Sikkim & Gangtok Tour Packages

Sikkim & Gangtok Tour Packages — The Himalayan Kingdom

Holiday Vibez curates Sikkim and Gangtok tour packages across all four districts — from the charming capital Gangtok to the glacial lakes of East Sikkim, the monastery-studded valleys of West Sikkim, and the snow-covered high-altitude wilderness of North Sikkim. Sikkim is India's smallest state and its only Buddhist-majority one, squeezed between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and West Bengal — a former independent kingdom that acceded to India in 1975. Gangtok (1,650m), the capital, is one of India's most pleasant hill cities: the pedestrian MG Marg is a clean, flower-lined promenade; the Gangtok ropeway offers the most vertigo-inducing city views in India (the Tashi viewpoint below falls away 1km); Rumtek Monastery 24km away is the largest Buddhist monastery in Sikkim and one of the most important Kagyu seats in the world. Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake, 3,753m) is 40km east of Gangtok: a kidney-shaped glacial lake surrounded by steep mountains, partly frozen in winter, its waters said to change colour with the seasons — Buddhist monks traditionally prognosticate the future by reading its colours. Beyond Tsomgo, Nathu La Pass (4,310m) is one of three open trading border posts between India and China — visitors stand on the Indian side, 3 metres from Chinese soldiers across a concrete dividing line, the Himalayas stretching away on both sides. North Sikkim is a completely different world: the road from Gangtok climbs through Mangan and Chungthang to Lachung, a village at 2,700m with wooden Sikkimese houses, apple orchards and Tibetan-style gompas. Above Lachung, Yumthang Valley (3,564m) is the Valley of Flowers in Sikkim: from late March to mid-May, 24 species of rhododendron bloom across the valley floor in a cascade of colour. Higher still, the road reaches Zero Point (4,660m), where the tarmac ends and permanent snow begins year-round.

Getting there: Fly to Bagdogra (IXB) from Kolkata (50 min), Delhi (2.5 hrs) or Bengaluru (2.5 hrs). Bagdogra to Gangtok is 124km by road (3.5–4 hrs via the Teesta valley — one of India's most scenic drives). No visa required; Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for restricted areas including Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, North Sikkim and Gurudongmar — all easily obtained and we handle all permit logistics in every package. Best seasons: March–June (rhododendrons, Yumthang at its best, Kanchenjunga clear). October–December (post-monsoon crystal clarity, best mountain views, snow begins at high altitudes, Gangtok lit up with Diwali and Tihar). Avoid July–September monsoon (heavy landslides, North Sikkim roads often closed).