About the Sikkim Full Circuit
Nine days for the whole state and Darjeeling with it: Gangtok and Tsomgo, then north to Lachen for Gurudongmar at 5,430 m, Lachung for Yumthang and Zero Point, back through Gangtok to Pelling, and Darjeeling to finish.
North Sikkim is the part people come for and the part the weather most often takes away — permits, snow and the road all have a say. When it opens, Gurudongmar is one of the highest lakes anyone can drive to.
Day by day
01Bagdogra to Gangtok | Arrival
- Arrive at Bagdogra airport or NJP railway station and transfer to Gangtok.
- Check in and rest after the drive.
- Evening free for MG Marg.
- Dinner included. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
02Gangtok | Local Sightseeing
- Breakfast, then out around Gangtok.
- Rumtek Monastery, Banjhakri Falls, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten and MG Marg.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
03Gangtok to Lachen
- Breakfast, then check out and drive north into the high country.
- Through forest and valley to Lachen. Check in and rest early — tomorrow starts before dawn.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Lachen.
04Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake, on to Lachung
- Very early start for Gurudongmar Lake, above 5,400 m.
- Time at the lake, then back down towards Lachen.
- Continue across to Lachung and check in.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Lachung.
05Lachung to Yumthang Valley & Zero Point, on to Gangtok
- Early breakfast, then up to Yumthang Valley and Zero Point, subject to weather and permits.
- Later, the long drive back down to Gangtok. Check in and rest.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
06Gangtok to Pelling
- Breakfast, then check out and drive west to Pelling.
- Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins and the Pelling skywalk.
- Check in at the hotel.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Pelling.
07Pelling to Darjeeling
- Breakfast, then check out and drive on to Darjeeling.
- Check in on arrival, evening free for Mall Road and Chowrasta.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Darjeeling.
08Darjeeling | Tiger Hill & Local Sightseeing
- Early start for Tiger Hill and the sunrise over Kanchenjunga.
- Ghoom Monastery and the Batasia Loop on the way back.
- The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Padmaja Naidu zoological park, a tea garden and the Japanese Peace Pagoda.
- Evening free for shopping.
- Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight stay in Darjeeling.
09Darjeeling to Bagdogra | Departure
- Breakfast, then check out from the hotel.
- Drive to Bagdogra airport or NJP railway station.
- Breakfast included. The tour ends.
On this trip
✓What’s included
- Three nights’ accommodation in Gangtok
- One night’s accommodation in Lachen
- One night’s accommodation in Lachung
- One night’s accommodation in Pelling
- Two nights’ accommodation in Darjeeling
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Private cab for all transfers and sightseeing
- Bagdogra airport or NJP railway station pick-up and drop
- Gangtok local sightseeing
- Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake sightseeing
- Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point sightseeing
- Gangtok to Pelling transfer
- Pelling local sightseeing
- Pelling to Darjeeling transfer
- Darjeeling local sightseeing
- Tiger Hill sunrise, Ghoom Monastery and the Batasia Loop
- All sightseeing and transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- Fuel, toll tax, parking charges and driver allowance
- Applicable hotel taxes
✕Not included
- Lunch, and any meal other than those mentioned
- North Sikkim permits and entry charges, where applicable
- Entry fees to monasteries, parks, viewpoints and other attractions
- Local vehicle and union charges, wherever applicable
- Yak rides, snow activities and other adventure activities
- Ropeway and cable car charges, where applicable
- Toy train tickets
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, tips, room service and telephone calls
- Travel insurance and medical expenses
- Any additional sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary
- Extra vehicle use beyond the planned itinerary
- Costs arising from snowfall, heavy rainfall, landslides, road closures or other unforeseen circumstances
- Any additional accommodation needed because of weather or road conditions
- Any increase in government taxes or permit charges, where applicable
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
✓What to pack
- A 40-60L rucksack plus a small daypack
- Warm layers — thermals, fleece and a windproof jacket (nights stay cold even in summer)
- Trekking shoes with grip, plus slippers for the stay
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, cap, lip balm and a personal water bottle
- Power bank, torch and any personal medication
- Original government photo ID — mandatory at all checkposts
?Still deciding
Tell us when you want to go and we’ll send the exact dates with seats left.
!Good to know
- North Sikkim — Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point — depends on permit availability, weather and what the local administration allows on the day. These are the parts most likely to change.
- Gurudongmar sits above 5,400 m. The road is often closed by snow and the day starts before dawn.
- Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and several viewpoints need permits arranged locally, and the last stretch is run by the local taxi union rather than by us.
