Tucked away in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim has a dramatic landscape. It houses India’s highest mountains, alpine meadows, glaciers, and a variety of wildflowers. The state is divided into four primary tourist districts: East, West, North, and South! So understanding the ideal length of the trip depends on whether you want a quick highland retreat or a deep-dive exploring trip. So here is a breakdown of day-to-day itineraries for 5, 7, and 10 days in Sikkim for you to plan better!
Sikkim Travel Plan
5 days are ideal for a quick getaway. Here, you can focus on East Sikkim and Gangtok.
7 days are perfect for first-time visitors. You can easily cover East Sikkim, West Sikkim, and Gangtok.
10 days are for people who wish for a complete experience. You can explore East Sikkim, West Sikkim, Gangtok, and even parts of North Sikkim.
Sikkim Itinerary: 5 Days
This is perfect for travelers who are short on time but also want to explore the iconic lakes, vibrant cafe culture, and high-mountain passes.
Day 1:
Arrive at Pakyong Airport (PYG) or Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Go to your hotel (possibly in Gangtok), freshen up, and get ready to explore Gangtok’s MG Marg. This marg is known as Gangtok’s pedestrian-only high street. It is best for an early evening stroll, as you get to explore the cafe culture and also try the famous hot momos and thukpa. For day one, keep the exploration light!
Day 2:
Drive to Tsomgo Lake, which is fed by a glacier, and also pay your respects at the Baba Mandir. You can also reach the Nathula Pass at the Indo-China border, which is 14,140 ft high, if the weather allows. Get back to Gangtok for the night.
Also Read: 7 Places To Visit In And Around Gangtok For Your Next Sikkim Trip
Day 3:
Go out for local sightseeing in Gangtok. You can explore Tashi Viewpoint, Hanuman Tok, and Ganesh Tok till 11 in the morning if you start at 8. Then you can visit the Enchey Monastery and Bakthang Waterfalls before the lunch break. After the lunch break, explore the famous Do Drul Chorten & Namgyal Institute of Technology as well as the Gangtok Ropeway.
Day 4:
Visit the Temi Tea Garden, which is Sikkim’s sole tea estate that produces organic black tea. After this, you can visit the Siddhesvara Dham in Namchi. It is a complex that houses a massive 108-foot Lord Shiva Statue.
Day 5:
Relish a morning breakfast in Gangtok and then go out to the markets to shop for some souvenirs. You can buy local handicrafts like hand-woven carpets or prayer wheels. Now head to the airport to board your flight back home.
Also Read: How Many Days Are Enough for Gangtok? 1, 2 & 3-Day Itineraries
Sikkim Itinerary: 7 Days
If you are a first-time traveller who wishes for a balance of this dramatic landscape, this is the best itinerary for you. Seven days is the most popular duration for a Sikkim trip.
Day 1 to 3:
Follow the five-day itinerary mentioned above and explore the best parts of Gangtok and East Sikkim. This can include Gangtok’s local sightseeing options like Hanuman Tok, Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfall, Do Drul Chorten & Namgyal Institute of Technology. You can also visit Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass in these three days.
Day 4:
Leave Gangtok to reach Pelling in West Sikkim. Now stop halfway at Buddha Park in Ravangala. Here you can admire the 130-foot Gautama Buddha statue, which is set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Reach Pelling by late afternoon.
Day 5:
Go out for local sightseeing in Pelling. You can visit the Pelling Skywalk, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins, Rimbi Waterfalls, Khecheopalri Lake, and Pelling Helipad Ground. You can explore one or two of these sights on day four itself if you wish.
Day 6:
Begin your day early and witness the roaring Kanchenjunga Falls and visit the Rimbi Orange Garden. You can head towards the base region in Siliguri or Bagdogra, or go back to Gangtok for a simplified journey back home.
Day 7
Relish a morning breakfast in Gangtok and then go out to the markets to shop for some souvenirs. You can buy local handicrafts like hand-woven carpets or prayer wheels. Now head to the airport to board your flight back home.
Also Read: What to Shop For In Gangtok: 10 Things To Buy From Sikkim
Sikkim Itinerary: 10 Days
A 10-day itinerary is a must if you wish to include North Sikkim in your exploration circuit. It is perfect for photographers, adventure seekers, and travelers who wish to venture into the wilderness that this place has to offer.
Day 1 to 3:
Follow the five-day itinerary mentioned above and explore the best parts of Gangtok and East Sikkim. This can include Gangtok’s local sightseeing options like Hanuman Tok, Tashi Viewpoint, Ganesh Tok, Bakthang Waterfall, Do Drul Chorten & Namgyal Institute of Technology. You can also visit Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass in these three days. At the same time, you must submit your documents to obtain the North Sikkim Protected Area Permits (PAP).
Day 4:
Begin your journey northwards towards Lachen, located at 9,000 ft. Stop by Chungthang (confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers) and also the Seven Sisters Waterfalls. Check into the traditional lodge or mountain homestay in Lachen.
Day 5:
Leave for Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 ft) at 4:00 AM. It is known as one of the highest altitude lakes in the world and is surrounded by high-altitude desert. After exploring this, return to Lachen for lunch and drive east across the valley to Lachung.
Day 6:
Visit the Tumthang Valley, which is known for snowscapes in winter and rhododendrons in the spring. If you wish, you can also drive to Zero Point or Yumesamdong. Return to Lachung for lunch and drive back to Gangtok.
Day 7 to 10:
Recover from North Sikkim’s high-altitude adventure and drive to West Sikkim. From here, you can follow this seven-day itinerary after reaching Pelling.
Some Important Points To Remember For Sikkim Trip
Visit Sikkim between March and May or between October and December. Avoid travelling to Sikkim between July and August to avoid landslide risks and heavy monsoon rains.
Indian nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Tsomgo Lake, Lachen, Lachung, Nathula Pass, and Gurudongmar Lake.
Foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter Sikkim.
Aadhaar cards get rejected at military checkpoints,s so make sure you carry your voter ID and/or passport.
Note: This list was compiled after verifying current publicly available business information.
Summing Up
Sikkim cannot be rushed in a single trip. Take up a 5-day trip if you wish for a quick holiday and explore East Sikkim and Gangtok. For a richer experience, take a 7-day trip, and for adventurous people, a 10-day trip is perfect. Make sure you save this article for a better-planned trip in the future!
