Sikkim

November: beststateCapital: Gangtok

Small Himalayan state with Kanchenjunga, monasteries, high-altitude lakes and permit-controlled border valleys.

Sikkim is a small Himalayan state between Nepal, Tibet (China) and Bhutan, rising from subtropical valleys to Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest peak in the world. Visitors come for monasteries, high-altitude lakes, rhododendron valleys and mountain views, usually based in Gangtok and Pelling.

Highlights: Gangtok and MG Marg · Tsomgo (Changu) Lake and Nathu La · Yumthang Valley via Lachung · Gurudongmar Lake via Lachen · Pelling with Kanchenjunga views and Pemayangtse Monastery · Rumtek Monastery · Buddha Park, Ravangla · Char Dham and Samdruptse, Namchi · Zuluk and the Old Silk Route

When to go

Green best · blue good · red avoid · this month outlined

Janok

Febgood

Marbest

Aprbest

Maybest

Junok

Julavoid

Augavoid

Sepgood

Octbest

Novbest

Decgood

Good to know

Best timeMarch to May (spring, rhododendrons) and October to mid-December (clearest mountain views). Avoid June to August, when monsoon landslides often cut roads; high areas get heavy snow in winter.

Ideal trip7 to 10 days for Gangtok, North Sikkim and West Sikkim

How to reachAir: Nearest major airport is Bagdogra (IXB) near Siliguri in West Bengal, about 120 km and 4 to 5 hours by road from Gangtok. Pakyong Airport near Gangtok has had only irregular commercial flights.; Rail: Nearest major railheads are New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Siliguri in West Bengal, about 115 to 125 km from Gangtok. The Sevoke to Rangpo rail line is under construction.; Road: NH10 from Siliguri via Sevoke, Teesta Bazaar and Rangpo is the main road; shared jeeps, taxis and SNT buses run from Siliguri. NH10 is often blocked by landslides in monsoon; check status before travel.

Getting aroundShared jeeps and private taxis connect towns; North Sikkim and Tsomgo/Nathu La trips are run as permit tours by registered operators. Roads are mountainous and slow.

PermitsIndian nationals need no permit to enter Sikkim, but need a Protected Area Permit for Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, North Sikkim (Lachung, Yumthang, Lachen, Gurudongmar) and Zuluk, arranged through registered tour operators. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter Sikkim, available at Rangpo and Melli check posts, Indian missions abroad and some other offices; protected areas need separate group permits, and Nathu La is not open to foreigners.

LanguagesNepali is the most widely spoken; also Sikkimese (Bhutia), Lepcha, Limbu, Hindi and English.

SafetyLandslides and road closures are common in monsoon; altitude sickness is a risk at Gurudongmar, Nathu La and Tsomgo, so ascend gradually and do not overnight at very high altitude without acclimatising. Plastic is restricted in many areas; carry a reusable bottle.

EmergencyNational emergency number 112; police 100; ambulance 108. STNM Hospital in Gangtok (Sochakgang) is the main government hospital.

BudgetMid-range trips cost more than in plains states because private taxis and permit tours are the main way around; shared jeeps are the budget option.

Destinations

Towns, valleys and cities worth the trip, with how they rate this month.

best now

Gangtok

2 to 3 days

Sikkim's capital on a ridge at about 1,650 m: MG Marg, monasteries, viewpoints and the base for Tsomgo, Nathu La and North Sikkim tours.

best now

Namchi

1 day

Headquarters of Namchi district, known for the Samdruptse statue of Guru Padmasambhava and the Siddheshwar Dham (Char Dham) complex.

good now

Lachen

2 nights

North Sikkim village at about 2,750 m, the overnight stop before Gurudongmar Lake (about 5,430 m).

good now

Lachung

2 nights (usually a North Sikkim package)

Mountain village at about 2,700 m in North Sikkim, the base for Yumthang Valley (Valley of Flowers) and Zero Point.

good now

Tsomgo Lake

Day trip from Gangtok

Glacial lake at about 3,750 m on the Nathu La road, around 38 km from Gangtok, frozen in winter.

best now

Pelling

2 days

West Sikkim hill town at about 2,150 m with close views of Kanchenjunga, near Pemayangtse Monastery and Rabdentse ruins.

best now

Ravangla

1 day

Small South Sikkim town at about 2,000 m known for Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal) and Ralang Monastery.

good now

Zuluk

1 to 2 nights

Hamlet at about 2,900 m on the Old Silk Route in East Sikkim, famous for the zig-zag Thambi viewpoint road.

Top sights

Banjhakri falls and park

attraction · Gangtok

recreation centre and tourist attraction near Gangtok, Sikkim, India

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

museum · Gangtok

Tibet museum in Gangtok, Sikkim, India

Rabdentse

monument · Gyalshing

human settlement

Pauhunri

viewpoint · Thangu

mountain at the border India / China (Tibet)

Sanglaphu

viewpoint · Thangu

mountain peak in Sikkim, India

Khangchengyao

viewpoint · Thangu

mountain in India

Nepal Peak

viewpoint · Mangan

mountain on Nepal-Sikkim border

Gurdwara Nanaklama

gurudwara · Lachung

building in India

Nature and outdoors

Gurudongmar Lake

lake · Thangu

lake in Sikkim, India

Tso Lhamo Lake

lake · Thangu

lake in Sikkim, India

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

wildlife · Thangu

nature park in the Indian state of Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park

wildlife · Dzongu

national park in India

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

wildlife · Ravangla

Wildlife reserve in Sikkim, India

Kitam bird sanctuary

wildlife · Jorethang

bird sanctuary of India

Buddha Park of Ravangla

park · Ravangla

park in India

Rangit Dam

lake · Kewzing

dam in India

Things to do

Paljor Stadium

stadium · Gangtok

stadium in India

Food to try

Momos · Thukpa · Phagshapa (pork with radish) · Gundruk (fermented greens) · Sel roti · Churpi (hard cheese) · Chhang / tongba (millet beer) · Sha Phaley

Festivals

Losar (Tibetan New Year, Feb/Mar) · Losoong / Namsoong (Sikkimese New Year, Dec) · Saga Dawa (May/June) · Pang Lhabsol (Aug/Sept) · Dasain and Tihar (Oct/Nov) · Bumchu at Tashiding (Feb/Mar) · Red Panda Winter Festival, Gangtok (Dec)