Sikkim - Some info

Getting there : The best way is to get to Kolkata and from there to New Jalpaiguri by train. In case you want to fly, you need to get to Bagdogra. There are flights operating from Kolkata and also from Delhi to Bagdogra. The only problem is that the flight fare is generally high and you dont get any great fare even if you book very early. New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Bagdogra are next to each other and so you can get to any of these places in order to get to Gangtok. You need to hire a cab from here. The cost will depend on the season. Last year it cost me Rs.1400/- one way. You can contact this cab driver. He was very nice guy and drove safely.

Jantu - Cab driver - 9932534996. Speak to him in Hindi or Bengali and not in English !!

Places to stay in Gangtok: Check out www.sikkiminfo.net for different hotel options. The hotels I stayed were:

Hotel Sonam Delek : Ask for Tam Ding - Ph: 03592-202566 The place doesnt look too upmarket but the rooms are neat and the price is reasonable. The restaurant serves great food.

Mintokling guest house: This has a resort type of feel to it. The rooms are good and the delux suite is reasonably priced and is spacious. Has a good view of the mountains. The food was a bit bland here but the stay was good. Ask for Pema. Ph: 03592-204226.

North Sikkim : You need to take the help of a travel agency to go to North Sikkim. I went thru Marcopolo agency. They did an excellent job. The driver who came with us for the North Sikkim trip was great. He drove well and was friendly. The rest house they have in Lachen is very basic. Lachung property is better and probably the best in that area. The guide was also very helpful. The whole trip was arranged in a professional manner.

Marcopolo Travels: Ask for Karmatashi Bhutia (the owner) or for Ganesh Ram Sharma (Manager) Phone: 03592-204116/229407/221723

I have heard that Sikkim Tours and Travels is also a good travel agency. Contact Lukendra. Phone No: 03592-202188 / 227191

A word of caution about North Sikkim tour. There is a lot of travel by jeep involved and the weather can be harsh depending on when you are going there. Added to it, variety in terms of food is very less. So if you have very small kids or senior citizens travelling with you, think and find out all details before you undertake this trip.

Food: There is no problem about food in Gangtok. Nowadays everyone eats chappatis and North Indian dishes. These are available in Gangtok easily. Chinese food is also available. In Lachen and Lachung you will not have much say about the food. You will get vegetarian food but the variety is very limited. All the provision to Lachen and Lachung comes from Gangtok and so dont expect to get A La Carte menu. The breakfast is usually bread toast at Lachen and bread toast and poori at Lachung. Lunch and dinner have phulkas/chapatis and rice. You will have dal and a curry. The rice is a variety of boiled rice. I was used to it since I had been to Kolkata many times earlier and had eaten this rice. Gayathri had a bit of a problem getting used to it.

Safety and the people: Both Gangtok and North Sikkim turned out to be very safe places. The people are extremely polite and helpful. All the cab drivers we got were very pleasant, friendly and patient. The prices were agreed upon in advance and so there no cheating involved. Overall I found the people of Sikkim to be excellent in their hospitality. You can get along at most places by speaking in Hindi.