About us

SIKKIM
                        GENERAL  INFORMATION  FOR  TRAVEL  AGENTS  /  CLIENTS

Statehood:                                  22nd State of India (1975) prior to that it was a Seperate Kingdom.

Area:                                           7096 sq kms

Location:                                     Sandwiched between Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west and China in the north.

Ethnic Groups:                            Lepchas, Nepalis and Bhutias

Language:                                   Nepali is a primary language widely spoken by all communities,
                                                    English and Hindi are    well understood and are spoken by most,         
                                                    Bhutia, Lepcha, Limboo and other ethnic languages are spoken by respective                `                                   communities.
                       
Airport:                                       Bagdogra Airport (Siliguri)                           -           3 and 1/2 hours drive.
Railway Station:                         New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (Siliguri)        -           3 and 1/2 hours drive
Sikkim Heliservice:                    Gangtok - daily chopper service to Bagdogra Arprt   -           45 Mins

Best Time to visit:                      The best time to visit Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills will to a great extend depend                                                     on what you are interested in.

Mid Oct to Mid Jan:                         Is the best time to visit this region if you want to be assured of clear views of                                                     snowy mountain ranges, clear skies and pleasant holiday weather.
October and November:                  Is also the best time for all trekking (High altitude and low altitude)
December to  Mid Jan:                    Is the best time if your interest holds in Buddhist festivals and other local fairs                                                     of the region.
March and April:                         Is the best time to visit the Valley of flowers, the riot of colours of                                                     Rhododendrons, orchids and other flowers in bloom. This is also the best                                                     time if you want to play with the snow as the snows till the accessible                                                     12,000ft persists till April.
Late August & September:              Is the best time if you are interested in alpine flora above 10,000 ft
May and June:                              are the semi seasons and there are 50 / 50 chances of good and bad weather.
July and August:                            Avoid the travel to this region as this is the peak monsoon period.

Permits and Entry details:

Domestic Tourists:                         Domestic clients do not require any permit to visit Sikkim. However to visit                                                     few restricted areas under army control like- Tshangu, Nathula, Yumthang,                                                     Dzongu, ILP (Inner line Permit) needs to be obtained. Hence all domestic                                                           tourists should be advised to carry some identification.(TPS will however take                                                      care of all permit procurement processes)

Foreign Tourists:                         Besides a valid passport and an Indian visa, foreign tourists need to obtain                                                   Inner Line Permits to enter any part of Sikkim. All Indian missions abroad                                                   can issue a 15 days ILP for Sikkim which can be stamped on the passport                                                   on request at the time of obtaining an Indian Visa. However they can also be                                                   obtained from any Sikkim Tourism Offices at New Delhi,Kolkata, Siliguri or                                                   Rangpo if they are already in India. The initial permit allows only 15 days of                                                   stay in Sikkim. However, maximum of 2 further extensions of 15 days each is                                                  allowed which can be obtained from the Foreigner's Registration Office.                                                   Further, foreigners will also require to obtain PAP (Protected Area Permit) if                                                   he/she wants to opt for trekking in any part of (TPS will however assist the                                                   guests in permit procurement). 
Temperature and Rainfall:      Given below are an average maximum - minimum temperature and the average                                                  rainfall over last 10 years at Gangtok and the probability of seeing clear skies

 

MONTHS	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max Average Temp in Celsius	13.5	11.9	16.6	20.7	24.3	23.5	27.2	265	21.8	19.9	16.1	13.0
Min Average Temp in Celsius	2.0	3.6	10.0	12.1	15.0	17.4	17.7	17.7	16.9	13.0	10.2	6.7
Average Rainfall in Cms	2.7	6.5	10.3	30.4	54.0	57.0	66.3	59.0	48.9	13.7	4.7	2.7
Chances of  Clear Skies	90%	90%	75%	50%	35%	12%	1%	2%	13%	50%	98%	98%

Note above figures are of Gangtok - 5600 ft:      Higher the altitude -  lower the  temperature and rainfall.

Sunrise and Sunset:                                                   Sunrise                                    Sunset
                                                Mid summer                4 AM                                       6 PM
                                                Winter                         6 AM                                       4:30 PM

Banks :                       SBI / CBI /UTI / IDBI / HDFC / ICICI(at Darjeeling) / PNB / UCO Bank / Canara Bank /                              Vijaya Bank / Allahabad Bank / Bank of Baroda / Oriental Bank of Commerce /                                                           Corporation Bank.

ATMs:                        SBI / UTI / IDBI / HDFC / PNB / UBI only / ICICI (at Darjeeling)

Mobile network:        Airtel / Hutch / Reliance / BSNL / RIM / Aircel

Shopping:                    M.G. Marg                                                       General Shopping / souvenirs
                                    Lal Bazaar:                                                       Foreign Goods
                                    Old Supermarket:                                             Foreign Goods
                                    Zero Point: State Handicraft Showroom:           Local handicrafts and handlooms.

Local Products:          Temi Tea / Cheese / Handmade papers / Liquor / Beer / Local fruit products /                                                   Handicrafts / SITCO watches.

Restaurants/Eateries and evening getaways at Gangtok-

            Parivar Restaurant:-      Restaurant                    Indian Cuisine(Pure Veg)          M.G Marg.
            Pakwaan:-                    Restaurant                    Mughlai Cuisine                        Deorali
            Qwik Bite:-                   Fast Food                      Tea Coffee/snacks                    New Market
            Baker's Cafe:-              Bakery / Coffeeshop     Continental                               M.G Marg.
            Cafe Tibet:-                  Bakery / Coffeeshop     Confectionaries                        Kazi Road.
            Tangerine:-                  Lounge Bar                                                                  Tibet Road
            Lounge 31-A                 Lounge Bar                                                                  NH 31 (A)
            Tragopan Lounge          Beer Joint                                                                     Tadong
            Indulge                        Beer Joint                                                                     Tibet Road
            Little Italy                     Beer Joint                                                                     Deorali
            Glenary's Buzz              Beer Joint                                                                     New Market
            Fusion:-                       Restaurant & Bar          Indian/Chinese/Conti               Convoy Ground, Tadong.
            The Square                  Restaurant & Bar          Local / Indian / Conti                P.S Road        
            Time out                      Discothèque                                                                Convoy Ground, Tadong.
            X'scape                        Discotheque                                                                 Vajra, Baluwakhani
            Blues,                          Discotheque                                                                 Tibet Road

 

ROUTE MAP OF SIKKIM AND DARJEELING HILLS

 

Please note: The Travelling Hours given are approximate depending upon road & weather conditions. It Normally covers 25 Kms -30 Kms per Hours

MAP OF SIKKIM

 

CHECK THE PLACES TO VISIT

1. GANGTOK

1. Gangtok early morning three point sightseeing will of 03 hrs from 0530 hrs to 0730 hrs covering Tashi View point, Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok.
2. Gangtok Half day sight seeing will be of 04 Hrs from 0900 hrs to 1300 hrs covering Rumtek Monastery, Droul Chorthen, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom, Flower Show & Nam Nam View Point. 
3. Tshangu Lake excursion will be of 5 Hrs from 0900 to 1400 hrs.
4. Nathula operation is subject to road condition and availability of permits as only limited permits are issued 48 hour prior to the schedule tour. Nathula service cannot be availed on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. . Nathula is NOT ADVISABLE to guest having problem with blood pressure, knee & heart.
5. Since Nathula is a restrict area any time army can seal for security reasons. In such case tour will only be till Tshangu Lake and no refund will be allowed for unutilized services.
6.  Kindly forward the following for Tshangu Lake / Baba Mandir / Nathula, Permit 10 - 15 days prior to the Journey
7. Name  b. Date of Birth        c. Gender

1. LACHUNG

1. Lachung operates on package only. All the Tours starts from Gangtok and ends at Gangtok and is on Full Board (Includes all Meals).
2. In case one uses Single Room Supplementary charges it will not be applicable on Lachung.
3. Please note that this areas are cold through out the year, kindly advice your client to be equipped with proper woolen / warm clothes.
4. ONCE THE PACKAGE IS BOOKED & CONFIRMED NO REFUND WILL BE ALLOWED
5. Please note that North Sikkim is blessed with Natural Beauty. As far as possible, The accommodation provided at Lachung , which would be the best in the area but has very basis facilities like:
1. The Bathrooms are not having any showers & Geysers, so warm water will be provided in buckets, by the Hotelier.
2. The food prepared will be fresh, by the local trained Sherpa’s & not by Hotel chef.
3. There are no telephone lines & please advice the guest that many of times there is a problem of power failure.
4. The rooms are not having any Heaters due to electricity problem, so the hotelier provide Hot water pad in the bed.
6. The best season for traveling to North Sikkim is Mid February to Mid June & Mid September to Mid December.
7. Please note that Excursion to Gurudomgar, Yumesomdong & Katao  is kept OPTIONAL &  is subjected to availability of permit which is available on the spot. These are three different points &  is NOT ADVISABLE to guest having problem with blood pressure, knee & heart.
8. Gorudongma is al Lachen area. In the case the permit is available one has to pay directly to the driver at the spot an amount of RS.3500 to 4000 per Jeep which varies from case to case. 
9. Yumesomdong & Katao is two different spot located al Lachung areas. In the case the permit is available one has to pay directly to the driver at the spot an amount of RS.2000 to 2500 per spot per Jeep which varies from case to case
10. For North Sikkim, we need the following details in advance

1) Name             2) Date of Birth                  3) Gender

1. PEMAYANGTSE / PEELING

 

1. Pemayangtse half day sight seeing will be of 04 Hrs 0800 to 1300 HRS covering Darap village, Rimbi water fall & Khecheopari Lake.
2. Pemayangtse half day sight seeing will be of 04 Hrs 0800 to 1200 HRS covering, covering Pemayangtse Monastery, Changey water fall, Singsore Bridge & Dentam Village including Alpine Cheese Factory
3. Pemayangtse sight seeing will be of 08 Hrs 0900 to 1700 HRS covering Darap Village, Rimbi water fall, Khecheopari Lake, Kanchenjunga Water falls, Yuksom.
4. Pemayangtse full day sight seeing will be of 08 Hrs 0800 to 1600 HRS covering Rimbi Waterfalls, Rimbi Hydel Project, Khecheopari Lake & Kanchenjunga Falls. Back to Hotel for Lunch. After lunch you cover Pemayangtse Monastery, Changay Falls, Singsor Bridge & Dentam Village (includes Alpine Cheese Factory)Pemayangtse walking tour covers the two famous landmarks- Rabdantse & Sangachoeling will be of 04 hrs (Walking Tour)

1. KALIMPONG

 

1. Kalimpong Half day sight seeing will be of 02 Hrs 0900 to 1100 HRS or 1500 to 1700 HRS covering Dello hills, Dr. Graham’s Home and Flower Nurseries.
2. Kalimpong Full Day sight seeing will be of 04 Hrs 0900 to 1300 HRS or 1400 to 1800 HRS covering Dello hills, Dr. Graham’s Home, Flower Nurseries, Nature Interpretation Center and Durbin Dara Hills & Jang-Dong-Palriffo Brang.
3. Kalimpong Lava excursion will be of 06 Hrs 0800 to 1500 HRS.
4. Kalimpong Lava & Lole Gaon excursion will be of 07 Hrs 0800 to 1800 HRS.

1. DARJEELING

 

1. With Darjeeling itinerary we can have a joy Train ride accommodated (Subjected to operational Condition) for INR 350 per person for the Railway Ticket  + INR 800 for the vehicle for Hotel – Railway Station – Hotel transfer) TIME: From 1000 to 1200 Hrs or 1250 to 1450 Hrs.
2. Darjeeling early morning sightseeing will be of 03 Hrs from 0400 to 0700 hrs covering Tiger Hills, Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop.
3. Darjeeling half day sight seeing will be of 04 Hrs from 0900 to 1300 hrs or 1400 to 1800 hrs covering Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tenzing & Gombu Rock, Tibetan Refugee self-help Center & Tea Estate.
4. Darjeeling half day sight seeing will be of 04 Hrs from 0900 to 1300 hrs or 1400 to 1800 hrs covering Natural History Museum, Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda, Lal Kothi, Ava Art Gallery & Dhirdham Temple.
5. Darjeeling Rock Garden sightseeing will be of 04 Hrs from 0900 to 1300 hrs or 1400 to 1800 hrs covering Rock Garden & Ganga Maya Lake

Mirik excursion along with visit to Pashupati Nagar (Indo – Nepal Border) will be a full day activity from 0900 Hrs to 1500 Hrs