These FAQs is designed to answer many of the questions for people who are planning and preparing for a travel to Sikkim/Dajeeling. The questions listed here, and their respective answers are meant only as a general guide to help you plan and organize your trip before the booking your trip.

Where is Sikkim located and how to get there?
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas bounded by three sovereign nations, Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the east and China's Tibet in the north and state of West Bengal in the south.

By Air: Sikkim doesn't comprise its own airport, being situated in a hilly area. However, keeping in mind the response of tourists, the state is planning to establish its own airport soon. For the time being one can take a flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur or Biratnagar in east of Nepal - approximately 1-hr flight, and then drive to Kakarbhitta, Nepal - India border 34-kms, to Siliguri 36-kms. Gangtok is also connected by road with Darjeeling which is approx 5 hrs drive and Phuntsoling a border town of India - Bhutan 07 hours. The closest Indian airport is Baghdogra 124-km from Gangtok, where schedule flights operate from Kolkata, New Delhi and Guwahati. Taxis are available for Gangtok (4 hours drive) from the Baghdogra airport. Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation operates daily helicopter flights from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok i.e. approx 20 minutes. The closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (121 km) in Siliguri connecting Kolkata, New Delhi, Guwahati and other major Indian cities. Taxis and buses for Gangtok are available in Sikkim.

By Helicopter - From Bagdogra, there is a Helicopter service to reach Sikkim and vice-versa. To avail this service, you have to contact your travel agent to get the booking done in advance. Helicopter takes around 20 minutes to reach Sikkim (Gangtok) from Bagdogra. This service is accessible only for once during a day and four passengers are permissible at a time.

By Rail - Sikkim doesn't encompass any rail network in its periphery, since it falls in hilly region. The nearest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri that lie at distances of 114-kms and 126 kms respectively. Both of these stations are well-connected with Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other major cities of India. From railways stations, one can head for private taxis and regular buses that connect with Gangtok in Sikkim.

By Road - You can travel by bus to Kakarvitta from kathmandu and then bus or jeep to Gangtok or Darjeeling. Though Sikkim is positioned at the foothills of the Himalayas, the state has a fine network of roads. Sikkim can be entered through northern areas of West Bengal. Gangtok is linked by road with Calcutta (72-kms), Darjeeling (139-kms), Guwahati (589-kms) and Patna (584-kms). It is also directly connected with Siliguri and Kalimpong. The road, connecting Siliguri and Gangtok, is the busiest route in and out Sikkim. There are regular bus services by the Sikkim Nationalized Transport. One can also hire taxis or cabs from different towns to reach Sikkim.

What type of information is required in order to confirm the booking?
In order to confirm the booking with us we require some of the information like
Passport Number
Date of passport issue
Validity of passport
Passport issued at
Date of Birth
Complete address
Nationality
Telephone Number
Arrival Date
Departure date
Name of the airline
You can fill up all these information and send it to us so that we will confirm your hotel booking. At the time of check in at the hotel, you need to please handover a copy of such details at the hotel reception so that you do not have to fill up the information forms of the hotel and it also saves the time

What are the entry formalities to visit Sikkim?
Sikkim is still a restricted area and one still requires a special inner line permit to enter Sikkim along with your Indian visa. You only require a valid Indian visa to visit Darjeeling, Assam and Meghalaya, whereas a special inner line permit is required to visit Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur. Foreigners are still not permitted to enter Nagaland and Tripura.

You may obtain the Sikkim permit from the Indian missions at your respective countries and have it endorsed on your Indian visa informing them that you will be travelling to Sikkim or on your arrival to Siliguri which is about 10 minutes drive from the nearest airport Bagdogra. If you are still unable to get your permit to enter Sikkim for any reason, you may get a temporary two days permit at the Sikkim-Bengal border (Rangpo) and extend it at Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. We shall however provide you with all the necessary assistance on your arrival to Bagdogra. You will require having a passport size photo.

Do I need to cover travel insurance?
Yes, we advise you to get your insurance cover from you home country.

What is the best time to visit Sikkim?
The best time to visit Sikkim is in the months of March to June and September to December. Among the five seasons that Sikkim experiences, it is recommended that tourists visit this majestic land in autumn or in summer when weather conditions are not too harsh.

What kind of accommodation is available?
There is a wide range of hotel available in Sikkim especially in Gangtok, Darjeeling and Silguri. On our most of the tour we use best possible hotel in town and during the treks you will sleep in 2 person tents.

What kind of food is there to eat on treks?
Our cooks are trained to provide a choice of local dishes and western cuisine. Each meal consists of a minimum of five items. In the morning you are provided tea or coffee served in your tents, hot water in bowls to wash your face. Breakfasts consist of oat meal with milk and sugar, local Tibetan bread/toasts with eggs (fried, boiled or scrambled) boiled potatoes. Lunch: Rice, noodles, bread and plenty of fresh organic vegetables. Dinner: Spring rolls, vegetables, rice, noodles, fruits. We always provide safe boiled water or Sikkim tea to fill in your personal bottles before you start your trek. While in the city we eat at the hotel.

What are the available modes of transport and what is the condition of the roads?
Within Sikkim and Darjeeling jeeps are the most popular form of transport. Most jeeps are Mahindra Commander 4 wheel drive, but there are also a limited number of Sumos. We provide Minibus when the group is above 10 persons. Among all the hill stations and tourist places in the Himalayas, Sikkim has the best roads. Roads are maintained by the Indian Army.

What do I need to bring to go trekking?
You will require a good sleeping bag, a warm jacket, a raincoat, a water bottle, and few pair of cotton socks, a pair of long underwear and a good pair of hiking boot. And finally you should have a strong spirit of adventure and a healthy attitude towards a new culture and environment.

What are the telecom facilities?
You can dial STD from Gangtok and even Pelling and Yuksom which are about 150 kms from Siliguri/ NJP. Only from North Sikkim phones are not readily available.

What shopping can I do there?
First and foremost are the handicrafts. Reliable shops are the Govt. Institute of Cottage Industry in Gangtok or the Dalai Lama Trust Fund shop in the basement of Hotel Tibet. These are also available in other shops, but browse around for an idea of prices. You can check out the canvas wall hangings, thankas, prayer wheels, Tibetan carpets, rugs and jeweler, particularly the exquisitely carved dragon sets in silver and gold inlaid with precious stones, which are unique to Sikkim. Sikkim tea and cardamom are other good buys.