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Fast Facts
How to get there
Countryside organises tours to Sikkim, as well as other Himalayan destinations. A 16 day tour is priced at Rs 16,660 per person, railway fares extra. Countryside conducts slide show to give prospective travellers a glimpse of the tours they conduct.
Address: Countryside Outdoor Programmes Pvt Ltd, 35 Vawda building, 252 L J, opposite Shiv Sena Bhavan, Shivaji Park, Dadar, Bombay. Phone: 022-4441513. Fax: 92-22-446-9093. Email: Countryside
Countryside itinerary:
- Day 1: Depart from Bombay by Rajdhani at 1655 hours.
- Day 2: Arrival New Delhi. Brief stopover at Hotel Sunshine. Depart for New Jalpaiguri by Rajdhani Express at 1700 hours.
- Day 3: Arrive at New Jalapaiguri at 1350 hours. After lunch, travel to Pemayangste (6,840 ft), a five to six hour journey through the picturesque countryside of Sikkim. Pemayangste -- Sikkim's second oldest monastery -- offers one of the finest views on the trip.
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Day 4: Pemayangtse to Yuksom. The 'walking option' starts from here! Walk down from Pemyangste into a valley, through fields of cardamom and barley and get introduced to the bird life. Lunch by the river and take the bus to Khechephoeri lake, which is tucked away on the upper slopes of a densely forested mountain. Night halt at Yuksom, a historical spot.
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Day 5: Yuksom. A saunter around the village visiting interesting spots like where the throne of the first Sikkimese king is located and the
Dubdi monastery.
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Day 6: Journey from Yuksom to Robong La via Tashiding monastery. First a birdwatching expedition and then drive to the monastery. Night halt in tents at Robong La.
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Day 7: Robong La.
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Day 8: Journey from Robong La to Gangtok. A visit to the Timi Tea Estate and the famous Rumtek Monastery.
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Day 9: Gangtok. Travel to Chango Lake which is close to the Sino-Indian border and offers a a chance to view blossoming rhododendrons on the slopes.
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Day 10: Gangtok to Lachung. A long drive up to North Sikkim, into the famous yumthang valley, famous for its rhododendrons. Stay at rest house.
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Day 11: Lachung. Spend the day enjoying the splendours of this valley, climbing to an altitude of more than 11,800 ft in the process.
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Day 12: Journey from Lachung to Gangtok.
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Day 13: Travel from Gangtok to Rangpo. Journey down the Teesta river part of the way. Overnight halt at the government rest house.
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Day 14: Travel by bus from Rangpo to NJP. Board the train to New Delhi at 1240 hours.
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Day 15: Arrival in Delhi at 1000 hours. Brief stop over at Hotel Sunshine. Board Rajdhani at 1600 hours for Bombay.
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Day 16: Arrival in Bombay at 0830 hours.
Permits
Foreign passport holders require permits to visit Sikkim. Countryside organises permits too. Permits are available at:
- Foreigners' Section, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi.
- Foreigner's Regional Registration office, Annex 2, Police Commissioner's Office, D N
road, near Crawford Market, Bombay, tel # 022-022-2610446, 268222.
- Foreigners' Section, Deputy Commissioner of Police (security
control), 237, AJC Bose road, Calcutta tel # 2473300.
- Foreigner's Registration Office, 9, Village road, Nungabakkam, Madras, tel # 478210.
- Assistant Resident Commissioner, Sikkim government, 4C Poonam, 5 Russell street.
- Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, 14 Panchsheel marg, New Delhi.
You must specify in advance the places in Sikkim to which you wish to travel as well as the length of stay. Travel in certain areas is restricted to special routes and travel must take place in groups of four or with approved guides
Best seasons to visit
Either in spring between April and May. Cloudy skies. This is the flowering season for rhododendron and orchids. Great season for birdwatching.
Or in autumn from October to November. Clear skies and great weather for walking. Exellent views of Kangchenjunga, Siniolchu, Pandim and other majestic peaks. This is not the flowering season.
For more information on Sikkim, do check out the Rediff Travel feature:
"It is a sight for a lifetime. Blissful. Tranquil.
The Master Creator must be close by...".
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