Sikkim Travel Guide: Gangtok, North Sikkim, Pelling, Monasteries and Travel Tips
Welcome to our Sikkim travel guide. Sikkim is a small Himalayan state in North East India, between Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and West Bengal. It rises from warm river valleys to snow peaks, with Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain, on its western edge. Buddhist monasteries, prayer flags, alpine lakes, rhododendron forests and friendly mountain villages make it one of the most rewarding places in the Eastern Himalayas. This guide covers the best places to visit, things to do, permits, food, the best time to visit and travel tips.
Sikkim at a Glance
Here are the key facts in our Sikkim travel guide.
- Capital: Gangtok
- Nearest airport: Bagdogra in West Bengal, about four to five hours from Gangtok; Pakyong airport near Gangtok has a few flights
- Nearest railway station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP)
- Languages: Nepali is widely spoken; Hindi and English are understood
- Known for: Kanchenjunga views, monasteries, Tsomgo Lake, Yumthang Valley, organic farming, momos and warm hospitality
- Days needed: five to eleven, often with Darjeeling
- Best time: March to May and October to December
East Sikkim: Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La
Every Sikkim travel guide starts in Gangtok, the hillside capital.
Gangtok
Walk along MG Marg, the clean, car-free main street, and visit the Enchey Monastery, the Do Drul Chorten and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Near MG Marg, the Thakurbari Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Gangtok and the heart of the city’s Hindu community, at its liveliest during Dashain and Tihar (Diwali), when it is lit with lamps. It shows how Buddhist and Hindu traditions live side by side in Sikkim. Just outside the city, Rumtek Monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim and the seat of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Viewpoints such as Ganesh Tok and Tashi View Point look out to Kanchenjunga on clear mornings. Read our full Gangtok travel guide.
Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La
About two hours from Gangtok, Tsomgo (Changu) Lake is a high glacial lake that is often frozen in winter. Beyond it lies Nathu La, the old trade pass on the border with Tibet, and the Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir. Snow is common here from about December to April.
Shamrock travel tip: Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La need permits arranged by a registered tour operator, and Nathu La is open only on certain days and only to Indian nationals. Carry photo ID and two passport photos. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.
North Sikkim: Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Gurudongmar Lake
The next part of our Sikkim travel guide heads north. The road from Gangtok follows the Teesta river past waterfalls to the mountain villages of Lachung and Lachen.
- Lachung and Yumthang Valley: the valley of flowers, bright with rhododendrons in April and May, with hot springs and grazing yaks. Zero Point (Yumesamdong), further up, is usually under snow.
- Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake: one of the highest lakes in India, holy to Buddhists and Sikhs, reached early in the morning from Lachen.
Our Sikkim travel guide recommends at least two nights in North Sikkim, as the roads are slow and the air is thin.
Shamrock travel tip: North Sikkim needs special permits. Foreign nationals can visit Lachung and Yumthang with a permit, but Gurudongmar Lake and Zero Point are usually open only to Indian nationals. Check the current rules before you book. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.
West Sikkim: Pelling, Yuksom and Kanchenjunga Views
West Sikkim is the best place in this Sikkim travel guide for close views of Kanchenjunga. In Pelling, see the old Pemayangtse Monastery, the ruins of Rabdentse, the second royal capital, and the sacred Khecheopalri Lake. Walk the glass Pelling Skywalk to the tall Chenrezig statue, where a pavilion of Buddhist prayer wheels looks out to the mountains. Yuksom, the first capital, is the starting point for treks towards Dzongri and Goecha La. Read our Pelling travel guide.
South Sikkim: Namchi and Ravangla
Our Sikkim travel guide also covers the south. South Sikkim has gentle hills and big landmarks: the giant statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse near Namchi, the Char Dham pilgrimage complex, the Buddha Park at Ravangla and the Temi Tea Garden, the only tea estate in Sikkim.
Khangchendzonga National Park
No Sikkim travel guide is complete without Kanchenjunga. Spelt Khangchendzonga in Sikkim, the mountain is sacred to the people of Sikkim. The Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects its glaciers, lakes and forests, home to the red panda, the state animal of Sikkim.
Monasteries and Buddhist Heritage
Sikkim is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Our Sikkim travel guide suggests Rumtek, Enchey, Pemayangtse, Tashiding and Dubdi monasteries, and the Buddha Park at Ravangla. Visit in the early morning for prayers, walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, and ask before taking photos inside.
Things to Do in Sikkim
Here are the best experiences in our Sikkim travel guide:
- Watch sunrise on Kanchenjunga from Pelling or Gangtok
- Visit Tsomgo Lake and, for Indian nationals, Nathu La
- See the rhododendrons of Yumthang Valley in spring
- Trek in West Sikkim, from day walks to Goecha La
- Stay in a village homestay and visit an organic farm
- Go bird watching in the forests around Gangtok and Pelling
- Raft on the Teesta river
- Photograph alpine lakes, prayer flags and snow peaks
Food in Sikkim
No Sikkim travel guide is complete without food. Try momos, thukpa noodle soup, gundruk (fermented greens), sel roti (a ring-shaped rice bread), phagshapa (pork with radish) and churpi, a local cheese. Sikkim is known for farming without chemicals, so look for local organic produce.
Festivals in Sikkim
Plan your trip around these festivals from our Sikkim travel guide:
- Losar: the Tibetan New Year, in February or March
- Saga Dawa: marks the life of the Buddha, in May or June
- Pang Lhabsol: honours Kanchenjunga, in August or September
- Losoong: the harvest and Sikkimese New Year, in December
How to Reach Sikkim
This part of our Sikkim travel guide explains how to get there.
By Air
Fly to Bagdogra, near Siliguri, from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and other cities, then drive about four to five hours to Gangtok. Pakyong airport, near Gangtok, has limited flights.
By Train
New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the nearest major station, about four to five hours by road from Gangtok.
By Road
The main road follows the Teesta river from Siliguri to Gangtok. In the monsoon, landslides can slow the journey.
Permits for Sikkim
Permits are the most important part of any Sikkim travel guide. Indian nationals do not need a permit to enter Sikkim, but they need permits for Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La and North Sikkim, which we arrange. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim, available online or at the Rangpo checkpost, plus extra permits for some areas. Some places are closed to foreign nationals. Rules can change, so we check them for every booking.
Best Time to Visit Sikkim
Our Sikkim travel guide suggests March to May for rhododendrons and flowers, and October to December for clear skies and the best mountain views. December to February is cold, with snow at Tsomgo, Nathu La and in the north; some roads may close. June to September is the monsoon, with landslides on some roads.
Sikkim Travel Tips
Before you go, read these tips from our Sikkim travel guide.
- Carry photo ID and passport photos for permits.
- Pack warm layers in every season; nights are cold at height.
- Go slowly at high places such as Tsomgo and North Sikkim, and drink plenty of water.
- Sikkim has strict rules against littering and plastic; carry a reusable bottle.
- Keep some cash, as cards and mobile signal can be patchy in remote areas.
- Leave spare time in your plans for weather and road delays.
Sikkim Travel Guide FAQs
How many days do I need in Sikkim?
Four to five days for Gangtok and Tsomgo Lake, a week to add Pelling, and ten days or more to add North Sikkim and Darjeeling.
Can foreign nationals visit Sikkim?
Yes, with a Restricted Area Permit. Some places, such as Nathu La and Gurudongmar Lake, are usually closed to foreign nationals.
When can I see snow in Sikkim?
From about December to April at Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La and Zero Point.
Is Sikkim good for families?
Yes. Gangtok and Pelling are easy for all ages. Take extra care with children and older travellers at high places.
Can I combine Sikkim with Darjeeling?
Yes. Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal are a short drive away, and all our tours include them.
Ready-Made Sikkim and Darjeeling Tours
If you want us to plan everything, these private tours include hotels, permits and a car with driver. See all our Sikkim Darjeeling tour packages.
- 5-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and Darjeeling: the Sikkim 4 nights 5 days tour package.
- 6-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: more time in Gangtok, with Rumtek and Nathu La: the Sikkim 5 nights 6 days tour package.
- 7-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: adds Pelling and the Kanchenjunga views of West Sikkim: the Sikkim 6 nights 7 days tour package.
- 8-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: the Gangtok Pelling Darjeeling tour package at an easy pace.
- 9-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: adds Kalimpong: the Darjeeling Gangtok Pelling Kalimpong tour package.
- 11-day Sikkim Darjeeling tour: adds North Sikkim, Lachung and Yumthang Valley: our Sikkim 10 days tour package.
Plan Your Sikkim Trip
We hope this Sikkim travel guide helps you plan. Read our Darjeeling travel guide, Gangtok travel guide and Pelling travel guide, and see our Odisha and Kashmir guides, our India spiritual tours and all our India tour packages. Request your free quote
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