Ridge & River Sikkim · Gangtok
Plan your complete Sikkim trip in six simple steps
Zero permit stress, transparent cost. Pick your season, choose from 30 destinations, get a realistic day-by-day route, check your permit and ID rules, compare 120 listed stays, and send us your plan on WhatsApp.
Packages from ₹9,790 per person · see all six · browse all 30 places
- 30 destinations, every region
- 120 listed stays with checked tariffs
- 24 h permits filed before each excursion
- 20–28 km/h real mountain drive times, not map guesses
Sikkim tour packages and trip planning from Gangtok
Ridge & River Sikkim is a local desk in Gangtok, not an aggregator. We plan and run complete Sikkim trips: tour packages from 4 to 10 days priced per person, permits for Tsomgo, Nathula, the Silk Route and North Sikkim filed before you travel, Sikkim-registered cabs from Bagdogra and NJP, and 120 listed hotels and homestays across all four regions. New to the state? Start with the complete Sikkim tourism guide, then build your own route in the six steps below.
Step 01
When should I visit Sikkim?
Weather decides which high passes are open and whether you get snow, blooms or the clearest Kanchenjunga views.
Step 02
Where should I go? Pick from 30 places
Add places to your trip. The route, permits and budget below update instantly.
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Aritar
Lampokhari Lake boating and an 1895 Dak Bungalow — the gentle first night of the Silk Route.
4,900 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Rumtek
The Karmapa's monastery and a quiet terraced-hill base 24 km from Gangtok.
5,000 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Gangtok
Sikkim's capital and the base for every permit, cab and high-altitude day trip.
5,500 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Zuluk
32 hairpin bends and a Thambi Viewpoint sunrise — the heart of the Old Silk Route.
10,000 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required Indians only Homestays only -
Tsomgo Lake
The sacred glacial lake 38 km from Gangtok — yak rides, a ropeway and a frozen surface in winter.
12,400 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required -
Kupup Lake
The elephant-shaped lake beside the world's highest golf course.
13,000 ft · Thin air PAP permit required Indians only Homestays only -
Baba Mandir
The army shrine to Baba Harbhajan Singh at 13,200 ft, between Tsomgo and Kupup.
13,200 ft · Thin air PAP permit required Indians only -
Nathang Valley
The 'Ladakh of East India' — a 13,500 ft plateau of snow in winter and wildflowers in summer.
13,500 ft · Thin air PAP permit required Indians only Homestays only -
Nathula Pass
The Indo-China border pass at 14,140 ft on the Old Silk Route — closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
14,140 ft · Thin air Special PAP + army clearance Indians only -
Mangan
North Sikkim's district headquarters, cardamom capital and the last town with ATMs.
3,950 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Singhik
An uninterrupted Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu panorama above the Teesta gorge.
5,200 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Chungthang
Where the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet and the road forks — the Toong checkpost town.
5,600 ft · Oxygen-safe PAP permit required -
Lachung
The apple-orchard village that is base camp for Yumthang, Zero Point and Katao.
8,800 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required -
Lachen
The mandatory overnight base at 9,000 ft for the 4 AM run to Gurudongmar Lake.
9,000 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required -
Yumthang Valley
Sikkim's Valley of Flowers — 24 rhododendron species, a hot spring and yak pastures.
11,800 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required -
Chopta Valley
Alpine meadows and frozen streams between Thangu and Gurudongmar.
13,200 ft · Thin air PAP permit required -
Katao
The 'Switzerland of Sikkim' — a snow ridge 28 km from Lachung under army control.
15,000 ft · Thin air Special PAP + army clearance Indians only -
Zero Point
Yumesamdong, where the civilian road ends at 15,300 ft — near-guaranteed snow in spring.
15,300 ft · Thin air Special PAP + army clearance -
Gurudongmar Lake
One of the highest sacred lakes on earth at 17,800 ft — a 4 AM start, 45 minutes at the top.
17,800 ft · Extreme altitude PAP permit required Indians only -
Rinchenpong
A heritage ridge where Tagore stayed — Reesum Monastery, Poison Lake and golden sunsets.
5,576 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Yuksom
Sikkim's first capital (1642) and the trailhead for the Goecha La and Dzongri treks.
5,800 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Khecheopalri Lake
The sacred wish-fulfilling lake where birds keep the water free of leaves.
6,000 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians Homestays only -
Geyzing
West Sikkim's district town and the quieter Yangtey ridge, 10 km from Pelling.
6,500 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Uttarey
A quiet Nepal-border valley with Sikkim's highest gorge bridge and the Singalila trek.
6,600 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Pelling
The closest dawn view of Kanchenjunga, a glass skywalk and 300-year-old monasteries.
7,200 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
A 4 km forest walk through blooming rhododendrons facing Kanchenjunga.
10,000 ft · Acclimatise first Forest entry ticket Homestays only -
Temi Tea Garden
Sikkim's only tea estate — organic slopes, a cherry-blossom avenue in November and a heritage bungalow.
4,800 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Namchi
Char Dham's 108 ft Shiva, the 118 ft Guru Padmasambhava on Samdruptse and wheelchair-friendly courtyards.
5,500 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Borong
Natural sulphur hot springs, birding trails and Mount Pandim views near Ravangla.
5,800 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians -
Ravangla
The 130 ft Buddha Park against Kanchenjunga, Ralang Monastery and Himalayan birding.
7,000 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians
Step 03
How many days do you have?
Mountain roads average 20–28 km/h and checkposts close at 10 AM (3rd Mile) and 4 PM (Toong). This timeline is built on real drive times.
Step 04
Do I need a permit, and which ID works?
The single biggest cause of ruined Sikkim trips is arriving at a checkpost with the wrong ID. Check in 10 seconds.
Step 05
Where will I stay and what will it cost?
Cabs in Sikkim are priced per vehicle, so 4–6 people sharing one SUV pay far less per head. Every line below is itemised, nothing is hidden.
Step 06
How do I reach, survive on the ground, and book?
Vehicle union rule
Out-of-state and self-drive cars cannot enter permit zones. Our Sikkim-registered SUVs handle every leg from the airport onward.
SIM & network
Jio and Airtel work in Gangtok, Pelling and Namchi. Only BSNL works in Lachen and Lachung; the high passes have no signal.
Cash & ATMs
ATMs and UPI fail beyond Mangan and on the Silk Route. Withdraw ₹6,000–₹10,000 in ₹100–₹500 notes in Gangtok.
Plastic ban
Single-use water bottles are banned (fines up to ₹5,000 in Lachung). Carry a flask; hotels refill boiled water.
Altitude kit
Motion-sickness tablets, a portable oxygen can from MG Marg, Diamox only after a doctor’s advice, sunglasses, lip balm, power bank.
Emergency
Dial 112. STNM Hospital Gangtok 03592-202676. Army medical posts at Giagong, Sherathang and Kupup give free oxygen.
Ready to travel?
Send your plan to our Sikkim desk
Message preview
Quick answers: 26 most-searched Sikkim questions
Best time What is the best time to visit Sikkim?
March to May for rhododendron blooms and mild weather (10°C–22°C), and October to November for the clearest views of Mt Kanchenjunga. December to February is for snow.
Best time Where and when can I see snowfall in Sikkim?
December to March, sometimes into April and May at high altitude: Tsomgo Lake, Nathula, Baba Mandir, Zuluk, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang, Zero Point and Gurudongmar Lake.
Best time Is Sikkim safe to visit in monsoon (July to September)?
Gangtok, Pelling and South Sikkim are fine and 30–50% cheaper. North Sikkim and Nathula suffer landslides and road closures, so avoid them in monsoon.
Best time How cold does it get in North Sikkim?
Gangtok stays between 4°C and 22°C through the year, while Zero Point and Gurudongmar drop to -15°C to -20°C in winter.
Permits Do Indian tourists need a permit to visit Sikkim?
Not for Gangtok, Pelling, Namchi, Ravangla or Yuksom. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is mandatory for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula, Baba Mandir, Zuluk, Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang, Zero Point and Gurudongmar Lake.
Permits Is Aadhaar card accepted for Sikkim permits?
No. Aadhaar and PAN cards are not accepted for permits. Carry an original Voter ID, Driving Licence or Passport, plus a birth certificate for children and passport-size photos.
Permits Can foreigners visit Nathula Pass and Gurudongmar Lake?
No. Foreign nationals and OCI holders need an RAP/ILP to enter Sikkim and are not allowed at Nathula, Gurudongmar or Zuluk. Tsomgo, Lachung and Yumthang are allowed for groups of 2+ via a registered agency.
Permits Which days is Nathula Pass closed?
Mondays and Tuesdays, plus heavy-snow days. Plan it for Wednesday to Sunday and cross 3rd Mile checkpost before 10 AM.
Permits How many passport photos do I need?
Two per person per permit route: for example Tsomgo/Nathula plus North Sikkim means four photos and four ID photocopies each.
How to reach Which is the nearest airport to Gangtok: Bagdogra or Pakyong?
Bagdogra (IXB) is 124 km and 4.5–5.5 hours away but has reliable all-weather flights. Pakyong (PYG) is only 30 km from Gangtok but has had no scheduled flights since June 2024, so plan on Bagdogra.
How to reach How do I reach Gangtok from NJP railway station?
NJP is about 120 km and 4.5–5 hours from Gangtok via NH10 by shared jeep (₹500–₹800 a seat) or a reserved taxi (₹3,500–₹7,500 depending on car and season).
How to reach Can I take my own car or a rental to North Sikkim or Nathula?
No. Only Sikkim-registered commercial tourist vehicles with valid permits are allowed on the restricted border circuits. Park in Gangtok and hire a permit-ready SUV.
Itinerary How many days are enough for a Sikkim trip?
3–4 days for Gangtok with Tsomgo/Nathula; 5–7 days to add North Sikkim or Pelling; 8–10 days for East, North, South and West together.
Itinerary North Sikkim or Pelling, which is better?
North Sikkim is for snow, high lakes and alpine valleys. Pelling is lower, gentler and has the closest Kanchenjunga views, a skywalk, waterfalls and monasteries, so it suits families and seniors.
Itinerary Can I visit Gurudongmar Lake as a day trip from Gangtok?
No. You must sleep in Lachen (9,000 ft) and leave at 4–5 AM to reach the lake at 17,800 ft before the midday winds.
Itinerary What is the Old Silk Route itinerary?
A 2–3 night East Sikkim circuit: Aritar Lake, Zuluk's 32 hairpin bends, Thambi Viewpoint, Nathang Valley, Kupup Elephant Lake and Baba Mandir, ending at Tsomgo and Gangtok.
Sightseeing What are the best places to visit in Gangtok?
MG Marg, Enchey Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Tashi Viewpoint, Do Drul Chorten, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Banjhakri Falls and the ropeway.
Sightseeing What are the best places to visit in Pelling?
The Glass Skywalk and Chenrezig statue, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and the Singshore Bridge.
Sightseeing What is Zero Point in North Sikkim?
Yumesamdong, the end of the civilian road at 15,300 ft beyond Yumthang Valley, famous for snow and views near the Tibet border. It costs an extra ₹3,500–₹4,000 per vehicle in cash.
Budget How much does a Sikkim trip cost per person?
Roughly ₹18,000–₹25,000 per person for a 6–7 day mid-range trip in a group of four, and ₹7,500–₹11,500 for a 3–4 day Gangtok trip. Transport is 40–50% of the cost because cabs are priced per vehicle.
Budget What do hotels cost in Gangtok, Pelling, Lachung and Lachen?
Budget hotels and hostels start at ₹748–₹1,429 a night, 3–4 star hotels average ₹1,800–₹3,700, and luxury resorts run ₹7,200–₹11,199.
Budget Are there hotels in Zuluk and Nathang Valley?
Only community homestays, typically ₹1,500–₹1,800 per person with all meals. Book luxury stays in Gangtok before or after the Silk Route.
On the ground How do I avoid altitude sickness at Gurudongmar and Nathula?
Spend a night in Gangtok first, drink 3+ litres of water, avoid alcohol and smoking the day before, carry a portable oxygen can, and never take infants or anyone with heart or lung conditions above 15,000 ft.
On the ground Which mobile network works in North Sikkim?
Jio and Airtel are fine in Gangtok, Pelling and Namchi. In Lachen and Lachung only BSNL works reliably; the high passes have no signal at all.
On the ground Are ATMs available in Lachung, Lachen and Zuluk?
No reliable ATMs. Withdraw ₹6,000–₹10,000 in small notes in Gangtok, Mangan or Namchi because UPI and cards fail in North Sikkim and on the Silk Route.
On the ground Are plastic water bottles banned in Sikkim?
Yes. Single-use plastic bottles are banned and fines reach ₹5,000 in Lachen and Lachung. Carry a reusable flask; hotels provide boiled or filtered water.