Darjeeling & Sikkim
Sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill, tea gardens and the toy train in Darjeeling, then Gangtok, the frozen Tsomgo lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula on the China border — with Pelling and the Yumthang valley for those who have time.
Packages from ₹18,500 per person, indicative · full cost breakdown ↓
Darjeeling & Sikkim tour packages
3 ready-made plans, every one customisable. Each has an indicative price, the highlights and a full day-by-day page.
Classic Darjeeling & Gangtok
The trip most families start with: Tiger Hill sunrise and the tea gardens in Darjeeling, then three nights in Gangtok with Tsomgo lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula.
Pelling, Gangtok & Darjeeling
Adds Pelling for the closest view of Kanchenjunga, Khecheopalri lake and Pemayangtse monastery, then Gangtok with Nathula, and Darjeeling for the Tiger Hill sunrise.
Darjeeling, Pelling, Lachung & Gangtok
The complete trip: Darjeeling, Pelling, two nights in Lachung for the Yumthang valley in North Sikkim, and Gangtok with Tsomgo lake and Baba Mandir.
Darjeeling and Sikkim are the eastern Himalaya at their friendliest: hill towns with good hotels and vegetarian food, roads that are long but well used, and the third-highest mountain on earth, Kanchenjunga, filling the horizon on a clear morning. Most families fly into Bagdogra, spend two nights in Darjeeling for the Tiger Hill sunrise and the tea gardens, and then three in Gangtok, the clean, orderly capital of Sikkim.
From Gangtok the big day out is to Tsomgo (Changu) lake at about 12,300 ft, Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir and — on the days it is open — the Nathula pass on the China border at about 14,100 ft. With more time, add Pelling for close-up views of Kanchenjunga and the Khecheopalri lake, or go north to Lachung and the Yumthang "valley of flowers", which is carpeted with rhododendrons in April–May and under snow in winter.
It is the natural pair with Bhutan, which shares the same airport at Bagdogra, and a good choice for families who have already done Himachal and want a different Himalaya — Buddhist monasteries, momos and tea instead of apple orchards.
What to see in Darjeeling and Sikkim
Tiger Hill sunrise
A 4 am drive to watch the first light turn Kanchenjunga pink — and on very clear days Everest, Makalu and Lhotse too. On the way back: Ghoom monastery and the Batasia Loop war memorial.
Darjeeling town and tea
Happy Valley tea estate, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the zoo with its red pandas, the Japanese temple and Peace Pagoda, and the Mall (Chowrasta). The UNESCO toy train joyride is extra and books out early.
Gangtok
MG Marg's car-free promenade, Enchey monastery, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok and the ropeway.
Tsomgo lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula
A sacred oval lake at about 12,300 ft, the shrine of the soldier-saint Baba Harbhajan Singh, and the Nathula border pass at about 14,100 ft. Nathula needs a permit and is open to tourists on selected days only, usually not on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Rumtek monastery
The largest monastery in Sikkim and seat of the Karmapa's Kagyu lineage, about an hour from Gangtok — a quieter alternative to a Gangtok city day.
Pelling
The closest view of Kanchenjunga, the 300-year-old Pemayangtse monastery, the Rabdentse palace ruins, Khecheopalri "wish-fulfilling" lake and the Kanchenjunga waterfalls. The Buddha Park at Ravangla is on the way to Gangtok.
Lachung and Yumthang valley
North Sikkim at about 8,600 ft, then the Yumthang valley at about 11,800 ft with hot springs and alpine flowers. Zero Point beyond is extra and depends on the road.
How to reach Darjeeling and Sikkim from Ahmedabad
Fly to Bagdogra. There are non-stop flights from Ahmedabad on some days and one-stop flights via Delhi or Kolkata daily. From Bagdogra, Darjeeling is 3–4 hours by road and Gangtok 4–5 hours.
| Option | From Ahmedabad | Time | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Bagdogra (IXB), non-stop on some days | about 2 h 40 m | Then 3–4 h to Darjeeling or 4–5 h to Gangtok. |
| Flight | Bagdogra, one stop via Delhi or Kolkata | 5–7 h | Daily, and the usual choice in peak weeks. |
| Train | New Jalpaiguri (NJP), with a change | about 2 days | Only for travellers who enjoy long train journeys. |
Flight days and timings checked in September 2026. Airlines move to their winter schedule on 25 October and back to summer timings in late March, so we confirm live timings when we book.
Routes in detail
By air: fly Ahmedabad–Bagdogra (IXB), the airport for Siliguri. There are non-stop flights on some days and one-stop flights via Delhi or Kolkata every day. Our driver meets you at the exit gate.
By road from Bagdogra: Darjeeling is about 90 km (3–4 hours), Gangtok about 125 km (4–5 hours) and Pelling about 135 km (5–6 hours). Vehicles are point-to-point, as per the itinerary.
By train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the railhead, and our driver can collect you there instead. There is no convenient direct train from Ahmedabad, so most families fly.
Getting around in Gangtok: larger "normal" vehicles are not allowed into central Gangtok, so on the standard category you may change to a local taxi between the taxi stand and your hotel. We tell you when this applies.
Best time to visit Darjeeling and Sikkim
March to May and October to December are the best times for Darjeeling and Sikkim. October–November gives the clearest Kanchenjunga views; April–May brings the rhododendrons and Yumthang's flowers. Avoid July–August, when monsoon landslides close roads.
Month by month
- JanMixed
- FebMixed
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunMixed
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepMixed
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
Fitting it into Gujarat's school holidays
The clearest mountain views of the year and pleasant days. Bagdogra flights and Gangtok hotels fill up, so book early.
Cold but beautiful, with snow possible at Tsomgo. Nathula and Lachung can close after snowfall, so we keep a backup day.
Peak season — pleasant 15–25°C and flowers in Yumthang. The monsoon arrives in mid-June, so travel in May.
Gujarat Board dates for 2026–27. CBSE and ICSE schools are usually within a few days of these.
Season by season
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | 15–25°C in Gangtok, rhododendrons in bloom, and the best time for Yumthang. Peak season for Indian families in May. |
| Monsoon | June – September | Heavy rain, landslides and cloud over the mountains. Roads to Nathula and North Sikkim close often. Hotel rates are lowest. |
| Autumn | October – November | Clear skies and the best Kanchenjunga views of the year. Ideal for Diwali. |
| Winter | December – February | Cold — near freezing in Darjeeling at night, well below zero at Tsomgo and Lachung. Very clear, but Nathula and North Sikkim can close after snowfall. |
Permits, rules and packing
Indian citizens need no permit for Darjeeling, Gangtok or Pelling. Tsomgo lake and Nathula need a permit, and Lachung and Yumthang a Protected Area Permit, which we arrange with an original photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence) and passport-size photos for every traveller, children included. The Nathula permit costs about ₹3,000–5,000 per vehicle, is issued by the government a day before, and can be refused because of weather or army orders.
What to pack
- Woollens all year for Tiger Hill at 4 am, Tsomgo and Lachung; a proper down jacket, gloves and cap from November to March.
- A light rain jacket or umbrella — Darjeeling clouds over quickly.
- Original photo ID and 4 passport-size photos per person for permits.
- Motion-sickness tablets: hill roads are long and winding.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses for the snow at Tsomgo and Yumthang.
Veg and Jain food in Darjeeling and Sikkim
- Darjeeling and Gangtok have plenty of pure-veg restaurants run by the local Marwari community, including Gujarati-style thalis on MG Marg in Gangtok.
- Our packages include breakfast and dinner at the hotel; we tell every hotel in advance that you are vegetarian.
- Try veg momos, thukpa and Darjeeling tea; most hotels cook simple North Indian veg food as standard.
- Jain meals are possible in Darjeeling and Gangtok with notice; in Lachung and Pelling, carry khakhra and dry snacks.
What a Darjeeling and Sikkim trip costs from Ahmedabad
Indicative per-person land costs on twin sharing from Bagdogra or NJP, with hotels, breakfast and dinner and a private vehicle, excluding flights, permits, entry fees and GST.
5–6 nights with standard hotels, 2–6 travellers
5–6 nights with deluxe or super-deluxe hotels
Premium hotels, or the 9-night trip with Pelling and Lachung
Where the money goes
- Flights: Ahmedabad–Bagdogra return usually costs ₹10,000–20,000 per person, more in May and Diwali.
- Group size matters: 2 people use a WagonR or Dzire, and 4–6 an Innova or Scorpio, so groups of 4–6 get the best per-person price.
- Hotel category: Standard, Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Premium. Premium hotels cost about 50% more than Standard on the same route.
- Extras paid on the spot: the Nathula permit (about ₹3,000–5,000 per vehicle), the toy train, ropeway, rafting, and Zero Point beyond Yumthang.
Prices are indicative for the 2026–27 season and are based on peak-season rates, so June–September and early December are often cheaper. We confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Travelling with parents and children
- Darjeeling and Gangtok suit senior parents well: good hotels, easy food and short city sightseeing days.
- Tsomgo lake is about 12,300 ft and Nathula about 14,100 ft. Elders with heart, lung or blood-pressure problems should consult their doctor, and may prefer to stop at Tsomgo and skip Nathula.
- The Tiger Hill sunrise needs a 3:30–4 am start in the cold; elders can sleep in and join the later sightseeing.
- Lachung is a long, rough drive with simple hotels — better for fit families than for elders or toddlers.
- Book May and Diwali dates 6–8 weeks ahead; hotels in Gangtok and Darjeeling fill early.
Questions families ask us about Darjeeling and Sikkim
How much does a Darjeeling and Sikkim trip cost from Ahmedabad?
Value ₹18,500 – 38,500, Comfort ₹23,500 – 46,000, Premium ₹32,000 – 79,000 per person on twin sharing, land only, with breakfast and dinner. The lower end is for 4–6 travellers sharing a vehicle; the 9-night trip with Lachung sits at the top. Flights from Ahmedabad (₹10,000–20,000 return), permits and GST are extra. We confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Is there a direct flight from Ahmedabad to Bagdogra?
There are non-stop flights on some days, and one-stop flights via Delhi or Kolkata every day. From Bagdogra, Darjeeling is 3–4 hours and Gangtok 4–5 hours by road.
What is the best time to visit Darjeeling and Gangtok?
March to May and October to December. October–November has the clearest views of Kanchenjunga; April–May has flowers and pleasant weather. July–August is monsoon, with frequent landslides.
Do we need a permit for Nathula and North Sikkim?
Yes. Tsomgo lake and Nathula need a permit, and Lachung and Yumthang a Protected Area Permit. We arrange them with an original photo ID and passport-size photos for each traveller. Nathula is open only on selected days and can close for weather.
Can we combine Darjeeling and Sikkim with Bhutan?
Yes — both use Bagdogra airport. A common plan is 5 nights in Darjeeling and Gangtok followed by Bhutan by road via Phuentsholing. Tell us your total days and we will plan it.
Is vegetarian and Jain food available?
Yes. Darjeeling and Gangtok have many pure-veg restaurants, and our hotels serve veg breakfast and dinner. Jain meals are possible with notice; carry dry snacks for Lachung and Pelling.
Ready to plan Darjeeling and Sikkim?
Send us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a day-by-day plan, hotel names and a price — usually within 24 hours.