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Pre-Trip Information on Sikkim

Indian Visa

Passport should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India. Visa is given for 6 months normally, the rest specifically depends on the country of residence. Tourists traveling in groups of not less than four members under the auspices of a recognized travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist visa.

More information and resources are available here; Travel Center

Sikkim Entry Regulations & Formalities

In addition to an Indian visa, foreigners must obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. These permits can be obtained from all Indian missions, Tourism Office, New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism Office, Calcutta and Sikkim Tourism Office, Siliguri on the strength of an Indian Visa.

While traveling through us, we will handle all official formalities for you.

More information and resources are available here; Travel Center

Access to Sikkim

 By Flight: The closest Indian Airport is at Bagdogra, 124 km from Gangtok, where scheduled flights operate from Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati and other states of India. Travel time from the airport to Gangtok is 4 hours. Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation also operates a daily helicopter service flight from Bagdogra to Gangtok (20 minutes).

For detailed information regarding flights to Bagdogra, from all sectors in India, please click “domestic flight schedule 2008”

From Kathmandu, fly to Bhadrapur in the east Nepal (1 hour), then drive to Kakarvitta (Nepal-India border,35 km), to Siliguri(37 km) and to Gangtok (110 kms,4 hrs). Or fly to Biratnagar also in the east.

For detailed information regarding flights to Bhadrapur, from all sectors in Nepal, please click “domestic flight schedule 2008”

By Rail : The closest Railhead is at New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri which are connected to Calcutta ,New Delhi Guwahati and other major Indian cities.

For detailed information regarding trains to New Jalpaiguri, from all sectors in India, please click “domestic train schedule 2008”

By Road : Gangtok is at a distance of 110 km from Siliguri and will take 4 hours from Siliguri to reach Gangtok. Gangtok is connected by road with Bhadrapur, Nepal, (5 Hrs), Darjeeling, (4 Hrs), Kalimpong (4 Hrs), and with Bhutan, Phuntsholing (6 Hrs).

More information and resources are available here; Travel Center

Sikkim Accommodation

Sikkim does not have any international standard deluxe hotels, however, in the last 3-5 years many tourist class hotels & resorts have sprung up in the main cities & towns, such as Gangtok, Lachung, Lachen, Pelling, Yuksom, Rabongla, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, etc., that offer quality accommodations.

In the smaller towns, accommodation facilities are still quite basic. And during the peak holiday seasons in July & August there is often difficulty in getting rooms. We categorize our tours into 2 types — deluxe & standard based on the available hotels or resorts.

We have special offers on most hotels in the areas of our operations; for more information on the hotels we use or prices, please click on the link provided here; Our Hotels
Health, Fitness & Precautions

Those with chronic health problems should consult a doctor before making travel plans. Most people visiting Sikkim rarely suffer more than mild discomfort before getting acclimatized.

Suggested remedial measures:
a. Take plenty of rest
b. Refrain from physically exhausting activities
c. Drink plenty of water
d. Do not expose yourself to direct strong winds particularly your head when atop a pass
e. Take diamox against altitude sickness

More information and resources are available here; Travel Center

Insurance

All travelers’ visiting Sikkim are strongly recommended to provide for their own trip insurance at home that adequately covers for medical, emergency rescue expenses, trip cancellations, baggage loss or any other eventual mishaps. All of our staffs on field trips are adequately insured by the company that covers for medical assistance, accidents or deaths.

More information and resources are available here; Travel Center

Clothing & Accessories

Warm clothing is required throughout but more specifically from October to April. In general dressing in layers is recommended. Few change of clothes such as shirt, sweater, jacket & cotton inner linings with tops & bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, pair of pants should suffix. During the month of October to April more heavy woolens or down clothing & boots will be required.

Other recommended accessories: water bottle, water purification tabs, chap stick, suntan lotion, utility knife, flash light, battery operated shavers, dusk mask or bandana, medicine for common colds, headache, fever, stomach disorders & diamox for altitude sickness. A good guidebook & a route map are strongly recommended.

More information and resources are available here; Travel Center
Customs
There is no prohibition on still & video cameras, tape recorders or any other electronic equipment for personal use as long as they are declared in the customs declaration form at the point of entry. Export of art objects dating back prior to 1959 are prohibited & may be seized.

Cancellation Policy

We levy a handling fee of USD 100 if a trip is cancelled after confirmation of booking. However, this amount can be applied for a future trip booked through Sikkim Holidays. Notice of cancellation must be made in person by those booking locally & for those booking from overseas cancellation notice must be sent in writing & refunds will be made as follows:
Less than 15 days before trip date - 20% or USD 100 whichever is higher
No shows - No refunds
N.B: As per Indian Airlines regulation there is 25% cancellation charge if an air ticket is once issued & cancelled for whatsoever reason. Please note this regulation is strictly enforced & adhered to by all Indian airlines.

Booking & Payment

All clients are required to fill out our ‘Tour Booking Form’& must carefully read & sign the column ‘Assumption of Risk, Release & Guarantee’. We also require your passport copy & a trip deposit of USD 300 for confirmation of all bookings. Those booking directly with us from abroad may make this trip deposit with credit card by filling out, our ‘Credit Card Authorization Form’ which will be sent to you on request.

Please add 3.5% for all payment made with credit card. The balance payment must be paid in full before trip departure either in cash or travelers checks.
Payment may also be telex transferred into our account:
ACCOUNT NAME:
ACCOUNT NUMBER:
STATE BANK OF INDIA, MG MARG, GANGTOK, SIKKIM - 737101, INDIA.
SWIFT CODE:
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