Sikkim:Early April - Itinerary help

Hello,

I%26#39;m planning a trip to Sikkim in the first half of April and seek your help in firming up the itinerary. Here%26#39;s the tentative plan I have in mind; am listing my questions at the end:

Sat night - sun morn - Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri by train, reaching NJP at 8am, Sunday

Sunday Morn - NJP to Gangtok by taxi

Sunday afternoon - Walk around Gangtok

Monday - Gangtok to Lachung by road - stay at Lachung

Tuesday - Visit Yumthang valley, hotsprings and Katoa. Back to Lachen; spend the night at Lacheng

Wednesday - Visit Gurundongmar Lake and return to gangtok. by evening

Thursday - Gangtok - Tsongo Lake - Nathula, back to Gangtok

Friday morning- Gangtok Pelling

Friday afternoon - Walk around Pelling, and maybe visit a few monasteries

Saturday morning - Walk around a bit

Saturday afternoon - Pelling to New Jalpaiguri by road

Saturday night - New Jalpaiguri to Calcutta by train

QUESTIONS:

1. I%26#39;m the kind who prefers to go around and ';see all'; during a holiday, rather than just relax and laze....but still, am I packing too much into a week? If so, what do you suggest I cut - Yumthang / Gurundongmar / Nathula / Pelling?

2. I want to confirm that Nathula is open on Thursday (April 10th)

3. What are all the permits I (Indian National) would need? Do I need to arrange these in advance? How?

4. Does the Gangtok to Lachung drive take up all day? Or can I finish off either Yumthang or Lake Gurundongmar on the same day?

5. I%26#39;m debating between Kalimpong and Pelling on the way back...which do you suggest, given that I%26#39;ll have one day (Fri afternoon to Sat afternoon) at either place? Are these places ';very different'; from what I%26#39;d have seen in the rest of the trip?

6. Any suggestions on tour operators / hotels are welcome!

7. If I%26#39;m not asking for too much, would be great if you can give a rough idea on how much shared and independent taxis would cost for these trips.

Appreciate your help, and thanks for reading this longish post!

Regards,

JK

PS-%26gt; I%26#39;ve posted this on IndiaMike too, so apologies if you see this on both!

Sikkim:Early April - Itinerary help

Appreciate any help on this!

Thanks,

- JK