Gangtok with North Sikkim Tour Package

1N Gangtok - 1N Lachen - 2N Lachung - 1N Gangtok

A 6 day North Sikkim tour covering Gangtok, Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley and scenic viewpoints with organised transfers, permits and complete sightseeing.

Day 01 Arrive at Bagdogra or NJP and transfer to Gangtok, completing permit checks and settling in.

Your North Sikkim tour begins on arrival at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. A representative meets you, assists with the vehicle and gives a brief outline of the tour itinerary. If you are visiting restricted regions such as North Sikkim, Nathula Pass or other controlled areas, the required documents are checked so permits can be processed without delays.

The drive to Gangtok takes about four to five hours and passes through river valleys, forested stretches and small towns. Gangtok lies at 5,500 ft and serves as the base for most North Sikkim tours. After reaching the hotel, check in with assistance from the staff.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore MG Marg and its cafés and markets. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
Day 02 Drive to Lachen with stops at Singhik viewpoint, Seven Sisters Waterfalls and Chungthang.

After breakfast, check-out preparations begin for the journey to Lachen. Departure is generally around 10 am, though peak season permit processing may shift the timing slightly. Lachen lies in North Sikkim at 9,175 ft and is known for its quiet surroundings and mountain views.
On the way, the road gradually climbs through forested slopes and offers views of the Teesta River. A halt at Singhik viewpoint provides a clear look at the higher peaks when the weather is favourable. Further ahead, Seven Sisters Waterfalls make a good mid-way stop. The route continues to Chungthang, where the rivers converge, forming the Teesta.

Lunch is arranged en route at a local restaurant at your own cost. After reaching Lachen by late afternoon, check in and take time to rest. You may also walk around the village to observe local life. The evening is free for your own activities. Overnight stay in Lachen.
Day 03 Visit Gurudongmar Lake via Thangu and Chopta Valley and then continue to Lachung.

The day begins early for the excursion to Gurudongmar Lake, which is open only to Indian nationals. The first stop is Thangu, a high-altitude village at 13,625 ft inhabited mainly by families of Tibetan origin. The terrain here begins to change with scattered vegetation and wider valleys.

From Thangu, the journey continues to Chopta Valley at 13,325 ft where frozen streams and open valleys can be seen during the colder months. After a short halt, the drive proceeds for about thirty kilometres to Gurudongmar Lake. Located close to the international border at 17,375 ft, this freshwater lake is one of the major attractions of a North Sikkim tour package. Due to army guidelines, the duration of the stay at the lake is usually short.

After returning to Lachen, lunch is served hot at the hotel. Soon after lunch, check out and start the onward drive to Lachung. The route passes again through Chungthang, where you can see the confluence and the Vimnala waterfalls. Lachung lies at 8,075 ft and functions as a base for visiting Yumthang Valley. After checking in, the remainder of the day is free for rest. Overnight stay in Lachung.
Day 04 Explore Yumthang Valley and hot springs with an optional visit to Yumesamdong or Zero Point.

After an early breakfast, leave for Yumthang Valley, located twenty-five kilometres away and take around ninety minutes to reach. Yumthang lies at 11,925 ft and is known for its alpine meadows and open valley views. The surrounding mountains form a wide amphitheatre that remains snow-covered during winter.

On arrival, you can walk around the valley and take in the landscape. Nearby hot springs offer a chance to relax for a while. After spending time at Yumthang, return to Lachung for lunch at the hotel.

The afternoon is free unless you choose the optional excursion to Yumesamdong, also called Zero Point, which lies at 15,750 ft. This additional trip is chargeable and depends on local conditions and vehicle availability. Foreign nationals are not permitted to enter the Zero Point zone.

Spend the evening in Lachung, enjoying the quiet surroundings and preparing for the return journey. Overnight stay in Lachung.
Day 05 Drive back to Gangtok via Chungthang and enjoy a relaxed evening at MG Marg.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin the return drive to Gangtok. The road follows the river and passes through Chungthang before descending gradually towards the Gangtok region.

Arrival is expected by afternoon. After checking in, the remaining hours of the day are free for personal activities. You may walk around MG Marg, try local food or spend a quiet evening at the hotel after the long drive. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
Day 06 Check out and travel to Bagdogra or NJP to complete your tour and onward journey.

After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel. The departure transfer is scheduled for around 7:30 am to ensure a timely arrival at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. The drive takes about four and a half to five and a half hours, depending on traffic and weather.

This concludes your North Sikkim tour itinerary covering Gangtok, Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley.

**Hotels Used in this Package costing**
Destination	2 Star	3 Star	4 Star	Luxury
Darjeeling	Humro Himalayan Orchid	Himalayan Retreat	Viceroy	New Elgin
Gangtok	Hotel Rendezvous	Maple Residency	Mt.Siniolchu	Norkhil
Pelling	Touristo	Pacchu Village Resort	Norbhugang Resort	Mt.Pandim
Kalimpong	Himalayan View	Soods Garden Retreat	Pine Tree Resort & Spa	Silver Oaks
Lachen	Royal Lachen	The Grand Lachen	Apple Orchard	Apple Orchard
Lachung	Royal Lachung	Golden Bridge	Yarlam	Yarlam

Hotel names are indicative, the actual hotels may be different in case the above-mentioned hotel is not available on a particular date. The final selection of the hotel will be done in coordination and confirmation of the guest.
All accommodation is on Twin sharing basis.
Extra Person / Child with Bed (CWB) sharing the room shall get an extra mattress.
Hotel Accommodation for the duration as mentioned in the itinerary.
Meal plan - The cost for two and three-star tours includes breakfast at the hotel. Other meals are not included. In the case of four-star and luxury tours, the meal plan is MAP (includes breakfast and dinner). In case your tour includes a visit to Lachung or Lachen, for that part of the tour all major meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) will be included.
In the case of a small group (2 or 3 people), all transfers & sightseeing would be in a small car such as a Sedan or hatchback. For larger groups, a luxury MUV such as Innova, Scorpio, Xylo or similar will be provided. We do not guarantee the make of the vehicle, the type of vehicle is ensured.
Vehicle in the Sikkim Darjeeling region is available on an itinerary basis and not on a disposal basis. It means that the vehicle will not stay with the guest the whole time, it will only be available for the duration of the mentioned service. Also due to local restrictions, the vehicle may be changed from day to day. So the same vehicle may not service the guest during the entire tour.

GST as per government rate will be charged extra.
Additional usage of vehicles other than scheduled & mentioned in the itinerary will be charged extra.
Personal expenses such as laundry, bottled water, soft drinks, incidentals, porter charges, tips, etc are not included.
Cost of optional / suggested tours, Guide charge, Sightseeing entrance fee, and Room Heater charge in the hotel will be paid extra on the spot.
Cost for any other service not mentioned under the “Inclusions” Head.
Cost for Airfare, Train fare, Toy Train Ride.

Within 3 weeks from the date of the journey - Cancellation Charge will be 50 % of the total package cost.
Within 15 days from the date of the journey - Cancellation Charge will be 75 % of the total package cost.
Within 10 Days & Less from the date of the journey - Full Cancellation or No Refund.

Common Child Policy Detail

Tariff

Tariffs is valid for Indian Nationals only, foreign nationals may ask for a special quote from our team.
All accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis unless otherwise mentioned.

General Rules

Very few hotels in the region have elevators and guests should be prepared to climb stairs.
The hotel name mentioned are indicative and not confirmed. Before confirmation of the tour, we will confirm the availability of the hotel and suggest an alternative if the mentioned hotel is not available.
In case of bad weather, poor road condition, local or political disturbance, security reasons, or any other unforeseen circumstances, the operations team may decide to make changes in the itinerary. Every effort will be made to consult the guests in such eventuality, however, the decision of the operations team will be final and binding on the guests.
In case of young or older persons or persons with health issues or disabilities, consult your doctor about the itinerary. Also if any special arrangement is needed, such information should be given to our team in advance before confirmation of the tour.
Any dispute arising is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Siliguri irrespective of any competence court present at the place of dispute.

Vehicle Restrictions in Gangtok town

There are restrictions on vehicle movement within Gangtok city between 8 AM and 7 PM. During these hours if you have to transit outside, you have to hire a local taxi (easily available within the city) and come to the “vehicle stand”. There are multiple stands in town, each designated for different destinations. Our operations team will co-ordinate with you over the phone but we will not be present on the ground as our vehicle is allowed only till the stand where it will wait for you. So commuting between the hotel and the stand is your responsibility.

Rules for a visit to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir

Permit for Tsomgo Lake & New Baba Mandir is issued on the same day around 08.00 to 09.00 AM. Sometimes due to a large number of tourists, the issuance of a permit may take longer. Because of transport restriction in Gangtok town (mentioned in detail separately), guests are required to leave the hotel much before 8:00 AM and might have to wait at Tsomgo stand for some time till the permit is issued and reaches the stand. Guests should be mentally prepared to wait at the stand during this time.

While returning guests will be dropped at Tsomgo stand from where return journey by local taxies has to be arranged by the guests directly.

If a permit is not issued due to weather problems or military restrictions, then the alternate trips will be arranged. However, if the journey starts towards Tsomgo but is interrupted midway due to any unforeseen circumstances, then the sightseeing of Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, and Tashi View Point will be done on the way back. In either case, there will be no refund irrespective of the cause for the change.

Nathula Pass

A visit to Nathula Pass is not guaranteed by us. Nathula Pass is Indo-China border and visits to Nathula are controlled by the Indian army. Permits are issued in limited numbers at the last moment on specific days of the week. Guests may or may not get a permit even when booked well in advance. After the issue of a permit, Nathula visit may get canceled at the last moment and in such cases no refund is possible. Our tours do not include the Nathula visit by default.

If you insist on Nathula visit, discuss this with our helpdesk executive. On reaching Gangtok, necessary documents and money will be collected from you on the spot. However, we will not be responsible for any complications related to the Nathula tour.

Closure Information

In Darjeeling HMI and Zoo remains closed on Thursdays & national holidays.
Gangtok city tour should be avoided on Sundays & National Holidays as many places remain closed.
In case a sightseeing point is closed on a particular day, no refund/adjustment/repeat visit on another day is not possible.

Transportation-Related Rules

In hilly areas, the driver may not operate the AC in the vehicle. This is due to altitude, air pressure, and extra pressure on the engine on an uphill drive.
The vehicle will not be at a disposal basis but on an itinerary basis. The vehicle will be exclusively used by you and your group but only for the itinerary mentioned and on a point to point basis. An additional service request may or may not be possible and will incur an additional charge payable on the spot.
Due to local restrictions, the vehicle provided may change on a regular basis. In other words, the same vehicle may not continuously provide service to you.
Most hotels in the hills have very limited parking places. Hence guests should wait at the reception 5 minute before departure to avoid inconvenience.

Rules for a visit to Zero Point, Chopta Valley

Permission for visit to these points are obtained locally and often due to security, weather, terrain related reasons, these places might be closed with or without notice. Hence visit these areas are not part of our normal itinerary. These are optional visits for which guests have to pay the driver an additional amount on the spot. Consult our helpdesk executive before start of the tour and he or she will help you with the amount payable in this regard.