[Continued from Visit to Gangtok (Part - 4)] We started in good spirit towards Yumthang Valley from Lachung. But luck was not in our favour. After travelling for a while we found that the road in front of us was blocked by debris which resulted from the previous day's evening shower. The sad news had crushed our spirits. We tried to inquire from the army officials present there to know whether the road would open soon. But they replied that it would open at about 3 pm. As a last hope we urged our co passengers to stay for another day so that we could see the Yumthang Valley and then return to Gangtok. But they refused since they had a booking at a hotel in Darjeeling. With all hopes lost we climbed onto the back seat of the car and came back to our hotel. After that we went out to stroll in the roads of Lachung. We went near the Lachung river. The scenery was amazing. On one side was the gushing river with its white water flowing through the rocks and on the other side green hills with a clear blue sky in background. It was wonderful. But it was time to return to Gangtok. Disheartened, we started our return journey. Good Bye Lachung!
I tried to fell asleep in the car in order to compensate for the less sleep last night. But the road would not let me do so. Our car was jerking and bumping as we moved on towards Gangtok. So I had to stay awake. Suddenly I caught a glimpse of a white thing protruding out of the clouds. For a moment I could not understand what it was but the next moment I was sure that it was nothing else than the majestic Mt Kanchenjunga. We stopped and got out of the car. Although the mountain was not fully visible but it was still not difficult to understand what it was. After clicking some photos we again started our journey towards Gangtok. At last we reached Gangtok. Our car dropped us at the N. Sikkim Taxi Stand. From there we took a taxi to reach Hotel Woodland. We were shown our room. That night we had our dinner at the Woodland Restaurant.
Next day we woke up early. The hills in front of us were visible directly from our hotel room. But to our amazement we found that a snow capped peak was also visible. Slowly two more peaks came out of the clouds. We recognized one of them to be Kanchenjunga. After that again all of them got covered by clouds. Later that day we went to the Railway Reservation Centre at Gangtok near the S.N.T. Bus Terminus to book our return journey ticket from New Jalpaiguri to Kolkata . After booking the ticket we came back to our hotel. We spent most of our time packing things and shopping that day. The day after we got ourselves ready quickly because it was time to return. We took a taxi and went to Deorali Taxi Stand. From there we bought tickets to reach New Jalpaiguri. Each ticket cost Rs. 250/-. Our car left Gangtok at around 10 am and reached New Jalpaiguri at 3:15 pm. We had our lunch at a dhaba on the way. Our train Paharia Express was scheduled at 21:15 hrs. So we went to Hotel Miami and stayed there. After having dinner we went to New Jalpaiguri station. The train started at the scheduled time and reached Howrah at 9 am.
How to Reach :
12363 Kolkata-Haldibari Express departs Kolkata station at 09:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 18:50 hrs. 12343 Darjeeling Mail leaves Sealdah station at 22:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:00 hrs. 12377 Padatik Express leaves Sealdah at 22:55 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 09:05 hrs. Hired cars (Tata Sumo, Mahindra MAXX and Bolero) are available from New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Buses are running from S.N.T. Bus Terminus in Siliguri.
Nearest Airport - Bagdogra Airport
Where to Stay :
New Jalpaiguri
Hotel Miami, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 400, Tel: 9332232897
Hotel Holydon, Tel: (0353) 2691162
Gangtok
Greendale Residence, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 4500-4900, Tel: (03592) 201400
Hotel Babumashai, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 204030
Hotel Himalaya's, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 202842
Hotel Woodland, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1000, Tel: (03592) 203414
Hotel Paradise, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 800, Tel: 9832036610
Places of Interest :
The prime attractions of Gangtok are Ropeway, Rumtek Monastery, Tasi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfalls, Banjhakri Falls, Himalayan Zoological Park and Research Institute of Tibetology. Other attractions include Hanuman Tok, Lhasa Falls, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Enchey Monastery and Ganjong Monastery. There are three excursions from Gangtok - Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) and Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir which can be covered in a one day tour from Gangtok (Rs. 800-1000 per head). Indian Visitors are allowed to visit Nathula Pass on all days except Monday and Tuesday. Another conducted tour is the Yumthang Valley Package. It is a 1 Night 2 days tour (Rs. 1200-1400 per head) consisting of Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You can also go for the Gurudongmar Lake package which is 2 Nights 3 Days (Rs. 2400-2800). The tour consists of Lachen, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You will be required to produce xerox copy of Voter ID Card and two passport photos of each member of your family to the travel agency for permit.
For more information, please contact :
Sikkim Tourist Information Centre
M.G. Marg, Gangtok,
East Sikkim
Tel: (03592) 221634
 |
| Lachung |
I tried to fell asleep in the car in order to compensate for the less sleep last night. But the road would not let me do so. Our car was jerking and bumping as we moved on towards Gangtok. So I had to stay awake. Suddenly I caught a glimpse of a white thing protruding out of the clouds. For a moment I could not understand what it was but the next moment I was sure that it was nothing else than the majestic Mt Kanchenjunga. We stopped and got out of the car. Although the mountain was not fully visible but it was still not difficult to understand what it was. After clicking some photos we again started our journey towards Gangtok. At last we reached Gangtok. Our car dropped us at the N. Sikkim Taxi Stand. From there we took a taxi to reach Hotel Woodland. We were shown our room. That night we had our dinner at the Woodland Restaurant.
 |
| Mt. Kanchenjunga as seen from Mangan |
Next day we woke up early. The hills in front of us were visible directly from our hotel room. But to our amazement we found that a snow capped peak was also visible. Slowly two more peaks came out of the clouds. We recognized one of them to be Kanchenjunga. After that again all of them got covered by clouds. Later that day we went to the Railway Reservation Centre at Gangtok near the S.N.T. Bus Terminus to book our return journey ticket from New Jalpaiguri to Kolkata . After booking the ticket we came back to our hotel. We spent most of our time packing things and shopping that day. The day after we got ourselves ready quickly because it was time to return. We took a taxi and went to Deorali Taxi Stand. From there we bought tickets to reach New Jalpaiguri. Each ticket cost Rs. 250/-. Our car left Gangtok at around 10 am and reached New Jalpaiguri at 3:15 pm. We had our lunch at a dhaba on the way. Our train Paharia Express was scheduled at 21:15 hrs. So we went to Hotel Miami and stayed there. After having dinner we went to New Jalpaiguri station. The train started at the scheduled time and reached Howrah at 9 am.
 |
| Mt. Kanchenjunga as seen from Gangtok |
How to Reach :
12363 Kolkata-Haldibari Express departs Kolkata station at 09:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 18:50 hrs. 12343 Darjeeling Mail leaves Sealdah station at 22:05 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:00 hrs. 12377 Padatik Express leaves Sealdah at 22:55 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 09:05 hrs. Hired cars (Tata Sumo, Mahindra MAXX and Bolero) are available from New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Buses are running from S.N.T. Bus Terminus in Siliguri.
Nearest Airport - Bagdogra Airport
Where to Stay :
New Jalpaiguri
Hotel Miami, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 400, Tel: 9332232897
Hotel Holydon, Tel: (0353) 2691162
Gangtok
Greendale Residence, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 4500-4900, Tel: (03592) 201400
Hotel Babumashai, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 204030
Hotel Himalaya's, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1500, Tel: (03592) 202842
Hotel Woodland, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 1000, Tel: (03592) 203414
Hotel Paradise, Tariff - Double bed Rs. 800, Tel: 9832036610
Places of Interest :
The prime attractions of Gangtok are Ropeway, Rumtek Monastery, Tasi View Point, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfalls, Banjhakri Falls, Himalayan Zoological Park and Research Institute of Tibetology. Other attractions include Hanuman Tok, Lhasa Falls, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, Enchey Monastery and Ganjong Monastery. There are three excursions from Gangtok - Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) and Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir which can be covered in a one day tour from Gangtok (Rs. 800-1000 per head). Indian Visitors are allowed to visit Nathula Pass on all days except Monday and Tuesday. Another conducted tour is the Yumthang Valley Package. It is a 1 Night 2 days tour (Rs. 1200-1400 per head) consisting of Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You can also go for the Gurudongmar Lake package which is 2 Nights 3 Days (Rs. 2400-2800). The tour consists of Lachen, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung and Yumthang Valley. You will be required to produce xerox copy of Voter ID Card and two passport photos of each member of your family to the travel agency for permit.
For more information, please contact :
Sikkim Tourist Information Centre
M.G. Marg, Gangtok,
East Sikkim
Tel: (03592) 221634
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