• How do I get there?
• What about my visa and permits?
• When is a good time to go?
• Are there any special dates I need to consider?
• List of holidays & festivals 2007

Gangtok is well connected by all-weather roads to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and all Sikkim's district capitols.

The closest airport is at Bagdogra in West-Bengal, approximately 124 km from Sikkim's capitol Gangtok. Bagdroga is connected to all major cities in India. The drive from the airport to Gangtok takes about 4 hours.

The nearest train stations are at New Jalpaguri and Siliguri in West-Bengal, both approximately 4 hours driving from Gangtok.

The Blue Yonder will arrange all transportation from your point of arrival in West-Bengal to your onwards destination.

Foreigners must be in the possession of an Indian visa before arriving in India. The visa can be obtained from the Indian embassy at your home country.

The special travel permit (the inner line permit) for Sikkim can either be obtained from your Indian embassy at home together with your visa or from the check post in Rangpo or in the Sikkim Tourism offices in Darjeeling, Siliguri, Delhi or Calcutta. We can assist you with this locally provided we your information in advance.

After handing over 2 photocopies of your Passport and Indian Visa along with two passport photos, you will be issued a 15-day permit. If you want to stay longer, the permit can be extended for 30 more days in Sikkim itself.

When going for a trek in the interior regions of the state, you also require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) or a Protected Area Permit (PAP). These have to be obtainable in Gangtok at the Police Check Post or Department of Tourism. This permit is available for certain specified areas when traveling in a group of minimum 4 travelers.

Indian tourists require no entry permits into Sikkim, except when traveling to the restricted areas.

Sikkim can be roughly divided into Tropical, temperate and Alpine zones. Therefore Sikkim experiences variable temperatures with pleasant summers in the foothills and freezing winters high up in the mountains. It is advised to carry a water proof jacket as there could be occasional rains through out the year.

On average the best time to visit will be: March to June and September to December

Whenever possible we will visit local festivals where you can enjoy Sikkim's traditional mask dances. These famous dances, performed by lamas in their Gompa (monastery) courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, provide a spectacle, and unique experience. Costumed Lamas with gaily painted masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels, leap and swing to the rhythm of resounding drums, trumpeting of horns and chanting of monks.

Please let us know in advance if you are fascinated by cultural festivities so we can plan your trip around it.

List of government holidays, adapted from www.sikkim.gov.in