About the Trip
The North Sikkim Trip is a curated road journey through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Eastern Himalayas. Over six days, you'll travel from the plains of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) all the way up to Gurudongmar Lake at 17,800 ft — one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world — and back, taking in alpine valleys, sacred monasteries and charming Himalayan villages along the way.
This is a comfort-first journey on a reserved private vehicle with an experienced driver. There is no trekking involved — you'll be staying in cosy mountain hotels in Gangtok, Lachen and Lachung, with breakfast and dinner included on every stay.
Trip Highlights
- Reserved private car with an experienced Sikkim mountain driver throughout
- Visit Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 ft) — sacred, surreal and unforgettable
- Explore Yumthang Valley, the "Valley of Flowers of Sikkim"
- Stay in the charming Himalayan villages of Lachen and Lachung
- Drive along the mighty Teesta River, past waterfalls and prayer-flag bridges
- All permits, hotel bookings and pickup-drop arranged end-to-end
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 6-day curated road journey from New Jalpaiguri and back.
- Pickup from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) and start the scenic 4–5 hour drive to Gangtok via NH10
- Drive alongside the emerald Teesta River, crossing the iconic Coronation Bridge at Sevoke
- Pass through Kalijhora, Teesta Bazaar and Singtam — every turn reveals a new Himalayan landscape
- Cross Rangpo, the official gateway to Sikkim, and ascend the winding mountain roads to Gangtok
- Check in to your hotel in Gangtok. Evening free to explore MG Marg
- Overnight stay at Gangtok
- After breakfast, begin the 6–7 hour scenic drive along the North Sikkim Highway via Mangan and Chungthang
- Stop at Seven Sisters Waterfall, Naga Waterfall and Singhik View Point — on a clear day, see Mt. Kanchenjunga in the distance
- Pass through Mangan, the district headquarters of North Sikkim, and reach Chungthang where roads divide toward Lachen and Lachung
- Climb further through pine forests, river gorges and remote Himalayan landscapes
- Arrive at Lachen (8,800–9,400 ft) — a quiet wooden mountain village wrapped in monasteries and prayer flags
- Early dinner and overnight stay at Lachen, ready for the Gurudongmar excursion at dawn
- Pre-dawn departure (around 4:00 AM) toward Gurudongmar Lake, ~67 km / 3 hours each way
- Climb above 17,000 ft through the spectacular Thangu Valley — meadows, frozen streams and snow peaks
- Brief tea / breakfast stop at Thangu before the final ascent through cold-desert terrain
- Arrive at Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 ft) — sacred turquoise waters surrounded by snow-clad mountains
- Short stop (20–30 minutes) for sightseeing, photography and quiet moments — the altitude is extreme
- Return to Lachen by lunch time. Afternoon free to rest at the hotel
- Overnight stay at Lachen
- After breakfast, begin the scenic 2–3 hour drive from Lachen to Lachung — the gateway to Yumthang Valley
- Pass through deep gorges, cascading waterfalls and river valleys
- Stop at Chungthang, the sacred confluence where the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu meet to form the Teesta River
- Drive through apple orchards, prayer flags and traditional wooden mountain homes
- Arrive at Lachung (8,600–9,000 ft) — a peaceful alpine village surrounded by snow-capped peaks
- Evening free to explore the village. Overnight stay at Lachung
- Early morning excursion to Yumthang Valley — the "Valley of Flowers of Sikkim" (~25 km from Lachung)
- Pass through pine forests, mountain streams and rhododendron-covered slopes
- Reach Yumthang Valley (~11,800 ft) — alpine meadows, the Lachung Chu river, grazing yaks and snow-capped peaks
- In spring, the valley bursts with rhododendrons; in winter it transforms into a snow paradise
- Return to Lachung for breakfast / hotel checkout, then begin the 6–7 hour return drive to Gangtok
- Pass once again through Chungthang and the lush Teesta valleys
- Arrive at Gangtok by evening. Overnight stay at Gangtok
- Hotel checkout from Gangtok and start the 4–5 hour return drive to NJP via NH10
- Descend through misty valleys, hillside settlements and the Teesta river gorge
- Cross Rangpo (Sikkim border), then continue through Teesta Bazaar and Sevoke
- Final glimpse of the Eastern Himalayas at the iconic Coronation Bridge
- Arrive at NJP Railway Station by afternoon / evening — trip ends with unforgettable Himalayan memories
What's Included
- NJP to NJP pickup & drop
- Reserved private car with experienced mountain driver throughout the trip
- All sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation on twin/triple sharing in Gangtok, Lachen and Lachung
- Breakfast and dinner on each stay
- All inner-line permits and entry permits arranged
- End-to-end trip coordination by Trishul Adventures
What's Not Included
- Entry tickets at monuments / monasteries (where applicable)
- Parking charges
- Camera / drone charges at restricted spots
- Extra car cost if main roads are closed and a diversion route is needed (natural calamities)
- Any additional permits requested outside the standard itinerary
- Lunch and meals during travel
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in the inclusions list
Things to Carry
North Sikkim weather can change fast, especially around Gurudongmar and Yumthang. Pack light but smart.
Essentials
- One mid-size suitcase / duffel + a small day pack
- Comfortable walking shoes (no trekking shoes needed)
- Refillable water bottle
- Personal medication + basic first-aid
- Power bank and charging cables
- Sunglasses (UV protection — sun is strong at altitude)
Clothing
- Heavy jacket — temperatures drop sharply at Lachen / Gurudongmar
- Thermal innerwear (especially for Day 3)
- Woollen cap, gloves, neck gaiter / muffler
- 2–3 full-sleeve t-shirts / sweaters
- Comfortable pants / track pants
- Light raincoat or windcheater
Documents (Mandatory)
- Original government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID)
- 2 passport-sized photos (for Inner Line Permits)
- Photocopy of ID (we recommend 2 sets)
Recommended
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm
- Diamox (consult your doctor) for high altitude
- Snacks / dry fruits for the long drives
- Camera with extra batteries — cold drains them fast
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — this is a road-based curated trip on a reserved private vehicle. You'll be in a car for most days, with short walks at viewpoints, lakes and the valley. It's suitable for families, seniors and first-time mountain travellers.
March to June is the peak season — Yumthang Valley is in full rhododendron bloom and Gurudongmar is reliably accessible. October–November offers crisp clear mountain views. December–February brings heavy snow, and roads can close unpredictably.
Gurudongmar Lake sits at around 17,800 ft. The stop is intentionally short (20–30 minutes) to minimise AMS risk. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol the night before, walk slowly, and let our team know immediately if you feel unwell. Travellers with serious cardiac, respiratory or BP issues should consult their doctor before booking.
All standard Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and protected-area permits required for the itinerary are arranged by us. You only need to provide your original ID and passport-sized photos.
BSNL and Jio work in Gangtok and patchily up to Mangan. Network is very limited beyond Lachen and Lachung. There is no signal at Gurudongmar Lake or Yumthang Valley.