This is an alternate plan to the original tour plan that included North Sikkim travel along with other parts of Sikkim. Sadly, North Sikkim area is going through a series of natural calamities that started in october 2023 (Glacial outburst of South Lhonak lake with the accompanying flood) and later in 2024. Also note that authorities are stringent on North Sikkim tourist permits in case of weather conditions or forecast etc.
So when you are planning well ahead, it might be a wise decision to have a Plan B, even if North Sikkim remains your Plan A!
Recommended Season: October to May
Note that we can reduce the hiking part to make it a week long-tour while touching most of the places and adding some side (day) walks therein. For the more advcnture oriented people we may fit a weeklong high altitude trek in your 2 week’s Sikkim-Darjeeling tour.
“We are interested in doing the North Sikkim tour, starting in Bagdogra. Would like to know if it is possible to extend with 1 day in Gangtok to do a day trip to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathu La Pass.
After returning in Gangtok from the North we don’t want to go back to Bagdogra but like to go towards Yuksom as we are interested in the Sikkim Monastery circuit trek as well.
Last question: any recommendations for a relaxing hotel/resort in Bagdogra as we will stay there for 2 nights after arriving in India.
Thanks a lot for your information and flexibility.”
Greetings of the day from India 🙂🙏. Thank you for reaching out to us, HIMALAYA TREKKERS (HT).
We would be more than happy to arrange a tour for you in Sikkim and adjacent areas, as that suits your plan.
Unfortunately at present North Sikkim is cut off from rest due to flash flood and accompanied rain that occured in the upper Teesta valley some 10-12 days ago. Main roads and bridges are washed off and authorities are still evacuating stranded tourists. Its unlikely that things will be open and permits will be issued by the time you visit. We don’t recommend to plan a North Sikkim tour in the near future.
However, West or South Sikkim is not impacted due to this incident. Apart from our Monastery circuit trek there are places of interest like Pelling, Ravangla, Namchi, which offer fanastic mountain views on a clear day. Approach to Gangtok from West is operational at present. Your travel time is ideal to get clear weather with grand views.
Also if you have not planned for Darjeeling already, you may spend a few days before entering Sikkim. There are treks, homestay with tea garden trail and sightseeing opportunities around Darjeeling as well.
If we may know your travel plan or ideas, then we can suggest or fit accordingly. Please feel free to share any inputs.
“Thanks for reaching out. Sorry to hear about the bad situation in the north of sikkim. Hope we can adjust our plans a bit with your help.
We will arrive in Delhi on November 10th and have booked a flight to Bagdogra the same day, arriving around noon local time.
For the rest we did not book anything yet.
Our return flight to Amsterdam from Delhi is on November 27th early in the morning.
Would appreciate if you could do a proposal for an itinerary starting in Bagdogra where we still can experience Sikkim within current restrictions to North Sikkim.
What we like:
– basic travelling
– also open for a bit more luxury here and there
– trekking / hiking
– contact with people
– good food
– nature has the preference but we also like to visit a city / village once in a while
Maybe you can send us some proposals to further discuss?”
Greetings and thank you for sharing all the details.
So keeping a week or so for the Golden Triangle etc. we have approximately 2 weeks for Sikkim.
Now you may spend these two weeks entirely inside Sikkim or maybe a few days in Darjeeling/West Bengal and the rest in Sikkim?
One such circuit is Bagdogra – Darjeeling and around ( 2 to 3 Nights) – Pelling (2N) – Khecheopalri to Tashiding (Monastery circuit trek with Yuksom, some extensions 5 to 6 N) – Ravangla/Namchi (2N) – Gangtok – (2 to 3N) – Bagdogra
We would like you to look at destinations mentioned above. We may modify, add or subtract as you will suggest.
“Thanks for your suggested itinerary outline. We have been reviewing the suggestions and would like to ask you to do an offer for the following plan:
12 nov leave from Bagdogra to Darjeeling
3 nights in Darjeeling
1-2 nights in Pelling
Monastery trek with additional day/night in Yuksom (open for any additional suggestions to extend)
1 night Ravangla
1 night Namchi
3 nights Gangtok when Tsomgo lake + surroundings day trip is possible to include
Back to Bagdogra”
Here is the itinerary we propose:
Suggested itinerary for Darjeeling – Sikkim
Day 1: Bagdogra IXB (afternoon) – Stay in Siliguri or around (maybe at Kurseong which is approx 2 hours drive from airport on the way to Darjeeling ( approx 80 km, 3 to 4 hours from IXB).
Day 2: At Darjeeling – Afternoon around Mall walk around -. Accommodation in a homestay with a garden and mountain views (10 mins drive from city centre) or in a hotel (3-4 mins walk from the main mall area with mountain view room).
Day 3: Darjeeling – DHR Joyride (~9:30 am) , approx 2 hours, lunch (Suggestion: Tibetan kitchen/Glenary’s), visit HMI/Small zoo/natural history museum (all in the same compound), Tibetan refugee centre etc. all walking distances around the mall area.
Day 4: Mari(a)bong Tea Garden or Mim Tea Estate, 1 hour drive from Darjeeling. Just relax, walk around a bit in the tea garden/local market. Note that @ Maribong there is only one basic tourist lodge and @Mim option is to stay in a luxury Tea Retreat.
Day 5: Pelling – Drive from Maribong to Pelling ~ 70 Km, 3 hours, on the way get your Inner Line Permit (ILP)/RAP for Sikkim at Rammam check post After lunch visit Sangachoeling monastery. Homestay/hotel in upper Pelling with fantastic views or any hotel or resort as per your choice.
Day 6: Khecheopalri – After breakfast visit Pemayangtse monastery and the adjacent Rabdentse ruins in Pelling. Have your lunch and drive to Khecheopalri 1 hour or so. Monastery beside the lake etc. Homestay on the hill top.
Day 7: Khecheopalri. Morning hike to Tara Cave and back. In the 2nd half explore the villages and monastery adjacent to the homestay etc. Homestay on the hill top. In the evening we may try to learn/see momo or any local dish preparation in the kitchen. Or you may see/learn a bit of gardening/farming in the morning/afternoon depending upon time. (Our extended Sikkim monastery circuit starts)
Day 8: Yuksom. Hike to Yuksom, 4 to 5 hours. Explore some monument, coronation site. lakes and local monastery in the afternoon/evening/next day morning. Homestay.
Day 9: Hongri. Hike to Dubdi monastery and then continue till Hongri monastery. Homestay. 4 hours.
Day 10: Sunon. Hike to Pa Hongri Top It is at ~ 2700 m height and gives good views of the high mountains on a clear day with some old ruins at top. back to Hongri for lunch and then trek to Sunon, total 6 to 7 hours. Homestay.
Day 11: Tashiding. Sunon to Tashiding. Relaxed walk, 2 hours. Explore the holiest monastery and surroundings. Homestay. (6 nights Monastery trail ends).
Day 12: Ravangla. Drive from Tashiding to Ravangla via Kewzing Eco village. 3 to 4 hours. In the afternoon visit Ralang monastery and borong hotspring. Hotel or homestay/hotel/resort accommodation (you may book your own or we may suggest one)
Day 13: Gangtok. In the morning visit Buddha Park and then Ravangla to Gangtok drive via Temi Tea Garden etc. 4 to 5 hours or so. Homestay or hotel as you find comfortable (We can book as you suggest or on your own). In the evening Gangtok mall area/M.G.Road etc walk around.
Day 14: Gangtok. (A day trip to Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake or Changgu Lake, approx 7 to 8 hours, permit is only given a day before, depending upon weather forecast/prevailing conditions etc.).
Day 15: After breakfast drive to Bagdogra, 125 km, 5 hours.
Let me know your thoughts about the above itinerary and activities. Please feel free to add, delete, modify as you review.
Below are (your) questions (in blue) and our answers based upon the above tour plan: Thank you for all the details and feedback. We will keep your travel as flexible and independent as possible or just as much as you choose. E.g., we can always recommend from our end for any homestay or hotel or any additional activities or visits etc.
Day 1: Bagdogra IXB (afternoon) – Stay in Siliguri/around (maybe upto 1 hr drive on the way towards Darjeeling or in the Siliguri city).
– Day 1: Our suggestion: XXXX Homestay
– Day 2: Our suggestion: XXXX Homestay
– Day 12: Our suggestion: XXXX Hotel/resort
– Day 13: Our suggestion: XXXX Hotel/resort
You may book from any available portals if available online.
Or else we can book for all the properties as you indicated. For doing this we will charge a consolidated amount as service charge + applicable tax (5% GST)
For understanding assume a similar rate (as of the websites are showing + applicable taxes without any promo code/discounts etc.) from us. Here we will talk with the properties directly and book after basic fact checking.
Regarding the cars/taxi till Darjeeling and then upto Mariabong, it can be arranged by the respective hosts or else we may arrange the same. For an understanding:
Bagdogra airport to your homestay around Siliguri: Approx INR 500
Siliguri to Darjeeling – INR 3500 by small cars, INR 4500 by Tata Sumo/local Suv
Darjeeling to Maribong Tea Garden : Approx INR 2500
Day 3: Darjeeling – DHR Joyride (~9:30 am) , approx 2 hours, lunch (Suggestion: Tibetan kitchen/Glenary’s), visit HMI/Small zoo/natural history museum (in the same compound) Tibetan refugee centre etc. all walking distances around the mall area.
– Go to Tiger Hill?
– do we need to plan all these things upfront or can we decide when we arrive in Darjeeling (to keep some flexibility)
Yes, you may add Tiger Hill. Usually people start early in the morning to visit the Tiger Hill observation centre for sunrise views.
Your homestay hosts should be able to book this sightseeing car for you. Usually it is clubbed with Ghoom monastery and Batasia loop on the way and charge is approximately INR 2000-3000 (small/suv car, peak/off season etc.) for a roundtrip.
You can decide what to do on the fly for flexibility and don’t need to do this upfront. You may book railway tickets/joy trains from Darjeeling railway station counter or online as well.
Indian Railways booking portal, IRCTC: https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search
International credit card holders/foreigners can book from the above link independently. Check this document on Foreign Tourist Quota Booking and user guide.
Use the following to search the available trains:
From: DARJEELING – DJ (Station code)
To as: TO DARJEELING – DJRZ (station code)
You should get all the available options and book as per your choice.
– Day 6 to Day 11 – OK with us
From Khecheopalri to Tashiding 6 nights as indicated in our itinerary is essentially an extended Sikkim Monastery trail.
The cost of the same will be INR 30000 + 5% GST per person, Khecheopalri to Tashiding, considering 2 persons joining.
Day 14: Gangtok. (A day trip to Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake or Changgu Lake, approx 7 to 8 hours, permit is only given a day before, depending upon weather forecast/prevailing conditions etc.).
– is this trip including Baba Mandir and Nathula pass?
– what’s your suggested alternative in case we don’t get the permit to go there?
Foreigners are only allowed to visit Tsongmo lake. Baba Mandir and Nathula are not allowed.
Additionally you will require a special permit called Protected Area Permit/PAP to visit Tsongmo lake and need to take a separate guide than the usual car driver.
The cost for the permit and guide is INR 5000 together which we will include in the package.
If the permit is not given then we can visit sightseeing points like Tashi view point, Seven Sisters Falls etc up to Mangan or Rumtek monastery.
– can you arrange required car transfers and all necessary permits?
Yes, certainly we can arrange all the transfers as mentioned. Part of it can be a point-to-point transfer, e.g., Airport transfers or a day sightseeing.
However, for the last part of the tour, i.e. from Tashiding to Gangtok and around we will require to hire a car for those many days. This cost includes accommodation and food expenses for the driver (and he will help in sightseeing/visits etc). This is not possible as a point-to-point drop. We will send you a quote for the same after finalising any additional drive/points.
And last but not the least, we can arrange all the necessary permits for Sikkim including any Special permit.
Thanks for the clear overview and information and we appreciate the flexibility in the approach. We do agree with the proposal of the packages you are offering.
So did you like the idea and or planning a similar trip in Sikkim and/or Darjeeling? We are happy to help and tailor one that fits you best! Feel free to get in touch.
Comments