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Are you planning a trip to the North East of India? And, not sure where to find information like when is the best time to visit Sikkim, main tourist attractions, activities, food, and shopping.
Here’s a detailed travel guide about the best things to see and do in the state including a 7-10 Days Sikkim itinerary covering Gangtok, North, East, and South Sikkim
Gurudongmar Lake in winters, North Sikkim Travel, India
From the time I read James Hilton describe Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley landlocked by Mountains; I wondered if there exists a real-life match to this fictional place. The pursuit of Shangri La took me to the depths of the Himalayas, drawing me into fascinating corners and cul-de-sacs I never dreamed of visiting. And finally, I found it in Sikkim.
Cavernous valleys, snowcapped mountains, roaring rivers, fluttering prayer flags and green homes dotting the zigzag mountain slopes – no wonder Sikkim is known as the Himalayan Shangri La. A jewel-like mountain state of North East flourished under the benign shadow of colossal Mt. Kanchenjunga. The locals revere the third highest mountain in the world as their guardian deity.
Sikkim metamorphosed from the independent Himalayan Kingdom to the twenty-second state of India in 1975. However, one thing remained untouched – Sikkim’s reverence for nature.
An all-organic State
Nature is above everything in Sikkim, where ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘all-organic’ are not loosely thrown around terms but practised by one and all in daily life. During my sojourn, I didn’t see any wafer packets or cola bottles spoiling the gorgeous landscape. Sikkim didn’t become an all-organic state by fluke; the local government and people put in a mammoth effort.
To propagate the idea of ‘all-organic state’ Sikkim Government runs lot of eco-conservation programs and hosts lot of exotic festivals,
explained Chen Yang a travel guide who works closely with the Sikkim Government.
Festivals like International Flower festival, Yakten – Bojeytar Village Tourism Festival, Dentam Rhododendron Festival and Pang Lhabsol among others elucidate the love and respect Sikkimese have for their nature.
Besides the unique festivals, Sikkim is great for adventure, wildlife, culture and spiritual travel.
Golden Hour in Sikkim, India
Here’s my experience of traversing through the alpine landscape, thick luxuriant tropical forests, torrents Rivers, high mountain peaks and unruffled high altitude lakes – everything that makes Sikkim a true Shangri La.
Arriving in Gangtok
Climbing up the winding roads to Gangtok from Siliguri took me more than five hours. The scenic route was picturesque, though pretty bumpy! The indulgent lunch at a small restaurant facing the Teesta River couldn’t provide any respite from the backbreaking journey. I was staying at an Army Guesthouse in Gangtok so thankfully I could enjoy the modern-day luxuries in the lap of Himalayas. My Army friend helped me secure my inner line permit, taxi and homestays in North and South Sikkim. As the night befell, I went to sleep looking forward to experiencing the ethereal beauty of this jewel-like mountain state.
Mt. Kanchenjunga, Sikkim, India
Gangtok and East Sikkim
At the break of the day my driver, Ritu Tamang and the magnificent mountains greeted me. After soaking the sweeping view of the snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga from the Tashi View Point, I decided to invoke the spiritual side by visiting the Gonjang Monastery, located about 6 km away from Gangtok. A young monk sitting on the edge of the wall watching a WWF fight on his smartphone, a group of monks taking a Coco-Cola break from their studies and teenage monks flirting with the guitar strings behind the closed doors of their room were the sights I couldn’t envisage in a religious place.
Happiness is not guaranteed by giving up the pleasures or desires of life but by not being their slave
explained the senior monk who probably read my mind.
Monk at a Sikkim Monastery, India
Inside the monastery, Gangtok, Sikkim
The rest of the day was spent paragliding over the snowcapped mountains and thickly carpeted forests around Gangtok, enjoying the panoramic views of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok, revisiting the old world charm at the Royal Palace and suicide point infamous for kings throwing their enemies from a drop-dead gorgeous hilltop.
Suicide Valley, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
The day was wrapped up with a passeggiata on the MG Marg, the social-commercial hub. It was packed with restaurants serving toothsome delicacies, export surplus shops staff haggling with customers, travel agents taking last-minute bookings and tourists enjoying the crisp air of Gangtok.
Tsomgo Lake, East Sikkim, India
For most visitors, a trip to Sikkim usually includes a trip to Gangtok, Rumtek and Nathula La via Tsomgo Lake and Harbhajan Baba’s Mandir. However, always curious to discover places beyond the obvious, I chose the road less travelled. Not only I visited the old silk route but even tried my hand at playing golf at Yak golf course in Kupup, the world’s highest golf course (13,025 feet above sea level). Three days were not enough to explore East Sikkim but North Sikkim was already booked so I had to return to Gangtok.
Visit Sikkim to see the world’s highest golf course: Kupup
Visit Sikkim to invoke spirituality: Gangtok, India
Visit Sikkim to revisit the Old Silk Route in India
North Sikkim
After an early morning start and backbreaking journey of seven hours from Gangtok, we finally reached Lachen. The arduous journey was made beautiful by – the roaring jade green water of Teesta River rushing through massive boulders, soaring snow-capped peaks embroidered with long ribbons of waterfalls, lush green forests dimpled with alpine pastures and the hot pakodas made to order at Naga Waterfalls.
Visit Sikkim to marvel the beauty of jade green Teesta River
After spending the night at a Bhutia (Tribe of Tibetan origin) homestay, I started my journey at 4 am through stunning frozen mountainscape where the majestic mountain peaks were glowing in the molten golden dust of the sunrise. Sacrificing my sleep was nothing when we saw the staggering snow-blanketed vistas and crag-rimmed Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 feet above sea level). I had not seen anything as phantasmal as Gurudongmar Lake was. Even the -19 degree temperature and AMS inducing thin air couldn’t confine me to my car. I sat near the lake trying to take in the beauty around us. There was nothing but perfect silence. Cautious enough to not get carried away, I took baby steps to enjoy the bounty of nature.
Frozen Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim, India
An Army Personnel at his post on Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim, India
Visit Sikkim to see Frozenscapes: Gurudongmar Lake, India
After visiting Gurudongmar Lake, I reached Lachung to explore the stunning Yumthang Valley and Zero point the next day.
South Sikkim
South Sikkim formed the next leg of my trip. The larger-than-life religious statues at Char Dham, Samdruptse Monastery at Namchi and Buddha Park is a must-visit even for a nonreligious person. I really enjoyed the majestic mountain and valley views from Tarey Bhir, Helicopter Point and Temi Tea Garden, the state’s only Tea Estate.
Buddha Park, Near Namchi, South Sikkim
Visit Sikkim for Spirituality: Chaar Dham, Namchi, India
Visit Sikkim for its gorgeous views – Tarey Bhir, Near Ravangla
Besides the indescribable beauty of Sikkim, I was left awestruck by the calm and composed demeanour of the Sikkimese people.
“So is everyone in Sikkim happy like you?” I asked my driver.
No, of course not but we are less complaining than others and that makes us happy in general. I think it’s a combination of our cultural identity, family ties, respect for Mother Nature and Buddhist traditions of letting go. We are happy with what we have.
I learned a life-changing lesson that day.
My trip had come to an end and I had fallen in love with the mythical Himalayan land worthy of being called the Himalayan Shangri La. So are you ready to visit this mystic land this holiday season?
Visit Sikkim for its revered mountain lakes – Tsomgo Lake, India
Best time to visit Sikkim:
Well, you don’t need a particular season or a reason to visit the Himalayan Shari-La. But the best time to visit Sikkim is either between March and May or October and mid-December. I highly recommend visiting the state in Spring (March to May) as you can witness the blooming natural beauty of Gangtok during that time. But, if you want a clear view of the Himalayan range then Autumn (October-November) is the best time.
How to reach Sikkim:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal
By Rail: The nearest railway stations are New Jalpaiguri (125 km) and Siliguri (144 km) in West Bengal
By Road: Regular bus services run by the Sikkim Nationalized Transport directly connect Gangtok to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri. For local transport, Cars and jeeps are available for hire in Gangtok and other big towns of the state
Best time to visit Sikkim for its Narnia like beauty is in Winters
Quick Facts:
- Sikkim was the independent Himalayan Kingdom until 1975
- Pawan Kumar Chamlingn is the longest-serving Chief Minister in India
- Kanchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world, is clearly visible from many parts of Sikkim
- Sikkim has the maximum foreign population – Nepalese origin population outnumber the natives
- Sikkim has a temple built to honour a soldier – Baba Harbhajan Singh’s temple
- Sikkim is the only Indian state with monasteries of all 4 schools of Buddhism
- 11 languages are spoken in this tiny mountain state
- The Singshore Bridge spanning 198 meters is the second-highest suspension bridge in Asia
- Sikkim’s state animal is the Red Panda – an endangered species
- Sikkim has produced India’s most popular footballer – BaichungBhutia
Visit Sikkim for its unique culture, heritage and natural beauty
10 days Itinerary to visit Gangtok, North, East and South Sikkim
Visit Sikkim for its monasteries in India.
Published on
A section of this story has been published in several publications, namely:
- Jet Airways Inflight Magazine: Tryst with Nature
- Air Vistara: a cover story in AirVistara – Scintillating Sikkim
- DB Post
Gorgeous post Archana! Loved it completely…
You have also inspired me to plan a trip there 🙂
Thanks a lot Sidd for sharing your feedback. I am so glad you liked it.
And yes, Sikkim in very pretty and unique. You should definitely visit it.
I just love the monks embracing technology. Snigdha observed a similar phenomenon at the Naropa festival
Yeah, that’s pretty common these days. Just like us Monks use technology for different purposes- entertainment, education and information sharing.
This is sooo cool yaaa! Man I am jealous of your adventures 😁😁. Next time we should collaborate and make tons of Video Logs. Stay blessed Archana. Stay Awesome.
Thanks a lot Tariq. I am so humbled reading your comment. I am always open for collaborations. Send me a good proposal and I am game 🙂
What a fantastic read! So well written that I want to pack my bags and head out now. The supporting photos are also wonderful. What a memorable experience, thank you for sharing this with all of us adorning fans. 😉
Thanks a lot, Mike. You should absolutely visit Sikkim. You’ll fall in love with it on the first sight.
What a fantastic read! So well written that I want to pack my bags and head out now. The supporting photos are also wonderful. What a memorable experience, thank you for sharing this with all of us adorning fans. 😉
Well Written article glad to read it and Through this post we will get to know interesting things about Sikkim Thanks for sharing.
very well written article indeed. I doubt if I have any questions left on the region after going through this one. Thank you 🙂
Hey Swapnil,
Thanks a lot for your comment. I am so glad you found the article useful. So when are you heading to Sikkim?
Very rarely do I ever get the pleasure of reading a post about a place as beautiful as this. I so enjoyed reading all the information on this fascinating place in your post. Your photos are just stunning showing what a truly lovely place Sikkim is. I think you could have just found Shangri La indeed! I never realized it was also a separate country before 1975 and what a treat it would be to visit here. I would definitely want to include this in my future plans.
Hey Nicole,
I am so glad you liked the post so much. I am humbled beyond words.
Hope you get to travel to this magical land soon 🙂
Cheers!
Wow, this is stunning photography, and so much to learn in these small areas. Very informative.
Hi,
Thanks a lot for your kind words. I am glad you liked it. BTW have you ever been to Sikkim or planning to visit?
Oh, your photos are great. Such breathtaking landscapes! Went back to see that curvy road again, it’s surreal! 😀
Hi Danijela,
Thanks a lot for your kind words. Sikkim is full of photo opportunities. My camera was going click-click every now and then.
You should definitely visit this pretty land.
I always enjoy reading about new parts of India. The country is so big, I’m sure it would take forever to see everything it has to offer! Gurudongmar Lake looks like it would be fun to explore. Was it completely frozen?
Hey Brianna,
You are right, India is too big and too diverse to see it all in one lifetime. There’s always so much to explore. I went during thick of the winters so the Gurudongmar Lake was completely frozen. You can play football on it. However, I would not recommend it. Simply coz it’s too cold and the air is too thin. You are not advised to spend more than thirty minutes there in winters. It’s that cold.
What an absolutely gorgeous setting, and it is easy to see how this might be mistaken for a mountain paradise. It is refreshing to see and entire culture that embraces an eco-friendly lifestyle to protect such a special place. It did really surprise me to see a golf course, and with an elevation like that I bet I could get some really good distance off the tee.
Hey Kevan
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comment. Really appreciate it. Even I didn’t have a clue about the gold course. The Golf course is maintained by Indian Army and is not open for public. I was lucky to visit it, thanks to my Army Connection 🙂
I could be heading this way next year, I have Sikkim on my radar! I love the idea of an all organic state, I can’t imagine a world without trash. I really appreciate those pictures you’ve shared from Lake Gurudongmar, with the altitude and cold air it can be difficult, but what a stunning view. You must see so much beauty whilst traveling around Sikkim.
WOW! That would be awesome. If you need any help, please feel free to contact.
Wow. This really does feel like shangrala between the scenery and stunning culture. Also love how ecofriendly there are, and organic!! I feel like can learn from them to appreciate nature more.
Hey Kelly,
I am so glad you liked the post. I too loved the eco-friendliness of the state. Wish everyone was as conscious as they are then we would solve so many global issues.
Gorgeous photography. I love the golden tones.
It’s so amazing to imagine a state where happiness is an acceptable goal. In America, we pick all kinds of measuring sticks for success – money, power, love, but happiness is somehow considered vulgar to pursue. At the end of your days, you could add up all your money and possessions and they wouldn’t mean a thing if they didn’t bring you happiness.
Hi Jenn & Ed,
You have made such an important point there. I agree nothing in this world is comparable to happiness. And we sacrifice that for worldly possessions.
Wow! These photos are incredible! This seems like a cultural and hiking paradise! This is definitely going on my bucket list.
Hi Kate,
I am so glad you liked the post. Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Really appreciate it. If you ever need any help planning your trip to Sikkim, please feel free to contact.
Sikkim is sheer love. The place is just so beautiful. Fell in love with North Sikkim. The villages, the mountains, the pristine rivers. The highlight of my trip was Gurudongmar lake. Breathtaking journey and what a reward! Loved the golden tones of the golden hour picture.
Hi Divyakshi,
Thanks a lot for your comment. You are right, Sikkim is sheer love. Loved it the moment I stepped in.
What an amazing adventure. Your photos are mesmerising and made me feel as if I was there with you. Though my favourite was the Teesta River. Such a beautiful jade colour. Well worth the early wake up and the long trek.
Hi Jean,
Thanks a lot for your kind words. I too loved Teesta a lot. It is like no other. I was left spellbound by its beauty. Totally worth the back-breaking journey.
What a beautiful part of India. And I love that they are an All Natural state. It is certainly not something that is easy to achieve so a serious well done to the administration is in order that they have managed to achieve that!
Hi Vicki,
Thanks a lot for your comment. Really appreciate it. I agree what Sikkim is doing cannot be achieved single handedly. It needs commitment and perseverance from the government and people.
I am swooning over your photos – so beautiful! I especially love the one of the old silk route. I only made it as far as manali when I was in India but I really wish I had have done this route after reading this post. Maybe next time 🙂
hi Steph,
Thanks a lot for your comment. The old Silk Route was my favourite too. Before visiting it, I had read so many books on it. I am very intrigued to do the entire silk route journey.
The views are amazing. I haven’t read much about Sikkim. It looks like a peaceful place. It is nice that you have found a small restaurant in Gangtok.
The monastery looks beautiful. I like the decorations and color palette. You should have shown a photo of you doing the paragliding. The Teesta River is gorgeous. I would love to visit this place someday.
Hi Iza,
Thanks a lot for your comment. Really appreciate it. Sikkim is a beautiful wonderland. You should absolutely visit it. You’ll love it.
I have only been to Gangtok in Sikkim. That small trip impressed me much. I want to see more of Sikkim. I wanted to see Tsomgo lake but cancelled it due to the poor health of my parents.
Actually Gangtok was my least favourite. I fell in love with Sikkim when I ventured out of Gangtok.
Sorry to hear you had to cut short your trip. Hope you get to revisit Sikkim soon.
Hi, Sikkim has awesome offbeat places which are unexplored and yet to be commercialized. Can be perfect gateway for people looking for weekend destinations for few days.
Great place to visit from September to May. One looking for snow and Buddhist cultural; this place is one of the best to visit after Arunachal Pradesh in the North-Eastern region.
Lastly, a great blog to let people know details about Sikkim. Keep up the good work.
Simply amazing article with beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing the itinerary it will help a lot.
very informative post …Sikkim is undoubtedly most visited tourist destination in India..Photos were just wow ..thank you fr sharing this information ..
Sikkim, India’s smallest state surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains and unique culture in the foothills of Kanchenchanga, the world’s third-highest peak, attracts a large number of tourists every year.