Solo travel by train from India to Sikkim via Varanasi
Apr 15th, 2012, 11:07 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Solo travel by train from India to Sikkim via Varanasi
Advice requested about following: off the beaten track solo travel to Kolkata, Varanasi, Darjeeling and Sikkim. Arr and dep Kolkata.
Solo travel for four weeks during May, 2012, staying overnight in backpackers or hostels.
This will be just before the start of the monsoon season so I would appreciate advice about itinerary in view of expected weather conditions.
All advice and suggestions about travel, train and cars, accommodation, retreats, daytrips and e.g. clothing most welcome! Namaste
Solo travel for four weeks during May, 2012, staying overnight in backpackers or hostels.
This will be just before the start of the monsoon season so I would appreciate advice about itinerary in view of expected weather conditions.
All advice and suggestions about travel, train and cars, accommodation, retreats, daytrips and e.g. clothing most welcome! Namaste
Apr 16th, 2012, 04:50 AM
#2
Aside perhaps from Sikkim, that's not off the beaten track. If you haven't already bought Lonely Planet and Footprints guidebooks, do so, most of your questions will be answered.
For information on train travel in India, see seat61.com.
I don't know anything about hostels in India, but there is cheap lodging available. Stay on the river in Varanasi.
For information on train travel in India, see seat61.com.
I don't know anything about hostels in India, but there is cheap lodging available. Stay on the river in Varanasi.
Apr 16th, 2012, 06:15 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No trains anywhere in Sikkim.
We loved Sikkim. We were not impressed with Darjeeling - and it certainly isn't off the tourist track. If you are interested, click on my name and you'll see a list of my trip reports.
Bagdogra is the gateway to Sikkim via air. It's a good 4-5 hour drive from there to get to Gangtok. If you are coming by train, your gateway city is Siliguri. At Siliguri there is a taxi stand, you can buy a seat in a jeep going to Gangtok. The drive will be another half hour longer from Siliguri.
The weather is warm during the day in both eastern and western Sikkim, but cools off dramatically at night. Northern Sikkim is cold year around.
We loved Sikkim. We were not impressed with Darjeeling - and it certainly isn't off the tourist track. If you are interested, click on my name and you'll see a list of my trip reports.
Bagdogra is the gateway to Sikkim via air. It's a good 4-5 hour drive from there to get to Gangtok. If you are coming by train, your gateway city is Siliguri. At Siliguri there is a taxi stand, you can buy a seat in a jeep going to Gangtok. The drive will be another half hour longer from Siliguri.
The weather is warm during the day in both eastern and western Sikkim, but cools off dramatically at night. Northern Sikkim is cold year around.
Apr 16th, 2012, 03:08 PM
#6
Well, if you're looking for experiences, you might try my 2001 Indian train trip, including Kolkata, Darjeeling and Varanasi - http://wilhelmswords.com/asia2001/index.html - start at Into India. It's old, but I don't think things have changed too much, certainly not when it comes to the trains.
