Sikkim
India's cleanest, most pristine Himalayan state — prayer flags, glacial lakes and the world's third-highest peak.
Plan my Sikkim tripNo obligation — ideas, hotels & an indicative cost, usually within 30 min.
Why Sikkim is the Himalayan trip every Bangalore traveller should do once
Tucked into the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is India's pristine mountain state — a place of spinning prayer wheels, gilded monasteries, terraced hillsides and glacial lakes that shift colour with the season. From the buzzy capital Gangtok and its pedestrian-only MG Marg to the snow-fed Tsomgo Lake and the windswept Nathula Pass on the old Silk Route, every drive opens onto a new ridge of the Himalayas. On clear mornings, Mount Kanchenjunga — the world's third-highest peak — towers over the whole state.
Go north and the landscape turns wilder: Lachung, the rhododendron-and-primula meadows of Yumthang, and the sacred high-altitude Gurudongmar Lake near the Tibet border. Add Buddhist heritage at Pemayangtse and Rumtek, the giant Buddha statues at Ravangla and Namchi, and Sikkim is an unhurried, deeply scenic Himalayan holiday. A few areas need permits even for Indian travellers — we arrange every one of them.
Plan Sikkim with our experts
What you'll see and do
Gangtok & MG Marg
A litter-free pedestrian boulevard, the ropeway and Enchey Monastery.
Tsomgo (Changu) Lake
A glacial lake at about 12,400 ft with decorated yaks (permit).
Nathula Pass
The 14,140 ft Indo-China border pass (Indians only, on permit, closed some days).
North Sikkim — Lachung & Yumthang
Alpine Lachung and the rhododendron Valley of Flowers (permit).
Gurudongmar Lake
One of the world's highest lakes (~17,800 ft), sacred and pristine (permit).
Buddha Park, Ravangla
A serene 130-ft golden Buddha in the South Sikkim hills.
Pelling & Pemayangtse
West Sikkim's window onto Kanchenjunga and a 17th-century monastery.
Namchi & Char Dham
The towering Samdruptse statue and the Char Dham complex.
Ways to do Sikkim
Gangtok, Tsomgo & Pelling Highlights
Complete Sikkim with North Sikkim
Indicative routes only — every itinerary is customised to your dates, budget and pace.
Couples & honeymooners
Misty monasteries, cosy Gangtok and Pelling stays and Kanchenjunga sunrises, with a couple of relaxed North Sikkim nights.
Families & first-time mountain travellers
Clean, safe and well-organised, with the ropeway, Buddha Park and Tsomgo yaks; we manage every permit.
Nature & photography lovers
Spring rhododendrons, autumn-clear Kanchenjunga panoramas and old Silk Route landscapes.
Travel tips from our team
- Permits are essential, even for Indians: a Protected Area Permit / Inner Line Permit is required for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass and all of North Sikkim — arranged only through registered Sikkim operators; we handle every permit
- Nathula is open to Indian nationals only and closed on certain days and in bad weather
- Carry an original photo ID plus a few passport photos — permit offices need them
- High altitude is real — Gurudongmar (~17,800 ft) and Nathula can cause breathlessness; go slow and hydrate
- Roads, especially North Sikkim, are unpredictable — keep a buffer day and pack warm layers
- Skip Jun–Sep: monsoon landslides regularly block the roads
Sikkim, answered
Do I need permits in Sikkim, even as an Indian citizen?
Yes — a Protected Area / Inner Line Permit is mandatory for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass and all of North Sikkim (Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang, Gurudongmar). They are issued only through a registered operator, Nathula is Indians-only and closed some days, and we arrange every permit; just carry photo ID and a couple of passport photos.
When is the best time to visit Sikkim?
March to May for spring rhododendron blooms, and October to December for crisp, clear Kanchenjunga views. Avoid the June–September monsoon, when landslides often block roads, especially in North Sikkim.
How many days do I need for Sikkim?
Six days (5 nights) for Gangtok, Tsomgo and Pelling; eight days (7 nights) to add North Sikkim — Lachung, Yumthang and Gurudongmar — without rushing the high-altitude drives.
How do we reach Sikkim from Bangalore?
There is no direct flight — you fly Bengaluru to Bagdogra (one-stop via Kolkata or Delhi), then drive about 4–4.5 hours to Gangtok. We route most guests via reliable Bagdogra rather than weather-prone Pakyong.
What is included in your Sikkim package?
Return flights, 3-star hotels, all transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle, daily breakfast and dinner, and all Protected Area / Inner Line Permits for Tsomgo, Nathula and North Sikkim.
Other India destinations
Plan your trip with us
Tell us where you'd like to go — we reply quickly, and the visa, documents and booking are handled officially by email, phone or in person.
Ready for Sikkim?
Tell us your dates and who's travelling — we'll come back with ideas, hotels and an indicative cost.