9 places · region guide

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.

33 listed stays from ₹748 to ₹ 11,015 per night.

Overnight bases (5)

Overnight hub

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

Best: March–June and October–February Guide

Overnight hub

Rumtek

The Karmapa's monastery and a quiet terraced-hill base 24 km from Gangtok.

5,000 ft · Oxygen-safe No permit for Indians

Best: March–June and October–February Guide

Overnight hub

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

Best: March–June and October–December Guide

Overnight hub · homestays only

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

Best: March–May, October–November and January–February for snow Guide

Overnight hub · homestays 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

Best: March–May and October–February Guide

Day excursions & stops (4)

No overnight stays here: you sleep in the base town shown on each card.

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.

12,400 ft · Acclimatise first PAP permit required

Best: January–May and October–December Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Nathang Valley

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

Best: April–June and October–November Guide

Day excursion · sleep in Gangtok

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

Best: March–June and October–December Guide

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.

14,140 ft · Thin air Special PAP + army clearance Indians only

Best: May–mid June and October–November Guide

All 30 destinations

Contact agency for tour guidance