4 Night 5 Days Sikkim Tour Package on March: My Unforgettable Travel Experience of Sikkim on March 11, 2024
Sikkim Tour Package: After last year’s Kalimpong trip, I have always wanted to explore Sikkim. When my wife suggested that we take a week-long vacation together somewhere, I immediately did an Internet search and then I found that Your Tours and Travels a Travel agency offered just what I wanted at a very affordable price.
After this, I set out on a memorable North Sikkim tour with both friends and family. Our accommodation arrangements by the travel agency took us to Hotel Sagorika in Gangtok. Located just 2 km away from MG Marg Gangtok, the highlight of Hotel Sagorika was its impeccable service.
Tour Itinerary for 4 nights/5 Days Provided By Travel Agency:
Day 01:
Arrival and Transfer to Gangtok – Drive to Gangtok – Nestled amidst enchanting landscapes, Gangtok beckons travellers in search of tranquility, adventure, and spiritual solace. Situated at an elevation of 1,437 meters / 4,715 feet, this picturesque destination is renowned for its mystical monasteries, vibrant festivals, rare orchids, and fluttering butterflies. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Enjoy an evening stroll along M.G. Marg or explore the local market. Dinner at one of the restaurants on M.G. Road or nearby is recommended. Overnight stay at a hotel in Gangtok.
Day 02:
Excursion to Changu / Tsomgo Lake/Nathula (Optional) – Begin your day with an early breakfast as you prepare for an excursion to the captivating Changu Lake and Baba Mandir. Located approximately 48 kilometers from Gangtok, the journey takes about 2 hours. Tsomgo Lake, nestled amidst serene landscapes, holds religious significance and boasts pristine waters surrounded by Primula flowers and alpine plantations. Return to the hotel for lunch or enjoy lunch en route. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to explore M.G. Road or the local market. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
Day 03:
Transfer to Lachung – Start your day with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a scenic drive to Lachung. The journey covers approximately 35 kilometers from Chungthang, with lunch served at Chungthang, 96 kilometers from Gangtok. Arrive in Lachung in the late afternoon or early evening, where you’ll be greeted by snow-capped peaks, the Shingbha Wildlife Sanctuary, and the breathtaking Yumthang Valley. Check into your hotel and unwind amidst the majestic mountains. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lachung.
Day 04:
Sightseeing at Yumthang & Transfer to Gangtok – After an early breakfast, set out to explore the picturesque Yumthang Valley, situated at an altitude of 11,800 feet. Known as the valley of flowers, Yumthang is adorned with snow from December to April, offering a mesmerizing spectacle of nature’s beauty. Return to the hotel for lunch before embarking on a scenic drive back to Gangtok, covering approximately 130 kilometers over 6 to 7 hours. Spend the evening at leisure, exploring M.G. Road and the local market. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
Day 05:
Departure Transfer to Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) – Enjoy an early breakfast before departing for Siliguri, en route to Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) for your onward journey.
My Travel Experience in Sikkim Tour
Day 1:
We reached New Jalpaiguri promptly at 7:00 AM IST. Our designated driver arranged by the travel agency immediately welcomed us and took us to Gangtok. The journey was beautiful and scenic we saw the Teesta River viewpoint on the way, which took about six hours due to unexpected traffic congestion from Raniphool.
By afternoon we reached the Sagarika Hotel in Gangtok. The efficient hotel staff promptly assigned us a room, giving us a chance to freshen up before heading out for lunch. Since our package did not include lunch, we looked for a nearby eatery to satisfy our afternoon hunger.
In search of lunch, we reached Shiv Sharma Bhojanalay Opposite MG Marg Gangtok, and decided to have lunch there. Unfortunately, our culinary experience did not live up to expectations, as the food failed to impress us in any aspect. If you are looking for lunch options I would strongly recommend you not to visit this restaurant. After that, we visited nearby places like West Point Gangtok and MG Marg Gangtok and came back to the hotel.
Day 2:
Early morning we got ready and the driver arrived to pick us up from the hotel. We left for the Day 2 trip which was to Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, and Old Baba Temple. Distance from our hotel was approximately 52 Km. The friendly and humorous driver started our journey by taking us to Nathula Pass located on the India-China border.
At an impressive altitude of about 14,100 feet, Nathula Pass offers a refreshingly cool environment with no hint of fatigue. Going up the stairs to the higher area proved challenging due to its slippery nature. A separate permit has to be made for the Nathula Pass, for which you have to pay 4000 rupees per vehicle to the driver or tour operator.
After that, we reached the next destination which was Shri Old Baba Mandir. There are two temples here and a new one which is at a distance of 8 km from Nathula Pass which is specially built for tourists. And there is OLD BABA MANDIR which is original and close to the Chinese border. The driver charged us an extra Rs 2500 per vehicle to take us to Old Baba Mandir.
Baba Mandir radiated an aura of peace and meditation and mesmerized us with its serene environment. We devoted ample time to exploring the surroundings and learning about the history of Shri Captain Harbhajan Singh, fondly known as Babaji, and his martyrdom.
After visiting the Baba Temple, we were taken to Changu Lake, also known as Tsomgo Lake. There, we enjoyed light snowfall and spotted yaks while clicking photos in the backdrop of the lake. Later, we returned to the hotel.
Day 3
On the third day of the journey, the driver called and instructed everyone to be ready by 10 am to depart for Lachung. Nestled in the hills of North Sikkim, Lachung is one of the two major hill stations in the region, the other being Lachen. Lachen is closed due to floods, which is why our travel agency included only Lachung in our itinerary for North Sikkim, which also included Yumthang Valley and Zero Point. So, we headed towards Lachung.
On the way, we encountered several waterfalls including Seven Sister Falls, Meyong Falls, and Bhim Nala Falls. However, the current problem troubling tourists is the traffic jam near Theng Tunnel due to road damage due to floods.
Due to the jam, we reached Lachung at 6 pm, and on the way to Lachung, Mangan is the best town if you want to have lunch. On reaching Lachung, we reached our booked hotel called Lachung Pride. As soon as we stepped out of the car, the intense cold made us shiver; The temperature was around -4 degrees Celsius. After this, we went to our room in Lachung Pride Hotel and slept because it was very cold there and we had to go to Zero Point the next day.
Day 4
Today is the fourth day of our journey, and the driver informed us that the weather at Zero Point has turned adverse, making it impossible for our vehicle to proceed further. Instead, he recommended exploring Katao. We agreed and prepared by doing a Google search.
However, we decided not to go to places like Zero Point where extra charges are levied. Similarly, an additional charge of Rs 3500/- per vehicle is applicable for Mt. Katao. However, Yumthang Valley is free as part of our travel package.
Conclusion:
Overall, our tour of Sikkim was perfect. The best time to visit North Sikkim is from March to May because there is less snowfall and rainfall during this period. We did encounter some traffic jams in Gangtok. Another important point to consider is that even though a travel package is curated for us, we may not enjoy it as intended because weather, health, and location all play significant roles.
Thank you and Keep Travelling…
