👉 Gangtok & Pelling weather is pleasant throughout the year.
👉 Nathu La pass, North Sikkim – Laching & Yumthang valley – can be extremely cold in winters.
👉 Carry sweaters, monkey caps, sweat shirts and thick socks to protect from chill winds at high altitude.
👉 It is advised to check weather forecast and carry a rain proof Jacket or a Poncho.
👉 Please refer “Things to Pack” section on our website for more details.
👉 Backpacks are recommended. They are easy to carry everywhere.
👉 You may get meduim size trolley if really needed. We usually have lugagge carrier on top of vehicle.
👉 But please remember you have to carry it from vehicle to your room everywhere. There is no Porter service for any of our trips.
👉 Distance wise, we will be covering 900+ kilometers in 6 days. That’s not too much. But since most of the journey is through the curvy roads of Himalayan mountains, the journeys can be tiring.
👉 Our vehicles are usually comfortable SUVs or Hatchbacks based on number of people. Bigger vehicles like Tempo Travellers are not allowed in Sikkim.
👉 We will also take ample breaks in between our journey for different reasons like taking photos, Lunches, etc.
👉 The journey can ge tiring & long if the road conditions are not good, especially towards North Sikkim (Days 3 & 4 as per itinerary). During peak season, there could be heavy inflow of tourist vehicles which can delay things even more.
👉 Like any other Backpacking trip, we always prefer cozy Homestays with friendly hosts who serve delicious home prepared food.
👉 Room combinations are usually 3 or 4 sharing with attached bathrooms. Sometimes we may give 2 sharing based on combinations.
👉 Rooms assignment is done based on group setup by our Operations Manager / Trip Leader. It’s not possible to take any special requests.
👉 No. We do not provide room heaters.
👉 Based on availability of room heaters, the guests can take them for rent from the Homestay. They usually charge 300-350 per night.
👉 No. We will provide everything needed at our stays.
👉 Breakfasts served at our stays are usually Poori, or Aloo Paratha and sometimes even Maggy, and Eggs.
👉 3 times Dinners served at Homestays are both veg and non-veg as per your preference (Thali with ample quantity).
👉 We only serve main course for Dinner. If anyone wants starters/snacks etc. they need to be ordered and paid by guests.
👉 Lunches are always on the way at remote areas. There might be limited options, so we need to be flexible and adjust. Our drivers know where to stop on each day as per the speed of the group.
👉 There is no problem in getting vegetarian food in Sikkim.
✖️ Any extra cost arising due to any change in the itinerary/stay on account of bad weather, traffic-congestion, landslides/roadblocks, natural calamities, political disturbances and/or any other factors beyond organizers’ control.
Let’s consider following random example (it never happened before):
Assume for some unexpected reason Gangtok to Lachung route traffic movement is blocked. Since we cannot go to Lachung now, we need to return to Gangtok. Since we need to book fresh stay in Gangtok, travelers have to bear this extra stay/food expense.
👉 There can be more such scenarios/examples. We cannot rule out such scenarios in Himalayas, especially with Global warming & Climate change. But the probability of occurance is very rare.
👉 This is a universal rule of tourism industry. Nothing special about our company.
👉 Please help each other and be kind to one another. On a budget backpacking group trip like this, it’s important to put personal priorities aside and go along with the group.
👉 Please do not argue with co-travelers or Driver or Locals in Sikkim. If you need anything then politely request but not demand. Give respect and take respect.
👉 Finally do read “Terms & Conditions” of your Sikkim trip. If anyone violates the Terms in a way that causes inconvenience to Co-travelers or hinders smooth running of the trip, the company won’t tolerate and an immediate action will be taken.