Sikkim in 7 Days: Gangtok and Pelling Itinerary for Himalayan Views, Monasteries, and Local Flavors
Sikkim, India is a mountain state with soaring rhododendron hillsides, deep Buddhist roots, and views of Mount Kanchenjunga that still every conversation. Historically a Buddhist kingdom before joining India in 1975, its monasteries, prayer flags, and chortens share space with tea gardens and cardamom fields. The culture blends Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali traditions—best discovered in a bowl of thukpa or a plate of gundruk ko jhol.
With a week, pair lively Gangtok with tranquil Pelling. You’ll ride high roads to an alpine lake, step into centuries-old gompas, and wander ruined royal capitals reclaimed by moss. Expect winding drives, hot butter tea, and a welcome that feels like an old friend at altitude.
Practical notes: The best seasons are March–May and October–November. Roads can be foggy or landslide-prone in the monsoon (June–September). Foreign nationals require a Sikkim permit (issued on arrival at check posts); special permits are mandatory for Tsomgo Lake/Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass. Carry cash for rural stops; ATMs are common in Gangtok, fewer in Pelling.
Gangtok
Gangtok is Sikkim’s buzzing hill capital: a pedestrian heart at MG Marg, a cable car sliding over rooftops, and monasteries perched like sentinels over the valley. It’s your springboard to alpine lakes and tea-scented day trips.
- Top sights: MG Marg, Enchey Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Banjhakri Falls, Tashi View Point, Gangtok Ropeway.
- Great bites: momos at Taste of Tibet, Newari thali at Nimtho, single-origin pour-overs at The Local Cafe.
- Fun fact: Sikkim is India’s first fully organic state—taste it in the greens on your thali.
Where to stay: Book central stays near MG Marg for walkability and easy pickups. Browse stays on VRBO Gangtok or compare hotels on Hotels.com Gangtok.
Getting there: Fly to Bagdogra (IXB) and drive 4–5 hours to Gangtok, or take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) then drive. Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; trains to NJP via Trip.com Trains. Private taxis IXB–Gangtok run INR 3,500–5,000 (US$42–60); shared jeeps are INR 400–600 per seat.
Day 1: Arrive in Gangtok, MG Marg Welcome
Morning: Fly into Bagdogra or arrive by train to NJP. Meet your driver for the scenic climb along the Teesta River. Keep a scarf handy—mountain breezes sneak in even on sunny days.
Afternoon: Check in near MG Marg. Stretch your legs on the car-free promenade. Pop into Baker’s Cafe for a cappuccino and a slice of lemon drizzle; the window seats are perfect for people-watching.
Evening: Dinner at Taste of Tibet: classic steamed momos, chicken shaphalay, and thukpa. If you want a Sikkimese/Nepali thali, Nimtho serves fermented greens, black lentils, and kinema (soybean) with rice. Nightcap at Cafe Live & Loud for live music and a warm, local crowd.
Day 2: Monasteries, Museums, and Ropeway Views
Morning: Breakfast at The Local Cafe (butter croissant, local honey, and pour-over). Visit Enchey Monastery (early for chants and quiet courtyards). Continue to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology—look for thangkas and ritual artifacts that trace Himalayan Buddhism’s story.
Afternoon: Walk to Do Drul Chorten (spin the golden prayer wheels), then the Flower Exhibition Centre for seasonal orchids. Ride the Gangtok Ropeway for valley panoramas (budget ~INR 150–200 per person round trip).
Evening: Dinner at 9’INE Native Cuisine—order the pork with fiddlehead ferns and a millet beer if available. Stroll MG Marg for dessert kulfi or hot gulab jamun from street-side sweet shops.
Day 3: Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, and Optional Nathula
This is a high-altitude day trip (permit required). Nathula Pass for Indian nationals is usually closed Mondays and Tuesdays; foreigners can visit Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir but not Nathula. Your hotel or local operator can arrange permits 24–48 hours in advance (carry passport/ID photos). Expect 7–8 hours round trip.
Morning: Depart by 8:00 a.m. The road climbs to 3,753 m at glacial Tsomgo Lake. Walk the lakeside, try yak cheese fritters, or warm up with ginger chai. Permit/vehicle packages typically cost INR 3,500–4,500 per car for Tsomgo & Baba Mandir; add ~INR 2,000 if you qualify for Nathula.
Afternoon: Visit Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, a site of local devotion blending army lore and mountain faith. Return via viewpoints if weather clears.
Evening: Back in Gangtok, soothe the chill with hot chocolate at Baker’s Cafe or soup at The Dragon Wok (wok-tossed noodles, spicy garlic greens).
Day 4: Rumtek, Banjhakri Falls, Tea, and Sunset
Morning: Breakfast at The Coffee Shop on Tibet Road (masala omelet, filter coffee). Drive to Rumtek Monastery, one of Sikkim’s most important gompas—its prayer halls glow with murals; step quietly into the cloister. Entry ~INR 50; dress modestly.
Afternoon: Stop at Banjhakri Falls Park for a short forest walk and photo-friendly cascades. Return to town for a late lunch at Nimtho (veg-forward thali with seasonal greens and gundruk). Shop for handwoven shawls or organic tea on MG Marg.
Evening: Chill night: try Mu Kimchi for a Korean fix (kimchi jjigae hits the spot at altitude) or head back to 9’INE for a second round of Sikkimese staples. Pack for tomorrow’s transfer.
Pelling
Pelling trades city buzz for birdsong and cinematic Kanchenjunga sunrises. Ancient Pemayangtse Monastery anchors the ridge, the Pelling Sky Walk hovers above the valley, and Khecheopalri Lake shimmers like a leaf-shaped mirror in the forest.
- Top sights: Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Palace ruins, Pelling Sky Walk & Chenrezig statue, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls, Singshore Bridge.
- Where to eat: Melting Point for views and hearty plates, Lotus Bakery (near Gyalshing) for cinnamon rolls, Taste of Sikkim for momos and thenthuk.
- Insider tip: Wake early for dawn views—clouds gather by late morning.
Where to stay: Base yourself in Upper Pelling for sunrise views. Browse VRBO Pelling or compare hotels on Hotels.com Pelling.
Getting from Gangtok to Pelling: Depart after breakfast; the mountain drive via Ravangla is 4.5–5.5 hours. Private sedan: INR 4,500–6,000; shared jeeps run to Gyalshing (near Pelling) at ~INR 500–700 per seat. You can also search regional flights/trains to your onward hub on Trip.com Flights and Trip.com Trains.
Day 5: Gangtok to Pelling via Ravangla Buddha Park
Morning: Check out and drive toward Pelling. Break at Ravangla’s Buddha Park, where a towering Sakyamuni statue presides over manicured paths with Himalayan backdrops—an uplifting midpoint stop.
Afternoon: Arrive in Pelling and check in. Lunch at Melting Point (order the chicken momos, veg thenthuk, and a pot of Sikkim green tea). Rest and acclimate; the pace here invites deep breaths.
Evening: Sunset stroll to Upper Pelling viewpoints. Dinner at Taste of Sikkim for Tibetan butter tea, shapta, and local stir-fried greens. Early night for tomorrow’s explorations.
Day 6: Monasteries, Ruins, Sky Walk, and a Heritage Stroll
Morning: Start at Pemayangtse Monastery—its wooden “Zangdok Palri” model on the top floor is a devotional masterpiece. Move on to the Rabdentse ruins, once Sikkim’s royal capital; the mossy stones and prayer-flag-lined path feel frozen in a gentler century.
Afternoon: Head to the Pelling Sky Walk and the colossal Chenrezig statue. Brave the glass sections for a valley-floor view. Late lunch at Lotus Bakery (flaky cinnamon roll or vegetable puff with chai) near Gyalshing.
Evening: Join a short, story-rich amble to decode the town’s layers with this guided walk: Heritage & Cultural Walk of Pelling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour).
Day 7: Lake, Waterfalls, and Departure
Morning: Early drive to Khecheopalri Lake, a sacred “wish-fulfilling” lake reputed to remain leaf-free thanks to protective birds. Continue to Kanchenjunga Falls for a cooling mist and quick photos; if time allows, detour to Singshore Bridge, one of the region’s highest suspension bridges.
Afternoon: Quick lunch in town (Taste of Sikkim’s piping hot thukpa is fast and satisfying). Depart for Bagdogra Airport or NJP rail station—budget 5–6 hours from Pelling including meal and fuel stops. Search your onward flight on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.
Alternative or add-on (if you have a full extra day in Pelling): Book this excellent half-day sampler to cover key highlights efficiently: Best of Pelling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car).
Good-to-know Essentials
- Permits: Your hotel or tour desk can arrange Tsomgo/Nathula permits 1–2 days ahead; carry passport/ID and two photos. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim permit (issued at Rangpo/Melli check posts).
- Road times: IXB/NJP–Gangtok 4–5 hours; Gangtok–Pelling 4.5–5.5 hours; Pelling–IXB/NJP 5–6 hours. Add buffer in monsoon or after heavy rain.
- Altitude: Hydrate, pace yourself at Tsomgo Lake. Pack layers; temperatures swing quickly.
- Costs (approx): City taxis INR 200–400 hops; day cars INR 3,000–4,500; simple meals INR 200–400; cafe coffee INR 150–250; monastery entries INR 20–50.
Seven days in Sikkim gives you Gangtok’s energy and Pelling’s calm—monasteries humming with chants, alpine lakes set like jewels, and Kanchenjunga glowing at dawn. You’ll leave with a camera full of cloudscapes and a palate tuned to momo steam and mountain tea.