Offers

Best of Darjeeling Sikkim with North Sikkim(10 Nights)

Bagdogra, Gangtok, Lachung, Pelling, Darjeeling, Bagdogra

for Family Traveller, Honeymooner

Holiday Overview

Himalayan Zoological Park Darjeeling
Tea Estate
Ghoom Monastery
Hanging Bridge
Tiger Hill
Pemayangtse Monastery
Khecheopalri Lake
Yumesamdong Zero Point
Yumthang Valley
Phodang Monastry

Best of Darjeeling Sikkim with North Sikkim is an itinerary offering comprehensive coverage of major destinations of West Bengal, Sikkim sector alongwith remote himalayan area of North Sikkim that offers most stunning close range views and very rustic remote himalaya experience.

Route

Gangtok(2) - Lachung(2) - Gangtok(1) - Pelling(2) - Darjeeling(3)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrival at Gangtok and Rumtek Visit
  • Day-2 Ex-Gangtok - Tshangu Lake visit and Baba Mandir excursion
  • Day-3 Gangtok - Lachung Transfer with enroute sightseeing
  • Day-4 Ex-Lachung excursion to Yumthang Valley
  • Day-5 Back to Gangtok
  • Day-6 Gangtok - Peling transfer. Visit to Pemayangtse Monastery etc.
  • Day-7 Ex-Pelling - Darap Village, Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksom Visit
  • Day-8 Pelling - Darjeeling transfer and local Darjeeling sightseeing
  • Day-9 Ex-Darjeeling - Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery and local visits
  • Day-10 Ex-Darjeeling - Visit to Mirik, Pasupatinagar border market
  • Day-11 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Darjeeling - Peace Pagoda Darjeeling (1.20 kms), Himalayan Zoological Park Darjeeling (5.00 kms), Mountaineering Institute Darjeeling (5.00 kms), Batasia Loop (5.00 kms), Ghoom Monastery (8.00 kms), Tiger Hill (12.00 kms), Pasupati Nagar Border Market (58.00 kms), Sumendu Lake (59.00 kms)

Gangtok - Namgyal institute of Tibetology (3.00 kms), Tashi View Point (7.00 kms), Ban Jhakri Falls (10.00 kms), Dro-dul Chorten (11.00 kms), Seven Sisters Waterfalls (32.00 kms), Baba Mandir (42.00 kms), Tsongmo Lake (44.00 kms)

Lachung - Yumthang Valley (32.00 kms), Yumesamdong Zero Point (50.00 kms)

Pelling - Kanchenjunga Waterfall (25.00 kms), Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (25.00 kms), Yuksom (40.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Bagdogra Departure - Bagdogra
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

A small detour on arrival day Gangtok route would cover Samdruptse which is home to two of the tallest and most imposing statues of Guru Padmasambhava and Lord Shiva. Its advisable to opt for HF24 for guests looking to cover this.

Distances
  • Bagdogra to Gangtok -121 kms (4 hrs)
  • Gangtok to Lachung -124 kms (5 hrs)
  • Lachung to Gangtok -124 kms (5 hrs)
  • Gangtok to Pelling -110 kms (4 hrs)
  • Pelling to Darjeeling -118 kms (4 hrs)
  • Darjeeling to Bagdogra -66 kms (2.5 hrs)
Route

Bagdogra - Gangtok(2) - Lachung(2) - Gangtok(1) - Pelling(2) - Darjeeling(3) - Bagdogra

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrival at Gangtok and Rumtek Visit Arrive Gangtok (5000 + ft asl) by afternoon. Gangtok is capital of Sikkim and a popular tourist destination. Given time visit Rumtek monastery (16th Century and one of the most significant in Sikkim) in the evening.

Day-2 Ex-Gangtok - Tshangu Lake visit and Baba Mandir excursion Here one can either undertake an excursion to Baba Mandir, Tshangu Hig Altitude Lake, Optional - Nathu-la Pass Indo Tibetan Border (closed on Mon, Tue) which offers most scenic beauty but is a bit strenuous and adventurous in terms of drives OR can do a leisurely local visits to Rumtek Monastery (If not visited on day 1), Enchey Monastery, local temples, and view points. Both can take a little more than half a day. Rest of the day one can visit local markets for shopping or just relax.

Day-3 Gangtok - Lachung Transfer with enroute sightseeing Proceed to Lachung (8000+ ft asl - 112 kms - 4 hrs). Enroute visit Seven sister’s water fall, Singhik view point.

Day-4 Ex-Lachung excursion to Yumthang Valley Half day excursion to Yumthang Valley and Zeropoint / Katao (on direct payment basis) On the way visit the Hot Spring and Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Day-5 Back to Gangtok Return to Gangtok. Evening optional visit to MG Road / Mall area for shopping.

Day-6 Gangtok - Peling transfer. Visit to Pemayangtse Monastery etc. Proceed to Peling (6000+ ft asl, 112 kms - 4 hrs). Evening visit to Pemayangtse Monastery (One of the oldest and most significant monastery), Rimbi Water fall, Sangachoeling Monastery etc

Day-7 Ex-Pelling - Darap Village, Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksom Visit After breakfast visit to Darap Village (Experiential village), Khecheopalri Lake (29 kms), Further drive to Yuksom (the meeting place of three monks) - the first capital of Sikkim. If time permitting can also visit Kaluk (26 km from Pelling and is prominently recognised for Bersay Rhadodendron Sanctuary).

Day-8 Pelling - Darjeeling transfer and local Darjeeling sightseeing Proceed to Darjeeling (7000+ ft asl - 118 kms - 4 hrs). Darjeeling may feel crowded and cramped but is renowned for its close range Himalayan views (Oct - March) and tea plantations around. Evening one can male a visit to Himalayan Zoological Park & Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday).

Day-9 Ex-Darjeeling - Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery and local visits Early morning visit to Tiger Hills to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject to clear weather). On way back visit Ghoom Monastery, Batasia Loop. After breakfast can proceed for local sightseeing like Japanese Temple, Tea Estate etc. Evening explore local markets around Chow rasta (Mall Road).

Day-10 Ex-Darjeeling - Visit to Mirik, Pasupatinagar border market After breakfast day excursion to Mirik (60 kms). Drive is via famous tea plantations around Darjeeling. At Mirik enjoy boating and horse riding (on direct payment basis) & further can visit Pashupati Nagar (Indo-Nepal border) for shopping. Evening back to Darjeeling.

Day-11 Departure After breakfast, depart for onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Darjeeling :

  • Peace Pagoda Darjeeling - Darjeeling Peace Pagoda is located in Darjeeling and was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order.

  • Himalayan Zoological Park Darjeeling - Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (also called the Darjeeling Zoo) was opened in 1958, and is spread over 68 acres and is the largest high altitude zoo in India. It specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has successful captive breeding programs for the Snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf and the Red panda. The zoo attracts a large number of visitors all round the year.

  • Mountaineering Institute Darjeeling - The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was established in Darjeeling, India on November 4, 1954 to encourage mountaineering as an organized sport in India. HMI regularly conducts Adventure, Basic and Advanced Mountaineering courses at highly subsidised rates to encourage mountaineering as a sport. There is a museum there and a Tenzing Memorial with photographs and artefacts related to mountaineering and adventure sports.

  • Batasia Loop - The Batasia Loop (5 kms from Darjeeling) is a spiral railway created to lower the gradient of ascent of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (List in UNESCO world heritage list). There is a memorial to the Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives after the Indian Independence in 1947. From the Batasia Loop one can get a panoramic views of Darjeeling town with the Kanchenjunga and other snow peaks in the back-drop.

  • Ghoom Monastery - Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling Monastery located at Ghoom at an elevation of 8,000 feet, 8 km from Darjeeling. The monastery follows the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. There is a 15-feet high statue of "Maitreya Buddha" (Coming Buddha) in the monastery. It contains images of Buddha's disciples, Chenrezi and Chongapa. It was built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso. It is a popular visit option for all tourists.

  • Tiger Hill - Tiger hill near Ghoom is from where one gets the best views of Kanchenjunga. Best time to visit is early mornings or late evenings.

  • Pasupati Nagar Border Market - This border market with Nepal is a commercial center for trade in clothes, electronic and household goods.

  • Sumendu Lake - Mirik is home to Sumendu lake which lies at its centre surrounded by a garden on one side and pine trees on the other and linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pull (Rainbow Bridge). A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is used for walks with the view of Kanchenjunga on the far horizon. Boating on the quaint shikaras and pony riding are available.

Gangtok :

  • Namgyal institute of Tibetology - Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a Tibet museum in Gangtok since 1958. The institute employs researchers and one of its research programs is a project which seeks to document and digitise the social history of Sikkims approximated 60 monasteries.

  • Tashi View Point - Tash view point is situated 4 kms from town centre and offers excellent views of the Kanchenjunga (during winters). Best views are early mornings or late evenings.

  • Ban Jhakri Falls - Banjhakri falls is a typical touristy spot in Sikkim having waterfalls with a height of about 40 ft at 10 kms from Gangtok.

  • Dro-dul Chorten - Dro-dul Chorten is a stupa in Gangtok. The stupa was built by Trulshik Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa, a complete set of Dorjee Phurba, Kangyur relics (Holy Books) and other religious objects. Around the stupa are 108 prayer wheels.

  • Seven Sisters Waterfalls - 32 km from Gangtok, a set of 7 waterfall cascades and a popular stopover on Gangtok - Lachung route.

  • Baba Mandir - Captain "Baba" Harbhajan Singh was an Indian army soldier who died near the Nathula Pass. He is revered by the soldiers of the Indian army, who have built a shrine in his honour. Baba Mandir is a popular tourist visit enroute Nathula Pass excursion.

  • Tsongmo Lake - Tsongmo Lake (Changu Lake) is a high altitude lake (12400 ft asl) enroute to Nathula Pass offering exceptional himalayan beauty.

Lachung :

  • Yumthang Valley - Yumthang Valley is a grazing pasture surrounded by the Himalayan mountains in the North Sikkim. It is at an elevation of 3,575 metres (14,000) asl. It is also home to the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and has over twenty-four species of the rhododendron. Yumthang is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall.

  • Yumesamdong Zero Point - Yumesamdong is the end of Yumthang Valley. It is situated close to China border and can be visited by Indian tourists only. Its often referred as the Zero Point.

Pelling :

  • Kanchenjunga Waterfall - Kanchenjunga waterfall is a popular perennial waterfall at 25 kms from Pelling via Sewaro Rock Garden. It takes a bit of a climb to reach foothills of the waterfall.

  • Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary - The Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (or Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary) is situated in West Sikkim in Singalila Range bordering Nepal. The sanctuary is set at about 10000 ft asl and spread over 104 sq km. The Varsey Sanctuary can be reached from Hilley, Dentam and Soreng (25-50 kms from Pelling). From Hilley one can take a 4 km trek through a path shaded by different species of rhododendron. Permits are required to access the area.

  • Yuksom - Yuksom is a quiet but sprawling hamlet, 40 km north of the Pemayangtse Monastery. The area is renowned for its walks and is based point for trekking and mountaineering in the region. The area is also visited for Dubdi Monastery.

Destination Overview

Bagdogra - Bagdogra is visited for being a base point near Siliguri having an Airport from where guests access West Bengal Hills (Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Chalsa, Dooars etc.) and Sikkim (Gangtok, Pelling, North Sikkim etc).

Gangtok - The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok is a popular hill station destination in the East. This small town, lies atop a ridge, at an altitude of 5,000 ft asl and home to some important monasteries. Gangtok is also the access point to visit higher remote areas of North sikkim.

Lachung - Lachung (8600 ft asl) this is a small riverside village best visited in Summer. It offers snow peak views, cool weather even in peak summer. One can go to yumthang valley, a big plateau surrounded by beautiful snowpeaks from here

Pelling - Pelling located in West Sikkim (6800 ft) is mainly for Himalayan views and monasteries, most notably being the Pemangyetse Monastery.

Darjeeling - Darjeeling (About 7000 ft) is a renowned British era hill station and has been visited for many a decades by tourists and is one of the popular tourist destinations. Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageBagdogra
Prefered Departure : No ImageBagdograNo ImageSiliguri(14kms), Kurseong(38kms), Darjeeling(66kms)
Distances
  • Bagdogra to Gangtok -121 kms (4 hrs)
  • Gangtok to Lachung -124 kms (5 hrs)
  • Lachung to Gangtok -124 kms (5 hrs)
  • Gangtok to Pelling -110 kms (4 hrs)
  • Pelling to Darjeeling -118 kms (4 hrs)
  • Darjeeling to Bagdogra -66 kms (2.5 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

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Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Gangtok Getaway

Gangtok (5000 ft) is the capital of Sikkim and an important point for visiting higher and more more

Pelling Getaway

Pelling is a stopover covered enroute from Darjeeling to Gangtok, especially in winter when the more

Darjeeling getaway

Darjeeling (About 7000 ft) is a renowned British era hill station and has been visited for many a more

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Bagdogra to Gangtok -121 kms (4 hrs)
  • Gangtok to Lachung -124 kms (5 hrs)
  • Lachung to Gangtok -124 kms (5 hrs)
  • Gangtok to Pelling -110 kms (4 hrs)
  • Pelling to Darjeeling -118 kms (4 hrs)
  • Darjeeling to Bagdogra -66 kms (2.5 hrs)

Expert Speak

This is best done in early or late winter when one can enjoy close range himalayan views and more accessible weather in North Sikkim. During summer only North Sikkim would offer Himalayan views.

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

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