Destinations
Where should I go in Sikkim? All 30 destinations
Sikkim is four very different circuits separated by river gorges and high ridges. Filter by region, altitude safety, permit rules or who you are travelling with, then open any place for photos, the real drive time, permit and ID rules and listed stays.
Day excursion · sleep in Gangtok
Tsomgo Lake
The sacred glacial lake 38 km from Gangtok — yak rides, a ropeway and a frozen surface in winter.
Day excursion · sleep in Nathang Valley
Kupup Lake
The elephant-shaped lake beside the world's highest golf course.
Day excursion · sleep in Gangtok
Baba Mandir
The army shrine to Baba Harbhajan Singh at 13,200 ft, between Tsomgo and Kupup.
Overnight hub · homestays only
Nathang Valley
The 'Ladakh of East India' — a 13,500 ft plateau of snow in winter and wildflowers in summer.
Day excursion · sleep in Gangtok
Nathula Pass
The Indo-China border pass at 14,140 ft on the Old Silk Route — closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Transit stop
Chungthang
Where the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet and the road forks — the Toong checkpost town.
Day excursion · sleep in Lachung
Yumthang Valley
Sikkim's Valley of Flowers — 24 rhododendron species, a hot spring and yak pastures.
Day excursion · sleep in Lachen
Chopta Valley
Alpine meadows and frozen streams between Thangu and Gurudongmar.
Day excursion · sleep in Lachung
Zero Point
Yumesamdong, where the civilian road ends at 15,300 ft — near-guaranteed snow in spring.
Day excursion · sleep in Lachen
Gurudongmar Lake
One of the highest sacred lakes on earth at 17,800 ft — a 4 AM start, 45 minutes at the top.
Overnight hub
Rinchenpong
A heritage ridge where Tagore stayed — Reesum Monastery, Poison Lake and golden sunsets.
Overnight hub · homestays only
Khecheopalri Lake
The sacred wish-fulfilling lake where birds keep the water free of leaves.
Overnight hub · homestays only
Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
A 4 km forest walk through blooming rhododendrons facing Kanchenjunga.
Overnight hub
Temi Tea Garden
Sikkim's only tea estate — organic slopes, a cherry-blossom avenue in November and a heritage bungalow.
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The four circuits
Know the regions before you pick places
East Sikkim
The capital, sacred Tsomgo Lake, the Nathula border and the Old Silk Route
East Sikkim is where every trip starts. Gangtok is the permit and cab hub; Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass make a classic day loop; and the Old Silk Route through Aritar, Zuluk, Nathang Valley and Kupup is the most dramatic 2–3 night circuit in the state. Altitudes run from 4,900 ft at Aritar to 14,140 ft at Nathula, so plan permits and acclimatisation.
9 places in East SikkimNorth Sikkim
Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point
North Sikkim is raw high-Himalayan country reached on a single Y-shaped highway: Gangtok to Mangan and Chungthang, then left to Lachen for Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley, or right to Lachung for Yumthang, Zero Point and Katao. Every stop beyond Chungthang needs a Protected Area Permit, a Sikkim-registered SUV, and respect for the 4 PM Toong checkpost and 4 AM Gurudongmar departure.
10 places in North SikkimWest Sikkim
Pelling, Yuksom, Khecheopalri and the closest Kanchenjunga views
West Sikkim gives you Kanchenjunga at arm's length from Pelling, 300-year-old monasteries, royal ruins, a glass skywalk and the Goecha La trek base at Yuksom, all with no permits for Indian citizens and no thin-air worries. It is the best region for families with small children, seniors and foreign nationals.
7 places in West SikkimSouth Sikkim
Namchi, Ravangla, Temi Tea Garden and the Borong hot springs
South Sikkim lies between Gangtok and Pelling, so its giant statues, organic tea slopes, cherry blossoms and hot springs fit naturally into a transfer day or a slow two-night stay. Everything sits below 7,000 ft and needs no permit.
4 places in South Sikkim