Friday 26 September 2014

Itinerary for 8 days tour to Mystic Sikkim




The hill state of Sikkim has a wide variety to offer, from the capital town of Gangtok with its own culture and lifestyle to the forbidding mountain scapes that have remained unchanged through centuries.

Though i personally feel that every day in Sikkim has different colour and every place has it's unique natural beauty and it's not possible to cover every nook and corner of the state even in years, however one can visit the most scenic places of Sikkim to get an idea , how panoramic and picturesque, the entire state is. 


For those planning a trip to Sikkim, i am posting an itinerary, which may help making their trip an unforgettable one.7 nights and 8 days tour should be sufficient to capture Sikkim at its scenic best.

Itinerary

Amidst the grandeur of the mountain peaks, lush valleys, fast flowing rivers and terraced hills, Sikkim offers a spectacular and unique experience. Within a matter of hours one can move from the sub-tropical heat of the lower valleys to the cold of the rugged mountain slopes that reach upto the areas of perpetual snow.

Day 1: New Jalpaiguri- Gangtok- 124 kms (4-5 hrs) 

Arrive in New Jalpaiguri by train or fly into Bagdogra. Hire a Taxi for approx. four and half hour's journey to Gangtok. Plenty of hotels and lodges, you will get in and around Gangtok.

Day 2: Gangtok Local Sightseeing

An early morning trip to Tashi view point (offering fabulous views of Kanchenjunga) followed by a full day sightseeing of Gangtok. Other tourist attractions in Gangtok are Rumtek Monastry; one of the largest and sacred Buddhist Monastry in Sikkim, Banjakhari Waterfalls, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok and Saramsa Garden. 

Kanchanjenga Amusement Park may also be an option for those intending to spend leisure time with their kids.
Rumtek Monastry


Banjakhri Waterfall

Day 3 : Gangtok- Chungthang- Lachung 116 kms (5-6 hrs)

Local Sightseeing of Gangtok is just like a starter before the main course. The adventure begins, when one heads for North Sikkim. You may start your journey of Lachung Valley early morning after having breakfast and take luncht at Chungthang which is at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung valleys. Halt at Lachung for the night. Lachung itself is a very scenic place located at the altitude of around 10000 ft.

Permit is required to be obtained from Tourism Department in order to visit Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang valley  in North and Nathula/ Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim due to border area reason. Before proceeding for these places, permits need to be obtained at-least a day before.


Day 4: Lachung- Yumthang Valley-Zero Point-Lachen- 148 kms (8-9 hrs)

Yumthang valley, popularly known as the Valley of Flowers is aroung 35 km. from Lachung. You will see many varieties of Rhododendron flower with the snow bound mountains in the backdrop along the way. If you have had enough of seeing flowers and clicking too many photographs, you may go upto Zero Point, 16 km. from Yumthang, to enjoy with snow.  Start return journey to Lachung by noon and take lunch at Lachung. Then you may proceed to Lachen, which is 48 km. away. Night halt at Lachen. 

Lachen is a small tribal village ruled by the Dzumsa. If you reach Lachen before evening, you may like to see Lachen Monastry, situated at the top of the village and offers panoramic view of the valley.

Yumthang Valley - Valley of Flowers

Day 5: Lachen- Gurudongmar Lake- Lachen-Gangtok- 240 kms (10-11 hrs)

A visit to Gurudongmar Lake is a must while in Sikkim. Gurudongmar is one of the highest situated lakes (17100 ft.) in North Sikkim. Remember the altitude here may cause breathing problem. Move slowly towards the pristine lake and watch it motionlessly. An early morning start will help you to return Gangtok by 8 :00 or 9:00 pm in night. Night stay in guest house in Gangtok.


Gurudongmar Lake


Please note that the foreigners are not allowed to travel to Gurudongmar Lake.

Day 6: Gangtok- Nathula Pass- Gangtok  110 Kms ( 7-8 hrs)

It will take whole day to enjoy the beauty of Tsomgo Lake (popularly known as Chhangu Lake), Nathu-la pass and Baba Mandir and to return back to Gangtok. Normally tourists coming to Gangtok on a short trip, go to Nathu-la  pass. 

Day 7: Gangtok- Yuksom- Pemayangtse- 160 kms ( 5-6 hrs)

Reach Yuksom, the first capital of Sikkim by taxi via Samdruptse; the holy spot where the tallest statue of Guru Rinpoche has been built. 
Yuksom is a scenic spot set amidst the backdrop of the Himalayas. It is a historical place, for in 1641 Buddhism was introduced here. Visit the Khecheopalri Lake after lunch at Yuksom. Afterwards, reach Pemayangtse (32 km away from Yuksom) to see Rabdantse ruins - the second capital of Sikkim & Pemayangtse Monastery. Night stay in a guest house.

Rabdentse Ruins, site of 2nd capital of Sikkim

Day 8: Pemayangtse- New Jalpaiguri

Drive back to New Jalpaiguri/ Bagdogra to fly back home.


Comments and feedbacks related to the post are welcomed.

2 comments:

  1. Really Helpful. I have become fan of your blog.

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  2. You seem to have travelled Sikkim very well. Good Coverage of beautiful landscapes of Sikkim.

    ReplyDelete