Places to visit during Gangtok - Kalimpong - Pelling - Darjeeling trip

[devrajman]

I need info on places I should visit during my trip to Gangtok - Kalimpong - Pelling - Darjeeling on 2nd Oct.

I have 8 days to cover all these places or more if possible. I'm open to any change of route/plans.

I request people who have visited to give some info on places to visit at each locations. Also any tips and not-to-miss places. I plan to go to Tshangu Lake & Na-thula pass if possible.

Any recommendation on hotels & taxi-guy would be great too.

[malgudi]

devrajman, 1 suggestion from my side: Skip Darjeeling.
Use the time saved to visit
1. Gangtok - Changu - Baba Mandir - Nathula - Gangtok or
2. Gangtok-Lachen-Gurudongmar-Lachen-Lachung-Yumthungvaleey-Lachung- Gangtok

[bullinb]

Originally Posted by malgudi

devrajman, 1 suggestion from my side: Skip Darjeeling.
Use the time saved to visit
1. Gangtok - Changu - Baba Mandir - Nathula - Gangtok or
2. Gangtok-Lachen-Gurudongmar-Lachen-Lachung-Yumthungvaleey-Lachung- Gangtok

Second that. Skip Darjeeling and Kalimpong. They are your typical dirty, overcrowded hill stations without any charm or character. On the other hand, Gurudongmar and Yumthang will sweep right you off your feet with the breath taking, unspoiled natural beauty. The travel over to these places is as an exhilarating experience as you are ever going to get.

[devrajman]

Thanks for suggestions. Im open to changes in places I visit.

Any info on travel? agent or taxi from gangtok? or package (all inclusive)?

We are 5 members i.e. 2 families.

Is booking of hotel recommeded for 1st-2nd week of October?

[kiku007]

Originally Posted by bullinb

Second that. Skip Darjeeling and Kalimpong. They are your typical dirty, overcrowded hill stations without any charm or character. On the other hand, Gurudongmar and Yumthang will sweep right you off your feet with the breath taking, unspoiled natural beauty. The travel over to these places is as an exhilarating experience as you are ever going to get.

You can find pictures of North Sikkim in my thread here,

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ew-photos.html (Trip To Sikkim - Few Photos)

North Sikkim is absolutely beautiful, the photos will tell you.

My whole trip was taken care by a friend in the army so I'm sorry that I can't help you with questions on accomodation transport.

However please keep the below in mind,
* Travel is very tedious and long in North Sikkim. To reach Gurudongmar from Lachen itself will take 2+hours.
* Transport is at the mercy of numerous Mahindra Jeep and Sumo Taxi's. Heard that they are pretty expensive as well.
* Gangtok - I didn't find this place very interesting (Probably because I saw North Sikkim?). If you have been to Kodai or Ooty then this is nothing more. But the view of snow capped Kanchenjunga Peak is a delight.
* Rumtek Monasterry in Gangtok - 25Kms from MG Road Market. They close the entry to Golden Stupa by 5 PM. So please make it before that.
* It was raining heavily during the first week of Sep. So please check the weather forecast.