Ever wondered what the Kolkata to Pakyong air travel experience is like? Here’s your one stop guide blog to flying into the tiniest yet the most organic state of India from the land of football and rasgullas.
Pre Pakyong airport era
I studied the first two years of engineering in Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Sikkim Manipal University from 2010 to 2012. During that time, I had to fly 2 hours into Delhi and then 2 hours into Bagdogara or 3 hours into Kolkata and then 1 hour into Bagdogara. There was just no way to fly directly into Bagdogara back then and that actually wasn’t it to reach Sikkim. Later, I had to take a 3-4 hour cab ride to make it to my college which was luckily just 30 minutes from the West Bengal – Sikkim border. It would be an entire day’s super tiring journey to make it into this state with three bordering countries. One could also take a 15-20 minute helicopter ride into Gangtok from Bagdogara, although that wasn’t feasible for a student with luggage. All of us flying into there, wondered nothing but when could we get an airport in Sikkim, that was already in talks.
Flying into Sikkim kinda dreams
Although ever since I transferred from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology in 2012 to Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka, I have dreamt of going back to Sikkim. I would sit next to the MIT food court and gaze at the Agumbe mountains hidden by the clouds hoping when it clears up, I could view snow clad mountains like in the Himalayas.
Thinking of how much air travel through layovers was a task, I decided to plan a trip once the much awaited airport would open. And this was it, it was November 2019 and my chance was finally here. I had to share this special moment with you guys on this Kolkata to Pakyong flight review blog.
Kolkata to Pakyong
Now, one can fly directly into Pakyong saving about five hours of ‘flying into Bagdogara’ and cab travel time. Pakyong airport, Sikkim’s first and only airport is about an hour’s drive from the capital city of Gangtok.
I heard flights can often be delayed or cancelled since they are mostly dependent on weather. In flights were delayed consecutively for a few days from the day after I flew. Yet, it was worth taking a chance for the breath taking views, the experience the Himalayas have to offer and share this Kolkata to Pakyong flight review with you.
As of now only SpiceJet’s some 40 seater plane flies into this mountain top airport. The flight’s wings are in the upper part of the airplane body so I think most seats should give you amazing views. But I would still recommend sitting in the front half of this Kolkata to Pakyong air travel experience. For the best of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga views make sure to sit on the left side on your flight from Kolkata to Pakyong. I unfortunately sat on the right and didn’t have much mountain views until some 15-20 mins before landing. It was interesting that the landing time was quite short, the airplane was a little shaky and there was just one toilet in the front. Go take a walk on the airport and get clicked within the engineering marvel.
Pakyong to Gangtok
Once you go out after your flight from Kolkata to Pakyong you can get cabs which would cost about two thousand rupees or you can take the government bus available right in front of the arrivals to Gangtok which costed 70₹. Super cheap right? I chose the latter and the seats were quite comfortable! My bus driver was saying that there’s small flights for now but soon there should be an approval for large flights!
I still can’t get over the Kolkata to Pakyong air travel experience overlooking the gorgeous views of the river Teesta and some of the tallest snow capped peaks of the world. Are you excited to fly into Sikkim?
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