Sikkim is nicely tucked into the Eastern Himalayas. A trip to Sikkim is not complete without breathing in the views of North Sikkim (Lachen and Lachung). A short trip to Pelling is also recommended which offers upclose and intimate conversations with Mount Kanchenenjunga, the world's third tallest peak. Gangtok is the access point for North Sikkim so you could spend 2 days exploring Tsongo lake, Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir and Rumtek monastery from there.
Gangtok siteseeing:
1) Rumtek monastery which is 1 hour drive from gangtok…
2) Tsongo lake (25 kms from gangtok),
3) nathula pass/ baba mandir (50+ kms from gangtok, 25kms from tsongo lake)
4) within gangtok city --- MG marg (shopping center),
5) 7 points in gangtok (you can skip this)…
Our driver was a nice person. Talk to him about siteseeing around gangtok..
Driver name: Karma – 9609851237
Gangtok is 140 km from Bagdogra Airport. You can take a vehicle from the airport to gangtok. No need of booking anything in advance.
Things to book in advance
- hotel in gangtok
- north sikkim tour
Pelling siteseeing:
Visit Pelling which is about 4-5 hrs from gangtok. You could stay at Mt Pandim (Elgin group hotel). The view of Mount Kanchenjunga from the hotel is just amazing.
Pelling is 150 km from Bagdogra Airport and 135 Km from Gangtok.
North Sikkim Trip
North sikkim can be done only thru tour operators. They charge for the complete package including travel from/to gangtok, hotel stay/food/permits in north sikkim.
I would suggest you keep a day in gangtok before heading to north sikkim cause you would need to acclimatize. You can do the local site seeing in gangtok on the first day.
Day 1
Drive from Gangtok to Lachen village in North Sikkim. Lunch on the way. Sight seeing of waterfalls and places. (5 hrs. drive). Stay at Lachen.
Day 2
Drive to Gurudongmar lake at 17500 ft. Its about 2:30 hrs -3:00 hrs one way. Ideally leave early so that you reach Gurudongmar at around 10:00 AM. Remain there for 1 -1:30 hr and then return. You can see tibet along the way. Gurudongmar is accesible only to Indian citizens. You would find army bunkers along the way to the lake.
Lunch back at Lachen. Drive from Lachen to Lachung in about 2 hours.
Day 3
After breakfast an excursion to Yumgthang valley and Shingbha Rhododendron sanctuary and Hot spring. Return to Lachung for Lunch. After Lunch drive from Lachung to Gangtok. Its a 4-4:30 hour drive. Sight seeing and lunch on the way. Tour ends with a drop to Gangtok.
You would require passport size photographs and photocopies of your Identity card/passports as the same is required for the permit.
We did not plan to cover Zero point. You coud ask the Tour operators about it. Zero point would have to be covered from Lachung as a base. i.e. on Day 3.
IMP NOTE: Our driver was a nice chap… talk to him first and see if he can organize your north sikkim trip. i.e. don’t go thru the tour operators but thru him since it will cost less. The tour operators anyway would ask someone like him to organize your trip.
Driver name: karma/denzing – 9474649411
Lachung (North Sikkim) is
116 Km from Gangtok
48 Km from Lachen
24 Km from Yumthang
38 Km from Donkiala (Zero point)
33 Km from Yumosomdong
26 Km from Katau
Lachen (North Sikkim) is
122 Km from Gangtok
48 Km from Lachung
28 Km from Thangu
60 Km from Gorudongmar
27 Km from Chungthang
Tour operators for North Sikkim: we went thru yak and yeti tours…
1) yak and yeti travels - info@yaknyeti.com, visitsikkim@yahoo.com, slg_yaknyeti@bsnl.in,
cost: Rs. 14,200- ( traveling in group of two persons). Inclusive or all meals, hotel stay, travelling, permits etc.
Satish Bardewa, Tel:+919434117418/+919933008822, visitsikkim@yahoo.com
www.yaknyeti.com www.summitsikkimhimalaya.com
2) Prabir Sen travels.. Costs a bit less than yak and yeti but yak and yeti is better…
Prabir Sen -- www.fortunalachung.com
e-mail address: prabsen@gmail.com
3) Marco Polo travels.
Hotel information:
Gangtok
1) The Nor-Khill, Gangtok
Telephone : 91-3592-205637, 200170, 200171, 220064
Fax : 91-3592-205639
email : norkhill@elginhotels.com
They are heritage hotels.
reservations@elginhotels.com
http://www.elginhotels.com/index.html
http://www.elginhotels.com/theelgin.html
2) Mayfair
Phone +91 359 2250009
Fax +91 359 2250009
e-Mail gangtok@mayfairhotels.com
3) Tashi Delek
http://www.hoteltashidelek.com/
M G Marg,
Gangtok 737 101,
Sikkim, India
Phone: (+91 3592) 202991, 202038, 204156 / 57 / 58
Fax: (+91 3592) 202362
e-mail : reservations@hoteltashidelek.com
4) Denzong Inn
Denzong Cinema Chowk, Lall Bazaar Road,
Gangtok 737 101
Sikkim, India
Phone: (+91 3592) 202692
Fax: (+91 3592) 202362
e-mail : denzonginn@rediffmail.com
5) orange village resort
http://www.orangevillageresort.com/gallery.htm
Direct Line : +91-3592-251442 / 251443. Mobile: +91-94342-35565. Fax: +91-3592-251518.
orangevillageresort@rediffmail.com
6) the royal plaza
http://www.theroyalplazahotel.com/
The Royal Plaza, Upper Syari, Gangtok - 737102, Sikkim.
Tel : +91-3592-280032 /280232; Fax : 03592-281112;
Email : trp@sarovarhotels.com
7) the royal demazong
http://www.theroyaldemazong.com/
The Royal Demazong(A Mountain Resort), GRBA Road, Chongay Tar,P.O. Raj Bhawan,
Gangtok-737103,East Sikkim. Phone: +91-3592-203043/44 Fax: 203045
Mobile:+91-94340 -24070 / 98320 - 87334 / 99330 - 07780(EPBX).
Email:info@theroyaldemazong.com, sikkiminfo@yahoo.com
8) hotel heruka
http://www.hotelheruka.com/
Hotel Heruka.
Near New Taxi Stand,
31 A, National Highway, Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Ph: 03592-280793.
Mobile: +91-9832544234.
E-mail: hotelheruka@gmail.com
9) samrasa resort
http://www.saramsaresort.com/
9474982226
enquiry@saramsaresort.com
Pelling
1) Elgin Mt Pandim
http://www.elginhotels.com/index.html
reservations@elginhotels.com
2) norbughang
http://www.sikkiminfo.net/norbughang/
Norbu Ghang Resort
Pelling - 737113
West Sikkim
Ph: (03595) 250566, 258272, 258245
Fax : (03592) 258271
3) tashi gang
http://www.tashigangresort.com/
Hotel Tashigang,
Yuksom, West District
Sikkim
Ph. No. (03595) 241202 / 241203
Darjeeling
1) The Elgin, Darjeeling
Telephone : 91-354-2254082/2257226/27
Fax : 91-354-2254267
email : elgin@elginhotels.com
reservations@elginhotels.com
http://www.elginhotels.com/index.html
http://www.elginhotels.com/theelgin.html
2) Mayfair, Darjeeling
http://www.mayfairhotels.com/darjeeling_about.aspx?page=darjeeling&sid=abt&lid=ovr
Phone +91 354 2256 376
Fax +91 354 2252 674
e-Mail darjeeling@mayfairhotels.com
3) windamere
http://www.windamerehotel.com/windamere.asp
reservations@windamerehotel.net
reservations@windamerehotel.com
4) the viceroy
http://viceroyhoteldrj.com/
V I C E R O Y - Hotel.Restaurant
17, Gandhi Road
Darjeeling-734101, West Bengal, India
Near Clock Towers, The Mall, Darjeeling
+91-354- 22 56165,22 59556
+91-354-22 59556
Reservation@viceroyhoteldrj.com,viceroydarj@sancharnet.in
5) fortune park
http://www.fortunehotels.in/
http://www.fortunehotels.in/HotelResort/main.aspx?ID=5+yeWJcHG7GSduIbKhSshg==&PType=PHvq0A5geZ3y1ymDUQbVHA==
Fortune Resort Central, Darjeeling
Robertson Road,
Darjeeling - 734101
Tel: 0354-2258721/22/23
Fax: 0354-2258720
e-mail: centralresort@fortunehotels.in
6) sinclairs
http://www.sinclairshotels.com/
http://www.sinclairshotels.com/darjeeling/index.php3
Hotel Sinclairs Darjeeling
181/1, Gandhi Road
Darjeeling
West Bengal 734 101
Tel : (+91 0354) 2256431, 2256432, 2256948, 2256949
Fax : (+91 0354) 2254355
darjeeling@sinclairshotels.com
7) cedar inn
http://www.cedarinndarjeeling.com/
Cedar Inn
Jalapahar Road, Darjeeling
West Bengal, India - 734101
Phone: +91-354-2254446/2253598
Fax: +91-354-2256764
Email: cedarinn@satyam.net.in
