Hills2 days
Gangtok-Tsomgo-Nathu La
High-altitude lake, border pass and a soldier-saint shrine.
- Gangtok
- Tsomgo Lake
- Nathu La
- Baba Mandir
State · North East
Sikkim
Kanchenjunga's kingdom of monasteries, lakes and rhododendrons
Himalayan state with Kanchenjunga views, Buddhist monasteries, alpine lakes, glacial valleys and spotless towns. Gangtok to Pelling to Lachung gives the full mountain range experience.
- Best time
- March to May and October to early December
- Allow
- 6–10 days
- Getting there
- Pakyong Airport (PYG), Bagdogra (IXB) airport, and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) rail head, then road
- Permits
- No permit for general Sikkim for Indians; separate permits needed for Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, Zuluk, Yumthang/Lachung, Lachen and Gurudongmar; foreigners need a Protected Area Permit. Verify rules locally.
- Capital
- Gangtok
- At a glance
- 6 districts · 31 places · 12 off the beaten track
Must-see
The unmissable Sikkim
01
Gangtok
Hill capital with Himalayan views, cafes and monasteries.
02
Tsomgo Lake
Glacial lake at 3,780 m near the Nathu La road.
03
Gurudongmar Lake
Sacred high-altitude lake among the world's highest.
04
Yumthang Valley
Rhododendron meadows and hot springs, the Valley of Flowers.
05
Pelling and Pemayangtse
Kanchenjunga views beside one of Sikkim's oldest monasteries.
06
Yuksom
First capital and gateway to Dzongri and Goecha La trek.
07
Rumtek Monastery
Seat of the Karmapa lineage with golden stupas.
08
Zuluk Silk Route
Zigzag mountain road on the old Silk Route to Tibet.
Tourist circuits
Ready-made routes
Join the dots: each circuit links places that make sense together.
Adventure4 days
North Sikkim circuit
Glaciated passes, sacred lake, flower valley and hot springs.
- Gangtok
- Lachen
- Gurudongmar
- Lachung
- Yumthang
Spiritual3 days
West Sikkim Buddhist and views
Sacred lake, ancient monasteries and Kanchenjunga viewpoints.
- Pelling
- Pemayangtse
- Khecheopalri
- Yuksom
- Tashiding
Culture2 days
South Sikkim Buddhist and tea
Giant Buddha, tea garden, Char Dham and hot springs.
- Ravangla
- Namchi
- Samdruptse
- Temi
Offbeat3 days
Silk Route offbeat
Zigzag roads, old trade route and quiet homestays above the clouds.
- Gangtok
- Aritar
- Zuluk
- Nathang
Adventure6 days
Trek and wild Sikkim
Kanchenjunga National Park trail for experienced trekkers.
- Yuksom
- Dzongri
- Thangsing
- Goecha La
District by district
Every district, place by place
6 districts. Open any to see what's worth your time — gold tags mark lesser-known places.
GangtokHQ Gangtok · 6 places · 1 offbeat
Capital district with monasteries, high passes and bustling MG Marg.
- SpiritualRumtek MonasteryLargest Sikkim monastery with a Tibetan-style golden stupa.
- NatureTsomgo (Changu) LakeFrozen glacial lake near Nathu La; needs a permit.
- AdventureNathu LaIndo-China border pass, open some days; permit mandatory.
- SpiritualEnchey MonasteryQuiet monastery above Gangtok with cham dance in winter.
- SpiritualHanuman TokOffbeatHilltop temple with views over Kanchenjunga.
- CultureMG MargPedestrian-only promenade lined with cafes and shops.
PakyongHQ Pakyong · 4 places · 4 offbeat
East Sikkim lowlands and Silk Route with Zuluk, lakes and airport.
- OffbeatZulukOffbeatQuiet village on the old Silk Route with zigzag road.
- NatureAritar LakeOffbeatGentle lake in Rhenock, a peaceful stop with boating.
- OffbeatNathang ValleyOffbeatMountain valley with snow views, yaks and homestays.
- NatureMenmecho LakeOffbeatAlpine lake near Zuluk surrounded by rhododendrons; permit required.
ManganHQ Mangan · 6 places · 1 offbeat
North Sikkim: alpine valleys, glaciers and sacred lakes.
- Must-seeYumthang ValleyRhododendron meadows, hot springs and snow peaks.
- NatureGurudongmar LakeSacred high lake near Tibet; permit required.
- HillsLachenLast base before Gurudongmar and Thangu valley.
- HillsLachungVillage in a river valley with apple orchards and monasteries.
- NatureSeven Sisters WaterfallRoadside waterfall on the drive to Lachung.
- OffbeatDzonguOffbeatLepcha reserve with homestays, rivers and bird life; separate permit.
NamchiHQ Namchi · 6 places · 2 offbeat
South Sikkim with Buddha statues, tea gardens and Char Dham.
- SpiritualChar Dham (Siddheshwar Dham)Complex with replicas of Hindu shrines and a giant Shiva statue.
- SpiritualSamdruptseGiant Padmasambhava statue overlooking the valley.
- SpiritualBuddha Park RavanglaTathagata Tsal with a huge seated Buddha.
- CultureTemi Tea GardenSikkim's only tea estate with views over Kanchenjunga.
- WildlifeMaenam Wildlife SanctuaryOffbeatForest trail with red panda and birds above Ravangla.
- NatureBorong hot springsOffbeatNatural sulphur springs in a quiet forest village.
GyalshingHQ Gyalshing · 6 places · 1 offbeat
West Sikkim: ancient monasteries, ruins and Kanchenjunga viewpoints.
- SpiritualPemayangtse Monastery17th-century monastery with beautiful murals.
- HeritageRabdentse RuinsRemains of Sikkim's second capital near Pelling.
- SpiritualKhecheopalri LakeWish-fulfilling lake, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus.
- HeritageYuksomFirst capital, coronation throne and gateway to treks.
- SpiritualTashiding MonasteryOffbeatHoly monastery on a hilltop between rivers.
- AdventureSingshore BridgeOne of Asia's highest suspension bridges near Pelling.
SorengHQ Soreng · 3 places · 3 offbeat
Green foothills of West Sikkim with village stays and Kanchenjunga views.
- HillsRinchenpongOffbeatMonastery village with Kanchenjunga views and forest walks.
- HillsKalukOffbeatSmall hill village with views of Kanchenjunga and fruit orchards.
- CultureHee-BermiokOffbeatHilltop Limboo-Lepcha village with local arts and trails.
Nothing matches — try a different word.
Eat
Signature flavours
- Momos
- Thukpa
- Phagshapa (pork with radish)
- Gundruk soup
- Sel roti
Hotels in Gangtok and Pelling; homestays in Lachung, Zuluk, Dzongu and Yuksom; budget lodges on trek routes.
Festivals
When to time your visit
- Losar — February
- Saga Dawa — May-June
- Pang Lhabsol — August-September
- Bumchu (Tashiding) — February-March
Insider tip
Book North Sikkim permits and vehicles through a local operator at least a week ahead; roads can close after rain or snow.
Our detailed guides
Related journeys
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Start planning Free trip plannerCompiled from public tourism information and our own knowledge; permits, entry rules, district boundaries, timings and prices change — approximate, verify before travelling. Last reviewed 2026-11-09.