Page 309 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

WEST BENGAL & SIKKIM  307

Practical Tips
Kanchendzonga
Be prepared: Acclimatization
is essential for altitudes over
Dzongri
• 2,500 m (8,202 ft). See p743 for
information on altitude sickness.
Guides and porters can be hired
in Gangtok and Darjeeling.
•
Tsokha The region is hit hard by the
• monsoon and trekking between
Bakhim
early June and late September is
The Dzongri Trail not advisable. For more details
One of Sikkim’s most popular treks, the on trekking, see p727.
trail from Pemayangtse to Dzongri On the trek: Sikkim’s trekking
covers 35 km (22 miles) one way. It
•Yuksam leads past Yuksam and Tsokha through trails have suffered deforestation
and littering, so ensure that all
Tashijom forests of rhododendron to Dzongri, litter is carried back with you.
• with clear views of Kanchendzonga. Drink plenty of water and carry
The return to Yuksam takes two days. a first-aid kit and cooking fuel.
Duration: 6–7 days Never burn wood, which is a
Rathang Chhu
Altitude: 4,030 m (13,222 ft) scarce resource. Put out all fires
Rimbi Khola
Level of difficulty: Moderate to tough
Pemayangtse properly, leaving no burning
• embers. Some trails have leeches
• Gezing
(see p743), so carry salt, which,
when sprinkled on a leech,
causes it to fall off.
• Permits: Foreign visitors require
Dentam
travel permits for Sikkim, issued
for a 15-day period from the
District Magistrate’s Office in
Darjeeling, (0354) 225 4233, or
Rishi Kh ola
the Sikkim Tourism offices in
Delhi, (011) 2611 5346, Kolkata,
Rafting and Kayaking (033) 2281 7905, and Siliguri,
Rafting is very popular on the 95353 2512646. A 14-day
• Rangeet Teesta and Rangeet rivers, and extension is permitted, issued
Soreng is possible between October by the Department of Tourism
and November. Kayaks can be in Gangtok, (03592) 221 634,
Rangeet hired from the West Bengal
Sombare who also issue special permits
• Naya Bazaar • Tourism office in Darjeeling. for restricted areas such as
GANTOK,
Phalut Tsomgo Lake Dzongri, Yumthang and Tsomgo
•
• Gorkhey Ramam Lake. Travel to these areas is
Sabarkum •
Key permitted in groups of two or
Rimbik • more persons. Trekking permits
The Singalila Ridge for Sikkim are available from the
Sandakphu • Darjeeling • Kurseong to Mirik Department of Tourism in
Gangtok, and Sikkim Tourism in
• Gairibans The Dzongri Trail Delhi. All treks must be arranged
Jaubari • National highway by a registered agency. For
• general information, see p734.
Meghma • Manebhanjan Major road Equipment hire & operators:
Minor road Himalayan Adventures in
Darjeeling, (0354) 225 4004, and
NH55
State border Sikkim Trekking and Tours in
Gangtok, (03592) 203 638, are
reputed agencies. For more
Kurseong details, see p731.
•
Kurseong to Mirik
•
Mirik A great introduction to the West Bengal hills,
this gentle 18-km (11-mile) hike goes past
numerous villages and local tea estates.
Duration: 1 day
SILIGURI
Altitude: 1,767 m (5,797 ft)
Level of difficulty: Easy
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