Private Expedition · Eastern Himalaya
Jewels of the East: Sikkim & Darjeeling
From sal forest to glacial lake, from a monastery carved by a founding lama’s own hands to sunrise over Kanchenjunga — eight days across a continuum most travellers never see in one journey.
Overview
Trip Snapshot
- Duration
- 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Group size
- Maximum 25 guests
- Departs
- Mar–May · Oct–Jan
- Deposit
- 25% of total
The journey begins in Bagdogra, in the plains of North Bengal, where the tour truly comes alive over the following four-hour drive up to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. What starts as flat, humid tropical lowlands — dense with sal forests and tea estates skirting the foothills — gradually gives way to winding mountain roads as the elevation climbs. Broadleaf forests thicken into subtropical greenery around Sevoke and the banks of the Teesta River, then transition to cooler, pine-dotted slopes as the road ascends into Sikkim. By the time travellers reach Gangtok at 5,500 feet, the tropical warmth of the plains has given way to a crisp, temperate hill climate — a dramatic shift in terrain, vegetation, and air within a single afternoon’s drive.
Gangtok itself blends Buddhist monasteries with a lively promenade — with the option of a hands-on local cooking class. A day excursion leads to Tsomgo, a glacial lake nestled at over 12,000 feet near the India-Tibet border, where sacred waters sit cradled by steep, snow-draped cliffs in thin mountain air. Turning west, it descends to Pemayangtse, home to one of Sikkim’s oldest monasteries beneath Kanchenjunga’s gaze, and nearby Khecheopalri, a sacred lake revered for its untouched stillness.
From Sikkim, the journey continues to Darjeeling, the “Queen of the Hills.” Visitors rise before dawn for the famed Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga, and explore the region’s terraced tea gardens, home to the world-renowned Darjeeling leaf.
Together, these regions offer a rare continuum — from tropical plains to high-altitude frontier, from sacred lake to colonial hill station. Curated and led by local operators throughout, the journey lets visitors from across India experience these places not just as sights, but as living traditions welcomed into with authentic Sikkimese and Darjeeling hospitality
The Route -test
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Bagdogra → Gangtok
~125 km · 4.5–5 hrs 126 m → 1,650 m
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport (or NJP Railway Station) and begin your journey upstream along the Teesta River into the capital city of Gangtok. The route winds through subtropical forests of Sal trees (Shorea robusta), riverine bamboo, wild banana trees, and sub-tropical orchids, home to river birds like white-capped redstarts. Upon arrival in Gangtok, check into your hotel and hand over your government ID copies and photographs to your tour coordinator to process permits for Nathu La and high-altitude areas. Spend the evening taking a relaxed stroll along MG Marg, Gangtok's pedestrianized town center.
Gangtok
~20–30 km local 1,650 – 1,800 m
Spend a dedicated acclimatisation day exploring Gangtok's local sights at a comfortable pace. Start the morning with visits to Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok, and Hanuman Tok for panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga snow range framed by temperate conifers, poplars, and cultivated orchids. Listen for bird calls from verditer flycatchers and blue whistling thrushes as you visit Bakthang Waterfall and browse traditional woodcarvings at the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms. In the afternoon, explore the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and Do-Drul Chorten stupa before enjoying a ride on the Gangtok Ropeway. Return to Mall Road in the evening for some shopping and exploring at pace.
~80–90 km round-trip Up to 4,310 m
Depart early in the morning for high-altitude border attractions. Ascending through Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, the landscape shifts to alpine scrublands featuring dwarf rhododendrons, primulas, edelweiss, and the Himalayan Blue Poppy. This habitat shelters the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), Blood Pheasant, yellow-throated marten, and yaks. Visit the sacred, cliff-framed Tsomgo Lake,near the Indo-Tibet border (subject to permit and weather conditions). Return to Gangtok in the late afternoon for rest.
Gangtok → Pemayangtse
~115 km · 6–7 hrs 1,650 m → 2,150 m
Check out from Gangtok and drive into West Sikkim through cardamom plantations, oak woodlands, and wild magnolia groves populated by Himalayan barbets. Visit Siddheshwar Dham (Char Dham) on Solophok Hill near Namchi, featuring an 87-foot statue of Lord Shiva. Continue to Ravangla’s Buddha Park to see the 130-foot Lord Buddha statue set against mountain peaks. Arrive in Pelling by late afternoon, check into your hotel, and relax.
Pemayangtse
~40–50 km local circuit ~1,900 m – 2,150 m
Begin the day on the glass-bottom Pelling Skywalk, then take a forest trail through moss-covered oak trees to the 17th-century Rabdentse Palace Ruins. Visit Pemayangtse Monastery, famous for its hand-carved wooden Zandog Palri structure built single handedly by the Founder’s late grandfather who was also the Head lama of the monastery. In the afternoon, drive to Kanchenjunga Falls and Rimbi Waterfalls, then visit the sacred, leaf-free Khecheopalri Lake set amidst temperate rainforest. Conclude your sightseeing at Singshore Bridge, one of Asia's highest suspension bridges, before returning to Pelling town.
Pemayangtse To Darjeeling
~75 km (4 to 5 hours drive) Cross into West Bengal's hills to Darjeeling (~2,045 m / 6,700 ft)
After breakfast, drive from Pelling through winding valleys into Darjeeling. The terrain transforms into terraced tea gardens (Camellia sinensis) interspersed with tall Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) trees. Arrive in Darjeeling in the afternoon and check into your hotel. In the evening, explore Chowrasta (Mall Road) to enjoy colonial architecture, bakery treats, and mountain views.
Darjeeling
~35–40 km local circuit Early morning climb to Tiger Hill (2,590 m / 8,482 ft), returning to Darjeeling town (~2,045 m).
Wake up early (3:30 AM) to watch the sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill. On the return drive, stop at Ghoom Monastery and the Batasia Loop. After returning to your hotel for breakfast and rest, head out to explore the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park—famous for Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) and Red Pandas—and the adjoining Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI). Visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate (or take the Darjeeling Ropeway) to observe tea processing, and stop by the serene Peace Pagoda. Spend your final evening enjoying a Toy Train joy ride or shopping around Mall Road.
Darjeeling to Bagdogra
~70 km (Approx. 3 to 3.5 hours drive) Descent from ~2,045 m (Darjeeling) down to 126 m (Bagdogra)
Enjoy a final relaxed breakfast at your hotel in Darjeeling. Check out and drive directly down through scenic tea plantations and pine slopes toward the plains, arriving at Bagdogra Airport (or NJP Railway Station) in time for your onward flight or train.
The Route at a Glance
- Bagdogra 126 m
- Gangtok 1,650 m
- Tsomgo Lake 3,780 m
- Namchi 1,315 m
- Pelling 2,150 m
- Darjeeling 2,045 m
- Bagdogra 126 m
Dates & Prices
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
Multiple departures each spring and autumn. Land cost is confirmed when you reserve. A deposit holds your space.
What's Included
- All transportation in the best available jeeps or minibuses (other than airfare)
- Accommodation on twin-sharing basis (singles optional, subject to availability)
- All meals while touring
- Guide, crew, and drivers as per itinerary
- Local permits and entrance fees as per itinerary
Not Included
- Airfares and insurance of any kind
- Medical immunizations
- Emergency medical costs beyond first aid from the trip leader
- Laundry, alcohol, gratuities, donations
- Costs from delay or extension due to weather, politics, illness, or transport failure
Guidance on this trip
You travel with Himalayan hosts — not a revolving cast of contractors. Pema and the field team brief every departure, stay reachable, and introduce you to people they actually know.