Sikkim - Beautiful State of India with Scenic Lakes, Water falls & Rich Mountains

Heard a lot about beauty of Northeast estates and thought of exploring it, as my family was eager visiting SIKKIM we planned 11 days for Sikkim and Darjeeling tour.

Day 1 – Arrival to Bagdogra from Mumbai and travel to Gangtok takes about 4 -5 hours as roads are not in good condition.

We started early as we had morning flight from Mumbai to Bagdogra. Please be noted that Bagdogra airport is mainly military airport and photography and videography is not allowed at airport area. We were group of 9 members out of four were senior citizens and my two kids.

If you reach early at Gangtok then evening can heads to M.G. Marg and do shopping and checkout woolen cloths as it is required for north Sikkim.

Day 2 – Nathu La, Tsomgo (Changu) lake and back to Gangtok (Nathula Height ASL 4310 m 14000 ft approx.)

Next day we had our breakfast, vehicle already reached at hotel by 8:30 am and we headed towards Nathu La which shares the border between India and China and major route for trade between India and China as well.

Nathu La needs travel permit which issued in Gangtok that can be arranged by tour operator or hotel where you stay. Nathu La distance is about 40 km from Gangtok, route is scenic and views will be awesome and if sky is clear then you would get a chance to see the Kanchenjunga peak as well en-route to Nathula.

After Nathula we headed towards Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple. He was a Soldier and served the Indian Army & it is believed that Baba’s sprit protects the soldier posted here.

Enroute one can stop at Tsomgo (Changu) lake and take Yak ride for joy. My daughter Leisha took Yak ride and enjoyed a lot.

Leisure time in evening at M.G.Road Gangtok

Day 3 – Gangtok to Lachen via Chungthan Stay at Lachen

North Sikkim is protected area and even Indians other than local residents needs permit to visit North Sikkim. Our tour operator has already arranged it for us and after breakfast we started very beautiful and mesmerizing journey towards the Lachen which is the hamlet and base village for the Gurudongmar lake. You can get a beautiful view of Teesta River alongside and seven sisters’ waterfall, Naga water fall which will give you true experience of natural beauty of the Sikkim.

We reached Lachen around 7:00 pm and we experienced the extreme cold due to high altitude. Since Lachen is small hamlet and most of the hotels/home stays running by local villagers so you cannot expect luxury only few options available there and its better if one can plan well in advance and book the accommodation. We had dinner and took rest as everyone was tired in the journey.

Day 4 – Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake Stay at Lachung

Early morning we started around 5 am towards Gurudongmar lake which is the most sacred lake of Sikkim and is one of the highest lake in the world on high altitude at 17800 ft, due to its high altitude the oxygen level is very thin and one can experience the high altitude sickness. You can also go to Kala Pathar which is also high altitude point usually covered with snow throughout the year.

We had ultimate experience of snow covered mountains en-route and had lifetime experience of frozen water lake i.e. Gurudongmar lake.

Gurudongmar Lake is One of the Pristine Lakes in Sikkim

We came back to Lachen and after lunch we headed towards the Lachung via Chungthan and reached Lachung around 7 pm had dinner and rested. The resort which we stayed was very comfortable and hospitality was excellent which we lacks in Lachen.

Day 5 – Lachung – Yumthang Valley – Zero Point – Stay at Gangtok

You need to start early to cover all the points so we started at 5:30 am towards Zero point which also is the border area and at the altitude of 15300 ft and usually covers with the snow all the time. Yumthang valley is 20 km ahead of zero point and you can have breakfast like hot momos and noodles and the shops sell woolen cloths and you can take boots and jackets on rent to play in the snow.

The view from the zero point is awesome to see all the mountains covered with the ice and playing with ice at the zero point will give unique experience, Prisha made snow man there and enjoyed with the ice. We back to Lachung for lunch and then returned to Gangtok in night.

Day 6 – Gangtok – Namchi – Pelling (Rinchingpong)

We started for Namchi bit late and could reach there by 3:00 pm, we had lunch and visited the Char dham temple, Shiva Statue, temple with all the jyotirlinga, it is complete pilgrimage experience at Namchi and then we headed towards Rinchingpong where we had a booking at Resort which is 40 km before Pelling. We stayed at lush green resort where they cultivate organic crops with different varieties of fruits and cardamom as well.

Day 7 – Pelling Sight Seeing

You can cover Pelling in one day with Singshore bridge, Skywalk, Khechopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga fall, Rimbi waterfall to name a few.

Day 8 – Pelling (Rinchingpong) – Darjeeling
In morning we took oraganic farm tour and after breakfast we headed towards Darjeeling

Pelling to Darjeeling distance is around 70 km via Jorethang and can be covered in 2-3 hours. The road after Jorethang is narrow, hilly, zigzag but you get the glimpse of tea gardens and landscapes which give soothing effect to eyes. We reached our Hotel and relaxed in afternoon. Evening spent time at mall road, did some shopping and Prisha & Leisha did horse riding.

Day 9 – Darjeeling sight seeing

Early morning 4:00 am driver called up and told vehicle is ready, we headed towards Tiger hill to experience the Sunrise as if skies clear then you get the chance to see the Mountain Kanchenjunga, Mount Everest from Tiger hill. We waited till 6:30 am but sky was not clear and we could see only partial sunrise and then returned and went to Ghoom station and Batasia loop where the Unesco world heritage toy train of Darjeeling takes the U turn. After spending some time driver dropped us at our hotel and after breakfast we again started for the Darjeeling sightseeing, Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda, Roap way, Tea Garden, Tibetan refugee camp, rock garden.

My advise is Don’t go with the tailor made tour as they have specific points Tibetan refugee camp is not worth visiting unless until you have interest to buy overpriced handcrafts.

Day 10 – Darjeeling – Mirik – Siliguri

We took Toy train Joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghoom and visited Ghoom Railway museum then I took Prisha & Leisha to Zoo and HMI which is worth visiting to see Himalayan animal species and HMI has adventure activity zone and museum. After lunch we started towards Siliguri via Mirik en-route we saw Nepal border area Simana view point here vendor sells Nepal chikki and chocolates. You can see Maneybhanjan from Simana view point and trail of Sandakphu (Highest point of Darjeeling) as well. When you go further towards Mirik you will reach Pashupati Market entrance where the India-Nepal border comes and you need to enter in Nepal and walk further 1-2 km to reach Pashupati market of imported electronics, cosmetics & woolen cloths at cheaper price. We gave miss to this as it was already dark and we even missed the Gapaldhara Tea Estate and Mirik Lake.