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North Sikkim
Breathtaking Landscape!
42,000
7 N /8 D
12Oct 19 - 19Oct 19
Expired
TOUR OVERVIEW
The higher Himalayas have always fascinated us and we are so psyched to have an itinerary exploring the passes, glacial lakes and beautiful valleys of North Sikkim. To think that this tiny little state packs in so much, gives you a perspective on how much there is in India to explore and experience.
Get ready for some authentic Sikkimese experience – a balance of the famous and off beat. Visit the Gurudongmar at 17000 ft, take in the beauty of Yumthang Valley and make a short visit to Kurseong, a quaint little tea-growing hill station in West Bengal. There is so much that you should just read the itinerary. The trip is not for the faint hearted!
Please read everything carefully till the end. You should be sure of what you are signing up for. We welcome your questions.
Price: INR 43500 + 5% GST
Single Occupancy Supplement – INR 11500 + 5% GST
DISCOUNTS:
- Early bird discount of INR 1000 if booked on or before 11th July 2019.
- Additionally, Get a discount of INR 1500 if paid in one go.
GALLERY
Day 1 - 12 Oct 2019
We reach Bagdogra Airport and proceed to Gangtok. This will serve as our base for the trip tomorrow. Check – in the homestay and relax. Overnight at Gangtok.
Day 2 - 13 Oct 2019
After breakfast we take our day trip to Changu Lake. This glacial lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in India and its setting amidst the mighty Himalayas, makes it appear surreal. A visit to the Nathu La pass is also on the cards, depending on weather conditions and permit. Spend the evening shopping at the bustling MG Road area and trying out some famous cafes. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 3 - 14 Oct 2019
After breakfast we will proceed to the picturesque town of Lachen which is very close to the Indo-Tibetan border. Enroute visit the myriad waterfalls. We can also stop at a local farmer’s homestead to get some wine the famous Dalle chillies of Sikkim. Overnight at Lachen.
Day 4 - 15 Oct 2019
Today, we start very early to visit the Gurudongmar Lake. At 17,000 ft, this lake is considered sacred and is one of the highest lakes in the world and in India. The snow-clad mountains surrounding the lake and the scenic beauty of this area will take your breath away. We will drive back to Lachen and after lunch start our journey to Lachung. Overnight at Lachung.
Day 5 - 16 Oct 2019
Today we set out to soak in the beauty of Yumthang Valley and Zero Point where the motorable road ends and it is very close to the Indo-Chinese border. We will be touching altitudes of about 15000 ft. Be prepared to witness the magnificence of nature’s landscape throughout your journey from Lachung all the way till Zero Point. Back to Lachung for lunch and rest. Evening walk around the stay and the town in Lachung. You can try the local millet beer and relax. Overnight at Lachung.
Day 6 - 17 Oct 2019
We start soon after breakfast for Gangtok. Enroute we visit the Phodong Monastery, Bhim Nalla and the Seven Sisters Waterfall. Shopping to your heart’s content at MG Marg. Overnight at Gangtok
Day 7 - 18 Oct 2019
Start after breakfast for a scenic drive to Kurseong. The hub of tea-plantations, Kurseong is the calming end to the adventurous trip. Enjoy the views of tea plantations and talk to your host about the tea culture. Overnight at Kurseong.
Day 8 - 19 Oct 2019
If time permits, we can go for an early morning walk and visit to Makaibari Tea Gardens and factory. Transfer to Bagdogra Airport after breakfast. Tour Ends with beautiful memories and promises to meet again!
Inclusions
- All meals and evening tea/coffee starting from evening tea on Day 1 till breakfast on Day 08
- Accommodation for 7N on double sharing basis.
- All transportation in Innova or similar vehicles. Tempo Travellers do not ply in Sikkim.
- Permits for Nathu La, Gurudongmar, Yumthang and Zero point
- Tolls and Parking
- Entry charges
- Your F5 guide
Exclusions
- Food, snacks other than mentioned in inclusions.
- Camera charges
- Activity charges other than mentioned
- Tips and personal expenses
- Medication
- Flights from your city of residence to Bagdogra and return
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities, personal flight delays and aspect beyond our control. We will definitely facilitate an alternative and handle the contingency, the cost being yours.
- 5% GST
Terms & Conditions
REFUNDS/CANCELLATION:
- If cancelled 90 days or more in advance, cancellation fee is 12% of the trip amount.
- 25% of the trip cost if cancelled 89 – 60 days in advance.
- 50% of the trip cost if cancelled 59 to 16 days in advance.
- Last 15 days – no show – entire amount will be forfeited.
- If you use our services to book flights, cancellation charges of the flights will apply.
Option of Deferred trip:
You have the option of parking the paid amount with us for a future trip, if you wish to cancel joining this trip 60 days or more in advance.
Following conditions apply:
Following conditions apply:
- You need to choose the trip you would like to go with instead (the deferred trip) within 2 months of deciding to cancel.
- The travel start date of the deferred trip should be within 6 months from the day you decide to cancel.
- There can be only one such change and once you decide the deferred trip, the cancellation policy of that trip applies.
- You cannot choose a short trip (less than 5 days) as a deferred trip.
Disclaimer
- Please be prepared for a fair bit of walking.
- F5 Escapes is in no way responsible for any untoward incident happening due to the ignorance/negligence of the guests, natural/man-made calamities, accidents or any other events that are out of human control during the trip.
- All our trips are well-researched, including identifying access to medical facilities. In case of a medical emergency, F5 will assist the traveler in getting medical attention.
- F5 reserves the right to cancel the trip under certain conditions – in such a case, the amount will be refunded in full.
Arrival & Departure Timings:
This trip is Ex-Bagdogra. Joining us from different city?
Reach Bagdogra by 2PM on Day 1 and fly out after 1PM on Day 8. Kurseong to Bagdogra airport takes 1.5 hours. Keeping delays in mind, it will be safe to book a flight that takes off around 1PM.
Note on weather:
It will be extremely cold in the North Sikkim with temperature expected to be in single digits, dipping to sub zero during the night.
You will need fleece or down feather jackets and layers, with gloves, scarves, woollen caps and warm socks. The stays will have heaters, blankets and hot water facilities, but carrying a hot water bottle is advisable. The chances of snow are less, but with the current weather pattern, you can never tell.
*Please note that now a days, climate/ weather is dependent on many factors and unpredictable hence above information might be subject to change during your actual travel days
NOTE ABOUT SMOKING & ALCOHOL:
Everyone joining is an adult and we realize that we cannot dictate the behaviour on how you should enjoy the trip. All we ask is to drink responsibly. Hangover delays are going to cost a lot, and will not be tolerated at all. Excessive drinking on higher altitudes can result in serious dehydration and should be avoided. So please do not test your limits and enjoy in moderation. Also, do respect your roommate’s comfort levels with the alcohol smell and avoid drinking in the room if she is not comfortable.
If you smoke, please do so outside the room, even if the rooms have ashtray.
If you smoke, please do so outside the room, even if the rooms have ashtray.
About your stay:
We will be staying in beautiful homestays with the locals. Please do come with the view of respecting the sanctity of a home and appreciating the warmth and hospitality. The stays in North Sikkim are basic, clean and safe but will not have fancy facilities.
Food!
- Simple Indian food such as rotis/dal, rice etc. Toast/Omlettes will be available.
- There will be some local Sikkimese dishes too. Option of continental food will be available at MG Road Gangtok.
- If you have special dietary requests, please let us know beforehand.
Note > Prepare > Accept > Embrace:
- Higher altitudes require certain level of fitness. We are not strictly trekking anywhere but the nature trails will feel like treks, given the altitude (around 8000 to 10000 ft altitudes). You can choose to sit them out and relax at the stay. If you can brisk walk for 2 kilometres regularly, you should be okay. Please also remember that nature trail or treks in the Himalayas are not races. Even if you run in the plains, you will have to pace it out slowly on a climb. If walking at steep places is an issue for you, please reconsider.
- Changu Lake is at 12,000 ft and Natu La is over 14,000 ft. Furthermore Gurudongmar is at 17,000ft. While there is no trek required to visit these places, being at these altitude will be exhausting due to oxygen rarity and low temperatures. We will share with you the do’s and don’ts of travelling to high altitude places and will also suggest some medication. Please consult your physician regarding the same.
- The roads in North Sikkim are really bad. There will be patches where the speed will be less than 20 kmph. Some people say that ‘non-existent’ will be a better term for the roads there. The rewards more than make up for it, though! Although the vehicles will be Innovas, the journey will be tiring. Please reconsider if you have back issues.
- In line with the ideology of F5 Escapes, we will be staying in small guest houses and homestays during our trip. Please come with an open mind about sharing someone’s home and maintain the sanctity. This trip is about actually understanding a culture which is different and yet, is our own.
- Sikkim is a 100% organic state and people there live as naturally as possible. All stays will have water heating facilities and in case of a power cut, the hosts will provide you hot water from wood-fired heaters. Please do not insist on a diesel run generator and have patience.
- Sun rises early and sets early in the North East India. So our days will start early and end early. To cover everything that is promised, it is important that we maintain the timings. Although distances are less, the mountain roads make it difficult to maintain the average speed of more than 25kmph.
- We really want to take you to Nathu La, War Memorial and Baba Mandir, Zero Point and Gurudongmar. However, these areas are army controlled and face unpredictable weather turns. Hence the permits to visit these places are allotted just a day before. Thus, please be prepared for the eventuality of bad weather and trust us to try our best.
- To visit Gurudongmar, you will have to start at 4:30AM. Tourists are not allowed at the lake beyond 11AM. It takes a minimum of 3 hours from Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake.
- All adventure activities are optional as some may not be comfortable doing them. They are all dependent on weather conditions and hence cannot be guaranteed.
- The last night in Kurseong is strategic so that you get to experience another beautiful place and be close to the airport for your return flight.
- Mountain states may get rainfall/snowfall unexpectedly sometimes.
- Network in North Sikkim is patchy at best. BSNL postpaid has the maximum chances of working. You can expect Wifi in Gangtok but not anywhere else.
‘F5 Escapes’ is a Bangalore-based, experiential travel company, with a focus on redefining the way women travel in India. The premise of F5 is an ambitious dream – to put India on the global travel map as a preferred destination for women from across the globe.
F5 Escapes offers fixed departure all-women group tours, customized itineraries for families, groups and solo travellers. We also do in-city engagements which include #JustGo travel meetups, workshops to educate women on travel safety, sustainable menstruation, motorbiking etc.