Ooty or Ooatcumund a small hill station with quaint surroundings located away from the city’s hustle-bustle in Tamil Nadu is flanked by Blue Nilgiri Mountains and vast expanses of forests. The queen of Nilgiris- Ooty bags the title of Queen of the hills, just like Mussorie in Uttarakhand. Its perfect weather throughout the year, green surroundings, colonial heritage, and great eateries make it an idyllic weekend getaway or holiday destination for people of South India esp. Bangalore and Chennai. We too did a 3-day weekend trip to Ooty and had an awesome time there. So, here is a complete guide on the Ooty Itinerary we followed.
3 Days Ooty Itinerary
Day 1: (Bangalore to Ooty)
Reach Ooty by 12 pm, so you have the rest of the day to explore queen of hills.
Note: While coming from Bandipur side, keep in mind,that the gates of Bandipur National Park are closed during the night from 6:00pm -4:00 am.
While driving to Ooty, several tourist attractions fall on the way itself. So, opt to cover them on the way itself as we did.
Pykara Lake & Pykara Waterfalls
Pykara Lake is the largest lake in the Nilgiri district. It lies 22 km from the center of Ooty in the Pykara Village on the Ooty- Mysore road. The lake is considered sacred by the Todas community and it also forms the part an important part of the hydroelectric project i.e. Pykara dam. During Monsoons, i.e. in months of July and August, when the gates of the dam are opened, the silent lake becomes gushy. It flows amidst the pine trees and is considered as the best place for nature and photography lovers.
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) also runs houseboats, motorboats or speed boat in the Pykara lake. So opt to sit and enjoy a scrumptious meal in the boathouse. It is an amazing place to relax and enjoy the comforts of nature. The timing of the boat ride is from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
The Pykra River flows over a series of waterfalls and the 55 and 61 meter high falls together are known as Pykara falls. So, it is the best place to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature among cloud and mountains.
4 Kilometers ahead the Pykara Dam lies the Pine forest shooting point, where many movie scenes have been shots. A little hike from the bottom to the hilltop gives the best view of the valley. Horse riding takes place at this place here and the place is a delight for every photographer. So, if you have ample time do spend some time here enjoying the views and clicking pictures.
Pine Forest Shooting Point
M, and N Chocolate Museum
Chocolate Museum lies around 9 km from the Pykara falls. It is the best place to learn the process of making healthy chocolates without using vegetable oil. They also treat you with free chocolates to enjoy on your way. The entry fee to the museum is Rs 20 and the timing are from 9 am to 6 pm.
After enjoying the Pykara falls, beautiful views and homemade chocolates we suggest to head over to your hotel to take some rest. In the evening, you can check the local market and the Thunder World
Thunder World
If you are traveling with children, then Thunder World should definitely be on your list. It is an amusement park which consists of a Dinosaur theme park, 5D theatre, Camera Museum, Vortex, Haunted House, etc. The entry fees vary for each section of the park. We suggest to choose a combo pack as it is much cost-effective.
Thunder world – 3 days Ooty Itinerary
The entry fee is around Rs 150/- for children and Rs 210/- for adults and the timings for visit are from 9 am to 7 pm. The Dinosaur theme park has all kinds of dinosaurs and it will take you to Jurassic ages. The haunted house is really scary. Kids will also enjoy the replicas of Taj Mahal, Golden temple and India gate.
Day 2 (At Ooty)
Start your day early, around 9 am as there is lot to explore in a day.
Botanical Garden, Ooty
Botanical Garden is one of the most visited tourist places in Ooty. The garden is huge and is filled with beautiful green lawns, flowers, and ferns. The Toda hill within the park gives an insight into the tribe of Toda people. Also, check 20 million years fossilized tree here.
Botanical Garden Ooty (Source)
The Botanical Garden opens around 7 am and closes at 6 pm. The entry fee for adult is Rs 30/- and Rs 15/- for children. Camera charges are additional Rs 50/- to Rs 100/-.
Rose Garden, Ooty
Rose Garden is located in the center of the Ooty city and is spread over four hectares of land. The best time to visit it is during the flowering season (i.e. from March to June) when there are large varieties of roses here. One can also purchase saplings or bouquets from the garden.
The entry fee is Rs 30/- for adult and Rs 15/- for kids. The garden is open from7.30 am to 6.30 pm. Camera charges are additional Rs 50/- to Rs 100/-.
Ooty Lake, an artificial lake built in 1824, lies 2 km from the city center. It spreads over 65 km and is surrounded by Eucalyptus trees and greenery all around. One can enjoy boating here after choosing from pedal boats, motorboats and rowboats available here.
Ooty Lake
The Lake is accessible to tourists from 10 am to 6 pm. The entry fee is Rs 10. In the month of May, boat races too, are conducted here.
Wax Museum
1 km away from Ooty, lies wax museum. The museum is located inside a 130 years old colonial house and it houses wax statues of many famous personalities. It opens from 9 am to 6 pm and the entry fee is 30/- for adults and Rs 20/- for children.
Tea Factory and Museum
The tea factory and museum falls on the way to the Doddabetta peak. Do visit it to learn the entire tea making process right from drying tea leaves to manufacturing. It opens from 9 am to 6 pm and the entry fee is Rs 10/-.
Tea Estates – 3 days Ooty itinerary
Also, purchase fresh tea packets from the museum. The tea made is completely pure and good. Read our detailed tea estate experience at Handunugoda virgin white tea estate in Sri Lanka.
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak is the highest point of the Nilgiris. Is a perfect spot to get a look at the Karnataka and Kerala borders from Tamil Nadu. There is a telescope house at the viewpoint and the two telescopes are installed for public use. The place is always swarming with the crowd, but we liked spending some time here because of the mesmerizing views.
Ooty tea plantation near doddabetta Tamilnadu
Day 3 (Local Sightseeing and Back)
Nilgiri Mountain Railways
Just like the Himalayan toy trains of Darjeeling and Himachal, this too is a main attraction of Ooty. The blue toy train when passes amidst the green scenery it makes the perfect fairy tale ride.
Ooty Himalayan Railway – 3 Days Ooty Itinerary
We suggest booking the tickets via IRCTC itself at least a month before, from Udayamangalam station to Connor to avoid the onspot hassles. Train fares are Rs 250/- for first-class and Rs 30/- for second class. The train timings from Ooty to Connor are 9.15 am, 12.15 pm, 14.00 pm, and 18.00 pm and the return timings are 7.45 am, 10.40 am, 12.35 pm and 16.30 pm.
Lamb’s Rock
The Lamb’s rock lies 8 km from Ooty, on the way to Dolphin nose point. One gets the entire Connor hills view from here.
Dolphin Nose Point
It lies 10 km from the Connor city center. The peak visible from here is in the shape of dolphin nose. The rolling hills, cloudy sky, and the greenery is a treat to the eyes.
How to reach Ooty?
Ooty lies 272 kilometers from Bangalore, 555 Kilometers from Chennai, and 125 kilometers from Mysore. The nearest airport is Coimbatore, i.e. around 86 km away and the nearest railway station is Mettupalayam, around 40 km from Ooty. From here one can take a bus or taxi to reach further. Bangalore, Mysore, and Chennai are well connected to Ooty by road and one can even opt for overnight buses.
Best time to visit Ooty
The weather in Ooty is pleasant throughout the year. April to June i.e. summers is the peak tourist time. People rush to this quaint hill station to escape from the harsh weather, For monsoon and rain lovers, July to September is best and during this time the earth wears a green blanket. Winters lasts from and the weather is pleasant and enjoyable.
This post has been curated by Shalini Garnaik, from Eager2travel – a curious girl bit by wanderlust. She loves documenting and sharing her travel stories, travel hacks, tips. She has been traveling with a full-time job from the past two years.
Since 7:00 am, we both are glued to our chairs in the hotel’s room Balcony with tea mugs in our hand. You know why? Because it has been raining since early morning and we can’t miss gazing at the formation of the raindrops, swaying trees, moving clouds, dancing flowers and that cool misty breeze on the face. You might think, we are crazy. Yes! We are because we love seeing, getting wet and jumping in rains at different places. So, as soon as monsoon set it foot, we start planning a trip to one of the offbeat monsoon destinations in India. Till now, we have covered many monsoon destinations in India and in this post, we will be covering our favorite ones.
Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India
With the onset of the rainy season, mother earth wakes up from hibernation and starts rejuvenating. The downpour provides relief to everyone and everything from the scorching heat and the whole nature just turns magical. In hills, the clouds engulf the mountains and landscapes, the dried-up patches turn lush green, waterfalls soar up, and the silent rivers turn ferocious. Not only this the rhythmic rain sound, earthy smell, and misty fragrance further adds fuel to the soul. So, it’s our favorite time of year for traveling.
Vagator Beach – Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India
And, if you too are someone like us who wants to enjoy these perils of nature in its purest form, then you must travel in monsoons. So, pack your bag and get ready to explore these offbeat monsoon destinations in India.
Chakrata, Uttarakhand
Chakrata, the cantonment area at an elevation of 7500 feet, in the Garhwal Himalayas in Dehradun district, is a hidden gem of Uttarakhand. The hill station was developed by British rulers as a summer retreat for the high executives, exactly like all other cantonments of India.
Chakrata – Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India
In monsoons, Chakrata
looks extremely dramatic. The roaring, hanging clouds in seconds descend down
on the ground, reducing the visibility to zero. You can’t predict when downpour
will begin here and if it starts it won’t stop that easily. Rains make the landscapes
look crystal clear and lush green. Waterfall howl in full volume during monsoon
season and there is a fragrance of fresh air throughout.
Must
Visit – Tiger Fall, Deoban, Chilmiri Point, Kanasar and
Budher Caves
How to reach Chakrata
Chakrata lies 89 kilometers from Dehradun city and 323 kilometers from Delhi. From Delhi it can be reached by car, bus, train or cab. The nearest airport and railway station is at Dehradun. From there one can hire cab or take a bus to reach Chakrata.
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According. to AllGudThings, the best way is to take a self-drive road trip. There are two routes and we opted for route 1 because it is a highway and to avoid heavy traffic at Meerut and Saharanpur.
Condition
of Roads: Excellent, fully graveled highway
roads. The steep roads start only after Ponta Sahib
Binsar, Uttarakhand
Binsar, located at 7913 feet is a hidden sleepy place in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Indeed, it is a less traveled forest, encircled by a vast wildlife sanctuary spreading up to 46km2. And today it is home to many rare animals, birds, and wildflowers.
As soon one
enters the Binsar
wildlife sanctuary the blanket
of green hangs all around. The rocks are covered with unusual moss and ferns,
and flowers and shrubs foliage is seen sprouting out of every conceivable nook
and corner of the hillside. The entire place looks from a different era. It seems time never touched this place and it has
been similar since years. In monsoons, Binsar becomes too exiting. If one
moment, there is a heavy rainfall followed by pitter – patter of raindrops than
other moment it will be misty with floating clouds in the valley. Overall the place is adorable throughout and
looks super green, fresh, foggy and smells earthy.
Must Visit
– Zero
Point, Bineshwar Mahadev Temple, Kasar Devi Temple,
Binsar in Monsoons
How to reach Binsar
Binsar lies 95 Kilometers from Nainital, 35 kilometers form Almora, and 423 kilometers from Delhi. It can be reached via air, road or rail. The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam. Further from both the stations, distance to Binsar can be covered by taxis or buses.
Condition of Roads- Gaveled single lane tortuous roads and at places expect detours due to landslides
Registration Fee
for Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary– Rs 150 per person and Rs 250 for vehicle
Thanedar, Himachal Pradesh – Offbeat Monsoon Destination in India
Thanedar, a small offbeat town in Himachal Pradesh is located at 7700 feet, near Narkanda. It is well known as the home to the first apple plantations of the country. Along with apple, the fertile land and good climate conditions too helps in cultivation of plums and apricots and today this belt is referred as a Food Bowl of Himachal.
In monsoons, Thanedar and its surroundings look completely heavenly. The whole of the valley is lush green and submerged in clouds. There is pin-drop silence except the chirping of birds and roaring clouds. And when the clouds clear or valley lifts up its veil, one can see the apple trees in full bloom, laden with clusters of pink-tinged white flowers. So, overall this place is enough for a sensory explosion and we time.
On the way Narkanda Thanedar – Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India
Must Visit –
Tani Jubber Lake, St. Mary’s Church, Apple Orchards, Sutlej
River, Harmony
Hall also known as The Samuel Stokes stone house, dedicated to the man who
started apple cultivation in this belt and later who changed his name to Satyanand,
Stokes Farm and Narkanda
How to reach Thanedar
Thanedar lies at a distance of 445 kilometers from
Delhi, 80 kilometers from Shimla and about 15 kilometers from Narkanda. It can be reached via air, road or rail.
The nearest airport is the Shimla airport located in Jubbarhatti and the nearest railway station is at Shimla.
Further from both the stations, distance to Thanedar can be covered by taxis or
buses.
Condition of Roads- Highway with fully gavelled roads except few bad places. Also expect jams due to work in progress
Sikkim
Sikkim, is the least populous and second smallest mountainous state in North East India. The state is further divided into North, South, East and West Sikkim. The state has around 28 mountain peaks and also host the highest peak of India i.e. Kanchenjunga. Around 35% part of the entire state is covered by Kanchenjunga National Park & its capital is Gangtok.
Sikkim – Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India
Sikkim in Monsoons won’t be on anyone’s radar because of the incessant rains area receives. But believe us, if you want to see the beauty of the real nature, then this is the best time. Paths get lined up with ginormous ferns and wildflowers, forests turn green & dense and fog in between make it look mysterious. The river starts flowing in full swing, the waterfalls become exuberant, the blanket of clouds continuously hover over the landscapes and the whole nature smells earthy. Everything looks extremely dreamy and just imagine having that lone house standing grand in the middle of the glistening field, swathed with the layers of mist. Isnt that the best feeling. Also, the place turns to a chirpy heaven and one can even spot the rarest species of the birds at this time.
Must Visit – Gangtok, North Sikkim (Gurudongmar Lake, Lachen, Lachung, Katao), Rumtek Monastery, Zuluk, Pelling, Yuksom, Ravangla, Rabdentse Palace Ruins, Kanchenjunga National Park and waterfall, Khecheopalri Lake
How to reach Sikkim
Sikkim (Gangtok) lies at a distance of 1601 kilometers from
Delhi, 671 kilometers from Kolkata, 123 Kilometers from Bagdogra and 30 kilometers
from Pakyong. It can be reached via
air, road or rail. The nearest airport till 2018 was Bagdogra Airport but now
the nearest is Pakyong Airport. The nearest railway station is at Siliguri.
Further from here, the distance to Gangtok can be covered by shared or private
cabs or buses.
Condition of Roads from Bagdogra Airport- Highway with fully gaveled roads except for a few bad patches.
Goa
Goa, the smallest state of India is well known nationally and Internationally for its beaches, parties, sunsets and liberal culture. Just like Old Manali it too is listed under the Banana Pancake trail and is famous not only among the hippies and backpackers but also among the honeymoon couple.
Goa in Monsoons
During Monsoons, Goa looks extremely
different and special. There is a feeling of romance, refreshment and magic.
The whole place turns lush green, Palm trees dance and sway to the tune of the
winds, the quaint lanes get clean and cleared by the continuous rains, thick grey
clouds rule the sky, colorful houses shine bright among the landscapes and waves
swirl and bash hard at the shore of the beaches.
Most of the Shacks in Goa gets packed up during Monsoons. Only the permanent structures survive the harsh downpour. So, to enjoy the action and party scenes during monsoons, prefer staying in North Goa over South Goa as most of the Shacks are operational here.
Views of Vagator Beach from Shalai The Cliff resort
Must Visit – Dudhsagar waterfall, North Goa Beaches (Candolim, Calangute, Vagator, Baga. Anjuna, Morjim), Chapora Fort, Old Goa Tour, Divar Island, Spice Plantations around Ponda, Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Panjim and Casinos. Also, check for the local Monsoon festivals like Soao Jao (celebrated in June) and Bonderam flag festival (celebrated in August).
How to reach Goa
Goa lie at a distance of 1902 kilometers from Delhi, 603 kilometers from Mumbai, 572Kilometers from Bangalore and 44 kilometers from Dabolim. It can be reached via air, road or rail. The nearest airport is Dabolim Airport whereas the nearest railway station is at Madgaon and Vasco – Da- Gama. Further from here, the distance to Panjim can be covered by shared or private cabs or local buses.
Condition of Roads from Dabolim Airport- Fully gaveled roads with potholes. Also, expect slow traffic due to work in progress.
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Tips for Traveling in Monsoons
Remember the itinerary you planned cannot be completely followed during monsoons. Half of the time you will be just sitting in your room balcony, sipping tea, enjoying the rain or you might get stuck at a place for hours. So, keep a buffer day or two in your itinerary. Also, remember to be slow and go with the flow during the rainy season.
Rain-proof your entire luggage and your electronic devices
Carry an umbrella, raincoat, first aid box, extra pair of clothes, non-slippery floaters and slippers with you
Do keep windcheater, light jacket and a pair of socks as the weather gets cool after rains at all these places except Goa
Carry torch, mosquito repellants and some packaged food
Keep your ID proofs and photographs with you for the permits and a visit to North and East Sikkim
Make sure to keep your power banks charged as there are high chances of power failure or cut in monsoons
Travel safely as there are chances of landslides in hilly areas
Don’t go out if there is an alert by Metrological Department
Avoid going to the waterlogged areas
Stop if there are a heavy downpour and thunderstorm
Keep yourself hydrated and avoid exposing yourself to direct winds
In Goa, don’t go into the beach, as the high tides are really dangerous and can push you down hard
Don’t run in the hills as monsoons make the trails highly slippery and there are high chances of getting slipped and injured
Don’t opt for water activities, although you will see companies advertising and selling them in Goa
Tips for Road Trips to Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India
Get your car wipers, headlights, brakes and tires inspected
before you leave. Prefer having the anti-skid suspension tires
Avoid taking unknown routes and prefer the highways. Also be
prepared for the detours because of the landslides
Start early and take the break when showers are over
powering and visibility is highly reduced
Watch your speed and be really gentle on the curves
Some bonds are built by chance and cannot be explained in words. They just happen and leave a direct mark on your soul. Such is the bond we have formed with Gangtok Sikkim in India.
On the first look, Gangtok City located in Northeast India looked like another uber hill town of Himachal or Uttarakhand but after spending a few days there, we realized how unique and advance it is. Locals absolutely love their city, like to keep it CLEAN and also abide by every single rule and regulations set up by the government. The Tangible Goals to end Tuberculosis by 2020, to make state completely organic and plastic-free clearly shows the high vision of state Sikkim. Just imagine, if the whole of India follows this, where we can head to. The Gangtok Town is flanked by the Himalayas on all side and has traditional monasteries hidden in between them, just like the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh.
During our Darjeeling Sikkim Trip, the plan was to spend 2 days in Gangtok, Sikkim whereas we ended up spending up 4 days here. Gangtok acts as a base for trips to East, West, South or North Sikkim. So, even we made it our base and explored all zones from here itself. Also, we got surplus time to imbibe its culture and aura into our souls.
So, here is a brief travel guide from our experience on Gangtok City.
Eat- Places to enjoy food in Gangtok Sikkim, India
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is a city of Nepalese, Tibetans’, and Sikkimese. So, on MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) the heart of Gangtok; one can find plenty of cafes and restaurants serving all the specialties to satiate your taste buds. Here are the recommendations of cafes and restaurants from the ones we tried.
Osm Restro & Lounge- Let’s Get Social
The Osm Restro & Lounge located on the first floor has great interiors and gives a feel of fine dining. The seating is comfortable and the corner seats offer the direct view of MG Marg. Their motto to “Let’s Get Social” – SMILE, ENJOY, LAUGH, EAT, DRINK, SHOUT is what this place truly lives too. After a long hectic walk, we relaxed, enjoyed some cocktails and munched on thin-crust pizza here. And the experience was great enough to make us hit back the streets .
Osm Lounge & Bar at MG Marg, Gangtok Sikkim India
Nimtho- Authentic Local Cuisines of Himalayas
Nimtho, located on the first floor in the middle of MG Marg is known for authentic local cuisines of Himalayas. They serve Sikkimese, Nepali and Tibetan food, cooked in the old style with aromatic herb and spices.
Chicken Achar Momos at Nimtho in Gangtok
The place has a cozy warmth and a rustic feel of the traditions with a display of traditional cooking styles throughout the sitting area. We tried Mula Chursi Salad (Raddish spunned with herbs and Sikkim Cheese) and Chicken Achar Momos. The salad was average because we didn’t like the Cheese taste much but Momos were to die for. They were absolutely soupy, juicy and spicy. Although we ordered a plain bread after that to pacify the chilliness.
Golden Dragon Bar & Restaurant
The Golden Dragon Bar and restaurant located near the Tourist Information Center on the first floor is a center of attraction of MG Marg. The loud music and two huge dragons on its exteriors make the place easily recognizable and quite distinct from others. But honestly, we didn’t like it much. The place interiors were gloomy and dingy. We wanted to rush out immediately but after the backache from the North Sikkim trip, we had no energy. So, took a chance and seated ourselves. We ordered here pizza, salad, and HIT, the local beer of Sikkim.
Hit- The Local Beer of Sikkim at Gangtok Sikkim India
Pizza and Salad both were good but the best was chilled HIT, and it really took away all our pain. They also have an open terrace opening towards, MG Marg.
Bakers Café
Good breakfast is what helps us to start our day well. So, we directly headed to the Bakers Café, located on MG Marg.
Bakers Cafe on MG Marg Gangtok India
The first look of Bakers Cafe was WoW! The place has a cool ambiance and it looked like heaven for Bakery lovers. We choose a place next to the window opening up to the Himalayas and ordered a quick breakfast with cappuccino and ginger drink. The food taste and presentation were a treat to eyes. Overall, we loved this cafe and will recommend it to every traveler.
Views from Bakers Cafe in Gangtok Sikkim
Our stomach was full after the scrumptious breakfast but taste buds still had the cravings of sweet so before leaving, we got some cakes, muffins, and munchies packed for ourselves.
Breakfast at Bakers Cafe in Gangtok India.
Hotel Tashi Delek – Rooftop Restaurant
The Hotel Tashi Delek, hidden in one of the lanes of MG Marg is another favorite of all the places. The place has a blend of traditional and modern design and its classy rooftop with an open bar is what makes this place super special. We loved spending our evenings here, admiring the landscapes and densely spread Gangtok. The advise is to occupy a corner seat in the open for the perfect view.
The Rooftop of Hotel Tashi Delek at MG Marg Gangtok
The service at Tashi Delek is good but their menu has very limited food options. In food, we ate fish and egg fried rice with Local Beer “Dansberg” repeatedly and it was absolutely worth the price.
The Tangerine in Chumbi Residency
The Tangerine, restaurant in the Chumbi residency is another hyped place in Gangtok town. We were staying at Chumbi residency, so didn’t pay much attention to its restaurant but definitely, the food we ordered for breakfast and Dinner was yum and value for money.
Tangerine at Chumbi Residency, Gangtok Sikkim
Note: The restaurants and café in Gangtok are not overly expensive. Two people’s meal on average costs around Rs. 1000- Rs.1500/-.
Roam – Attractions in Gangtok Sikkim
Gangtok the capital of Sikkim; proves big things come in small packages. The place is a wonderland and there is some or other place of interest for every tourist or traveler. Gangtok is soaked in the beauty of Himalayas, has unlimited waterfalls, nature trails, monasteries, temples and also boastsone of the highest peaks of the world i.e. Kanchenjunga. Indeed, Gangtok is known as a “Land of Monasteries” and has some of the oldest and largest monasteries. So, here are the places of interest we would like to recommend you.
MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg)
Mahatma Gandhi Marg, the heart and most happening place of Gangtok is famous among tourists as well as locals. The marg is well paved, maintained, clean, green, and litter-free. It is absolutely full of colors and positive vibes. Also, it houses all the beautiful cafes, lounges, and traditional eateries.
MG Marg Gangtok Sikkim India in August
Monasteries
Gangtok has around 100 small monasteries in and around its vicinity -like Enchey Monastery, Tusklakhang Palace Monastery, Lingdum monastery, Rumtek monastery, etc. But if you want to visit only one then do visit Rumtek Monastery.
Entry Gate To Rumtek Monastery
The Rumtek Monastery, largest in Sikkim and mother of all monasteries, lies on an opposite hill in the Rumtek town, 23 kilometers away from the Gangtok city. At the main gate, there is a check post and from here one needs to walk for a Kilometer to reach Monastery. The path is lined with trees, colorful shops and rows of prayer wheels. The grind of prayer wheels and chirping of birds throughout the walk keep the atmosphere quite lively.
Prayer Wheels on the way to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim
As you enter the main Monastery gate, 4 storied colorful building stands in front against a calm, green, beautiful mountainous backdrop. The colors and the aura of this place automatically pull you towards it.
Rumtek Monastery – Largest Monastery of Sikkim
Its beautiful architecture, Thangka, and the years-old artifacts clearly state its importance in Sikkim. Also, there are several vantage points around Monastery, from where you get the entire sprawling view of Gangtok city.
Colorful Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim
Timings: 8:00 am -5:00 pm
Entry Ticket– Rs. 10/-
View of Gangtok Town from Rumtek Monastery
Karma Shri Nalanda Institute / Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center
Keep circumambulating around the Rumtek Monastery and from behind climb the steps to reach Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, an institute for higher Buddhist studies.
Way to Golden Stupa, Karma Shri Nalanda Institute
The main shrine of the institute houses the 13-foot-high Golden Stupa (also known as Lhabab Chodteen) made of Gold and copper, bejeweled with ancient stones and corals. Inside the Stupa are the precious relics and holy remains of His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the shrine.
Karma Shri Nalanda Institute in Sikkim
Temples
Gangtok has plenty of grandeur Temples and each one is known for its peaceful environment and divine atmosphere. If you have ample time then do visit one or two of them. We checked out Hanuman Tok and Ganesha Tok, both located on the Hilltop offering an amazing view of Himalayas and Kanchenjunga Peak. But during our visit, it was monsoon time and clouds had completely engulfed the ranges, so we didn’t even get a glimpse of them.
On the way to Hanuman Top in Gangtok Sikkim India
Hanuman Tok, located at 7200 feet is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is one of the main shrines in Gangtok. It lies 11 Kilometers from Gangtok city, on the branch road of Gangtok Nathula Highway. The drive to the temple is breathtaking especially during monsoons when every inch looks green and serene. But be carefully with the Leeches, if you are walking down.
The Hanuman Temple has a mythical story- it is believed that Lord Hanuman rested here for a while, during his return trip from Sri Lanka, while carrying Sanjeevani Bhuti (Herbs) from the Himalayas to cure Lord Laxman. And today this temple is known as wish-fulfilling Temple by locals.
Ganesh Tok In Gangtok Sikkim India
Ganesha Tok, the shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha lies on the way to Hanuman Tok. The temple can be identified easily from a distance because of its vibrant colors and the colorful flags decorating the pathway. The entrance to the Temple is quite narrow and only one person can enter at a time.
Kanchenjunga View Point /Tashi View Point
The Kanchenjunga viewpoint, also known as Tashi viewpoint lies 8 Kilometers from the Gangtok city. The place is known for the panoramic views it offers of Gangtok city, and of Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Sinolchu.
Tashi View Point in Gangtok
Tashi View Point is an irregular structure built on the hilltop and can be reached only via a climbing few steps. In the center of this structure is installed a beautiful dragon art, at the front are the viewpoints built with railing to get the clear panoramic views whereas at back stands the multi-floor hexagonal building. For reaching this building’s top, climb more stairs and pay a nominal fee. And it is all worth after seeing the views from the top. Clouds were floating among the mountains and we could see the specs of Gangtok city in between. The whole scene looked imaginary and completely out of the world.
View from Tashi View Point
Here you will also see the tourists getting themselves draped and clicked in traditional Sikkimese dresses.
Dragon art at Tashi View Point in Gangtok
Bakthang waterfall – Gangtok Sikkim
Bakthang waterfall lies 3 kilometers from Gangtok city on the North Sikkim Highway. The fall looks absolutely magnificent because of its spread and the way it falls on the green canopy of creepers.
Bakthang Waterfall in Gangtok Sikkim India
In front of the Bakthang waterfall is a green bridge where one can climb up for better views and pictures. Also, do enjoy juicy and delicious momos from a local vendor standing in the car parking lot.
Lal Market
The Lal Bazaar very close to MG Marg truly represents the vibrant colors of Sikkim. The local farmers congregate here to sell their local produce and interestingly the majority of vendors are women. On Sunday, the market is super full and it looks like a melody of colors.
Mushroom at Lal Market in Gangtok
Lal Market has 3 floors, where the 1st and 2nd floors are dedicated to vegetable and fruit vendors and part of the 2nd and complete 3rd floor, are for purchasing clothes of every variety and range. We went here to purchase Dalle – the spiciest Chilli in the world and some local mushrooms.
Dalle- The spiciest chili in the world
Dalle, the chili of a cherry size was a rare commodity in the market and was available in red and green. We brought 500 grams each to prepare Dalle Khursani.
Ropeway Ride for bird’s eye view of Gangtok Sikkim
The ropeway cable car ride is one of the topmost tourist attraction of Gangtok. It is a kilometer-long ride, which starts from Deorali near the Institute of Tibetology and goes up to Tashiling. The Cable car operates daily between 9:30 am to 4:30 pm continuously and the ticket price is Rs. 110/- per adult and Rs. 70/- for child below 6 years. Also, video camera charges are additional Rs. 100/-.
Deorali Butterfly Bridge in Gangtok
Attractions Nearby Gangtok
Nathula Pass
The Nathula Pass located at 14,140 feet lies 56 kilometers from Gangtok town and can be visited as a day trip. The route was once the main silk trade route between India and China but today only limited trade takes place here. For more details on Nathula Pass and permit check here.
Tsomgo/ Changu Lake
The Tsomgo or Changu Lake is a glacial oval-shaped lake at 12,310 feet. It lies 40 Kilometers from Gangtok and can also be visited as a day trip destination. The Changu Lake Lake too is considered as one of the highest glacial lakes of India like Gurudongmar Lake and Chandratal Lake.
Note: Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake both need an inner line permit for a visit and can be visited via local cabs only. We skipped visiting both these places for two reasons. First, as we already visited another high altitude Lake i.e. Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim and second we never wanted to travel anymore in the cabs.
Live – Accomodation in Gangtok Sikkim India
There are plenty of accommodation options in Gangtok from guest houses to budget hotels to luxurious hotels. The only criteria we had set up for choosing a hotel for ourselves was to find a good place near to the MG Marg. So, we choose to stay at Hotel Chumbi Residency, located on the Tibet Road, at just 5 minutes’ walk away from the main market M.G. Marg.
The Lobby of Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
The first look of the hotel lobby was impressive. It was well decorated with artifacts reflecting the Sikkim culture and the huge glass on one end gave the complete view of landscapes around Gangtok.
View from Hotel Lobby of Chumbi Residency
We opted for the Jade room at Rs. 2500 per night. The room was super comfortable, cozy, well furnished and had the feel of the bedroom, which we needed for the coming 4-5 days. Moreover, the huge window on one end was enough to have Gangtok feel.
Jade room at Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
The hotel Chumbi Residency has its own parking space and a wonderful restaurant Tangerine, which serves Continental, Oriental, Indian and Sikkimese cuisine. The other plus of the place is that they let you leave your vehicle while going for a North Sikkim tour.
Fall in Love with Gangtok Sikkim
Gangtok truly represents the beauty and serenity. It is a place which takes you through rolling hills, lush green misty valleys, beautiful monasteries and makes you fall in love. Here are some reasons why we say that
Gangtok is the friendliest walking city with proper pathways
Is absolutely pollution and dirt free
The “N” number of cafeterias, serve the yummiest cuisines without robbing your pockets. So, the city is a gastronomical delight
Has well-aligned policies for the safety and growth of state & Citizens
Weather is excellent throughout the year
And there are multiple options of day trips from the city
How to reach Gangtok
The closest airport to Gangtok was Bagdogra airport near Siliguri in West Bengal. From there one could opt for shared cabs, private taxis, local bus or Zoomcar. We took Zoomcar from Siliguri to Gangtok and it took us around 5 hours to reach there. However, on 4 October 2019, the new airport has opened up at Pakyong in Sikkim which is about 33 km from Gangtok and this will cut downtime to reach Gangtok to 1-hour form 5 hours.
Weather
at Gangtok Sikkim, India
Gangtok has mild comfortable temperature weather throughout the year and it never crosses 25 degrees Celsius. Here, Summersare from April end to June and the temperature ranges between 22° to 14 degrees Celsius. Monsoon starts in June and continues till September. During this time Gangtok receives heavy downpour and one can witness multiple landslides too. Autumn lasts in September and October. Winter starts in November and continues until March. The temperature ranges between 7° to 4 degrees Celsius and sometimes even dip to 1 degree Celsius. Spring lasts in April and the weather starts getting warm.
We visited Gangtok in Monsoons and it is a trip to remember forever. The valley was beautifully covered in clouds. The rain continued for days but we didn’t mind getting wet anywhere. Landscapes too looked lush green and misty. So, if you are a rain lover and sucker of natural beauty than visit Gangtok during monsoon i.e. in off season.
We (AllGUDTHINGS), known as the unplanned travelers, are quite random in our travel plans. If one hour we are at home, another hour we will be packing and leaving for some destination. Exactly the same happened during our anniversary. The plan was to go somewhere in Himachal from Delhi, then came Munsiyari in Uttarakhand and by night the whole plan changed and we opted to go for a Darjeeling Sikkim Tour. Most people, don’t trust us on this, but yes we booked our tickets at midnight for Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri in West Bengal and boarded our flight next morning at 11:00 am. So, without any schedule, plan or bookings we left to explore the tea estate land Darjeeling and the smallest state of India, Sikkim.
About Darjeeling Sikkim
Darjeeling, a hill town is located in the lower Himalayas in West Bengal at 6700 feet. It is well known for its Darjeeling tea, the world’s third highest mountain Kanchenjunga, and the UNESCO world heritage site the Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train. Darjeeling is 68 Kilometers from Bagdogra and 80 Kilometers from Siliguri via Hill Cart road and can be reached in almost 3 hours.
Darjeeling Toy Train Steam Engine
Whereas Sikkim, the least populous and second smallest state of India is divided into North, South, East and West Sikkim. It is known nationally as the most environmentally conscious state, having banned plastic bottles and polystyrene products. The state is a host for the highest peak of India i.e. Kanchenjunga and 35% part of the state is covered by Kanchenjunga National Park. Its capital is Gangtok. Interestingly, Sikkim was earlier not on every tourist’s radar but thanks to social media for giving it glamour.
Tea Estates in Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Itinerary for Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Day 1– Fly to Bagdogra airport from Delhi. Hire a Zoomcar from Siliguri and then head further to Darjeeling. Read our experience of Zoomcar from Siliguri to Sikkim
Day 2– Explore Darjeeling
Day 3- Drive to Gangtok from Darjeeling
Day 4- Explore Gangtok and surroundings
Day 5-7 North Sikkim Tour. Visit Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, Chopta Valley, Yumthang Valley, Kala Pathar, Katao
Day 8– Drive towards West Sikkim to reach Pelling but unfortunately, we had to come back to Gangtok because of a massive landslide on the way.
Day 9 – Explore East Sikkim (Rumtek Monastery and Surroundings)
Day 10 –Drive from Gangtok till Siliguri by Zoomcar, then to Bagdogra airport by cab, and further flight back home to Delhi
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Total Expense Breakup
Flights – Because of offseason (July – August), to & fro ticket (Delhi – Bagdogra) costus Rs. 12,000 for two people
Zoomcar for the whole trip – Rs, 20,000 for first 965 Kilometers, and 5,000 Rs. as refundable security. Above this, the additional Kilometers will be charged at Rs. 15 per kilometer
North Sikkim Trip – Rs. 16,000 including cab, accommodation and permit + Rs. 4000/- for covering additional places like Kala Pathar, Zero Point, Chopta Valley, and Katao
Cab from Bagdogra airport to Siliguri – Rs.1400 to and fro
Hotel in Darjeeling – Due to the offseason we got Rs. 7000/- Club Room in Rs. 3500/- (Heritage Hotel); So, Rs. 7000/- for 2 nights including two meals
Hotels in Gangtok – Rs. 2500/- per night again due to offseason (Rs. 10,000/- for 4 nights)
Miscellaneous meals – Breakfast between Rs. 500- Rs.700 whereas Dinner costs around Rs. 1000- Rs. 1500. Total cost approx. – Rs. 15000/-
Shopping – Rs. 5000/-
Transport in Darjeeling Sikkim
Darjeeling and Sikkim both have well-connected roads and can be reached via bus, shared or private cabs. The self-drive option is also open in Darjeeling and certain districts of Sikkim, just that one needs proper permits for it. So, being road trip lovers we opted for a self-drive option and did the complete journey with Zoomcar from Siliguri.
Zoomcar Parking Lot Siliguri. – Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Private and shared cabs run at very short intervals from Bagdogra airport. Shared jeep charges almost Rs. 150/- per person but it moves when it is full and there are 10 people in the jeep between 7 am to 3 pm. There is another Luxury class, share ride, which carries only 5 passengers by the name Wizzride. It starts from Siliguri and takes one to Darjeeling at a fare of Rs. 475/- and Gangtok at a fare of Rs.712 per seat. Whereas the private cab charges are Rs. 1850.00 for small car and Rs. 2200.00 for a large car.
Bus, the cheapest mode of transport starts at 7:00 am from Siliguri and go up to Darjeeling/ Gangtok. Night service is not available.
Darjeeling Toy Train Track runs parallel to road from Siliguri to Darjeeling
Another exciting option is to travel by Darjeeling Toy Train. The diesel engine hauled toy train leaves from NJP station i.e. New Jalpaiguri railway station; in the morning around 9 am and it takes about 7 hours to reach Darjeeling. The train can also be boarded from Siliguri Town and Siliguri Junction stations that are 5kms and 8kms away from NJP respectively. One side fare for First Class is Rs. 1,285/-. For the Darjeeling Toy Train schedule, check here.
Permits/ Interstate Rod
Taxes for Self Drive Zoomcar
From Siliguri to Darjeeling, we didn’t pay any tax but while entering state Sikkim from West Bengal, at Rangpo we paid an interstate tax of around 700 Rs for 9 days. This amount is nonrefundable by Zoomcar and you will get an alert in the Zoomcar app as soon as you enter the sate.
Note: Zoomcar cannot be taken to North and East Sikkim because the permits for the regions are issued to the Travel agents only. For Day 5-7 we parked our vehicle at the hotel itself.
Day
Wise Itinerary Breakup
Day 1
– Flight to Bagdogra Airport from Delhi, Took Zoomcar from Siliguri and moved
to Darjeeling
Board a flight from New Delhi airport and you will land at Bagdogra airport in 2 – 2:15 hrs. Bagdogra airport is a small airport. Within minutes, you will collect your baggage and make an exit. At the exit gate itself, you will be surrounded by plenty of cab drivers quoting random prices. If you have not booked your cab earlier, we advise you to take an exit, walk for 500 meters and book a cab at the prepaid counter.
We hired the
cab for Siliguri, from prepaid taxi stand at Rs.700/-. In 45 minutes he dropped
us to the Zoomcar parking lot. As, we
reached the Parking lot, our Red Scorpio and the customer care executive was
waiting for us. He checked our license on arrival and handed us the documents
bag, which had car RC, insurance and other important documents in it. Further
he asked us to do quick inspection of the car and make a note of the scratches,
dents or any other issues. To be on the safer side, we made a quick short
video and took pictures of the car.
Further, the customer representative logged into the app showed us the checklist explaining all the modules, took our signatures, handed us the keys and we were all set to go. For more details check our post experience with Zoomcar from Siliguri to Sikkim.
Tea Estates in Darjeeling
Within 15 minutes, we were on the road to Darjeeling. The road to Darjeeling is a beautiful road with the narrow gauge track on one side and valley on others. From one point, there are continuous ascent and tea estates on another side. We took the Hill cart road also known as the main road and reached Darjeeling in 4 hours. Clouds were pouring, there was hardly any visibility and all we could smell was freshness in the valley.
There are plenty of accommodation options in Darjeeling from luxurious hotels to budget ones, guest houses and heritage homes. We choose to stay at the Central heritage resort and Spa Hotel, constructed in 1905. The hotel has heritage and a newly constructed block.
Central Heritage Resort & Spa in Darjeeling
We chose to stay at the Heritage Club room, which completely reflected the design of the Colonial era. The room had extensive woodwork, antique furnishing, fireplace, paintings, and all required necessities. In a hotel, there are two multi-cuisine restaurants and one of them has a bar too. Also, there is also a separate bar lounge with a designated smoking area. Food is good and we advise you to must try fish from their starters menu.
Restaurant at Central Heritage Resort
Note: The Central Heritage resort is located centrally right in the market area, and the mall (chowrasta) is only a 4-5-minute walk from here. Rest markets, taxi stand, railway station, and great restaurants are also within easy walking distance from here.
Day 2 – Explore Darjeeling
Darjeeling, the queen of the hill stations is also the home to a Toy train and is a land of tea estates. The bustling town, towered over by the majestic Khangchendzonga (8598 m), also has many amazing attractions around it.
Darjeeling Toy Train Station
But we just had one day for Darjeeling in 10 days’ Darjeeling Sikkim Tour. So, it was impossible for us to check every attraction and here is what all we checked and will recommend to you.
Get up early and go to Tiger Hill for catching the first sunlight on snowcapped peaks of Kanchenjunga. If the weather is clear you will also get a glimpse of Mount Everest. Unfortunately, during our trip there was heavy rain so we skipped going to Tiger Hill.
Go for a stroll to the Darjeeling railway station. See how till the day, the steam engines of Toy Tain are set and the train track is cleaned
Toy Train starts at 7:40 am from Darjeeling Railway station. Opt to go till the nearest station Ghum/ Ghoom, which is the highest altitude station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track. It’s a 2-hour round trip covering a total distance of 14kms
Head to Batasia Loop, which is one of the greatest engineering marvels till day. The Loop was commissioned in 1919 for the toy train to handle a steep gradient of 140 feet. Just after Ghoom, there is a sharp fall as the toy train moves towards Darjeeling so this was the only way to reduce the gradient of the slope.
Go to Chowrasta/ or the mall for the relaxing stroll and shopping. In August, practice for 15th August was going on mall road, so we enjoyed the perfect show in a mist
Enjoy delicious Thupka and momos which you can find on every corner.
Visit Darjeeling Tea Estates and learn about the various types of tea. We brought some flavors for ourselves from Golden Tips. Also read the guide on Darjeeling tea, before buying for yourself
Visit Peace Pagoda sitting atop the CharlemontHill. It was established by the Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii as a way of promoting World Peace and harmony
If you have more time, then do visit Kalimpong, Sandakhpu, Himalayan Mountaineering Institue, Padmaja, and Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Chowrasta in Darjeeling- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Day 3 – Road trip from Darjeeling to Gangtok, Sikkim
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim lies 100 Kilometers from Darjeeling and can be reached in 5-6 hours. Tea estates in the valley accompany you on the way, further taken over by River Teesta/ Tista. Roads in West Bengal are well built and starts getting narrower after some Kilometres. You will cross several small colourful villages on the way and at times expect taking detours too.
Eco Tourism project on the way from Darjeeling to Gangtok
At Rangpo cross a bridge and there is a check post. Here, you need to pay, interstate tax for driving from West Bengal. We paid Rs. 700 for almost 8 days. For documentation take your car’s Registration Card and Driving License and the whole process takes around 15 minutes.
We reached Gangtok by 4:00 pm and the first thing was to search for a Hotel near MG Marg, as we had no prior bookings. July – August is considered the off-season period, so we were sure we will get it on a bit of a search.
Gangtok during Monsoons
Accommodation at
Gangtok
Just like Darjeeling, there are plenty of accommodation options in Gangtok. We planned to stay at Chumbi Residency, located on the Tibet Road, and just 5 minutes’ walk away from the main market M.G. Marg.
Lobby of Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
The hotel lobby of Chumbi residency was well decorated with artifacts reflecting the Sikkim culture and the huge glass on one end gave the complete view of landscapes with floating clouds in between. We opted for the Jade room at Rs. 2500 per night. The room was super comfortable, cozy and well furnished. It had the perfect feel of the bedroom, as it was going to be our abode for the coming 4-5 days. The staff welcomed us with a pleasant smile and were super helpful. They guided us with all the petty details, we needed on our unplanned trip.
Jade Room at Hotel Chumbi Residency in Gangtok
Note: The Chumbi Residency has its own parking space and lets you leave your vehicle while going for a North Sikkim tour. Also, they have one of the best restaurants of Gangtok by name, Tangerine, which serves Continental, Oriental, Indian and Sikkimese cuisine.
In the evening we went for a quick stroll at MG Garg and were impressed by the vibes of the place and food options we can enjoy here.
MG Marg Gangtok
Day
4 – Explored Gangtok and Surroundings
Gangtok, the neat and clean vibrant town is full of life and is equally peaceful too. There are plenty of things to enjoy in Gangtok and its surroundings. So, here is what we will suggest to you.
Bakthang Waterfall in Gangtok
Take a stroll at MG Marg. It has plenty of amazing cafes, bookstores, and restaurants to chill out
Visit the nearest Bakthang waterfall. Also enjoy tea, Momos, and Maggi from the tea vendors there
Admire the views of Kanchenjunga from Kanchenjungaviewpoint
Pay a visit at colorful Hanuman Tok and Ganesha Tok
Visit Lal market to buy Dalle (the spiciest chili in the world) and some more souvenirs
If you’re Skipping North Sikkim, then we would recommend you to visit the glittering Tsomgo/Changu Lake, Nathula Pass, and Tashi View Point. However, if you are visiting North Sikkim, then you can skip these sites and the Tashi viewpoint will come on your way
In the evening head to MG Garg and enjoy some local Momos and Thupkas or relish good food and local drinks at a café. We have explored some amazing cafes during our visit and will be writing about them soon
Ganesh Tok in Gangtok
Day 5 – Drive to North
Sikkim (Lachen)
The real Darjeeling Sikkim tour started here, as we will be visiting the remotest area i.e. North Sikkim. For the next 3 days, our Zoomcar was in the parking lot and we will be tripping in the local cab as one cannot drive his/her own vehicle or take Zoomcar to the restricted areas of Sikkim. Moreover, Indians need inner line permit whereas foreigners need restricted area permit for visiting these areas. For us, the last minute bookings and permits were arranged by our Hotel staff with a trustworthy driver.
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Documents for Permit
Carry an identity
proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport) of each individual
along with 2-3 photographs.
Our day started with a call from a driver (Sharon Chettri) at 9:00 am. He instructed us to carry water, snacks, medicines, and other necessary stuff on the way as it is going to be a long and tedious day. We packed and left at the earliest. As soon we took an exit from Gangtok, vistas started changing. Surroundings became completely green and the roads turned narrow and winding. The journey looked like a marvel with endless waterfalls and panoramic views of Himalayas. We advise you to make multiple stops in between to sip tea with views, have food and obviously for photography.
Tea with views on the way to Lachen- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Time
to reach – approx. 6 to7 hrs. but in seasons this
can go up to 8-10 hrs.
Note: From Mangan, the restricted area zone begins. Here, at the check post, your permit will be checked and you will be advised to purchase a plastic bottle as ahead Mangan plastic bottles are not allowed. Isn’t that wonderful? Also buy some snacks and munchies, if you are not carrying from Gangtok.
Views on the way to Lachen in North Sikkim
Accommodation and Meals
in Lachen
We reached Lachen by 5:00 – 5:30 pm. It was raining continuously and the temperature had already dipped by several degrees. The driver took us immediately into Hotel Sinolchu (included in our package) and on arrival, the owner served us hot tea. We relaxed for some time and then left for a walk in the beautiful village.
The Colorful Dining area of Hotel Sinolchu at Lachen
At Lachen, there are limited accommodation options. Although, lots of new good hotels are coming up but in offseason many are closed; so just expect the basic accommodation and meals. Basic accommodation means guest house with very limited facilities. Our hotel rooms were small, had two single beds, an attached washroom, and unpredictable lighting. Meals served too were quite basic and it included Rice, Dal, Veg, and Chapatti only. One or two shops in the evening were open and were serving hot Maggi, Thupka, and Momos.
Early Morning views of Lachen- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Day 6 – Drive to Gurudongamr
Lake, Chopta Valley, Kala Pathar and night at Lachung
Lachen
is the mid-point to the remotest and highest Gurudongmar Lake. From here the
distance to Lake is just 67 Kilometers but it takes almost 5 hours to reach.
So, start your day quite early at 4:30 am to reach Gurudongmar Lake by 9:00 –
9:30 am.
The graveled road ahead Lachen turn into pebbly and muddy road with wide pot holes. Road becomes a single lane road and your driver will be driving at a speed of 10- 15 Kms/ hr. Just think that you will be off-roading for most of the time. Your driver will make a quick stop for a breakfast before reaching Thangu Check post. It will be too early for breakfast but we advise you to have something to avoid AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness). After this, the road turns bumpier and green landscapes are taken over by barren mountains.
Road to Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim – Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Further, the last checkpoint and settlement come at Giagong i.e. at 15,000th feet. you can use public convenience and enjoy soup or tea at the café. Just, 9 kilometers before the destination, roads turned smoother and well-constructed and you start seeing the snowcapped peaks. Landscapes around will keep you hypnotized throughout and in the next few minutes, you will be standing by the glistening blue Gurudongmar Lake. For the detailed experience please read the complete post on Gurudongmar Lake.
Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim
It was already 11:30 am. Our driver was shouting for us to come back as the wind and water speed has already increased but we were not ready. Anyways we had too and started our journey back.
On the way, we took a detour to Chopta Valley and Kala Pathar. The Chopta Valley, at 13,200 feet is just 2-3 detour from Thangu. It is a valley of green carpet and flowers and it left us completely stunned by its riots of colors. The valley is still unexplored but it looked like a heaven for the nature lovers.
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From the valley keep ascending further on the pebbly road, crossing multiple waterfalls till 14,850 feet to see the snow-covered black cliffs known as Kala Patthar. It is a very close point at Indo- Tibet border and there is no human settlement here.
Kala Pathara is a new, less known tourist destination and is not included in the North Sikkim package. You need to pay your driver some extra money for this trip. Our driver asked us Rs. 2500/- per destination but we negotiated and paid him lump sum Rs. 4000/- extra. We left the place by 2:30 am and reached back Lachen by 4:00 pm.
Road to Kala Pathar in North Sikkim- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
Quick
lunch at Lachen and we further left for Lachung. It was already pouring and we
were afraid of Landslides on the way. So, we just planned to cover the distance
at the earliest without taking much stops. From Lachen, Lachung is just 47
Kilometers but it takes around 3 hours to reach.
On the way, comes the Bhewma waterfall also known as Amitabh Bachchan Waterfall. Here water falls from a height of 275 meters, and it is known so because of the shooting of the movie Aankhen starring Amitabh Bachchan at this particular spot.
Accommodation and Meals in Lachung
We reached Lachung by 8:30 pm and checked in to our Hotel the Cliff View Residency, located a bit away from the main town. Quick hot water bath, followed by dinner and we were ready to sleep. The rain was still pouring and we were still literally about the journey ahead to Yumthang valley.
View from our room in Lachung
Our Hotel included in the package was very basic but had an excellent view. The room was clean, had a double bed and quilts with lots of mosquitoes. Dinner too was basic just like in Lachen and included the similar Dal, mixed Veg, Chapati, and Rice. So, we seriously advise you to inquire about the accommodation and meals with a tour operator before booking the North Sikkim Trip.
Day 7 – Drive to Yumthang Valley, Zero Point and Transfer back to Gangtok
Our day began at 6:00 am and by 7:00 am, we left for Yumthang valley, also known as the valley of flowers. In light, Lachung looked much bigger than Lachen and perfectly green with beautiful landscapes all around.
On the way to Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim- Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
As we crossed Lachung, roads became narrower with a continuous ascent. Clouds were floating in between the Himalayas and last night rain had made everything looked cleaner and greener. At times there were no roads and we were just driving on the stones and water streams but we were completely hypnotized by the views around.
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Finally, we entered the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary in the Yumthang valley, from a beautiful gate. The road was lined on both sides by the flowering plants and we could see the tributary of River Teesta, (Lachung Chu), flowing in between the valley. And then came a halt! We rushed out of the car to see what has happened. It was a massive landslide because of the last night rain and there Our fear came true. We waited for half an hour but there was no scope of getting it Cleared.
iver Lachung Chu Tributary of River Teesta in Yumthang Valley
From there we took a U-turn and seeing our disappointment our driver took us to another place Katao, situated at 13,500 feet along the Indo- China Border. Katao too offers the panoramic view of Himalayan ranges and is known as the rival of Yumthang Valley in beauty. Just like Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir, it is also known as Switzerland of India.
Way to Katao in North Sikkim
We spent some good time there and started our journey back to Gangtok. Fully exhausted, we reached Gangtok back by 6:00 pm.
Day 8 – Drive to West Sikkim and Back to Gangtok
We started our day in a relaxed manner, with a good breakfast and left in Zoomcar to reach Pelling town, located in West Sikkim. The plan was to chill for the remaining days in West Sikkim and then back to Gangtok but destiny had planned some other surprise for us.
Butterfly Waterfall on the way to West Sikkim.
We started our journey seeing Google Maps and instead of going back to Singtam, we planned to take the other scenic route; crossing east and South Sikkim to reach West Sikkim i.e – Gangtok – Bakthang Waterfall- Samdong- Rangang- Ravangla . The route was extremely scenic with multiple detours and waterfalls. But all that starts well doesn’t end well too. After driving for 6 hours, we couldn’t cover 80 Kilometers. And just 10 Kilometers before Ravangla, there happened a massive Landslide. So, left with no other option we had to take a detour to reach Singtam and back to the base, Gangtok.
Day 9 – Explore East Sikkim and Surroundings
Gangtok lies in East Sikkim and left with just a day in hand we thought to explore the surrounding areas only. The area on our mind was Zuluk but it too needed a permit and could be explored with the local operators only. So, we gave up on it and made a visit to the Rumtek Monastery and Karma Shri Nalanda Institute.
Rumtek-Monastery in East Sikkim
Rumtek Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Sikkim is located on the hilltop and faces the Gangtok city. Many sacred objects are housed within the complex, and one of the most magnificent is the Golden Stupa, which contains the precious relics of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa. Just opposite to it is the Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, for higher Buddhist studies.
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From
there we drove, further in East Sikkim, to soak our eyes with some more
gorgeous views and ended our day by doing restaurant and café hopping.
Day 10 – Drive to Siliguri to hand over Zoomcar, Transfer to Bagdogra Airport and Back to Delhi
Even after spending enough time in Sikkim, we were not ready to leave and we are totally in LOVE with the state.
Anyways, we left around 9:00am. Distance from Gangtok to Siliguri is just 115 Kilometers and expected time to reach was 4:30 hrs. But we took a margin of 2 hours, to handover over Zoomcar because of the bad roads, landslides and unexpected detours in Sikkim. But unexpectedly reached within the time span, handed Zoomcar at Siliguri office in 15-20 without any damage and took a flight back to Delhi.
Flight Back to Delhi from Bagdogra Airport
Some Tips for Darjeeling
Sikkim Tour
The closest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal and it takes around 5 hours to reach from there to Gangtok. However, the new airport in Sikkim has opened this October 4, and this will certainly make it easier for travelers who plan to visit the city. It’s located, about 33 km from Gangtok so travel to Gangtok will come down from 5 hours to just one.
If you are traveling in Monsoons i.e. July- August expect a lot of change in plans due to landslides, excessive rain and detours whereas in season time there are long queues
Roads are really bad in Sikkim, so the traveling time can go hours beyond the expected reach time
Driving a Zoomcar in the state was fun and locals didn’t create any problem for us, except a big stare. All we hear about the locals creating a problem for self-drive vehicles is just a rumor
One cannot drive his own vehicle or take a Zoomcar to the restricted areas like North Sikkim, and East Sikkim
Sikkim is not just a Buddhist state. Most of the people are Hindus and they follow Buddhism
Smoking is banned in public and plastic too. You might just get penalized for throwing the wrappers anywhere on the road
Darjeeling Sikkim Tour
So, during our Darjeeling Sikkim tour, we tasted Darjeeling and all the districts of Sikkim but missed reaching many destinations too due to excess of rains and landslides. We saw a lush green beautiful Sikkim, with almost Zero tourists. Overall, it is a trip to remember forever.
If you still have any questions for us, leave in the comments. We will be happy to answer them.
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