Flavour of the hills - Sikkim

Arrive at Kolkata International Airport, where a MoreIndia Travels representative will meet you after immigration and baggage collection. Transfer privately to your hotel and settle into your room.

No sightseeing is scheduled today. The remainder of the day is reserved for rest after your international journey. Early check-in can be requested when required, subject to hotel policy and availability.

Overnight: Kolkata
Meals: None

After breakfast, explore Kolkata with a professional local guide.

Begin near the Hooghly River and see the activity surrounding Howrah Bridge and the colorful flower market. Continue through the historic city center, passing important colonial-era landmarks and administrative buildings.

Visit the Victoria Memorial, an imposing marble monument containing galleries devoted to the city’s history. Depending on opening days and your interests, the program can also include St Paul’s Cathedral, the Indian Museum, the artisans’ quarter of Kumartuli or Mother House.

The sightseeing will be paced according to your arrival time and interests rather than attempting to cover every landmark in one day.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Kolkata
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Kolkata Airport for the flight to Bagdogra.

Upon arrival, meet your mountain driver and begin the scenic drive to Darjeeling. The route gradually climbs from the plains into the Eastern Himalayan foothills, passing forested slopes, settlements and tea-growing country.

The drive normally takes approximately four hours but may be longer because of traffic, road works or weather. Check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Darjeeling
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, experience a journey on the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The narrow-gauge railway is one of the region’s best-known heritage experiences and offers a memorable introduction to Darjeeling’s mountain landscape.

The usual excursion includes Ghoom, one of India’s highest railway stations, and the Batasia Loop, where the railway curves around landscaped gardens with views toward the surrounding mountains when the weather is clear.

Visit Ghoom Monastery and learn about the Buddhist traditions of the region. Later, continue to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the adjoining Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, known for its conservation work involving Himalayan species.

The precise sequence will depend on confirmed train timings and weekly closing days.

Overnight: Darjeeling
Meals: Breakfast

An optional early-morning visit to Tiger Hill can be arranged to watch the sunrise over the Himalayan ranges. Visibility is entirely dependent on weather, and the early departure is not compulsory.

Return to the hotel for breakfast before visiting a working tea estate. Walk through the tea gardens and learn about cultivation, hand-plucking and the different stages of processing Darjeeling tea. A factory visit and tasting will be included when the estate is operating.

Continue to the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, subject to its opening schedule, and discover traditional weaving, carpets and handicrafts.

The late afternoon is free to enjoy Chowrasta and the Mall, visit local shops or relax at the hotel.

Overnight: Darjeeling
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Darjeeling and travel through the mountain landscapes toward Pelling in West Sikkim.

The journey involves winding roads and normally takes approximately five to six hours, although road and weather conditions may affect the timing. Permit formalities will be completed at the appropriate Sikkim entry point.

Arrive in Pelling and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is intentionally free, allowing you to rest and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.

On clear days, Pelling offers impressive views toward the Khangchendzonga range.

Overnight: Pelling
Meals: Breakfast

Begin with a visit to Pemayangtse Monastery, one of Sikkim’s most important and historic Buddhist monasteries. Continue toward Khecheopalri Lake, a sacred forest lake revered by both Buddhists and Hindus.

Travel onward to Yuksom, the first capital of the former Kingdom of Sikkim and the place where the first Chogyal was consecrated in the seventeenth century. Visit the historic coronation site at Norbugang and learn about the establishment of the Sikkimese kingdom.

Guests with suitable fitness may take an optional forest walk toward Dubdi Monastery. The trail includes inclines and uneven ground, so it will only be proposed when weather, daylight and physical ability permit.

Return to Pelling in the late afternoon, stopping at waterfalls or viewpoints when conditions allow.

Overnight: Pelling
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, travel toward Gangtok, stopping at Ravangla to visit Buddha Park.

The park is dominated by an impressive seated Buddha statue surrounded by landscaped gardens, prayer areas and Himalayan scenery. Continue through Sikkim’s forested hills and river valleys toward Gangtok.

Arrive in the state capital and check into your hotel. The evening is free to explore pedestrian-friendly MG Marg or relax after the mountain journey.

Overnight: Gangtok
Meals: Breakfast

Explore Gangtok and its surroundings with a local guide.

Visit Rumtek Monastery, an important center of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Continue to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, whose collection includes Buddhist manuscripts, ritual objects, statues and traditional thangka paintings.

See the nearby Do Drul Chorten and its surrounding prayer wheels. Depending on opening days and available time, visit Enchey Monastery, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom or another cultural institution.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is available for independent exploration of MG Marg.

Overnight: Gangtok
Meals: Breakfast

Subject to government permit approval, weather and road conditions, travel to Tsomgo Lake, a sacred glacial lake situated at approximately 3,750 meters above sea level.

The road climbs rapidly from Gangtok through dramatic mountain terrain. Time will be provided to enjoy the landscape without strenuous activity. Because of the altitude, guests should walk slowly, remain hydrated and inform the guide immediately if they feel unwell.

Foreign nationals are normally permitted as far as Tsomgo Lake with the required documentation. Nathula Pass is not included.

If Tsomgo Lake is inaccessible because of permit restrictions, snow, landslides or road closures, an alternative sightseeing program in and around Gangtok will be arranged.

Return to Gangtok during the afternoon.

Overnight: Gangtok
Meals: Breakfast

After an early breakfast, begin the journey into North Sikkim.

Travel through steep river valleys and remote mountain landscapes, stopping when permitted at viewpoints and waterfalls such as Naga Falls, Seven Sisters Waterfall or Bhim Nala. The exact stops depend on road access, traffic control and daylight.

The journey to Lachung can take approximately seven to eight hours and includes winding, uneven mountain roads. A simple lunch will be served en route.

Arrive in Lachung and check into the best suitable available hotel. Accommodation, heating, hot water, electricity, internet and meal choices are more limited here than in Gangtok or Darjeeling.

Overnight: Lachung
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, travel to Yumthang Valley, situated at approximately 3,560 meters.

The valley is surrounded by mountain slopes, alpine vegetation and the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. During spring, rhododendrons and other seasonal flowers bring color to the landscape; in winter, snow may transform the valley but can also restrict access.

Enjoy time in the valley without strenuous walking. A visit farther toward Yumesamdong, commonly called Zero Point, will only be considered when legally permitted for the travelers’ nationality and when road, weather and security conditions allow. It is not guaranteed or included automatically.

Return to Lachung for lunch and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the village. Visit Lachung Monastery if it is accessible and open.

Overnight: Lachung
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Gangtok.

Travel back through the North Sikkim valleys, with comfort stops and lunch arranged along the route. Driving time can vary considerably because of checkpoints, road repairs, military movements, landslides or weather.

Arrive in Gangtok during the late afternoon or evening and check into your hotel. No sightseeing is planned after arrival.

Overnight: Gangtok
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, descend from Gangtok toward the plains of West Bengal.

The journey normally takes approximately five hours but can be longer because of mountain traffic, road works or weather. Check into a comfortable hotel near Bagdogra Airport or in Siliguri.

This protected final night avoids connecting an unpredictable mountain drive directly with a flight or train departure.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Bagdogra/Siliguri
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer privately to Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station for your onward journey.

If you are connecting to an international departure from Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai, we recommend keeping a protected night in that gateway city rather than booking a tight same-day international connection.

Your private Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayan journey concludes.

Meals: Breakfast