questions on gangtok

Sikkim is a really beautiful state. I will suggest that you spend most of your time there. Some suggestions for planning your trip.
1. From Bagdogra, take a prepaid sumo to Gangtok. You can also get bus- pls ask at the airport for help.
2. At Gangtok, you will find plenty of budget /economic hotels at the main taxi stand/ bazar area. Dont book in advance. Early April will still be off-season. Mid to late April will be high season.
3. Visit Tsango Lake and Nathu La on day 2, you have to get permit for this, so contact your hotel reservation or book a taxi walla the previous day- he will get you the permit. Carry heavy woollens for Tsango and NathuLa.
4. Day 3- Do visit North Sikkim- Book a jeep at the taxi stand, he will get permits for you for North Sikkim trip. Leave very early int he morning for Lachung .Stay at Blue Sky Group & Resorts hotel. Visit Yumthang (valley of flowers) and Yumesamdong hot spring and Zero Point.( Donkya La Pass).
5. Day 4 - The same taxi will take you to Lachen. Hotels are available, dont need to book in advance, the taxi fellows have their network. Visit Gurudongmar Lake. This place is mind blowing and perhaps better than Switzerland.
6. Return to Gangtok on day 5- on the way visit Singhik View Point. See the Gangtok bazar and visit local places.
7.Day 6- You can go to Pelling and visit the Pemayangste Monastry which is very beautiful. Tashiding Monastry is very beautiful too. From Pelling, Kanchen junga is visible on a clear day. Or go to Ravongla.
8. Day 7- Leave early . You can return to Bagdogra .On your way back stop at the Rangit water world.Or proceed to Darjiling by jeep. While returning from your darjiling stay, you can enjoy the toy train ride on day 9.
9. Most people give North Sikkim a miss. My advice is that DONT miss Yumthang and GuruDongmar. Pure heaven. Dont carry videocam to Gurudongmar, the army checkpost is adamant on that one.
10. Taxi rates are fixed. Bargain at the hotel for off season discounts. Carry thermals and good walking shoes. Chech the websites below for more information. You can ignore West Sikkim (Pelling) if time is short .
I hope you enjoy Sikkim as much as I did.

 

Which is better - shimla/darjeeling, gangtok?

t is normally accepted tht u should visit shimla & manali as a standard hill station choice.nothing wrong with that. here are facts. shimla & darjeling were developed by britishers as a summer get away for relaxing in cool climates. both these offer a different experience as in terms of architecture, settlement, heritage etc.both these stations developed as hill station from 50's onwards. manali developed as hill station much later when terrorism surfaced & created problems in J&K tourism. and developed as alternative to kashmir (which was till then ultimate tourism destination ). one can the effect on these places. while shimla & darjeling now look crowded & over developed place with guides/ touts pestering tourist. gangtok will seem as breath of fresh air. manali has developed very well as tourist destination. it does not look like over developed (excuse for tourist summer season when every popular hill station starts teeming with hoardes of families).It could be due to fact that it is good 14 hour long drive from delhi.no train service. air connections are also not too great. it would be unjustice to under/ over rate any hill station. each of them has its own charm. choose from shimla/darjeling as classic hill stations. gangtok for off beat choice. manali for little bit seclusion, great choice in terms of hotels & fun- snow/ para sailing.