Kanchenjunga from the balcony, and the ruins of the old kingdom
The short Sikkim trip for people who care more about the mountain than about ticking off passes. Pelling gives you Kanchenjunga from the room, which almost nowhere else in the region reliably does, and West Sikkim holds the history that the eastern half of the state does not.
Five days is enough to do it without rushing, and the driving is moderate throughout. It suits couples, photographers, and anyone who has already done the Darjeeling and Gangtok circuit and wants the other side.
This is the plan as we would run it. Days can be swapped, dropped or added — say what you want changed and we will rebuild it before you pay anything.
Day 1
Met at Bagdogra or NJP and driven up through Jorethang into West Sikkim, about five hours on a road that gets prettier the higher it goes. Check in, and if the evening is clear the range is already out.
Day 2
Sunrise on Kanchenjunga from the hotel. Then Pemayangtse Monastery, one of the oldest and most important in Sikkim, and the forest walk to the Rabdentse ruins. In the afternoon, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls, Rimbi Falls and the Pelling Skywalk at the Chenrezig statue.
Day 3
East across the state, about five hours, with a stop at the Ravangla Buddha Park and, if you want it, the Char Dham complex at Namchi. Gangtok by afternoon and MG Marg in the evening.
Day 4
Up to 3,780 m for the glacial lake and the shrine beyond it, back to Gangtok in the evening. Rumtek can be added instead if the Tsomgo permit is refused for weather.
Day 5
Five hours down the Teesta. Flights after 1 pm.
Hotels are named on your written itinerary before you pay. The properties below are the ones we normally use in this band; if one is full on your dates we substitute a hotel of the same standard and tell you which, rather than leaving you to find out at check-in.
One private hill vehicle throughout, plus the permitted Sikkim-registered vehicle for the Tsomgo leg.
Up to 4 travellers normally ride in a Wagon R, Swift Dzire or similar; 5 to 7 in an Innova, Xylo or Scorpio; 8 and above in a Tempo Traveller or a second vehicle. On the North Sikkim and Silk Route legs the vehicle is always a Bolero, Sumo or Scorpio, because that is what those roads take.
Your written confirmation carries the exact advance, the balance date and the cancellation schedule for your trip. Those numbers, not this page, are the ones that apply. Full terms are on the booking conditions page.
General questions: permits, seasons, packing and how to get here
Enquire
Fill this in and we will come back with a proper day-by-day itinerary for your dates, with named hotels and one all-in price. No payment is taken at this stage and nothing is confirmed until you say so.
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Dates, how many of you, and anywhere you have your heart set on — that is enough for us to start. You will get a day-by-day plan with named hotels and one all-in price, in writing, before you pay anything.
