Sikkim Splendor: 10 Days of Scenic Beauty!

Sikkim was one of the most beautiful and fulfilling trips we had in 2017. Sikkim is all about dramatic landscapes, cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, fresh white snow, ancient Buddhist monasteries, therapeutic hot springs, deep blue lakes, clear skies, innocent people, majestic Himalayas, highest mountain ranges, cute red pandas, frozen rivers, vibrant colorful flowers, misty mornings, alpine meadows and so on. In this post, we shall share a detailed travel guide to Sikkim for 10 days which will help you plan an EPIC road trip to this scenic least populous fully organic North East Indian state.

Brief Itinerary for Sikkim (10 Days):

• Day 1: Fly to Bagdogra Airport and Transfer to Gangtok. Overnight Stay at Gangtok.
• Day 2: Depart for North Sikkim. Stop at Seven Sister Waterfalls, Pass-through Mangan & Singhik, Reach Lachen. Overnight Stay at Lachen.
• Day 3: Drive to Gurudongmar Lake, Visit Chopta Valley and Kala Patthar, Reach Lachung in the evening. Overnight Stay at Lachung.
• Day 4: Drive to Yumthang Valley, Visit Zero Point, Reach Gangtok at night. Overnight Stay at Gangtok.
• Day 5: Explore East Sikkim i.e. Gangtok and its surroundings. Overnight Stay at Gangtok.
• Day 6: Drive to Nathu La Pass, Visit Changu Lake/Lake Tsomgo. Overnight Stay at Gangtok.
• Day 7: Depart for South Sikkim. Explore Namchi and Ravangla. Overnight Stay at Ravangla.
• Day 8: Depart for West Sikkim. Reach Pelling. Overnight Stay at Pelling.
• Day 9: Explore Pelling and surroundings. Overnight Stay at Pelling.
• Day 10: Transfer to Bagdogra Airport and fly back home.

We had opted for an Innova for the entire trip. Our driver Santosh (+91 97330 30787) was knowledgeable and friendly. It is always advisable to opt for a heavy SUV vehicle for a road trip to any Himalayan destination like Leh-Ladakh, Kinnaur-Spiti, and Sikkim because the roads are rough, and you will be spending 8-10 hours on the road daily. So, it’s better to be comfortable during the journey.

Best time to visit Sikkim:

Sikkim is an all-year-round destination. Different months bring about their own beauty and charm.

March to May – Spring Season – Blooming natural beauty all around, good for adventure activities.

June to August – Summer & Monsoon Season – Perfect to experience rainfall and bird watching.

September to November – Autumn Season – Clear skies and cherry blossom festival.

December to February – Winter Season – Chilly weather and frozen lakes.

Accommodation:

Gangtok – Jewel of the East Residency & Spa, MG Marg, Gangtok

Lachen – Hotel Tso Lhamo, Main Road, Lachen

Lachung – Tenzing Retreat, Thomchi, Lachung

Ravangla – Hotel Zumthang, Legship-Rabongla Rd, Ravangla

Pelling – Summit Newa Regency, Lower Pelling, Pelling

Day by Day Itinerary for a 10 days road trip to Sikkim:

Day 1: Fly to Bagdogra Airport and Transfer to Gangtok:

You can choose to book a cab on the spot after you reach Bagdogra or book it in advance. We booked it in advance to avoid bargaining on the spot. Bagdogra to Gangtok is a comfortable drive of about five hours. We had our lunch at Hotel Ranjeet in Siliguri on the way which serves delicious vegetarian food. We spent the evening walking around the main square, M.G. Marg in Gangtok.

Day 2: Depart for North Sikkim, Stop at Seven Sister Waterfalls, Pass-through Mangan & Singhik, Reach Lachen:

After an early breakfast, we set out for North Sikkim. We headed for Lachen (8,840 meters) which is about 6 hours from Gangtok. Opened for tourists in the year 2000, Lachen is a nature lover’s paradise. Enroute to Lachen is the Seven Sister waterfalls and Naga waterfalls, where we stopped to play in the water and click some photographs. Halfway to Lachen is the small hamlet of Mangan, with its flower patches and waterwheels strung with bells set in exquisite gardens. Four kilometers ahead of Mangan is Singhik, from where one can view Mt. Kanchenjunga (the 3rd highest peak in the world). The route from Mangan to Lachen is beautiful, with the Teesta flowing briskly, cold as cold can be, and the mountains standing tall and beautiful.

We had our lunch at Hotel Angeela on the way. We checked in our hotel at Lachen, which provided us with a clean room and basic facilities, as expected in Lachen; but the hosts were very warm and hospitable. They served us a delicious home-cooked hot meal which felt heavenly in the chilly weather of Lachen.

Day 3: Drive to Gurudongmar Lake, Visit Chopta Valley and Kala Patthar, Reach Lachung:

Around dawn, we set out on our quest to reach India’s second highest lake – Gurudongmar. It is one of the highest and most remote lakes in the world. We passed through the last inhabited village – Thangu (13,000 feet). The mountains with the alpine steppe vegetation were a mix of green, red and purple. We passed through Chopta Valley, with its breathtaking alpine scenery, meandering rivers, and snow-capped peaks. Then crossed Cholamu Lake – the source of river Teesta – and it is fascinating to note how small the source is and how massive it becomes as it flows down mountains on its way to Gangtok and West Bengal.

Lake Gurudongmar (17,100 feet) is unbelievably blue during the summers, a blue that we only otherwise see in Ladakh lakes. Tibet lies just a stone’s throw away. The winds are furious here, and it is advisable to spend max 40-45 mins on the lake shore.

Please note there is a place called Kala Patthar 3 km ahead of Chopta Valley which is covered in snow throughout the year. We insisted our driver and he drove us to this magical place where the Gods reside! The views on the way were astounding. Most people don’t know about this place and give it a miss. However, we highly recommend it. Kala Patthar is also known as the foot of Mount Everest since it provides the most accessible closeup view of Everest. Many adventurers undertake the “Everest Base Camp Kala Patthar Trek” every year. We reached Lachung in the evening which was the chilliest of all places in North Sikkim.

Day 4: Drive to Yumthang Valley, Visit Zero Point, Reach Gangtok at night:

Yumthang is Sikkim’s very own Valley of Flowers and in spring, you can see rhododendrons, a hundred variety of orchids in various colors, blue poppies, and other Himalayan flowers. There are yaks grazing on carpeted meadows and towering peaks. It is known as the Valley of Flowers in North Sikkim. The grazing pasture was surrounded by the Himalayas. The views on the way from Yumthang Valley to Zero Point are beautiful.

We reached Zero Point which is close to Tibet border (23 km from Yumthang Valley). The rivers were frozen and there was a chill in the air. We were wearing 5 layers of clothes! You get jackets and boots on rent on the way to Zero Point. This was a long day and we reached Gangtok only at 8 pm. Thus, ended our sojourn in the beautiful North Sikkim.

Day 5: Explore East Sikkim i.e. Gangtok and its surroundings:

We did a city tour of Gangtok and visited Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park where we spotted Red Pandas, Snow Leopard, Black Bear and many other animals.

Visited the following places in Gangtok:

1. Tashi View Point: A scenic viewpoint located in Gangtok, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
2. Ganesh Tok: A small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, situated on a hilltop in Gangtok, providing stunning views of the city.
3. Hanuman Tok: A temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, located at an altitude of 7,200 feet in Gangtok, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan range.
4. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: A museum and research center in Gangtok, showcasing Tibetan art, culture, and history.
5. Enchey Monastery: A 200-year-old Buddhist monastery in Gangtok, featuring traditional architecture and colorful prayer flags.
6. Rumtek Monastery: A significant monastery for Tibetan Buddhism, located near Gangtok, housing precious religious relics and artwork.
7. Do Drul Chorten Stupa: A large stupa in Gangtok, built in 1945, and adorned with traditional Buddhist prayer wheels and flags

We spent the evening in Gangtok at MG Mall Road. There was a live musical show which kept us engrossed for a major part of the evening. I even shopped for the traditional Sikkimese dress from Bansal Trading Shop in MG Marg. 🙂

Good eateries in Gangtok include the following:

1. Taste of Tibet (amazing momos and chowmein)
2. Café Live & Loud – Gangtok’s most happening live rock music bar as per Lonely Planet
3. Rhythm & Wine Café
4. The Coffee Shop
5. Roll House (delicious rolls)
6. Baker’s Cafe (cute little well-decorated cafe serving mouth-watering food)
7. Moti Chaat House (amazing chaats)

We tried all of the above and were highly impressed by them.

Day 6: Drive to Nathu La Pass, Visit Changu Lake/Lake Tsomgo:

Since there was a high amount of snowfall the previous night, we did not get the permit for Nathu La Pass. However, we visited Changu/Tsomgo Lake, and it was the highlight of our trip. We witnessed snowfall for the 2nd time in our lives! The first experience of snowfall for me was in Ladakh.

Set in the middle of the mountains, Changu Lake at 12,400 feet above sea level is an absolutely pristine crystal-clear lake and revered by Buddhists. It is 1 km long, oval in shape and 50 feet deep. We played with snow to our heart’s content, clicked loads of photographs, made videos and came back like 2 happy kids!

Also, took a ropeway up the lake which was newly opened for tourists. We don’t encourage taking a yak ride at Changu Lake because the innocent creatures suffer a lot for the entertainment of the tourists.

Day 7: Depart for South Sikkim, Explore Namchi and Ravangla:

We set out to explore the South of Sikkim and started our journey by visiting Temi Tea Garden with lush greenery all around on our way to Namchi.

In Namchi, we visited The Holy Statue of Guru Padmasambhava (World’s Tallest Statue of Buddha standing tall at 135 feet) at Samdruptse 13 km from Namchi. It is an important place for Buddhist worship and a sight to behold!

Thereafter, we visited Solophok Chardham on top of Solophok Hill, which is one of the most sacred places in Sikkim. It’s very popular for the replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas & Char Dham. The prime aim behind its formation was the promotion of Eco and Village tourism, clubbing it with Religious Tourism. The main temple is situated at a height of 108 feet and has an 87 feet high Lord Shiva statue in it.

Other places to explore in Namchi are as follows:

1. Ngadak Monastery: A serene Buddhist monastery that houses a 16-foot statue of Guru Padmasambhava and ancient manuscripts.
2. Tendong Hill: A popular trekking destination that offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
3. Namchi Rock Garden: A scenic garden with beautiful rock formations and waterfalls.
4. Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary: Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the rare red panda and Himalayan black bear.
5. Doling Gompa: A beautiful monastery known for its intricate murals and traditional architecture.

Ravangla is a sleepy little Himalayan town with attractions such as Buddha Park which houses a 130 feet high Buddha statue as its centerpiece.

Other places to explore in Ravangla are as follows:

1. Ralang Monastery: A peaceful Buddhist monastery that dates back to the 18th century, known for its ancient murals and statues.
2. Tumlong Monastery: Another ancient monastery that offers stunning views of the Himalayas, and is known for its traditional architecture and murals.
3. Kewzing Village: A charming village that offers a glimpse into the local way of life, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
4. Rayong Sunrise Viewpoint: A popular spot to watch the sunrise over the Himalayan range, with breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga peak.
5. Maenam Hill: A scenic hill that offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, and is a popular trekking destination.
6. Bonn Monastery: A serene Buddhist monastery that is known for its unique blend of Bon and Buddhist teachings, and its beautiful murals.
7. Ralong Hot Springs: A natural hot spring that is believed to have healing properties, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 8: Depart for West Sikkim, Reach Pelling

After breakfast, we departed for Pelling which was the last leg of our journey. This monastery town is situated at a distance of 50 km from Ravangla. You can choose to relax today or explore the nearby monasteries and waterfalls. 

Day 9: Explore Pelling and surroundings

We took a city tour of Pelling and explored Pemayangtse Monastery (One of the oldest and premier monasteries of Sikkim, renowned for its intricate woodwork and ancient murals), Kanchenjunga Falls (Big tourist attraction so reach early around 8 am to avoid the crowds), Rimbi Waterfalls, Tashiding Monastery, Sangachoeling Monastery (A serene Buddhist monastery that is known for its beautiful murals and traditional architecture).

Other places to explore in Pelling are as follows:

1. Khecheopalri Lake: A sacred lake that is believed to fulfill wishes, surrounded by dense forests and lush greenery.
2. Rabdentse Ruins: The ruins of a former capital of the Sikkim kingdom, dating back to the 17th century, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
3. Singshore Bridge: The second highest suspension bridge in Asia, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
4. Changey Waterfall: A stunning waterfall that cascades down from a height of 300 feet, surrounded by lush green forests.
5. Dentam Valley: A beautiful valley that is known for its scenic beauty and peaceful ambiance, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.