Mumbai to Sikkim......What to experience.... and trekking

Kelly Garrett · Oct 22nd, 2008, 10:06

Hi. I'm a first timer. I arrive with a friend into Mumbai the 22nd of November. I have a friend there who will receive us and show us around. Then, we would like to somehow manage to get over to Sikkim and Darjeeling. (WOuld you recommend a flight? Do I need to book that from the states?)

So, once we make it there...We want to visit towns, markets, and festivals that might be going on.....etc. Also we are very interested in doing some trekking. (Recommended treks?) How will we get to where we want to trek? Do we rent a car? A bus?

What will the weather be like there and that time of year?
We will have about 6 days in that area........ unless there are other areas you might recommend making it to.
Any advice would be SO appreciated. This will be my first time going there. We are an adventursome duo. Is camping an option too?

This is my first question posted............ I hope I'm doing this right

kelly

travel joy · Oct 23rd, 2008, 13:49

Hi,
As for your journey from Mumbai, you can come by flight to Kolkata, catch the overnight train to Siliguri and then a car to Darjeeling.Else you can check for a direct flight from Mumbai to Bagdogra airport.
Since you have got around six days there will not be much time for travelling as well as trekking.You can visit Darjeeling, get a flavour of that place and then come to Gangtok, which is the capital of Sikkim.That is a 5-6 hours journey by car.From there you can check out spots in Sikkim like Pelling, Ravangla and Rinchenpong.
Since November is the onset of winter the climate will be cool. Happy journey..

Kelly Garrett · Oct 23rd, 2008, 21:55

Hey, thanks for the reply and suggestions!

I've got more:
Would we rent a car? How would we go about that? Is it dangerous for a couple of foreigners to be driving in India? And I suppose we would need an international drivers license....

Also, do you think that it would be dangerous for a couple of Americans to be trekking around in Sikkim?

My friend who lives in Mumbai thinks maybe it's not the best idea and suggested we go to Jaipur instead, where he has friends for us to stay with ( i know it's a whole other region......) Have you experienced both of these places?, and/or suggest one over the other?

Thank you
Kelly

Brisso · Oct 24th, 2008, 05:27

From Pelling there are low level trecks to surrounding towns - Yuksom, Ketchaperi Lake etc that do not require a guide. Guesthouses at each location. Bit of a train journey to Siliguri/ NJP but doable.

Kelly Garrett · Oct 24th, 2008, 06:26

thank you. lookin into it. k

travel joy · Oct 24th, 2008, 12:09

If you have proper permits, there is no such danger element in Sikkim; there are plenty of foreigners trekking there.I do not think you will be able to rent a car and drive on your own in Sikkim.You will have to use the local drivers.
Well as for Jaipur,it is in Rajasthan and that is a different flavour altogether.There are plenty of places to visit there which are rich in Indian tradition & history, wonderful palaces and forts and off course the desert.It is another favourite destination of tourists.Now you have to choose between the Himalayas and the desert depending what you really want to see.

nayan · Oct 24th, 2008, 12:19

Please look into the threads in the sikkim forum
http://www.indiamike.com/india/sikkim-f34/

In India, you will(in most cases) not get a rental car for self drive. When you hire a car, it comes with a driver.

Just as Traveljoy said, There is nothing dangerous about trekking in India as long as you follow the usual precautions of trekking anywhere.

Fan of India · Oct 24th, 2008, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Garrett

Then, we would like to somehow manage to get over to Sikkim and Darjeeling.
So, once we make it there...We want to visit towns, markets, and festivals that might be going on.....etc.
kelly

Hi Kelly,

The 'Outlook Traveller' site has got good details on what you are looking for.

The link is as follows:
http://traveller.outlookindia.com/de...on.aspx?id=687

Cheers,

Oct 22nd, 2008, 10:06	#1
Kelly Garrett Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 3	Mumbai to Sikkim......What to experience.... and trekking Hi. I'm a first timer. I arrive with a friend into Mumbai the 22nd of November. I have a friend there who will receive us and show us around. Then, we would like to somehow manage to get over to Sikkim and Darjeeling. (WOuld you recommend a flight? Do I need to book that from the states?) So, once we make it there...We want to visit towns, markets, and festivals that might be going on.....etc. Also we are very interested in doing some trekking. (Recommended treks?) How will we get to where we want to trek? Do we rent a car? A bus? What will the weather be like there and that time of year? We will have about 6 days in that area........ unless there are other areas you might recommend making it to. Any advice would be SO appreciated. This will be my first time going there. We are an adventursome duo. Is camping an option too? This is my first question posted............ I hope I'm doing this right kelly

Oct 23rd, 2008, 21:55	#3
Kelly Garrett Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 3	thanx.... and a/b renting cars, trekking, danger, and thoughts on Jaipur? Hey, thanks for the reply and suggestions! I've got more: Would we rent a car? How would we go about that? Is it dangerous for a couple of foreigners to be driving in India? And I suppose we would need an international drivers license.... Also, do you think that it would be dangerous for a couple of Americans to be trekking around in Sikkim? My friend who lives in Mumbai thinks maybe it's not the best idea and suggested we go to Jaipur instead, where he has friends for us to stay with ( i know it's a whole other region......) Have you experienced both of these places?, and/or suggest one over the other? Thank you Kelly

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Oct 23rd, 2008, 13:49	#2
travel joy Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Posts: 239	Hi, As for your journey from Mumbai, you can come by flight to Kolkata, catch the overnight train to Siliguri and then a car to Darjeeling.Else you can check for a direct flight from Mumbai to Bagdogra airport. Since you have got around six days there will not be much time for travelling as well as trekking.You can visit Darjeeling, get a flavour of that place and then come to Gangtok, which is the capital of Sikkim.That is a 5-6 hours journey by car.From there you can check out spots in Sikkim like Pelling, Ravangla and Rinchenpong. Since November is the onset of winter the climate will be cool. Happy journey..

Oct 24th, 2008, 05:27	#4
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,084	From Pelling there are low level trecks to surrounding towns - Yuksom, Ketchaperi Lake etc that do not require a guide. Guesthouses at each location. Bit of a train journey to Siliguri/ NJP but doable.

Oct 24th, 2008, 06:26	#5
Kelly Garrett Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 3	thank you. lookin into it. k

Oct 24th, 2008, 12:09	#6
travel joy Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Posts: 239	If you have proper permits, there is no such danger element in Sikkim; there are plenty of foreigners trekking there.I do not think you will be able to rent a car and drive on your own in Sikkim.You will have to use the local drivers. Well as for Jaipur,it is in Rajasthan and that is a different flavour altogether.There are plenty of places to visit there which are rich in Indian tradition & history, wonderful palaces and forts and off course the desert.It is another favourite destination of tourists.Now you have to choose between the Himalayas and the desert depending what you really want to see.

Oct 24th, 2008, 12:19	#7
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	Please look into the threads in the sikkim forum http://www.indiamike.com/india/sikkim-f34/ In India, you will(in most cases) not get a rental car for self drive. When you hire a car, it comes with a driver. Just as Traveljoy said, There is nothing dangerous about trekking in India as long as you follow the usual precautions of trekking anywhere.