Glittering glacial lakes, endless green pastures, quiet monastery towns, and scenic drives on the mountain roads is what constitutes a trip to Sikkim! Nestled in the North Eastern part of India, Sikkim is truly an amalgamation of rugged terrains, lush green hills, and mesmerising beauty of the blooming flowers! Sikkim has so much to offer to visitors that words fall short. Although, Sikkim now faces a good influx of tourists, but it still presents sights that ensure a memorable holiday!
Itinerary for a Trip to Sikkim:
Day 1: Fly to Bagdogra Airport & Transfer to Gangtok
Day 2-3: Explore Gangtok and surroundings
Day 4: Transfer to Pelling via Ravangla (From East to West Sikkim)
Day 5: Explore Pelling and surroundings
Day 6: Transfer to Darjeeling
Day 7: Explore Darjeeling and surroundings
Day 8: Transfer back to Bagdogra Airport & Transfer back home
Budgeting for a Trip to Sikkim:
Expenditure (as on Dec'2022) on a 8 day trip for a couple ranges between INR 1Lac - INR 1.2Lac. However, this sum also depends on where you're flying in from, the time of the year (Winter being the peak season) and the kind of hotels chosen during the stay. Here's an approximate breakdown for reference:
Flights (Bangalore-New Bagdogra) INR 12000 per person one way! Bookings done earlier may get better deals, considering December is the peak tourist season. This is the major expense so plan accordingly.
Transfer from Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok INR 3500 - INR 4000 (also depends on the type of car hired)
Gangtok sightseeing & Tsomgo lake, including permits INR 8000
Transfer from Gangtok to Pelling via Ravangla INR 4000
Daily sightseeing in Pelling INR 3000
Transfer from Pelling to Darjeeling INR 3500
Daily sightseeing in Darjeeling INR 3500
Hotels in Gangtok, Pelling & Darjeeling INR 18000 - INR 20000 overall for 7 nights (budget stays walking distance from MG Marg/Mall Road)
Meals, entry fees, shopping INR 10000
Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport transfer INR 2500
Getting Around in Sikkim: Cabs and Roads
Self drive isn't quite an option in Sikkim due to the unavailability of rental cars. Multiple permits are needed even if our own car is driven in. Due to the presence of multiple taxi unions and requirements of permits, we suggest booking your transportation with a local tour agency that will sort out cabs and permits for you! Irrespective of whether you choose a company recommended agency or by your family/friends, make SURE that you've got written confirmation on the kind of transfers chosen (private/shared), the kind of car provided (Sedan, SUV or Hatchback) and the list of inclusions (Eg. Cost of permits, Points to be covered) such that you don't end up paying more at a later stage.
We booked all our transfers and sightseeing for the entire Sikkim tour via Thrillophilla after exploring a lot of options online. Being prompt in their online response is what worked for us. The Thrillophilia team ensured we had a detailed itinerary of recommended places to cover, ensuring a smooth trip. Although there is indeed some scope for improvement in terms of service, we would certainly recommend the same for a worry less package. Here's the link to the Thrillophilla package for future reference.
Breakdown of the entire Sikkim Trip: Gangtok diaries
Day 1: Fly to Bagdogra Airport & transfer to Gangtok
Arriving at Bagdogra Airport is a breeze. Specially when you arrive from airports like Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru which are always in a state of rush! However, the scene transends the moment you step out of the Bagdogra airport. Do expect a chaotic mass of cab drivers, tourists and travel agents ready to haggle you for a deal. Do put on your sales hat to negotiate a deal on the spot. However, it is highly recommended to book in advance such that:
You're in safe and reliable hands and have someone to hold accountable if something goes amiss
You don't have to haggle on the spot and bargain for a deal
The distance between Bagdogra and Gangtok is approximately 120 KMs and can be covered in 4 to 4.5 hours. The roads to Gangtok are one of the better maintained roads, so expect a smooth transfer with limited bumps. Connectivity is almost full - with limited access while crossing the forest ranges of Riyong & Sivok Hill. After a hectic day of travel from the Southern state of Bangalore in Karnataka, India to the North Eastern state of Sikkim, we checked in to Olive Branch hotel in Gangtok. A quaint stay nestled in Arithang, Gangtok - Olive Branch is a botique hotel serving every need. Delicious food, uninterrupted power supply, 24/7 running hot water and close proximity to the main MG Marg make it a great stay!
Day 2-3: Explore Gangtok and surroundings
Gangtok is the largest town in Sikkim and the perfect place to explore the sites and sounds of East Sikkim. Home to some amazing eateries, this bustling town is a vibe in itself. Some must to-do activities are gorging on the local cuisines and visiting some touristy places! Post sumptuous breakfast at our homestay pictured below, we were ready to do a proper local sight seeing trip around Gangtok.
Here are all the places we covered during our day trip:
Ban Jhakri waterfalls
Rumtek Monastery
Tashi View Point for the views of the Khangchengdzonga mountain ranges
Do-Drul Chorten Monastery
Explore the rich culture of Tibet while visiting the Institute of Tibetology
Flower Exhibition Center
Ban Jhakri waterfalls is a recreation centre and tourist attraction near Gangtok. The park's statuary and displays document the Ban Jhakri or traditional shamanic healer worshipping spirits living in caves surrounding the waterfalls. The Ban Jhakri waterfalls is naturally sourced from freshwater springs higher up in the mountains. Spread over 2 acres, the park contains a man-made lake, gazebos, paved pathways and a footbridge. This is indeed a tranquil place to start the day with and quite recommended.
Rumtek Monastery is situated around 23 KMs from Gangtok. The drive to the monastery snakes its way through typical Sikkimese villages and paddy fields swaying in the breeze! The lush green hilly terrain, slight chill in the air, and misty mountains offer a host of sightseeing opportunities. The earthy smell of incense wafts through the crisp mountain air as it reverberates with the sound of gongs. Little monks faithfully chant hymns in the prayer hall while the older ones go about their daily chores in the monastery’s living quarters. Rumtek, apart from being the largest monastery in the Himalayan state of Sikkim is also one of the most celebrated. The monastery, perched on a hill facing Gangtok offers a brilliant view of the city and the surrounding mountains. The entry to the monastery is a steep walk for around 800 metres. So do wear comfortable shoes and maintain the sanctity of the place!
Do-Drul-Chorten monastery is a giant stupa in Gangtok town built in the late 1940's by a teacher of the 14th Dalai Lama, Trulshik Rinpoche. The pearly white dome of the stupa with its shiny golden spire is dedicated to an important deity of in the Nyigma Order of Tibetan Buddhism known as Vajrakilaya or Dorjee Rinpoche.
The stupa is enclosed by cluster of 108 prayer wheels with sacred mantras carved on them. Several important sacred Kangyur manuscripts and relics associated with Dorje Phurba are carefully preserved inside it. A popular story claims that the site of Do Drul Chorten before the stupa was built was infested with evil spirits who claimed the lives of all those who dared to venture out into this area. However, the Trushik Rinpoche who came from Tibet built his hermitage here in the early 1940s and drove away the evil entities.
Flower Exhibition Centre in Ridge Park is floral heaven! Sikkim’s weather conditions are conducive to orchid cultivation and you will lose count of the number of varieties you spot at Ridge Park. A gazebo for travellers to rest while walking this stretch is a great addition for those simply wanting to get a feel of Gangtok. The ornamental plants at the Ridge shine bright in the springtime, and on a clear day this is the perfect location for an early evening walk.
Gangtok has a host of things to offer for the touristy eyes. However, covering everything in one day is too much to travel. It's recommended to actually plan out places to visit carefully such that you get enough time to go for an aimless stroll on the MG Road as well. We did just that. Here are a couple of recommended things to do:
Go for an aimless stroll on MG Road. Pick up some souvenirs or just sample some local foods such as momos and thukpa.
If you’re looking for scrumptious momos, definitely try Taste of Tibet and the iconic Momo Roll Corner located up a flight of stairs. Both these hole-in-the-wall eateries are situated on the busy MG Road.
Shop for souvenirs and woollens at the Lal Bazaar and gorge on some fine dining restaurants along MG Road for dinner.
Having witnessed Gangtok in all its glory, we headed back to our homestay with a bag full of memories. Stay tuned for the rest of the trip!
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