B Kartikeyan
We have returned from a very satisfying Il day trip organized by you to Sikkim & North Bengal yesterday.
Mr Shubham received us at the Bagdogra airport , and got us on to the vehicle for Sikkim. The driver cum guide Mr Bhim was a young man from Sikkim and an enthusiastic person.
Starting from the plains we went through Siliguri and started climbing at Sevoke, passing through green foothills of Kalimpong District, with Teesta on our side going upstream , and entered into Sikkim at Rangpo. We reached Gangtok in the evening. Beautiful city and a very good hotel The Maple Residency. We could walk around in the evening to get a whiff of Sikkim.
Next day we went to the Tsomgo lake which now has a ropeway to go up a hill behind. We decided to go to the Nathuls Pass as the weather was pleasant, and being a little off-season, `permit' was obtained. At Natula Pass it was drizzling avid we could easily climb up to go to the border checkpost. We then proceeded on to baba Mandir the shrine. There is also a big Shiva statue near there (500m walk). They we came back to the Tsomgo lake. We missed the ropeway ride as it closes by I PM. However , the lake is beautiful. It was drizzling a little heavily, but we could take a walk around part of the lake.
Next morning after a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel we started for Lachung. On the way we could see a number of beautiful waterfalls. I have never seen so many beautiful waterfalls anywhere else. We had lunch on the way at a quaint restaurant serving very tasty food, avid reached Lachung in the evening. The hotel LeCoxy was very good. They have warm comfortable rooms, avid prepare very tasty food.
Next morning after a good breakfast , we started for the Yumthang valley. It is a surprisingly very beautiful place. Though the route is a little difficult , our driver t3him was good. There is also a hot water spring there. We returned to Lachung avid had a good lunch at Lecoxy , and started back for Gangtok and reached by evening.
Again staying at Maple Residency the next day we went for Gangtok sightseeing and then on to Pelling. At Pelling we stayed at the de Regency a very well located and good hotel. You can actually see the Kanchenjunga from the room when the weather is clear.
Next day we saw the Rimbi falls (beautiful) , Kanchenjunga falls (even more beautiful ) , and then the wishing lake where we fed the fishes. Then we went on to Pemayangtse Monastery and then to the Rabedentse Ruins. It was a good I kilometre walk through avid up a forested hill but it was worth it. These are the ruins from the second capital of Sikkim. After staying at night in Pelting we left next morning to see first the skywalk made around a buddha shrine, and then to the second highest bridge in Asia.
We then proceeded to darjeeling where bhim deposited us at the Jay hotel. The hotel is very good. The next morning our view Driver-cunt -guide Mr sadip picked us up after breakfast.
We first went to the Zoo and HMI. I never expected to see such a good zoo. Very well planned we spent almost 2 hours there. Then the HMI (Himalayan Mountaineering Institute) located inside is also very good. We saw a 16min video show there avid they their museum which is also very good.
I will describe the rest of the tour later. As such the 3 days based in darjeeling were great and each and every spot you arranged for was worth it ( like the Peace pagoda , Tibetan museum, Tiger hill, avid I would say best of all the batasia loop of the darjeeling Hill Train. We went there twice. The final day we spent in Kalimpong at good's Garden Retreat a very good hotel with very good view , rooms, avid cuisine.
Once again I thank you for arranging such a nice tour.
Regards
Posted on: Monday, 25th November 2019
