Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour Packages

About Sikkim & Darjeeling

Sikkim and Darjeeling are usually done as one trip. You fly into Bagdogra, drive up to Gangtok, and come down through Darjeeling before flying back. The whole route sits under Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, and the drives are as much a part of the holiday as the stops.

In Sikkim the regular stops are Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula pass on the China border, plus Rumtek and Enchey monasteries, the Banjhakri falls and the Gangtok market road. North Sikkim adds Lachung, the Yumthang valley and, for those with the days and the permits, Gurudongmar lake. West Sikkim has Pelling with the Pemayangtse monastery, Rabdentse ruins and the skywalk.

Darjeeling is about the tea gardens at Happy Valley, the sunrise from Tiger Hill, the Himalayan Railway toy train, the Padmaja Naidu zoo and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. March to May and October to December are the clear months. Nathula, Gurudongmar and North Sikkim need permits, which we arrange before you travel, and we plan the driving so the climb in altitude is gradual.

Best places to see

• Tsomgo Lake and Baba MandirA glacial lake at about 3,780 metres on the Nathula road, frozen in winter, with the Baba Harbhajan Singh shrine beyond it. Leave Gangtok by seven, the weather usually closes in by afternoon.
• Nathula PassThe old Silk Route pass on the India China border, open to Indian nationals on set days with a permit. Warm clothing and a slow ascent matter, it is above 4,300 metres.
• Yumthang Valley and LachungThe valley of flowers in North Sikkim with a hot spring nearby, at its best from late April to early June for the rhododendrons. Zero Point beyond it holds snow into summer.
• Gurudongmar LakeA high sacred lake north of Lachen at around 5,100 metres, reached on a long morning drive and needing a special permit. Not suitable for travellers with heart or breathing trouble.
• Rumtek and Enchey monasteriesThe large Kagyu monastery outside Gangtok and the older monastery in town. Morning prayers are the time to go, and shoes come off inside.
• Tiger Hill sunrise, DarjeelingThe viewpoint for sunrise on Kanchenjunga and, on a very clear day, Everest in the distance. It means a start around four in the morning and the road is busy in season.
• Darjeeling Himalayan RailwayThe narrow gauge toy train, with the short Darjeeling to Ghum joy ride past the Batasia loop. Book the steam service ahead, it fills up.
• Happy Valley tea estateA working estate within walking distance of Darjeeling town, with a factory tour and tasting. Go on a weekday morning when processing is on.
• Pelling and PemayangtseWest Sikkim with the Pemayangtse monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, Khecheopalri lake and the glass skywalk. Clear mornings give the closest Kanchenjunga view of the trip.

Suggested itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Bagdogra, drive to Gangtok along the Teesta, check in, evening on MG Marg.
• Day 2 Gangtok local, Rumtek and Enchey monasteries, Ganesh Tok, Banjhakri falls and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.
• Day 3 Early excursion to Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula pass with permits, back to Gangtok.
• Day 4 Drive to Lachung in North Sikkim past Seven Sisters falls, overnight at Lachung.
• Day 5 Yumthang valley and Zero Point in the morning, drive back to Gangtok for the night.
• Day 6 Drive to Darjeeling, evening at the Mall and Chowrasta, early dinner before the sunrise trip.
• Day 7 Tiger Hill sunrise, Batasia loop and Ghum, the zoo, the mountaineering institute and Happy Valley tea estate.
• Day 8 Toy train joy ride if booked, drive down to Bagdogra for departure.

What is included

Best season

March to May is clear, with rhododendrons in Yumthang from late April. October to mid December gives the sharpest mountain views and cold nights. The monsoon from mid June to September brings landslides on the Teesta road and the North Sikkim route can close for days. January and February are very cold, Tsomgo is frozen and Nathula and North Sikkim often shut after snow.

Good to know

• Nathula, Tsomgo, North Sikkim and Gurudongmar all need permits arranged in advance with photo ID and passport size photographs. Nathula is open to Indian nationals only and on limited days, and foreign nationals need separate clearance.
• Tsomgo is above 3,700 metres and Gurudongmar above 5,000, so keep the ascent gradual, drink water and tell us about blood pressure, heart or asthma conditions before booking.
• Snow can close the Nathula and North Sikkim roads at short notice. Keep a spare day and treat these excursions as weather dependent.
• Carry heavy woollens, gloves, a cap and a windproof jacket for every season, plus shoes with grip for the wet stone steps at monasteries.
• Hill driving on the Teesta road is slow and often held up for repairs, so days between bases run five to seven hours.
• Try momos, thukpa, gundruk and a Darjeeling first flush tea, and buy tea from an estate shop rather than a roadside stall.

Planning and cost

Flights or trains, hotels, transfers and sightseeing are arranged together by our team. Every plan is made for your dates and your group, so the cost is quoted after we know what you want. Price on request.