After 19 days of coming from Nepal, when I was planning for my second trip to Gangtok, I have tried to take all reverent information from all possible sources for making my tour enjoyable to the fullest extent.
After lots of googleing , I could not really find very relevant data , most of online data are SEO ( Search engine optimization ) friendly . So , I feel that I should share my experience for the benefits of tourists who are looking for a pleasant stay at Gangtok . I like to describe my journeys in few parts. I request you read all the posting to get complete tourist friendly information. Here, I describe the information about.
To reach Gangtok, you need to pass through NJP and Siliguri that is the gateway to North Eastern States of India, Sikkim, Bhutan.
You can reach Siliguri from major Metros by rail, road and Air ways . Nearest Metro Kolkata is very well connected to Siliguri through road and rail. Earlier I reached Siliguri by Road . But for family, this will be a hectic journey of 12 hours. So best way is to book ticket for train, and reach NJP by trains . This time, I planned early by booking train. We reached NJP by Kanchankanya Express. For train journey, it is advisable to reach to NJP in the morning, so that you can reach Gangtok by after noon on the same day. If you go by Bus, it would take you to Siliguri Bus stand. From there, you can avail various modes of transport to reach Gangtok .
Taxi and SUV charge from station to Gangtok
If you reach NJP by train , you can reserve a cab or SUV from the station itself , they would charge you around Rs 1200 ( for Indica , Maruti Alto) to Rs 1800 ( For sumo ) . They can charge you more depending whether it is peak season or not.
But , if you are small family , look for shared service , better , you can go from NJP to Siliguri Bus stand by hiring local auto ( Charges Rs 15 per head ) , and from Siliguri station , you can get shared Sumo services for Gangtok . For shared sumo services, they can charge you Rs.150 per head in lean season to Rs 200 in peak season.
Our journey to Gangtok
We started our journey from NJP at around 7:30 AM. Slowly we passed through the NJP town and followed the National Highway 31A . After 30 minutes journey along Sevok Road , we reached Baag Pool and met River Teesta at Sevok . This is the point you can see the hills are welcoming you and this is junction point to reach various hill stations like Gangtok , Darjeeling , Kalempong etc . We followed the hilly road to Gangtok , watching the deep gorge alongside. Every turn, we could see the Teesta welcoming us with her renewed freshness. After 20 km journey, we reached Teesta Bazar .We stopped there for lunch. Do not forget to taste Momo here . It is really tasty . We have taken momo as our lunch .
After lunch again we started for Gangtok . We have seen the beautiful views of hilly terrain , river Teesta along our journey . After an hour journey we reached Rangpo .This is the gateway point for entering Sikkim State . Security people checked our Photo ID .
Hotel information in Gangtok:
During peak season (April to May) and Puja Vacation ( October month ) , if you are planning to visit Gangtok , it is better to book the room in advance . But still I have taken some amount of risk , I could have booked the hotel , but I plan to see the room and then book the room even it cost more . Accordingly, I collected information from my known circle about few hotels . And finally I made a good deal when I visited Hotel Sikkim near Lal Market . The room we booked is a deluxe room and having full mountain views of Gangtok. Hotel change is also moderate Rs 800 per night .
If you are looking for moderate hotel it is bitter to visit few hotels and make bargain and then book the room.
From my experience, I could see following cluster of hotels in three major areas like
1.Deoarali Bazar : Bus , cab from Siliguri stopped here at Deorali bus stand . Here you could see many small to medium range hotels . You can see the hotels and book .Many Budgets hotels are here . Bengali style hotels you can find here . From here , you can go to Gangtok market like MG Road by taking local Taxi ( Rs 40 for 4 people ) . If you are really looking for budget hotels in Gangtok , this is the right place , prices varies from Rs 300 to 800 per night .
2.Lal Market (Allay marg) : It is close to nearby local taxi stand . If you come from Siliguri , You first reach Deorali Stand , from there you can take taxi to reach Lal market or MG Road (area ) , for tourist , cab driver can charge little bit extra ( Rs 100 per Cab) . I stayed in this area and this is very close to MG MARG, and it is just below the MG Marg . Here you can find many good hotels .Since this is close to commercial places of Sikkim , hotel rates are higher . Here you can get plenty of hotels .Again , you can visit two to three hotels and book the best one as per your budget . Here room rate is Rs 600 to Rs 1200. (Peak season, this can be higher). But back side hotels you can get a better deal .Advantage of this area is that it is very close to local taxi stand and also close to MG matket . In Lal market where you can do shopping .
Few basic information, you need to know for hassle free journey and save extra cost .
 |
| View of football stadium from my hotel room |
After lots of googleing , I could not really find very relevant data , most of online data are SEO ( Search engine optimization ) friendly . So , I feel that I should share my experience for the benefits of tourists who are looking for a pleasant stay at Gangtok . I like to describe my journeys in few parts. I request you read all the posting to get complete tourist friendly information. Here, I describe the information about.
- Route information to New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri to Gangtok
- Hotel information of Gangtok
- Few basic information, you need to know for hassle free journey and save extra cost.
To reach Gangtok, you need to pass through NJP and Siliguri that is the gateway to North Eastern States of India, Sikkim, Bhutan.
You can reach Siliguri from major Metros by rail, road and Air ways . Nearest Metro Kolkata is very well connected to Siliguri through road and rail. Earlier I reached Siliguri by Road . But for family, this will be a hectic journey of 12 hours. So best way is to book ticket for train, and reach NJP by trains . This time, I planned early by booking train. We reached NJP by Kanchankanya Express. For train journey, it is advisable to reach to NJP in the morning, so that you can reach Gangtok by after noon on the same day. If you go by Bus, it would take you to Siliguri Bus stand. From there, you can avail various modes of transport to reach Gangtok .
Taxi and SUV charge from station to Gangtok
If you reach NJP by train , you can reserve a cab or SUV from the station itself , they would charge you around Rs 1200 ( for Indica , Maruti Alto) to Rs 1800 ( For sumo ) . They can charge you more depending whether it is peak season or not.
But , if you are small family , look for shared service , better , you can go from NJP to Siliguri Bus stand by hiring local auto ( Charges Rs 15 per head ) , and from Siliguri station , you can get shared Sumo services for Gangtok . For shared sumo services, they can charge you Rs.150 per head in lean season to Rs 200 in peak season.
Our journey to Gangtok
We started our journey from NJP at around 7:30 AM. Slowly we passed through the NJP town and followed the National Highway 31A . After 30 minutes journey along Sevok Road , we reached Baag Pool and met River Teesta at Sevok . This is the point you can see the hills are welcoming you and this is junction point to reach various hill stations like Gangtok , Darjeeling , Kalempong etc . We followed the hilly road to Gangtok , watching the deep gorge alongside. Every turn, we could see the Teesta welcoming us with her renewed freshness. After 20 km journey, we reached Teesta Bazar .We stopped there for lunch. Do not forget to taste Momo here . It is really tasty . We have taken momo as our lunch .
 |
| View of kanchenjunga from Darjeeling |
Hotel information in Gangtok:
During peak season (April to May) and Puja Vacation ( October month ) , if you are planning to visit Gangtok , it is better to book the room in advance . But still I have taken some amount of risk , I could have booked the hotel , but I plan to see the room and then book the room even it cost more . Accordingly, I collected information from my known circle about few hotels . And finally I made a good deal when I visited Hotel Sikkim near Lal Market . The room we booked is a deluxe room and having full mountain views of Gangtok. Hotel change is also moderate Rs 800 per night .
If you are looking for moderate hotel it is bitter to visit few hotels and make bargain and then book the room.
From my experience, I could see following cluster of hotels in three major areas like
1.Deoarali Bazar : Bus , cab from Siliguri stopped here at Deorali bus stand . Here you could see many small to medium range hotels . You can see the hotels and book .Many Budgets hotels are here . Bengali style hotels you can find here . From here , you can go to Gangtok market like MG Road by taking local Taxi ( Rs 40 for 4 people ) . If you are really looking for budget hotels in Gangtok , this is the right place , prices varies from Rs 300 to 800 per night .
2.Lal Market (Allay marg) : It is close to nearby local taxi stand . If you come from Siliguri , You first reach Deorali Stand , from there you can take taxi to reach Lal market or MG Road (area ) , for tourist , cab driver can charge little bit extra ( Rs 100 per Cab) . I stayed in this area and this is very close to MG MARG, and it is just below the MG Marg . Here you can find many good hotels .Since this is close to commercial places of Sikkim , hotel rates are higher . Here you can get plenty of hotels .Again , you can visit two to three hotels and book the best one as per your budget . Here room rate is Rs 600 to Rs 1200. (Peak season, this can be higher). But back side hotels you can get a better deal .Advantage of this area is that it is very close to local taxi stand and also close to MG matket . In Lal market where you can do shopping .
Few basic information, you need to know for hassle free journey and save extra cost .
When you are planning for holiday trip in Gangtok , please note the following , this may save you time and money .
- ID Card : You must carry a photo ID card ( Voter card , driving license , Passport copy etc ) , you must carry the original for entry verification at Rangpo . For whole family , at least one photo ID card is required . You must carry few photocopies of the ID card ( if you plan for distant site seeing , like Yamthung Tour , Changu Lake tour etc ) .
- Take 4 to 6 photos of each family member .Photos are required for making pass to visit distant tourist spots .During peak season , local photographer may change you Rs 100 per person .
- Take enough medicine while making tours to high altitudes places.
- While returning from hill to Siliguri , start early as it takes 4 to 5 hours to reach planer if road and traffic condition is good , sometime tourists miss the flight or train due t unexpected delay and road problem on the national highway .
nice place
ReplyDelete