Signature Land
Splendours of Sikkim
Discovering the Gems of Sikkim
Overview
Trip Snapshot
- Duration
- 6 days
- Group size
- Maximum 25 guests
- Departs
- Mar–May · Oct–Jan
- Deposit
- 25% of total
Let Roam Beyond take you through the Sikkim Himalayas, compact enough to cross in days yet varied enough to feel like several countries in one. The journey begins in Gangtok, a capital at 5,500 feet where monasteries and lively promenades sit side by side, with an optional hands-on cooking class led by home cooks who share the stories behind the recipes. The road then climbs to Tsomgo, a glacial lake above 12,000 feet near the India-Tibet border, where thin air and alpine silence mark the edge of two civilisations. Heading west, mist-laced hills lead to Pemayangtse and one of Sikkim’s oldest monasteries, whose wooden Zangdopalri shrine was built single-handedly by the founder’s late grandfather beneath Kanchenjunga. Nearby, Khecheopalri is a lake so sacred that, as legend has it, no bird will let a leaf disturb its surface.
The Route
~125 km (4.5–5 hours) 126 m at Bagdogra to about 1,650 m / 5,410 ft in Gangtok
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.
~20–30 km local circuit ~1,650 m – 1,800 m (Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok)
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 MG Marg in the evening for local cuisine and early rest.
~80–90 km round-trip (3 to 4 hours driving round-trip) Ascent from 1,650 m to 3,780 m / 12,400 ft (Tsomgo Lake)
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 and for those who choose to pay and ride a Yak can do so, around the lake. Return to Gangtok in the late afternoon and rest as we get ready for another highlight of the trip. In the evening, the group is treated to a special hands-on local cooking class, where a local host will teach the art of making momos — the beloved Himalayan dumpling that has, in recent years, found a devoted following across the length and breadth of India. Guests will learn to knead and roll the dough, prepare the vegetable filling, and fold their own momos before sitting down to enjoy their handiwork fresh off the steamer, paired with a fiery Sikkimese chutney — a fitting, flavourful close to a day spent at the roof of the journey
~115 km (6 to 7 hours drive including stops) From Gangtok (1,650 m) down through Namchi (1,315 m), up to Ravangla (2,100 m), finishing at Pelling (2,150 m / 7,050 ft)
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.
~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.
~137km (Approx. 4.5 hours drive) Descent from ~1,900 m – 2,150 m (Pemayangtse) down to 126 m (Bagdogra)
Enjoy a final relaxed breakfast at your hotel in Pemayangtse. Check out and drive directly down through scenic mountains and pine slopes toward the plains, arriving at Bagdogra Airport (or NJP Railway Station) in time for your onward flight or train.
Dates & Prices
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
Multiple departures each spring and autumn. Land cost is confirmed when you reserve. A $500 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.