The Sheer Magic Of Darjeeling and Sikkim.
“Sikkim is the most beautiful place in the world and surprisingly it is clean and safe too. The charms of the State are the limitless romantic mists, mountains, colourful flowers and butterflies. With its unique culture and natural landscape, Sikkim is a picture of perfection and pristine purity. Nestled in the Himalayas and endowed with exceptional natural resources, Sikkim offers a spectacular scene with every turn of the road.
Dominating both legend and landscape of Sikkim is the mighty Khangchendzonga. Known to outside world as Kanchenjunga, it is the third highest peak in the world.But to the Sikkimese it is much more than a mountain. Khangchendzonga is the Guardian deity, a country God whose benign watchfulness ensures peace and prosperity for the land.
Sikkim is the least populous state in India, and the only Indian state with an ethnic Nepalese majority. The other main ethnic groups are the Bhutias, Lepchas and the Limbu.
Sikkim locals are known for their hospitality, with a slight bashfulness that is endearing. To fully embrace the Sikkim culture, visitors are provided with clean, comfortable lodgings and are privy to an array of activities ranging from participation in cultural rituals to helping out on the farm.
Aside from local village activities, visitors to Sikkim are also spoilt for choice when it comes to the places of interest available to them. History buffs can embark on the famous Buddhist Circuit, which takes them to the numerous ancient Buddhist monasteries dotting the area. Legend has it that visitors to these sacred lands are granted immortality, as Hell’s gates will be closed to them.
For nature lovers, the abundance of fauna and flora of Sikkim is truly a delight for the senses. Because Sikkim is located on geographically uneven terrain, it has varying altitudes, which contributes to its diverse plant species. A simple half-day trek in scenic jungle trail will enable the visitor to get acquainted with a wide variety of birds and animals in their natural habitat.
Getting around Sikkim is an adventure in itself. Because of its rocky terrain, four-wheel drives are the most popular mode of transport. With the nearest airport (Bagdogra Airport) a six-hour jeep ride away, one can be guaranteed a certain air of exclusivity as well as a romantic sense of seclusion when residing in Sikkim.
The best time to visit this idyllic community and soak up its rich culture and history will be between March and early May. This is when sunshine is in abundance and monsoon rains will not obscure the beautiful peaks surrounding Sikkim. However, with a maximum summer temperature of 20°C, it is still cool enough to explore and enjoy the natural environment.
Nothing can describe Sikkim better than seeing it for yourself. Best of all, it need not be pricey if we go directly to the source rather than buying packages from local tour companies. That is where I hope to fulfill your dreams of seeing magnificent Sikkim without burning a hole in your pocket. Significantly, it would also be an opportunity to do some humanitarian work (volunteer vacation – https://exploresikkim.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/volunteer-vacations-how-to-make-a-difference-on-vacation/ ) in Sikkim for the less fortunate as well.
Hi, I am See Wai, a free lance tour organizer and an avid traveler. I have been to Nepal and Sikkim on several occasions and discovered many cost saving methods to enjoy our holidays. In cooperation with Sikkim Tourism, I am putting together a 10-Day trip to Darjeeling and Sikkim using a local company in Sikkim approved and accredited by Sikkim Tourism Board to bring cost/price down.The schedule is flexible. You can form you own private tour of two or gather a small group of between 2 to 10 friends/colleagues/family/relatives and visit Sikkim anytime the year round. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact me @ sikkim@hotmail.sg or call (65) 9021 7831. The tour itinerary and pricing are as appended below. The proposed tour dates are meant as a guide as you are at liberty to choose departure day of your choice amongst yourselves.
Explore Sikkim All Year Round
Day 1: Departure Airport–Kolkatta (Meals on board).
On arrival meet by our representatives and transfer to hotel for overnight, it will take 55minutes to reach city hotel from Airport.
Day 02: Kolkatta – Bagdogra – Darjeeling (B/L/D)
After breakfast, at around 11am, you will be transferred to airport for an hour flight to Bagdogra. On arrival, you will be met and driven through the scenic countryside to Darjeeling which is the former summer capital of the British Bengal Raj and is famous for its renown Darjeeling tea.
Day 03: Darjeeling sightseeing (BLD)
After breakfast we visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoo, Japanese temple and Chowrasta Mall. Return to Hotel for lunch before spending the afternoon visiting local market for Darjeeling Tea or just lazying around.
Day 04: Darjeeling – Pelling (BLD)
Rise early (about 4am) and drive up to Tiger Hill to catch sunrise. You can see the full view of Mt Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest peak in the world. On the way back, visit The Ghoom Monastery, Sangha Choeling and back to hotel to have late breakfast. Thereafter, we will pack and leave for Pelling, West Sikkim
Day 05: Pelling – Gangtok (BLD)
This morning after breakfast we drive to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim. On the way visit Pemayangtse Monastry. Stop by at Rabongla for tea and before proceeding to Samdruptse. Along the way, visit Temi Tea Garden before driving to Gangtok. Arrive Gangtok in the evening.
Day 06: Gangtok – Lachung (BLD)
This morning we will leave for North Sikkim driving through scenic mountainous roads with many waterfalls. Overnight in Lachung, a Bhutia tribal village in a local lodge. Along the way, spend an hr at an orphanage in Mangan, if time permits and all group members agree to the stopover.
Day 07: Lachung – Yumthang Valley – Gangtok (BLD)
The Yumthang Valley lies 25km from Lachung and as the drive winds higher, you’ll reach the pine forests and rhododendrons of Yumthang, surrounded by numerous peaks. Return to Lachung for lunch and journey back to Gangtok arriving in the late evening.
Day 08:Gangtok (BLD)
After breakfast, we will do a city tour of Gangtok in the morning. Have lunch back at the hotel. PM visit MG Marc and the local market and the rest of the day is free for your to shop or laze around.
Day 09: Gangtok to Kalimpong (BLD)
After breakfast we drive to Kalimpong [an altitude of 4100ft (1250m], a small town in the lower Himalayas, is famous for its mild climate, scenic landscape dotted with old colonial buildings, magnificent views of Kanchenjunga and rare orchids. This used to be a trade centre during the British-East-India time. After check-in we will visit the Pine View Exotic Cactus Garden and Himalayan Orchid Nursery.In the evening you can explore this small town on your own.
Day10: Kalimpong – Bagdogra – Kolkatta – Arrival Airport. (BL)
After breakfast, drive to Bagdogra airport for flight back to Kolkatta. Have lunch on the way to the airport. Arrive Kolkata by late evening, on arrival collect luggage and push your trolleys to international terminal and wait for check in time at 8pm for your flight home sweet home.
*Footnote: Anyone is at liberty to extend their stay in Kolkatta if they so wish before or beyond the tour date at your own discretion.
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling & Sikkim
The best time to visit Sikkim is between mid-March to Mid June and September to December, especially, April and May, when the rhododendrons and orchids are in full bloom. And October, when orchids bloom once again, and November tend to have the clearest weather of all.
Suggested / Proposed Tour Dates For 2012/2013
You are at liberty to nominate your own departure dates that suits you.
Tour Prices (subject to change due to violatity in currency exchange as well as rising fuel cost for domestic flight)in SGD$/USD$/AUD$ based on No. of Pax in a group on twice sharing basis.
Min 02 persons – SGD$1888,USD$1500,AUD$1430 per person
3-5 persons – SGD$1788,USD$1425,AUD$1350 per person
6-10 persons -SGD$1488,USD$1199,AUD$1130 per person
11 or more – SGD$1448,USD$1199,AUD$1130 per person
Single Supplement = SGD$450, USD$360, AUD$340
Price is inclusive of Domestic flt from Kolkatta/Bagdogra/Kolkatta
Hotels: Kolkatta: Crestwood or similar,
Darjeeling: Hotel Dekeling
Pelling : SnowView Hotel
Gangtok: Hotel Sonam Delek
Lachung: The Season House / Apple Valley Inn
Kalimpong: Holumba Haven
The cost above is inclusive of:
*Domestic airfare -Kolkatta/Bagdogra-Kolkatta.
*Hotel on twin-sharing with meals.
*All permits, park fees or entry fees.
*All meals as indicated.
*Private vehicle, personal driver and tour guide.
Not included
#Interntaional Airfares: *cheaper to buy online individually (Singapore/Departure Airport-Kolkatta-Singapore/Arrival airport.)
Silkair & Singapore Airlines – Daily Flights & the most convenient
Jet Airways – Daily flight via Chennai
Air India Express – Daily Flight but schedule avail only 1 mth in advance
Kingfisher fly there daily via Mumbai.
#Visas: India. It must be applied online thru this website : http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ in your respective country. It is cheaper and easier than doing it upon arrival in Kolkatta Airport.
#Sikkim Visa will be issued at the border with 2 passport photo for on the spot application.
#Travel insurance and personal expenses.
#Tips, telephone charges, beverages, laundry, other expenses of personal nature. Any other expenses due to natural calamities.
Darjeeling & Sikkim Tours 
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For the price he secures for this trip, the accomodation is a bargain. Its clean, comfortable and best of all, if he leads the group, he will make sure the best rooms are accorded as he personally know most of the hotel owners. Excellent.
The tour on the whole is a real bargain. Got quotes from other tour operators and its at least $500 to $800 more. Some even more than a thousand. You see, this guy just want to bring us to a beautiful place and at the same time open our eyes to people who are less fortunate. He does volunteer work whereever he goes………orphanages particularly.
With very comfortable hotel, almost all meals covered, flexible itinerary, domestic airfare covered, what more can you ask for with a price like that when standard is maintained and not compromised. Value value for money…..
And anyone wishing to trek, he can incorporate in the itinerary. Anyone interested in vountary work/gestures, he will see to it that it happens……Sikkim is lucky to get tour leader like that.
Most of the hotels chosen for this trip face the mighty Khangchendzonga. On a clear day its spectacular, especially at Pelling’s Snow View Hotel.
See Wai put together a good itinerary. If he leads the group, which he usually does, he will be able to point out where to go, what to buy, what shop to go to………etc. When we were there in Dec 2010, someone from another group told us the Tsomgo Lake is over-hyped and should be given a miss. He got us a day trip to Temi-Tea Garden instead without blinking an eye………… Tan Kane
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Hi CY
We are having a wonderful time during the trip.
Unfortunately, we are unable to follow the original schedule to Lachung & Yamthung Valley due to bad weather condition that had hamper some road travel up there. Well, in the interest of our safety, we went back to the Yuksom plan.
Our group were very please with the services rendered by Kumar (guide), Orla &Y Gratham (drivers). They were fantastic drivers. The roads were indeed very dangerous. Food & accomodation were very good too. For your information, both my folks enjoyed the meals very much. It was all so tasty!!
We are now in Gangtok and will be leaving tomorrow for Darjeeling. We have the best weather all the way and were very lucky to have good views of the mountains too.
Got to go for dinner soon. Will catch up again in Darjeeling!
From: Connie & members
We are back to SIN this morning.
All of us had a very wonderful trip. The sceneries in Sikkim and Darjeeling were great and we were all blessed with very clear and good weather from the first to the last day when we depart from Darjeeling. On the last day, the weather in Darjeeling were very foggy and viewing of the mountain were impossible. We had also veiw the sunrise from Tiger Hill the day before! So lucky.
We must compliment the guide – Kumar, drivers – Awala & Gotham. They were fantastic in their way to ensure our safety and comfort throughout the whole trip.
The accomodations were good too. Though very basic but the owner of all the hotel were very heart warming and kind.
In Darjeeling, I was so careless to have left my laptop missing for half a day in the dinning room till we came back from a half day tour. I was panicked and thought that I will never see my lap top again. Luckily, Mrs Nobu found it and safe keep it for me and was returned to me. I was really touched by their kindness and honesty. From the bell boys cum waiter cum receptionist – they are all very very friendly and helpful.
Connie & The 4th Nov Group
Would you recommend visiting Sikkim-Darjeeling in July/August?
Sure. Its as good a time as any. Just let me know if you need any assistance. Plse call 90217831 or email: sikkim@hotmail.sg
Sure, any month is a good month to go. But July & Aug are summer months and you can expect it to be crowded. If you don’t mind the crowd, its a splendid time to go. Happy holidays!!