Sikkim by bus ?

Anilk222

Was just wanting to know if there is a bus/ taxi connect from Kolkatta to Gangtok ? Also is June a right time to visit Gangtok?

kausiks

I do not think there is any direct bus service. But you can always take the bus from Kolkata to Siliguri and then connect to another bus/shared jeep/hired jeep. From Kolkata you have a lot of options regarding the type of bus you want - comfortable Volvos to ordinary 2x2 buses. Journey time is 12 hours and is an overnight journey. From Siliguri its another 4-5 hours to Gangtok.

June is monsoon time in the eastern Himalays. Mountains have a different kind of beauty in the rains. So there is nothing wrong with the timing. The downside would be - no clear views of the Himalays and possibility of landslides.

proud 2 b sikkimese

True to Kaushik....its more of a landslide days out here....

http://sikhim.blogspot.com/

rimbick

Hi,

I think, you back again...

For the other "monsoon-trekkers" up to September:
+ trekking is possible (i. e. Singalila N.P./ WB "on the paper" closed
+ you love it quite? there are no other trekkers...
+ if you have to walk on the roads, there is not to much traffic
- may be half time its raining,
- no mountain views (very low clouds/ mist)
- slippy ways
- sometimes difficult to take the right path, because the vegetation crows fast and locals don't move to much in this time
- leeches (are no danger)
- not all places to stay/ eat are open

From Kolkata to Siliguri or back:
. avoid to take the bus, the road is horrable and in monsoon are more danger
+ book online the train
. my experience (min. 20 x) is, that a fast (Rocket...)bus needs minimum 14 h, last year I arrived in Kolkata the next afternoon at 4 p.m. (= 22 hours) without any breakdown!!!
. not far from Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (from NJP-train station arround 7 km) ist the SNT-Bus Terminal, there you get a bus, outside arround a jeep or van to Gangtok

The monsoon is not really the time for trekking or just to visit the mountains there. My own record are three days and nights medium/ heavy rain nonstop...
No problems... I love this area with and without rain!

chief61

"avoid to take the bus, the road is horrable and in monsoon are more danger"

Roads are much better now and so the bus journey ,
Try to book on royal cruiser Volvo bus , I did this
journey only during last month so the comment is.

Cheers

__________________
Rainbow Warrior

rimbick

Good to listen this abbout the roads!
What abbout traffic jam to go out/ in Kolkata?
Because of more and more traffic the bus needs a very long time within the city area...

In juli 2008 the Volvo-service was not availaible because of spare part-problems. The ticketsaler spoke abbout problems with the shock absorber because of thre road condition.
In march this year I'm lucky to take the train again.

One thing for sure: in the train its possible to sleep and you reach relaxed the destination, in the bus you get bumped!
The bus service is after train my second possibility...
It is a time question/ seat avaibility.

chief61

My comments is only about the roads and bus,
Choice is whether Train or bus is left
to individuals.

Cheers