Grand Sikkim: East + North + Pelling via South

Overview

The classic North Sikkim circuit followed by a scenic transfer through Temi Tea Garden, Ravangla's Buddha Park and Namchi's Char Dham to two nights in Pelling for the Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse and Khecheopalri Lake.

• Best for: Couples and families with a full week, Photographers, Anyone who wants both snow and Kanchenjunga views
• Nights: 2N Gangtok → 1N Lachen → 1N Lachung → 1N Gangtok → 2N Pelling
• Permits: East + North Sikkim PAPs; no permits for South and West Sikkim.
• Places: Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass, Mangan, Singhik, Chungthang, Lachen, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, Temi Tea Garden, Ravangla, Namchi, Pelling, Khecheopalri Lake

Day by day

1. 1

   Day 1 · Saturday if you arrive Saturday

   Bagdogra Airport (IXB) → Gangtok (5,500 ft)

   125 km / 4.5–5 hrs via the Teesta valley and Rangpo checkpost. Hand over original Voter ID / Passport / DL + 2 photos per person for next-day permits. Evening at MG Marg.

   about 4.75 h on the road max 5,500 ft Gangtok Reach Gangtok before 3:00 PM so permits can be filed

2. 2

   Day 2 · Sunday if you arrive Saturday

   Gangtok → Tsomgo Lake → Baba Mandir → Nathula Pass → Gangtok

   Depart 7:30 AM. Yak rides and ropeway at Tsomgo (12,400 ft), the Baba Harbhajan Singh shrine, then the border staircase at Nathula (14,140 ft). Back in Gangtok by 4 PM.

   about 5.5 h on the road max 14,140 ft Gangtok Cross 3rd Mile checkpost before 10:00 AM · Nathula closed Mondays and Tuesdays

3. 3

   Day 3 · Monday if you arrive Saturday

   Gangtok → Mangan → Singhik → Chungthang → Lachen (9,000 ft)

   108 km / 6 hrs. Stops at Singhik viewpoint, Seven Sisters and Naga waterfalls and the Chungthang confluence. Early dinner, sleep by 8:30 PM.

   about 6 h on the road max 9,000 ft Lachen Depart Gangtok by 9:30 AM · Cross Toong checkpost before 4:00 PM

4. 4

   Day 4 · Tuesday if you arrive Saturday

   Lachen (4:00 AM) → Thangu → Chopta Valley → Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 ft) → Lachen → Lachung

   Packed breakfast at 4 AM, tea at Thangu, Giagong army post, 30–45 minutes at the lake by 8 AM, Chopta Valley on the way down, lunch in Lachen, then 2 hrs to Lachung.

   about 8.5 h on the road max 17,800 ft Lachung Depart Lachen by 4:00 AM (3:30–4:30 window) · Descend from the lake by 10:30 AM

5. 5

   Day 5 · Wednesday if you arrive Saturday

   Lachung (7:00 AM) → Yumthang Valley → Zero Point (15,300 ft) → Lachung → Gangtok

   Valley of Flowers and hot spring, then snowfields at Zero Point (cash supplement ₹3,500–₹4,000 per SUV). Lunch in Lachung by 1 PM, 5.5 hrs back to Gangtok.

   about 9 h on the road max 15,300 ft Gangtok Depart Lachung 6:30–7:30 AM · Leave Lachung for Gangtok by 2:00 PM

6. 6

   Day 6 · Thursday if you arrive Saturday

   Gangtok → Temi Tea Garden → Ravangla Buddha Park → Namchi Char Dham → Pelling (7,200 ft)

   130 km / 6.5 hrs with stops: tea tasting at Temi, the 130 ft Buddha at Ravangla, Siddhesvara Dham at Namchi, sunset in Upper Pelling.

   about 6.5 h on the road max 7,200 ft Pelling Depart Gangtok by 8:30 AM

7. 7

   Day 7 · Friday if you arrive Saturday

   Pelling sightseeing: Skywalk, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Khecheopalri Lake, waterfalls

   Dawn Kanchenjunga view from the balcony, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse ruins, the Glass Skywalk and Chenrezig statue, Rimbi and Kanchenjunga falls, Khecheopalri Lake.

   about 4 h on the road max 7,200 ft Pelling Skywalk open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

8. 8

   Day 8 · Saturday if you arrive Saturday

   Pelling → Bagdogra Airport (IXB) — departure

   135 km / 5 hrs via Jorethang and Melli. Leave after breakfast and keep a 2-hour buffer for afternoon flights or trains.

   about 5 h on the road max 7,200 ft departure Never book a morning flight on the day you leave North Sikkim or the Silk Route

What it costs, per person

Estimates use the 2026 rate card (SUV ₹6,800/day, PAP fees, listed hotel tariffs, meals buffer) and current-season multipliers. Our desk confirms exact rates for your dates.