Published on Nov, 2023
Day - 1 Fly from Delhi to Bagdogra morning flight. Reach bagdogra @ 10.00 AM. Gangtok is 5-6 Hours road journey. Reach Gangtok at evening. Stroll on MG road. Which is very good. Evening is good to stroll on MG road. European like roads, dedicated Pedestrian lanes. We tried shuffle momos which were excellent.
Day - 2 Planned to go to Nathula But could not get permit so visit city tour, visit places by deciding own itinerary instead of following standard itinerary. We visited
Ranka Monastry. which is very good. Big moniastry, awesome views of surrounding mountains. As it is bit off from Main city. normally operators dont include in their itinerary. But going there was very much worth it
Banjhakri Falls. On the way from Ranka, Good falls, some activities can be done like sky track which we enjoy very much with kids
Gangtok Ropeway - We came to city and ropeway gives very good view of Mountains and city
Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok. - Excellent views of full range of Kanchenjunga, an get snack Dosa/ tea at Army run canteen at Hanuman Tok. which were very much needed.
Return back Hotel and Explore MG Road again in evening
Day - 3 We got our permit to visit Nathula and Changu lake / Tsongmo. Sperate permits required. You will get permit for nathula on previous evening. But for changu lake on same day at around 9.00. We left Hotel @ 9.00 AM. We got permit through Watsapp on the way. Permits are arranged by our taxi operator.
Nathula - Indo Chinese Border. Around 55 KMs / 2.30 Hrs. Don’t miss Ist and Last view point of Kanchenjunga during Nathula Journey during which lies around 15-20 KMs from city. We missed the view by thinking we will get such points further also. Road is very good. Area maintained by Army. Good to see how our army personal are serving us at such a high altitude. Keep heavy Woolens, Muffler, gloves, caps, socks umbrella etc. , even if you do not feel requirement at starting of Journey. There may be problem for breathleness for which persons were having Kapoor.
Changu / Tsongmo – On the way. Scenetic views. Must visit. In winter it comes frozen.
Baba Mandir - Managed by Army personal. Baba Mandir is usually part of the itinerary when visiting Nathula Pass and Tsongmo Lake.
Normally all three places can be covered in 7-8 Hours Max.
On reaching back hotel @ 4.PM. We went for Darjeeling same day as we were short of the day due to unavailability of Permit on previous day. Must required ID / Resd Proof Voter / Licence / Passport. Aadhaar not accepted. Passport photos are also needed.
Day 4 Morning Tiger hill – (10 km / 45 minutes)Wake up early. proceed for Tiger hill. Both sun rise and their reflection on surrounding Kanchenjunga and their changing colour is awesome. On reaching there are vendor selling tea etc. Return to Hotel
After Break fast visited Batasia loop having war memorial, Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda offers views of surrounding mountains, Himalayan zoo and Mountaineering institute inside zoo.
Day – 5 On last day on the way back to Bagdogra we took route through Mirik lake where we saw number of tea Garden specially Gopal Dhara such views were not available in city yesterday. Also saw pine forest, view point at Indo Nepal Border. Mirik lake nothing special can visit only if time.
Notes – I In Darjeeling you can see Kanchenjunga views from many places. From Roads. Hotel etc. in normal way
II There cab will be avaiable for visiting specific points only and may be changed on daily basis only even if you hire same operator for whole tour. Our Tour Operator provided good service and need not reminded any thing specially when we have to payment Advance as per practice over there
