info_sikkim
Getting to Sikkim
By Land
Sikkim has three borders open for entry namely Rangpo, Melli and Ramam.
Rangpo is the eastern border town of Sikkim that shares its boundary with Darjeeling district. It is about 80 Km from Bagdogra Airport. This is the best route to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, if you are making entry from Phuentsholing (Bhutan), Siliguri, or Kakarivitta (Nepal)
Melli is the south east border of Sikkim and shares its border with Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The confulence of Rivers Teesta and Rangit form a natural border. This is best accessed for south district of Namchi from either Kalimpong or Siliguri.
Ramam is the west border that share an friendly border with Darjeeling. The River Rangit flows through this region. This route is best for entry from Darjeeling to west destinations of Sikkim like Pelling and Yuksam. Namchi is also quicker from this route if you are traveling from Darjeeling.
By Air
Sikkim doesn't have a commercial airport, although one is in the making, so it shares Bagdogra as its nearest airports. It's 140 Km by road. However, Sikkim Helicopter Service, Pawanhans, operate from Bagdogra to Gangtok on a daily basis.
Entry for Foreigners
Foreigners require ILP - Inner Line Permit to enter Sikkim. This can be obtained from border town of Rangpo and Melli, and also from Siliguri, Kolkata, Darjeeling, New Delhi. Another permit called RAP - Restricted Area Permit, is required if you want to visit North Sikkim and Tsongmo Lake.
Entry for Indian Nationals
Indian Nationals need to obtain RAP - Restricted Area Permit, to visit regions of Nathu-La, Tsongmo Lake and North Sikkim.
Staying in Sikkim
East and West Sikkim has the most number of hotels and lodgings, since these two are the most visited areas. However, there are also fairly good accomodations in North and South Sikkim. Again, here to there are hotels and resorts to suit every budget. However, only select hotels & resorts are of top grade, both facility and service wise.
Traveling around
Taxis are popular means of transport for the locals here. Maruti Omni van is a standard mode of taxi transports and they arrive and depart on minutes basis.The point to catch taxis are Metropoint, below Titanic Building, Hospital Dara & Ranka Stand For those who are traveling by packaged tours you can have a choice of vehicles ranging from Maruti Alto to Toyota Innova. Sikkim Tourism has a special unit of luxury vehicles that consists of fleet of Mahindra Scorpios and Toyota Innovas.
Eating out
Gangtok has a really good amount of fashionable and themed restaurants, bakeries, and pubs. Most of them are situated along the main street of Gangtok called M.G. Road. By contrast, in some parts of Sikkim, even getting a good meal is a luxury.
Expenses
Gangtok is expensive by local standard but for visitors it may not be so expensive. There are many ways you can spend your money since all the big brands of clothing line have their showroom along the Panihouse and Tenzin & Tenzin locality. Also taxi rides and pub-hopping will keep your pockets busy.
Money Value
It is important to carry Indian Rupees for payments and shoppings since only a handful of showrooms & curios accept US Dollar, Euros and Credit Cards.
