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SIKKIM
TRAVEL
INFORMATION
Getting
there: To get to
Sikkim
, the nearest airport is at Bagdogra (near Siliguri) and the nearest
railhead is at New Jalpaiguri (also near Siliguri). The journey into
Sikkim
is made by road (Siliguri to Gangtok -- 125 kms -- covered in 4 hours).
Numerous, daily bus services ply from Siliguri to Gangtok and Jorethang
(in
South Sikkim
).
Foreign tourists require a special permit, which is conveniently
available (for 15 days stay) from all Indian missions abroad.
Accommodation: Gangtok
has plenty of hotels and restaurants covering the entire range of most
tourists' budgets. Advance booking during Durga Pooja holidays is
essential.
Pelling, in
West Sikkim
, (connected directly by bus services to Siliguri) is now opening up as an
alternate destination to Gangtok -- especially for "second-time"
visitors from
West Bengal
. There is a clutch of basic hotels at Pelling around the bus stand.
Yuksom -- the starting point of the Dzongri Trekking trail -- is deeper
into
West Sikkim
. Though it is difficult to reach, it has two excellent budget hotels --
Hotel Demazong and Hotel Dzongrila.
South Sikkim
is yet to find itself on the tourist map. Hotel Norbulingka at Namchi is a
homely place to use as a base to explore the towns and treks of
South Sikkim
.
Season: The tourist
season is from April to October -- with a peak during the Durga Pooja
holidays. However, I recommend the months of February and March. The
weather may be severe during the nights, during these months -- but,, the
absence of crowds, the warmth of the locals towards the odd-tourist and
the solitude, make
Sikkim
truly a Shangri-La.
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