Tourist Guide
 

Season : The best season to visit Sikkim depends on what you are really interested in. If you want to be assured of a clear sight of the snowy ranges and Clear skies, then the best months to visit this region would be mid-September to mid-April. For trekking, months of September to November and March to May are the most suitable; for alpine plants at altitudes above 3000 metres, best months to see them are August & September.

Sunrise and sunset : As this region is situated towards the eastern end of India, the sun rises very early. During mid-summer the day dawns as early as 4 am and at about 6 am during the winters. It correspondingly gets dark early: 6 pm in the summers and 4.30 pm during the winters.

Travelling : Never have a tight schedule and always keep a few days extra on your itinerary. Road blocks due to landslides, and similar situations should always be kept in mind.

It is a good idea to travel in groups of five or six as this will bring down the travelling and hotel expenditure per person considerably. If visiting this region during the rush season (April to June and October to November), ensure that you have confirmed return reservation in the train or airline.

Things to carry :
Clothes: For the lower altitudes-light sweater, T- shirts etc. For the higher altitudes - jacket with woollen lining, monkey cap, mufflers, wind-cheaters, longjohns, woollen socks and gloves. During the monsoons, a small umbrella, raincoat and gum-boot should be carried. Anti-glare snow- goggles & snowboots for snow prone areas.

Toiletries: Soap, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cream, shaving brush, razor with blades, hair-oil. toilet paper small mirror, shoe polish & brush. washing powder. Mosquito Repellent will be required if travelling in low altitudes.

Miscellaneous: Torch, Match Box, candles, spare spectacles if using spectacles, small lock for the hotel room, lock and chain to secure luggage, small alarm clock.

Medicine kit : Hot water bag if travelling to very cold places. This area is more of less free from any types of infectious disease. To prevent from diseases like amibiosis, drink only boiled or filtered water.

Aspirin like Dispirin tablets & Vicks ointment for headaches;
Paracetamol like Crocin/Calpol tablets for fever;
Antihistamine tablets like Avil for allergies;
Antiacidity tablets like Digene for acidity;
Laxative tablets for constipation;
Antidiarrhoeal tablets like Imodium or Lomotil and rehydration mixture for diarrrhoea;
tablets like Septran or Amoxcillin;
Prochlorperazine or Avomine for nausea & vomitting ( for people who have a tendency to vomit when travelling by vehicle);
Diuretic tablets like Lasix for mountain sickness;
Iodex ointment & crepe bandage for sprains;
Antiseptic lotion like Dettol, cotton and bandage for cuts,
Water purification tablets for water purification
Burnol ointment for burns & Vaseline to prevent chapping of the skin in windy places

Trekking : While trekking in this area, it is a good idea to hire a local porter who can act as a guide too. This will enable the trekker to move faster and also prevent from losing the way in the mountains.