NeelRoy

Ok, thx for the info...I will find out