FAQ– SIKKIM & DARJEELING
ABOUT SIKKIM & DARJEELING.
1) Where Is Sikkim & Darjeeling?
Sikkim & Darjeeling is located in the northeastern part of India and is popularly known as Chicken Neck of India, which links the rest of India to the northeastern state of Assam & beyond. It is very strategically located with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China.
2) What Is Sikkim Darjeeling Famous For?
While Darjeeling is Famous for Tea, Timber and Tourism. The place Darjeeling is synonymous with Tea, as it produces the world's best quality Tea, also known as the "Champagne of the East." and Sikkim is well known for its vivid landscapes with beautiful mountains and diverse flora and fauna. It also has a significant importance in terms of a strategic border state. The old Silk route passes through Sikkim.
Tourism is a major source of livelihood for the people of the area. The government has focused on improving local tourism infrastructure. This is also evident from the fact that this area is home to tourist attractions such as Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, one of the largest high altitude Zoo in India, and only places where conservation breeding of Red Panda, Snow leopard & Tibetan Wolf happens. The area also houses the only skywalk in India, which is located in Pelling, Sikkim. There are many more Tourist places, one comes across while traveling to this area.
3) How Does One Reach Sikkim & Darjeeling?
A) By Air.
Bagdogra Airport - Direct Or connecting flight from all Major cities.
Pakyong Airport (Sikkim) - Fewer flight Options.
B) By Rail.
New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) is the main station for the area, and has good train connectivity with rest of India.
C) By Road
Bhutan (Jaigaon / Phuentsholing)
Nepal (Panitanki / Kakarvitta / Pashupati )
Bangladesh (Changrabandha / Burimari).
4) When Is The Best Time To Travel?
The area can be visited throughout the year. One should avoid July & August, as it is the monsoon time.
5) What Is The Average Temperature Of The Area?
Sikkim & Darjeeling being a mountain destination, the average temperature ranges between 5° to 24° Celsius in winter & 12° to 29° Celsius in summer, barring places like Kalimpong, Siliguri, which are relatively warm as they are located at a lower altitude.
It is advisable that one should be prepared with layer clothing also in summers and carry heavy woolen in winters.
6) What Is The Ideal Holiday Duration For Sikkim & Darjeeling?
Itineraries for the area can be scheduled for a minimum of 04 Nights and maximum of 14 Nights. The ideal duration is around 10 Nights (Gangtok – 03Nights, Lachung – 01Nights, Lachen – 02Nights, Pelling – 02Nights & Darjeeling – 02Nights).
7) What Are The Various Activities & Options Available For Tourists?
A) Cultural.
For cultural tourists, the area offers nature, landscapes, monasteries, flower nurseries, etc.
B) Adventure.
The area offers activities like hiking, trekking, cycling, rafting and paragliding, etc.
8) How Is The Mobile Connectivity In Sikkim & Darjeeling? Which Local Operator Has Good Network?
Communication plays a very important role in staying connected, wherever one goes. Telecom operators like BSNL, Airtel & Vodafone have good connectivity in our area.
9) How Safe Is Sikkim & Darjeeling For Tourists, Especially For Female Travellers?
Sikkim & Darjeeling is completely safe when it comes to travel, especially when females are concerned. Women of the area are very active and play a major role in family’s decision making & big contributor to livelihood to the family.
B. ABOUT ENTRY FORMALITIES, DOCUMENTATION & GENERAL RESTRICTION IN TRAVELLING TO SIKKIM & DARJEELING.
1) For Indian Nationals.
● Guests availing the services to Nathula, Baba Mandir, Tshangu Lake & North Sikkim (Lachung, Yumthang Excursion, Yumesamdong (Zero Point), Katau, Lachen, Chopta Valley & Gurudongmar Excursion) are requested to bring / submit the following documents.
● 06 passport size photographs of each member traveling whether Adult or Child with their name, age & gender written behind each photograph.
● Original along with photo Copy of the photo ID of each member traveling, whether adult or child.
● Valid Passport, Election ID card, Driving License or any documents issued by Central or State Government having Photo, Name and the address will be considered as valid ID Proof only. Aadhar Card & Pan Card are not accepted as valid ID Proof for issuance of Sikkim Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
● Upon your arrival, our office representative will hand over a blank envelope, in which you will have to put all the above documents and leave it at the Hotel Reception in Gangtok, at the time of check in.
● In case of Child less than 18 Years of age, who is traveling and does not have Passport, in such case he / she will have to carry his / her School / College ID. In such a case, it is also advisable to carry photocopy along with the original Birth Certificate.
2) For NRI & Foreign Nationals.
The entry process & documents required, for NRI’s & Foreign Passport Holders, will be the same. Please note the following:
● For NRI’s - it is mandatory to bring their Passport (in original) along with their PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card / OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) Card.
● For Foreign National - valid Indian Visa, is a must. Visa’s can be obtained from Indian embassy in the home country. The facility of E Visa is also available for citizens of authorized countries.
● With a valid Indian visa one can visit Darjeeling & Kalimpong (no special permit required). For visiting SIKKIM, an ILP (Inner Line Permit) is required along with the Visa, which is available at no extra cost. The guest has to mention their desire, to visit SIKKIM, while applying Indian visa.
● In case the guest has a valid Indian visa and do not have an ILP endorsed on the Visa, our Trip Leader accompanying the guest will assist in getting the permit organized. This is done upon arrival, at the entry point, namely Siliguri, Darjeeling, Melli & Rangpo on the basis of following documents:
1. 06 Passport Size Photographs.
2. Photocopy of Passport along with Original.
3. Photocopy of PIO Card / OCI Card / Visa along with the Original.
● ILP (Inner Line Permit) is NOT GIVEN upon arrival for: Foreign Nationals from Mainland China, Hongkong, Macau, Pakistan, Nigeria & Burma (Mayanmar) are not given ILP upon arrival in Sikkim. They have to procure it along with their Indian Visa at their home town through India Embassy / Consulate.
● ILP (Inner Line Permit) for Diplomats & Expatriates, are not given upon arrival at Sikkim. They have to procure it through the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi only.
● For visiting SIKKIM restricted area of Tshangu lake, Lachung & Lachen a separate RAP (Restricted Area Permit) is required and involves additional cost. These guests will not be allowed to visit Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass & Gurudongmar Lake. They will only be allowed to visit up to Tshangu Lake and in North Sikkim their visit will be limited to Chopta Valley, Thangu, Yumthang & Yumesamdong. For visiting the above-mentioned restricted area the group size has to be minimum of 02 members.They will also be required to bring along with them 06 passport size photographs for processing RAP (Restricted Area Permit).
3) Special Note On Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass & North Sikkim.
Certain sightseeing are totally controlled by the syndicate. We do not have much control over such services. We will request you to bear with such uncalculated situations. Operation Manager will guide you on such services e.g. Tshangu Lake, Nathula, packages to North Sikkim etc. In particular, when using these facilities, you may have to be careful in dealing with drivers due to lack of access to the tourism industry and practices. They get irritated at times, and may lead to misbehavior. Persons with a knee, heart & blood pressure issue, and children under 05 years of age should avoid going to Nathula, Gurudongmar & Yumesamdong (Zero Point) as it may be of high risk, as medical facilities are also very negligible. High Mountains sightseeing like Tshangu Lake, Yumthang excursion, Gurudongmar excursion has to start early in the morning, where you can return early. This is designed so that the guest enjoys the activities to the fullest, as in the afternoon the weather gets cloudy & foggy all year round.
1. Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir
In the event of landslides or any unforeseen reason, where Tshangu Lake & Baba Mandir sightseeing is not possible then an alternative sightseeing will be offered.
2. Nathula Pass
Nathula Pass being a border and restricted area, and at times gets closed, due to security reasons without prior notice. In such a case, your tour will only be until Tshangu Lake and there will be no refund for unused services.
You can opt for Nathula Excursion by paying an additional cost that varies from month to month. It is not possible to hold a permit at the last moment, and a clear window of 72 hrs with proper documents is required to process the permit. Nathula permit shall be confirmed the day before OR on the day of travel (depending on permit office) and shall be subject to the permit availability. Nathula is closed to visitors on Monday & Tuesday. No refund is granted if the permit is confirmed by Sikkim tourism and the guests are unable to make it, for whatever reason (landslide, heavy rainfall, VIP movement, health problem, etc.).
Nathula Excursion can be guaranteed if you have contacts with the Army or if you are a Government Employee. Please use your sources, so that the permit could be procured. The modus operandi is that one requires a vehicle's number and copy of the driver's license a day before the date of travel. Even after taking the required details in advance, and God forbid, for whatever reason, if driver or vehicle failed to report or changed, then your entire exercise in obtaining the permit will be futile. While coordinating this with the army or some other source, please ask the source to take both the army and tourism permission, this saves a lot of time. Worse case, if all the above goes in vain, please don't get disheartened as you will only miss a 4 km drive as a visit to Baba Mandir takes you to the area where Nathula is located.
3. North Sikkim (Lachung & Lachen)
Lachung operates on package only. All Tours starts from Gangtok and ends at Gangtok and is on Full Board (includes all Meals at the hotel). 1st Day tour of North Sikkim, Meal starts with Dinner at the booked hotel & ends with Packet lunch from the booked hotel on the last day.
Please note that this area is cold all through the year; kindly be advised to be equipped with proper woolen / warm clothing.
Please note that North Sikkim is blessed with Natural Beauty. The accommodation provided at Lachung will be more like a Tourist Lodge / Guest House / 2*hotel having basic facilities, like•
● Geysers are available but do not work most of the time due to low voltage / power failure. In such cases, warm water is provided in buckets, by the hotels.
● The food prepared will be fresh, by local trained Sherpa’s, and not by Hotel chefs.
● The rooms have heaters, but due to issues with power, most of the time, the hotel provides a hot water bag in the bed.
● All forms of single-use plastic bags (bottle & carry bags) are prohibited by the local body. Fine of INR 500.00 to INR 5000.00 can be imposed on the offender by the local authority.
● The best time to travel to North Sikkim is between mid-February to mid-June & mid-September to mid-December.
4) Are There Any Custom, Administrative Restrictions In Sikkim & Darjeeling?
Tshangu Lake & Baba Mandir
1. In case of landslide or due to any other reasons if Tshangu Lake & Baba Mandir is not possible due to landslide or any unforeseen reason then an alternate sightseeing will be provided.
Nathula Pass
1. Since Nathula is a restricted area and gets sealed, without any notice, for security reasons. In such case, your tour will only be till Tshangu Lake and there will be no refund for unutilized services.
2. One can opt for Nathula Excursion by paying a supplement cost which varies from month to month. Organising the permit at the last moment is not possible & a clear window of 72 Hrs with proper documents is required to process the permit. Nathula permit gets confirmed a day prior OR on the day of journey (depending on the working of the permit issuing office) & it is subjected to permit availability as it is allotted as per lottery. Nathula is closed on Monday & Tuesday for tourist. There is no refund, in case the permit is confirmed by Sikkim tourism & due to whatsoever reason (Land slide, Heavy rain fall, VIP Movement, Health issue etc) one is not able to visit Nathula.
3. Nathula can be guaranteed if you have contacts in the army or if you are Government Employee. Kindly use your sources so that the permit could be procured. The modus operandi for this would be that you would be requiring the car number and driver license a day prior to the journey date. In case you take the number and driver details in advance and god forbid due to whatsoever reason if the driver and the vehicle any one of two is not able to report then your whole exercise of getting the permit done gets futile. While coordinating this with the army or other source, please request the source to do both the army and the tourism permission, this saves a lot of time. Worse to worse if all above goes in vain please do not get disheartened as you will only miss 4 km drive as the visit to Thangu Lake & Baba Mandir takes you into the area where Nathula is located.
North Sikkim (Lachung & Lachen)
1. Lachung operates on package only. All the Tours starts from Gangtok and ends at Gangtok and is on Full Board (includes all Meals at the hotel). 1st Day tour of North Sikkim, Meal starts with Dinner at the booked hotel & ends with Packet lunch from the booked hotel on the last day.
2. Please note that these areas are cold throughout the year, kindly be advised to be equipped with proper woolen / warm clothes.
C. HOTEL FACILITIES, POLICY & CUISINE AVAILABLE IN SIKKIM & DARJEELING.
1) What Kind Of Hotels Options, Available In Sikkim & Darjeeling?
All Categories of Hotels are available in the main cities of Sikkim & Darjeeling .
Hotels that are located in the remote areas like Lachen, Lachung, Yuksom, Mirik etc where they don’t have higher categories hotel options ,we use the areas best property.
2) Do We Get Similar Hotels At All Places Or It Is Only Limited To Main City Only?
As mentioned above we do not work with all hotels, hence we have selected, combined & graded the hotels in such a way, so that the guest get similar standard of services & facilities at every destination / place of retirement other than requested & specific grade.
In our area, most of the hotels do not have lift. You will have to climb stairs to reach your allotted rooms. In case any of you, have problems related to blood pressure, breathing, knee & heart or if you cannot climb higher floors, then we request you to let us know this at the time of confirming the booking / immediately on check-in, so that we handle it with care, before the Hotels assign you your room, which will be convenient than the ones quoted/reserved for you. DIFFERENCE IN PRICE IF ANY WILL HAVE TO BE SETTLED DIRECTLY BEFORE CHECK OUT.
3) Are The Hotel Option Given, In City Or Away From The City?
Most hotels are located in the city, while new and higher level hotels are located a short distance from the city centre. Since the area is backward, it is obvious that the constructions of the hotels are unplanned. This ensures that most of the chosen hotels are situated in the city centre. Such hotels can have a view of the building on the front, beside or behind them. As services are not up to the mark in the area, we have made our hotel selection on the basis of SERVICES provided by them.
4) Do Hotel Charges Extra For Room Heaters?
Certain Hotels have a system of providing room heaters on request, on an extra payment basis. This payment is not included in the cost & the user will have to settle it directly with the hotels before check-out. The charge varies from INR 250.00 to INR 500.00 per heater per room per night depending on the category of the Hotel.
5) What Is The Child Policy For Hotels?
Majority of the hotels follow the below mentioned child policy.
● Children above 11+ years will be charged 100% as per EPSR.
● Children of 5+ to 11 sharing a parent's room with bed / rollaway or mattress will be charged as per CWB.
● Children of 5+ to 11 sharing a parent's room without bed / rollaway or mattress will be charged as per CNB.
● Children below 5 years Complimentary without bed (Sharing the parent’s room).
(Hotels are very strict with the child policy. Please carry the age proof so that it can be produced when asked for).
6) Does The Hotel Provide Proper Extra Bed / Rollaway / Mattresses?
For Extra Person Sharing the Room & Child with Extra Bed, we will provide Extra bed (Wherever Possible), but most of the hotels in our area only provide MATTRESS and ROLL OVERS as a supplement to Extra Bed.
7) What Are The Standard Check In & Checkout Time?
Check in time at Hotel: 1400 Hrs / Check out time: 1100 Hrs. All the bookings are non-transferable & all in-house hotel rules will be applicable during your stay. As per Government norms valid photo ID for all members staying at the hotel is mandatory. For requests such as, early check in / late checkout / extending of stay, will completely be on subject to availability.
8) Are Pure Vegetarian & Jain Food Available In Sikkim & Darjeeling?
Indian food is available in Sikkim & Darjeeling but no regional specific cuisines are served. The people of this area are mostly Non Vegetarian. Most of the hotels serve both Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian food. The Jain food served by these hotels will be basic & cannot be compared, to the ones available, at the hometown of the traveler. For the understanding, the food provided will be pure vegetarian meals, which will not include onion, potato, garlic etc, and items which are grown underground. With changes in food habits globally, few hotels in Sikkim & Darjeeling, are exclusively serving vegetable food to its entire guest.
9) Is Power Failure Or Load Shading A Issue In Sikkim & Darjeeling?
In hilly areas, scarcity of water & electricity is a natural phenomenon. Everybody buys water for their day-to-day needs & have learnt to live even without electricity. Although Sikkim produces surplus power by means of Hydro Power, these surplus is then to the main grid for utilization by the rest of India, but still there is issue with power transmission due to hilly terrain. In the case of Load Shedding, we would request you to bear with such a situation. We strongly regret the inconvenience. Most of the high-end hotels do have power back systems.
D. ABOUT TRANSPORT & GUIDE OPERATIONS.
1) What Kind Of Vehicles Is Used For Servicing Tourists In Sikkim & Darjeeling?
As per the law & set principle laid down by Tourism body for correct business practices.We only use Xylo / Innova / Crysta for guests and the vehicle used will not be at disposal and will be exclusively used for the group as per the itinerary only (on point-to-point basis).
2) Does The Vehicle Provided To Tourists In Sikkim & Darjeeling Have Air-conditioning, Roof Top Carrier?
Generally in Sikkim & Darjeeling, most of the vehicles we write NAC (Non AC) as because of its location & Altitude, AC are not required. In case guests are insisting on AC, The AC will be on when the Vehicle is on move only. While travelling in the plains the clients would need AC, which will be switched on. When the car is travelling uphill AC will be switched off.. Yes our fleet of vehicles do have roof top carriers.
3) Does The Vehicle Change City Wise Or Remains The Same Throughout?
Yes, the vehicles will change sector wise. And state Wise also.
4) Can We Take The Allocated Vehicle For Shopping And Evening Dinner To Local Restaurant & Hotels? Do We Have The Option Of Upgrading Or Changing The Vehicle On Tour?
The allocated vehicle is exclusively for you but not a disposal, it is strictly as per the itinerary. For extra vehicle usage, supplement cost will be applicable. Yes in case of mechanical failure, we do have the option of changing or upgrading a vehicle on additional cost but in case guests feel that they want to switch or upgrade the vehicle on tour. Since the Vehicles are limited in number, cancellation rules will be applicable on the complete tour package as vehicles are contracted accordingly plus the cost of a new vehicle will be applicable.
E. PERTAINING TO QUERY BEFORE CONFIRMING THE TOUR.
1) What Is The Right Meal To Opt For, While Booking A Tour To Sikkim & Darjeeling?
We strongly recommend that the guest should opt for MAPAI (Breakfast & Dinner), where they will have the option of having lunch in a local restaurant during sightseeing.
2) Can We Pay You Advance Now And Balance Upon Arrival?
All our payment will be as per our payment policy as mentioned in the tour package sent to you.
F. PRE TOUR Or ON TOUR QUERY
1) What Is A Pre-briefing Call?
Our Operations Manager/Transport Coordinator will give a call to the guest, on behalf of our booking office, informing the guest, how to prepare for the tour, what to expect, taking extra requests for making the tour comfortable. A Watsap group will be created with all stakeholders from respective departments to make your tour hassle free and memorable.
2) Where Do We Meet Our Tour Guide /Arrival Officer?
NJP (New Jalpaiguri) Railway Station – If you are arriving at NJP Railway station, which has 03 entry & exit gate, please be informed that you will be meeting our Office Executive at the new exit gate, beside the escalator holding placard in guest you name / or as advised.
IXB (Bagdogra) Airport - Please note that our Executive will hold placards just outside the only exit gate of Bagdogra Airport.
3) Who Will Be Our One Point Contact While We Are On Tour?
Operations Manager / Transport Coordinator will be your one point contact for all matters.
4) Are Sightseeing / Monument Entrance Fees Included In Our Tour Cost?
The same is not included as it provides the guest the freedom to choose & pay the monuments entrance fee directly as per their preference. The cost estimate is given as supplement cost in the day wise itinerary.
5) As We Are Booking So Much In Advance, We Should Get the Best View Facing & New Vehicle At All Places?
Many of the guests have mentioned that they have booked the tour very well in advance so why isn’t the best room allotted to them. When the client chooses to travel in the month of March, April, May, June, September, October & November, and this happens to be the busiest months for Sikkim & Darjeeling. Kindly be updated that the area of Sikkim & Darjeeling are not developed like many other hill stations of the world. Here we understand very well the size of India & its population. We also understand well that most of India falls under heat waves during summers & spring. There are not many places where one can go for relief. Now even if 0.1% of the population turns up, towards Sikkim & Darjeeling, the area runs out of capacity. Everything becomes chaotic. Delivering the promise becomes an issue. Patience & understanding becomes an important part in getting the tour organized & making the holiday into a memorable one. This is where our services & we come into counting.
6) We Are Arriving Late In The Evening / Very Early Morning At NJP Railway Station. Please Advise Further?
It is to be noted that in case you are arriving by train in the late evening / night & are departing early morning, it is mandatory for you to spend a night in Siliguri. In such situations of late arrival & early departure, if you have not opted for a stopover package at Siliguri, then you will have to wait at the Waiting / Retiring Room of the station. Our Executive will be meeting you at 0600 hrs in the morning for the meet & greet and arrival transfer. This has been planned keeping your security factors in mind.
7) As We Are Arriving Early, What Happens To Our Meals?
Tour starts and ends from New Jalpaiguri Railway (NJP) Station / Bagdogra (IXB) Airport . The 1st Day tour Meal starts with Dinner at the booked hotel & ends with Breakfast at the booked hotel, on the last day for all the bookings on MAPAI. For APAI 1st Day tour Meal starts with Dinner at the booked hotel & ends with Packet lunch from the booked hotel on the last day.
8) In Case Our Train / Flight Are Cancelled And We Are Not Able To Start Our Tour As Planned, What Will Be Your Advice?
In case of any Flight / Train Cancellation has affected the operation of the Tours then the Company will not be responsible for the same and the cancellation as per the policy will be applicable, we will still try our best to help the guest wherever possible to minimize the damages.
9) Is The Vehicle That Pickup From Bagdogra / New Jalpaiguri Railways Station Will Be With Us Until The End?
The vehicle that picks you will only do the services for that day. The vehicles keep on changing sector & service wise.
10) Due To Landslide Or Any Other Unseen, Forced Measures, Should There Be A Diversion From The Main Tour, Who Pays Extra Cost Incurred In Such A Situation?
Landslide is a common occurrence in hilly areas. Expenses incurred for diversion, due to this or any other unseen, forced reasons will be collected directly as per actual expenditure incurred.
11) Are The Tour Planned Rigid Or Some Minor Changes Can Be Made?.
We try our best to assist the guest with minor changes, wherever until & unless it does fetch financial damages. The cost for any alteration if any will be collected directly as per actual expenditure incurred.
12) Do We Have The Option Of Adding Extra Sightseeing & Add-on Tours I.e. Rafting?
Yes one has the option of adding extra sightseeing or add-on tours in due consultation with your file OM. Our only request is that people in the mountains sleep early, hence your timely & prior intimation on changes will give the necessary reaction time to the OM to organize better operation for you.
13) Just In Case, If Some Sightseeing Are Closed On A Particular Day Do We Have The Option Of Covering It Next Day?
We make all contingency plans so that the sightseeing points do not fall on a closing day. Incase of an inevitable situation if the sightseeing falls on a closing day, it will have to be left out & cannot be carried forward to the next day. If you are taking the left out tour on the next day, you will have to pay the extra against the vehicle charges as advised by the Operations Manager/ Transport Coordinator (OM).
14) If We Are Unable To Utilize Some Services On The Tour, Will There Be Refund?
There will be no refund for unutilized service in part or in full, what so ever may be the reason.
