The Best Order to Visit Sikkim: 5, 7 and 10-Day Itineraries

Sikkim's roads branch out from Gangtok like spokes. Pick the wrong order and you'll spend a day driving back over the same road; pick the right one and each day flows into the next. The order also matters for altitude and permits, which is why experienced drivers almost always plan routes the same way.

The four rules of a good Sikkim route

1. Go up gradually

Your body needs time to adjust to altitude. Spend your first night or two at moderate heights – Siliguri sits at about 120 m, Gangtok about 1,650 m – before heading to Tsomgo Lake (about 3,750 m) or Gurudongmar Lake (about 5,180 m). In North Sikkim, sleep at Lachen (about 2,750 m) before visiting Gurudongmar.

2. Do Gangtok first

Most protected-area permits are processed in Gangtok, and permits for Tsomgo, Nathula and North Sikkim are issued for Sikkim-registered vehicles. Starting in Gangtok gives your operator time to process paperwork while you sightsee.

3. Loop, don't zig-zag

Gangtok → North → Gangtok → South → West → Darjeeling → Siliguri is a natural loop. Going Pelling → Gangtok → Pelling wastes most of a day.

4. Keep a buffer before you fly

Landslides, snow and permit delays happen, especially on the North Sikkim road. Don't schedule a North Sikkim return on the same day as an evening flight. End your trip somewhere with an easy road down to Bagdogra or NJP – Gangtok, Darjeeling or Kalimpong.

The recommended order, region by region

5-day Sikkim itinerary: Gangtok, Tsomgo & Nathula

Best for: first-timers, families, short breaks.

1. Day 1 – Bagdogra/NJP to Gangtok (≈ 4–5 hrs). Evening on MG Marg.
2. Day 2 – Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula (Nathula for Indian nationals, subject to permit and opening days).
3. Day 3 – Gangtok sightseeing: Rumtek, Enchey, Do Drul Chorten, Namgyal Institute, a viewpoint, the ropeway.
4. Day 4 – Day trip to Ravangla and Namchi, or a free day in Gangtok.
5. Day 5 – Gangtok to Bagdogra/NJP.

This is our Gangtok, Tsomgo & Nathula tour.

7-day Sikkim itinerary: Gangtok + North Sikkim

Best for: mountain lovers who are reasonably fit.

1. Day 1 – Bagdogra/NJP to Gangtok. Hand over documents for the North Sikkim permit.
2. Day 2 – Tsomgo Lake (and Nathula if possible). A good altitude test.
3. Day 3 – Gangtok to Lachen (≈ 6–7 hrs) via Seven Sisters Waterfall.
4. Day 4 – Gurudongmar Lake at dawn, then drive to Lachung.
5. Day 5 – Yumthang Valley (Zero Point optional), back to Gangtok.
6. Day 6 – Gangtok sightseeing / buffer day.
7. Day 7 – Gangtok to Bagdogra/NJP.

See the North Sikkim tour for the full day-by-day plan.

10-day Sikkim itinerary: East, North, West and Darjeeling

Best for: travellers who want to see the whole of Sikkim properly.

1. Day 1 – Bagdogra/NJP to Gangtok.
2. Day 2 – Tsomgo Lake and Nathula.
3. Day 3 – Gangtok to Lachen.
4. Day 4 – Gurudongmar Lake, then Lachung.
5. Day 5 – Yumthang Valley, back to Gangtok.
6. Day 6 – Gangtok sightseeing (rest and buffer).
7. Day 7 – Gangtok to Pelling via Ravangla Buddha Park and Temi Tea Garden.
8. Day 8 – Pelling sightseeing: Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Skywalk, Khecheopalri Lake.
9. Day 9 – Pelling to Darjeeling via Jorethang. Evening on the Mall.
10. Day 10 – Tiger Hill at dawn, then Darjeeling to Bagdogra/NJP.

If you're flying out early on day 10, skip Tiger Hill or add an 11th day.

Short on time? What to cut

• Only 3–4 days: Gangtok plus Tsomgo Lake. Skip North Sikkim – it needs at least two nights.
• Want views without high altitude: swap North Sikkim for Pelling and Darjeeling. See Sikkim vs Darjeeling.
• Travelling in monsoon: keep the route simple (Gangtok, Pelling, Darjeeling) and allow extra time between stops.

Common routing mistakes

• Going to Gurudongmar on day 2. Too high, too soon.
• Ending at Lachung the day you fly. One landslide and you miss your flight.
• Gangtok → Pelling → Gangtok. Pelling links naturally to Darjeeling and the plains, so finish there.
• Too many hotel changes. Two or three nights per base makes the trip far more restful.

Adding Kalimpong, the Dooars or Bhutan

Sikkim combines well with nearby destinations if you have extra days:

• Kalimpong sits between Siliguri and Gangtok on the Teesta valley route – an easy first or last night.
• The Dooars (Gorumara and Jaldapara) are on the plains east of Siliguri. Add them at the end of your trip for a jungle safari, outside the monsoon closure (usually mid-June to mid-September).
• Bhutan – Phuentsholing is about 4 hours from Siliguri via Jaigaon. See our Bhutan tour packages for 2- to 10-night itineraries.

See our Kalimpong, Dooars & Phuentsholing tour.

How many nights in each place?