Himalayan Escape – Gangtok & Darjeeling

Winter (October to February) is the best season to visit Darjeeling to experience the winter chill while Summer (March to June) is the best season to plan a trip to this quaint hill town if you want to escape the heat of the plains.

You better be cash-rich if you are travelling within Darjeeling and the surrounding Kalimpong, Ghum or Mirik. The few ATMs around are either cash-starved or very simply out of order. Some that are in mint condition have long queues outside of them. So, it is better to rely on your cash reserves for your travels within Darjeeling and in its vicinity. Some places have now begun to accept e-wallets, but not so much cards, whether it is credit or debit cards. And in local markets too and at restaurants you are expected to make your payment in cash.

While Bengali is the official and easily the most widely-spoken language of the hill station, Nepali has emerged as a close second among the prevailing languages. The refugee population largely speaks Tibetan outside of other local languages of the tribal population of Darjeeling. But since it also thrives on tourism and has catered to tourists for a significant period of time, and also owing to its colonial heritage, English is spoken and understood by the local population. Particularly at its tourists centres, restaurants and hotels, English is easily followed.

Head to the Upper Club-side taxi stand which is right below the Planter’s Club on Gandhi Road. There are kiosks here operated by the local taxi association which offer private taxis at regulated rates. The other point is the Lower Club-side taxi stand on Laden-La Road adjacent to the Gandhi Road traffic control junction, and the Motor Stand on Lebong Cart Road close to Chowk Bazaar. The shared taxis can be flagged down from any point on the road and they will stop for you only if they have any vacant seats on-board. Shared taxis are available between 07:00 am and 03:00 pm. Any big luggage you might be carrying will be tied to the roof of the vehicle.

Tibetan masks paintings of Bhutia facial expressions on cloth pieces, local jewelry items, curios traditional boots, Khukuri shawls & pashminas, Jumpers, Scarves, Caps
and leather items.

In addition to Indian Visa one need to apply for Sikkim Inner Line Permit (ILP) in order to visit Sikkim. This 15 or 30 days permit can be obtained free of charge from the Indian Consulate in your country while applying for your Indian Visa, however some for the European countries do charge some fees for the Sikkim ILP. You can also acquire ILPs at Rangpo and Melli check post at the time of your entry to Sikkim for free of cost. One can also obtain the Sikkim Inner Line Permits from the Sikkim Tourism Office at following places in India – KOLKATTA, MUMBAI & DELHI.

FOR INDIAN NATIONALS:
No inner line permits or such formalities are needed to enter Sikkim but one should always carry with him, any Indian identification documents, like either Voter ID card, Pan Card, Passport etc. This identification documents are most for the one planning to do tours or trekking in any part of Sikkim Himalayas.

It depends on the time of year you’re visiting Sikkim. In winters, it will be very cold at high altitudes and wearing thermal is highly recommended if you’re not used to cold climatic conditions. Whereas in summers, the temperature in Gangtok would be normal i.e. manageable without jackets and in North Sikkim you can manage with one layer of warm clothes.

Bikers need special permit to ply in protected areas; the permit is issued by the Home Deptt. & ADGP Check Post. Private vehicles are not allowed in protected areas.

One should buy canvas and wall hanging, thangkas, semi-precious stone jewelry, alpine cheese, Sikkim tea, and hand-woven jackets from Gangtok.

Best places to visit in Gangtok includes Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La Pass, Hanuman Tok, Banjhakri Falls, Rumtek Monastery, Kabi Town, and Himalayan Zoological Park.