Sikkim Tour

Day 1: Bagdogra to Gangtok

• Travelers coming by Flight will get picked at Bagdogra Airport at around 2 PM in the afternoon followed by New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station around 02:15 PM.
• We will start our journey towards the capital city of Sikkim – Gangtok along the curvy road that runs parallel to the free flowing Teesta river originating from the glaciers of Sikkim.
• It’s a drive of 200 Km that usually takes 5 hours along with a Lunch stop.
• Check into the guest house by late evening and take a walk on the famous MG marg – the mall road of Gangtok. You can try tasty momos or chow for Dinner and shop for items needed for the trip.
• We will rest for a good day tomorrow.

Day 2: Day trip to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass

• Start the day early with Breakfast
• Go on a day trip towards Nathula Pass on the Indo-China border at an elevation of 14,100 feet, which needs a special permit (we would have pre-applied beforehand).
• Nathu La is strategically important for the Indian Army, and is one of the very few Himalayan border posts open for visitors like us.
• Continue journey to Baba Mandir at an elevation of 13,000 feet. There is an interesting “Ghost” story of Baba Harbhajan Singh who served Indian Army during the 1960s.
• We will then head to picturesque oval-shaped Tsomgo Lake (also called Changu Lake) which is famous for sturdy Yaks and various migratory Birds.
• Take a joy ride on the Yak if interested, or just pose for photos.
• Head back to the Sikkim by late evening.
• Finish Dinner and take good rest for the night.

Day 3: Lachung valley Trip

• Check out of the stay after a heavy Breakfast.
• Today we will start our journey towards high altitude North Sikkim famous for snow capped mountains, pristine lakes, gushing water falls and natural hot springs.
• Take a pit stop at Butterfly waterfalls and Bhim Nala falls (seasonal waterfalls enroute Lachen).
• Stop for Lunch at beautiful Chungthang village at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers.
• Reach one of the most picturesque villages of Sikkim, Lachun that is located close to worlds third highest peak – the mighty Kanchenjunga!
• We will take a stroll in the evening enjoying splendid views of surrounding Himalayas.
• Have Dinner and rest at Lachen guest house.

Day 4: Gurudongmar Lake & Lachung

• Start the day very early at 4 AM to take a beautiful journey to Gurundongmar, one of the highest lakes in India as well in the world at an elevation of 17,800 feet. We will have Breakfast en route. One can spot a barrage of Army vehicles and camps throughout the journey as it is a highly protected area.
• The journey itself is not a cake walk. Because of high altitude, one can experience shortage of oxygen levels but our body would gradually get acclimatized during the journey. Traveling on rugged roads and taking umpteen number of curves would also take its toll on the body.
• But when we eventually reach the destination after all the hardships, the stunning beauty of Gurudongmar will make you feel its worth every bit of the tiring journey.
• After spending good amount of time at the pristine lake and taking numerous pictures, we will have a light Lunch and start our return journey towards Lachen & Chungthang village.
• We will continue our journey to the next destination Lachung Valley.
• Rest for the night at Lachung guest house.

Day 5: Yumthang Valley, back to Gangtok

• Start the day very early around 6 AM.
• We will head towards Yumthang valley, situated at an elevation of 11800 feet, a 1.5 hour drive from Lachung.
• Yumthang which is known as ‘Valley of Flowers” is located in the valley by the Lachung river. It’s a picture perfect setting surrounded by snow-clad mountains on all sides.
• (Optional) Give a visit to natural Yumthang hot springs which are known for their medicinal properties because of rich Sulphur and other mineral content. There is a beautiful walking bridge filled with colorful prayer flags across the river Lachung. Hot springs are located at the other side of the bridge. The temperature of hot water springs varies between 50 to 60 degrees celsius even in freezing winter times. Truly a little wonder of mother nature.
• Stop for Lunch in the valley.
• Note: There is a place named Zero point which is famous among tourists. If everyone wants to visit (and if Zero point is open), an instant permit needs to be taken over there. This permit amount shall be shared between group members.
• Start long return journey towards Gangtok by late afternoon, reach by night.
• Have Dinner.
• Take well deserved rest after a long North Sikkim trip of previous 3 days.

Day 6: Gangtok Ropeway, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Airport Drop

• Check out after Breakfast.
• Start the last day of the trip with a visit to Gangtok Ropeway that offers speldid views of the entire city.
• Visit beautiful Chogyal Palace (Monastery). It’s traditional architecture and peaceful ambiance represent a deep connection to Sikkimese culture and Buddhism.
• Finish the sightseeing with 2 famous temples of Gangtok – Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok that offer stunning sights of Mount Kanchenjunga on clear days along with spiritual experience.
• We will then bid adieu to the Himalayas and head back towards planes of West Bengal where we started our journey 6 days back.
• It’s a 5 hour journey with a Lunch stop.
• Our driver will drop us near Bagdogra Airport close to your night stay (self booked stay).
• Note: Currently there are no flights scheduled at night from Bagdogra Airport. So it is advised to book a night stay close to Airport. Our team can suggest some hotels nearby.

Inclusions:

• Travel for 6 Days (Bagdogra to Bagdogra)
• Stay for 5 nights (2 and 3 sharing rooms)
• 5 Breakfasts
• Inner Line Permit (ILP) charges
• Nathu La Special Permit (5500 INR)
• Airport pickup and drop (fixed timings)
• All entry tickets, permissions for scheduled places in the itinerary
• Trip Guide (for groups above 6 members)
• Once in a lifetime experience visiting all places mentioned in Highlights section
• GST

Exclusions:

• Meals not mentioned in Inclusions
• Any kind of activities, rides, entry tickets, shopping or misc. expenses other than mentioned in Inclusions
• Any extra cost arising due to any change in the itinerary/stay/route on account of bad weather, traffic-congestion, landslides/roadblocks, natural calamities, political disturbances and/or any other factors beyond our control.

Travel:

• Trip starting/ending point: Bagdogra Airport (Siliguri)
• Pick up and drop at Bagdogra Airport, NJP Railway station
• Innova, Xylo, Hatchback or similar tourist vehicle (6 days journey)
• Start time: First day, 01:45 PM (afternoon)
• End time: Sixth day, 8:00 PM (evening)
• You can book flights to/from Bagdogra based on the above timings.
• Note: There is no night journey on this trip. All travel is during day time.
• Note: We observed from previous batches that Spice Jet flights to Bagdogra Airport are usually always delayed. Since we cannot wait long on Day 1, we strongly recommend to book a day ahead and stay at a hotel, if you are booking Spice Jet flight.

Stay:

• Comfortable, standard guest houses / hotels.
• 2 or 3 sharing rooms.
• Gangtok 3 nights.
• Lachung 1 night.
• Pelling 1 night.
• Note: At most places, an extra mattress will be given for 3 sharing rooms. Very rarely do we get 3 beds. So guests are expected to take mattress on a rotational basis.

Food:

• 5 Breakfasts & 3 Dinners included.
• Lunches are self-sponsored as we will be outside at that time.
• How much you have to spend for good food?
  200 – 250 per meal

Misc nfo:

• Batch size: 5 to 12
• Trek Difficulty: No trekking
• Max altitude: Lachung at 12000 feet above Sea level
• Climate:
  Very cold at Lachung
  Cold at Gangtok, Pelling, other places.

• Toiletries, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
• A lightweight large Backpack for the entire trip (50-60 liters). Strictly no trolleys. Remember this is a Backpacking trip.
• A small backpack for basic items (to carry valuables, water bottle, snacks, etc. for outdoor activities).
• Photo identity proof with address (Aadhar/Passport/Voter ID).
• 2 Passport size color photographs (important for permit).
• Thermal inners and warm clothes (cold climate).
• A rainproof jacket with a hood (to protect from cold winds, sudden rain).
• Thick socks, track pants, full sleeve t-shirts (to keep your body warm).
• Cap/Hat/Sunglasses (to protect from harmful sun rays).
• Sunscreen (SPF 50 or more).
• Power bank, charger, camera, binoculars (if you wish to).
• Hand sanitizer and liquid hand wash for outdoors.
• Proper water bottle for your trip. You may fill at our stays.
• Disposable garbage covers (to separate used/unused clothes).
• Water-resistant good grip shoes for travel, extra slippers to use at stays.
• Personal medications, any drugs that you may feel necessary (remember ghat roads, cold climate), basic first aid kit.
• No need to carry snacks/chocolates. You may buy at local shops to support local people in Sikkim.

• Please carry a valid ID proof along with the valid ticket.
• High Ape is not responsible for any injury or damage occurring due to the event.
• People in an inebriated state will not be given entry.
• Being only a ticketing portal, High Ape does not take any responsibility for the activities going on inside or outside the event, as the entire responsibility of it is of the organizer/venue.
• Please go through the details on the Event Details Tab and the Checkout page thoroughly before booking the tickets, as the tickets which are NOT booked in compliance with it will not come in the ambit of discussion.
• Internet handling fee per ticket applied. Please check your total amount before payment.
• Tickets once booked cannot be exchanged or refunded.
• Unlawful resale (or attempted unlawful resale) of a ticket would lead to seizure or cancellation of that ticket without refund or other compensation.
• Alcohol (if available) will be served only to guests above the legal drinking age (LDA) and on display of valid age proof.
• In case a booking confirmation e-mail and SMS gets delayed or fails because of technical reasons or as a result of incorrect e-mail ID / phone number provided by the user etc, a ticket will be considered 'booked' if the payment has been processed by High Ape and you will have to contact our representatives for issue of tickets.
• Arms and ammunition, eatables, bottled water, beverages, alcohol is not allowed from outside to the event. Food and beverages will be available inside the event.
• Persons suspected of carrying items that may be used in an offensive or dangerous manner, or carrying out illegal activities within the site may be searched.
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• In certain circumstances, HighApe reserves the right to cancel the tickets owing to any internal reason which requires such action. In such cases, the customer will be provided full refund for the ticket within 7-10 working days.
• Venue/Organisers rules apply.