Sikkim: Travel Guide and Tour Itineraries

Meet your driver at Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri station and drive to Gangtok, roughly four to five hours depending on traffic and road work. Check in, rest and, if you feel like it, stroll along MG Marg in the evening.

Drive up to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, a glacial lake at about 3,700 metres, with stops for viewpoints on the way (permit required, arranged in advance). Nathu La can be added on permitted days if conditions allow. Return to Gangtok in the afternoon.

Visit Rumtek Monastery in the morning, then Enchey Monastery and Do Drul Chorten. Spend the afternoon at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology or the local flower exhibition, depending on season.

A flexible day for the viewpoints at Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok and Tashi Viewpoint, a visit to a local cafe or craft shop, or simply a slow day. Ask us about optional experiences such as a local food walk.

Drive back to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri for your onward journey. Allow five to six hours, and avoid booking flights or trains too tight to the arrival time.

Meet your driver at Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri and drive to Gangtok, around four to five hours. Settle in and spend the evening on MG Marg.

Visit Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery and Do Drul Chorten, then take in the viewpoints at Ganesh Tok or Tashi Viewpoint. A relaxed afternoon follows.

Drive to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir (permit required), returning to Gangtok in the afternoon. This day can be swapped for a slower day in Gangtok if you prefer to avoid altitude.

Drive to Ravangla (around three hours without stops), pausing at Temi Tea Garden for a walk and a cup of tea. Visit Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal) in the afternoon.

Drive on to Pelling (around three to four hours, depending on route and road condition). Stop at Namchi or a local viewpoint if time allows. Check in and enjoy the evening light on the peaks if clear.

Visit Pemayangtse Monastery and the ruins at Rabdentse. Khecheopalri Lake can be added as a longer excursion. Keep some time free for the early-morning mountain view.

Drive to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri, allowing five to six hours. Plan onward travel with a comfortable buffer.

Drive from Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri to Gangtok, around four to five hours. Rest and drink plenty of water to begin acclimatising.

Visit Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery and Do Drul Chorten. A gentler day that helps your body adapt before the higher stages.

A long drive to Lachen (around five to six hours, plus stops) through river valleys and waterfalls, with the landscape becoming rugged. Check in, rest and keep warm.

Set out very early for Gurudongmar Lake at above 5,000 metres, subject to road, weather and health. Return to Lachen for a rest. If conditions are poor or anyone feels unwell, we change the plan.

Drive via Chungthang to Lachung (several hours, depending on conditions). Visit a village monastery and rest in the afternoon.

Explore Yumthang Valley and, if open and suitable, continue toward Zero Point. In spring the rhododendrons are in bloom. Return to Lachung.

A long return drive to Gangtok (around six hours). Spend the evening resting and enjoying a good dinner.

Drive to Ravangla via Temi Tea Garden (around three hours with stops), then visit Buddha Park. A calm evening in the hills.

Drive to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri (around five to six hours). Keep onward travel flexible.

Meet your driver at Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP and drive about 3 to 4 hours to Darjeeling. Evening walk around Chowrasta.

An early outing to Tiger Hill for sunrise, weather permitting, then Ghoom monastery and the Batasia Loop. Afternoon at leisure.

Visit a working tea estate, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the zoo area, subject to opening days. Evening in town.

Drive about 4 to 5 hours via Rangpo to Gangtok. Evening walk along MG Marg.

Rumtek Monastery (about 24 km out), Enchey Monastery and a viewpoint. Optional Tsomgo (Changu) Lake needs a permit and is subject to weather (check current rules).

Drive about 5 to 6 hours towards West Sikkim via Ravangla, with a stop at viewpoints. Evening rest in Pelling.

Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins and Sanga Choeling, with Kanchenjunga views weather permitting.

A long drive of about 5 to 6 hours back to Bagdogra or NJP. Book onward travel for the evening or next day.

Meet your driver at Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP and drive around 4.5 to 5.5 hours to Gangtok. Evening walk on MG Marg.

Visit Enchey Monastery, the Do-Drul Chorten, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and a viewpoint such as Tashi or Ganesh Tok, subject to weather.

A day trip to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, permit and weather permitting, or a drive to Rumtek Monastery, around an hour out of the city. Return for an easy evening.

Drive back to Bagdogra or NJP, around 4.5 to 5.5 hours, with a margin for roadworks.

Drive around 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Bagdogra or NJP. Evening on MG Marg.

Enchey Monastery, the Do-Drul Chorten, a viewpoint and the flower exhibition area, subject to season.

A day trip to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, permit and weather permitting, or to Rumtek Monastery. Return by evening.

Drive around 5 to 6 hours via Ravangla, stopping at the Buddha Park and Ralang if time allows.

Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins and the Sanga Choeling viewpoint. Kanchenjunga views depend on the weather.

Drive around 5 to 6 hours to Bagdogra or NJP. Book onward travel for the next morning to keep a margin.

Meet your driver at Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP and drive around 4.5 to 5.5 hours to Gangtok. Evening on MG Marg.

Enchey Monastery, the Do-Drul Chorten and a viewpoint, subject to weather. Afternoon at leisure.

A day trip to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, permit and weather permitting, or to Rumtek Monastery.

Drive around 4.5 to 5.5 hours via Rangpo and the Teesta valley. Evening stroll around Chowrasta.

Sunrise at Tiger Hill, weather permitting, then Ghoom monastery and the Batasia Loop. Afternoon at a tea estate or the Mountaineering Institute.

Drive around 3 to 4 hours to Bagdogra or NJP, with a margin for traffic.

Drive around 3.5 to 4 hours from Bagdogra or NJP to Kalimpong. Short walk to a hilltop viewpoint at dusk.

Morning visit to a nursery or monastery in Kalimpong, then drive around 3.5 hours to Gangtok. Evening on MG Marg.

Enchey Monastery, the Do-Drul Chorten and a viewpoint. Optional Tsomgo Lake or Rumtek, subject to permits and weather.

Drive around 5 to 6 hours via Ravangla with a stop at the Buddha Park.

Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins and a viewpoint. Kanchenjunga views, weather permitting.

Drive around 5 to 6 hours to Bagdogra or NJP. Book onward travel for the next morning.

Drive around 3 to 4 hours from Bagdogra or NJP to Darjeeling. Evening walk on the Mall.

Sunrise at Tiger Hill, weather permitting, then Ghoom monastery and the Batasia Loop. Free afternoon.

A tea estate visit, the Mountaineering Institute and the old town, subject to opening days.

Drive around 2.5 to 3 hours. Afternoon at a plant nursery or the Durpin Dara hilltop.

Zang Dhok Palri Phodang monastery, Thongsa Gompa and old-town lanes at a slow pace.

Drive around 3.5 hours to Gangtok. Evening on MG Marg.

Enchey Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten and a viewpoint. Optional Tsomgo Lake or Rumtek, subject to permits and weather.

Drive around 5 to 6 hours via Ravangla and the Buddha Park.

Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins and a viewpoint, weather permitting.

Drive around 5 to 6 hours to Bagdogra or NJP for onward travel.