Gangtok-Nathula (Sikkim): Trip Log
Gangtok is a bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The name Gangtok is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside,' and the city currently has a population of around 80,000 - a mixture of indigenous Sikkimese and people of Nepalese and Tibetan ancestry. Gangtok is clean, highly organized, beautifully maintained and locally known as the Switzerland of the east. The city sleeps by 9pm mostly, except for a few pubs which are open till 11pm.
Members: 2 (Punj & Varun)
Start time: 9:55 PM, Friday, 26th Nov, 2010
End time: 9:00 AM, Monday, 30th Nov, 2010
Total travel: 1150 Kms (Train, Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri & return) + 240 Kms (Jeep, New Jalpaiguri to Gangtok & Return) + 170 Kms (Jeep + Taxi, Outbound & Local sightseeing)
Total expense: Total 8000 including complete transport, food and lodging
What went great:
- Beautiful places
- China border
- Monastery visit
- Damn cheap liquor
Pain points:
- No night life: Everything closes by 8 PM
Total duration: 2 days + 1 nights
Going: Kolkata Railway station, Howrah (26th Nov, 10:00 PM) à Jew Jalpaiguri (27th Nov, 10:00 AM) à Gangtok by jeep (12:30 PM, Charges: 160 INR per head) à Night stay at Gangtok and confirmed for the permit for Nathula pass entry through agent
Sight-seeing: 28th Nov, from 8 AM to 6 PM, Jeep hired for 600 INR per head: Nathula pass à Baba Mandir (New) à Baba Mandir (Old) à Hathi Lake (shape is like Elephant) à Changu lake à Back to Gangtok Hotel
Dinner and drinks at Pub 25, among only few places which remains open till 11 PM.
29th Nov, 9 AM, Jeep hired for Rumtek Monastery, 40 INR per head, then back to Gangtok at 3:15 PM and started back from Gangtok to New Japaiguri station by Jeep (160 INR per head). Caught train for Kolkata at 9 PM
Weather Conditions: Cold, Sunny till 2-3 PM and Foggy after that
Vehicle: Train, Jeep, Car
