Gangtok, the high lake at Tsomgo, the border pass at Nathula, and Namchi's hilltop statues on the way down.
Three nights in Gangtok for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula and the monasteries, then a slow drive through Temi's tea slopes to one night in Namchi before heading down.
Drive times are counted from Siliguri, NJP or Bagdogra, which sit within about 45 minutes of each other.
We pick you up wherever you are: a station, the airport, your hotel or your home. About 4 to 5 hours along the Teesta into Sikkim. Evening on MG Marg.
The main highway (NH10) closes often for landslides and repairs. When it does, we take the road via Lava, which can add a few hours. We check the road the night before.Leave around 7 am. Nathula at about 14,100 ft, Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, then Tsomgo Lake at about 12,300 ft on the way back. Back in Gangtok by mid-afternoon.
Nathula is open Wednesday to Sunday, and only to Indian nationals. On a Monday or Tuesday, or for foreign guests, this day covers Tsomgo and Baba Mandir only.We apply for permits a day ahead. Each guest needs a photo ID and two passport photos.Snow can shut the road at short notice, most often from December to March.Enchey Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point, Do Drul Chorten and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Banjhakri Falls, then Rumtek Monastery in the afternoon, about an hour each way.
About 3.5 to 4 hours with stops, through Temi Tea Garden, Sikkim's only tea estate. In Namchi, Samdruptse with its giant Guru Padmasambhava statue, and Siddheshwar Dham (Char Dham). Night in Namchi.
About 3.5 hours via Melli. Drop at the point you choose.
If you have a flight or train, keep it after 3 pm. Hill roads can lose you an hour or two.Add-ons: Ravangla's Buddha Park on Day 4 (about an hour extra). North Sikkim: see Gangtok and North Sikkim. Silk Route (Aritar, Zuluk, Thambi View Point, +2 nights) on request.
Stays are matched to your budget and confirmed in writing before you pay. If a stay is full, we offer one of a similar standard.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, Indian nationals only. We set Day 2 on an open day.
need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim, applied online before the trip, and can go up to Tsomgo but not Nathula.
Tsomgo and Nathula are high. Walk slowly and drink water. Talk to your doctor before the trip if anyone has heart or breathing problems.
a proper warm jacket, gloves and a cap for Day 2 in every season, plus photo ID and four passport photos per guest.
This is a sample plan. Routes, timings and stops can change for weather, road conditions, permit rules or forest department rules. Your final plan is shared on WhatsApp before you pay.
Gurudongmar at about 17,000 ft, the Yumthang valley, and enough nights to do both without rushing.
Three hill villages facing Kanchenjunga, with homestays and slow mornings.
Jungle, river, hill village and the old hill town in one week.
