Every page

Places and experiences

• Aritar
  • Walk and boat on Lampokhari lake
  • Hike up to Mankhim viewpoint
  • Morning at Aritar Gumpa
  • Village walk through cardamom and orange farms
• Gangtok
  • Evening walk on MG Marg
  • Do Drul Chorten and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
  • Kangchenjunga at sunrise from Tashi viewpoint
  • Sikkimese food trail around Lal Market
• Nathu La
  • At the border fence on Nathu La
  • Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
  • The 1967 Nathu La war memorial
  • Snow on the Nathu La road in spring
• Rumtek
  • Morning prayers at the Dharma Chakra Centre
  • Walk down to the old Rumtek monastery
  • A night in a Rumtek village homestay
  • Rumtek and Lingdum monasteries in a half day
• Tsomgo Lake
  • A slow walk along the Tsomgo shore
  • Yak ride on the Tsomgo lakeshore
  • Snow day at a frozen Tsomgo
  • Through Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
• Zuluk
  • Sunrise from Thambi viewpoint
  • Photographing the Zuluk zigzag road
  • Nathang valley and Kupup on the high road
  • An evening in a Zuluk homestay

Packages

• Gangtok, the Silk Route and Kalimpong in eight nights
• The Silk Route: Aritar, Zuluk and Gangtok in five nights
• Gangtok, Tsomgo, Nathu La and Rumtek in four nights

Stays

• Mintokling Guest House
• Hotel Sonam Delek
• The Elgin Nor-Khill
• Mayfair Spa Resort and Casino
• Zuluk village homestays
• Aritar village homestays

Guides

• East Sikkim permits: Tsomgo, Nathu La, Zuluk and the ILP
• Gangtok and East Sikkim on a budget

Festivals

• Pang Lhabsol
• Losoong and the Kagyed Chaam
• Losar at Rumtek

Routes

• Siliguri to Gangtok
• Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake
• Gangtok to Zuluk
• Siliguri to Aritar

Months

• East Sikkim in January
• East Sikkim in February
• East Sikkim in March
• East Sikkim in April
• East Sikkim in May
• East Sikkim in June
• East Sikkim in July
• East Sikkim in August
• East Sikkim in September
• East Sikkim in October
• East Sikkim in November
• East Sikkim in December

Places and experiences

• Dzongu
  • An evening with a Lepcha homestay family
  • Cardamom groves and village trail walk
  • The walk to Tholung Monastery in Upper Dzongu
  • Birdwatching in Dzongu's side valleys
• Gurudongmar Lake
  • Morning at Gurudongmar Lake
  • The lakeside shrine at Gurudongmar
  • The plateau drive from Thangu to Gurudongmar
  • Staying safe at 5,430 m
• Lachen
  • Afternoon at Lachen Monastery
  • Thangu and Chopta valley above Lachen
  • Village and farm walk in Lachen
  • The 4 am start for Gurudongmar from Lachen
• Lachung
  • Morning walk to Lachung Monastery
  • Old village and orchard walk in Lachung
  • Bhim Nala and the waterfall drive to Lachung
  • A winter snow stay in Lachung
• Yumthang Valley
  • Rhododendron season walk in Yumthang
  • Snow at Zero Point (Yumesamdong)
  • The Yumthang hot spring by the river
  • Yaks and meadows on the Yumthang floor

Packages

• Dzongu, Lachen and Lachung in seven nights from Siliguri
• Lachen, Gurudongmar and Lachung in three nights
• Lachung and Yumthang in two nights from Gangtok

Stays

• Lachung village homestays
• Le Coxy Resort
• Yarlam Resort
• Lachen village lodges and homestays
• Lepcha homestays in Dzongu

Guides

• Lachung or Lachen: choosing your North Sikkim trip
• North Sikkim permits and altitude: what you need to know

Festivals

• Losar in Lachung and Lachen
• Saga Dawa at Lachen Monastery
• Namsoong, the Lepcha New Year

Routes

• Gangtok to Lachung
• Gangtok to Lachen
• Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake
• Gangtok to Dzongu

Months

• North Sikkim in January
• North Sikkim in February
• North Sikkim in March
• North Sikkim in April
• North Sikkim in May
• North Sikkim in June
• North Sikkim in July
• North Sikkim in August
• North Sikkim in September
• North Sikkim in October
• North Sikkim in November
• North Sikkim in December

Places and experiences

• Namchi
  • Samdruptse and the statue of Guru Rinpoche
  • Char Dham pilgrimage on Solophok hill
  • Walk up Tendong Hill from Damthang
  • Namchi bazaar food trail
• Pelling
  • Morning at Pemayangtse Monastery
  • Forest walk to the Rabdentse ruins
  • Day trip to Khecheopalri Lake and the waterfalls
  • Hike up to Sangachoeling Monastery
• Ravangla
  • Early morning at Buddha Park, Tathagata Tsal
  • Ralang Monastery and the old gompa
  • Walk through Temi Tea Garden
  • Day walk to Maenam Hill
• Rinchenpong
  • Rinchenpong Monastery and the Adi Buddha
  • Ridge walk to Resum Monastery
  • Village walk to the poison lake
  • A day on a Kaluk and Rinchenpong farm
• Yuksom
  • Heritage walk to Norbugang and Kathok Lake
  • Forest hike to Dubdi Monastery
  • Visit Tashiding Monastery on its sacred hill
  • Short trek to Tshoka and Dzongri

Packages

• Gangtok, Ravangla, Pelling and Darjeeling in seven nights
• Namchi, Ravangla, Pelling and Rinchenpong in five nights
• Pelling and Yuksom in three nights

Stays

• Elgin Mount Pandim
• The Norbu Ghang Resort
• Upper Pelling family guesthouses
• Yuksom village homestays
• Yangsum Heritage Farm
• Mt Narsing Village Resort

Guides

• The West Sikkim monastery circuit: Pemayangtse to Tashiding
• Goecha La and Dzongri trek from Yuksom: a practical guide

Festivals

• Bumchu at Tashiding
• Pang Lhabsol at Ravangla
• Tendong Lho Rum Faat

Routes

• Siliguri to Pelling
• Gangtok to Pelling
• Pelling to Yuksom
• Siliguri to Namchi

Months

• West and South Sikkim in January
• West and South Sikkim in February
• West and South Sikkim in March
• West and South Sikkim in April
• West and South Sikkim in May
• West and South Sikkim in June
• West and South Sikkim in July
• West and South Sikkim in August
• West and South Sikkim in September
• West and South Sikkim in October
• West and South Sikkim in November
• West and South Sikkim in December

Places and experiences

• Darjeeling
  • Toy train joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghum
  • Garden walk and tasting at Happy Valley Tea Estate
  • HMI museum and the Himalayan zoo
  • Chowrasta morning and breakfast at Glenary's
• Kurseong
  • Tea walk and tasting at Makaibari
  • Netaji Museum at Giddapahar
  • Forest walk on Dow Hill
  • Eagle's Crag viewpoint and the toy train in the bazaar
• Mirik
  • Morning walk around Sumendu Lake
  • Bokar Monastery above Mirik
  • Tea gardens and orange orchards around Mirik
  • Pashupati market on the Nepal border
• Sandakphu
  • Sunrise on Everest and the Sleeping Buddha
  • Singalila ridge trek from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu
  • Land Rover ride up the Singalila ridge
  • Red pandas and rhododendrons in Singalila National Park
• Siliguri
  • Drive into the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary from Sukna
  • The white stupa at Salugara monastery
  • Coronation Bridge and the Teesta gorge at Sevoke
  • A Siliguri food evening of thalis, rolls and momos
• Tiger Hill
  • Kangchenjunga sunrise from Tiger Hill
  • Ghum Monastery and its Maitreya Buddha
  • Batasia Loop and the Gorkha war memorial
  • Walk down from Tiger Hill through the Senchal forest

Packages

• Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok in five nights
• Darjeeling toy train, tea and Tiger Hill in three nights
• Sandakphu trek on the Singalila ridge in six nights

Stays

• Family guesthouses around Dr Zakir Hussain Road, Darjeeling
• Trekkers' lodges and homestays on the Singalila ridge
• Sinclairs Siliguri
• Cochrane Place
• Windamere Hotel
• Glenburn Tea Estate

Guides

• Darjeeling toy train: which ride to take and how to book it
• Sandakphu trek on the Singalila ridge: route, rules and costs

Festivals

• Losar at Ghoom and the Darjeeling monasteries
• Dashain and Tihar in the Darjeeling hills
• Durga Puja in Siliguri

Routes

• Siliguri to Darjeeling
• Siliguri to Kurseong
• Siliguri to Mirik
• Darjeeling to Sandakphu

Months

• Darjeeling in January
• Darjeeling in February
• Darjeeling in March
• Darjeeling in April
• Darjeeling in May
• Darjeeling in June
• Darjeeling in July
• Darjeeling in August
• Darjeeling in September
• Darjeeling in October
• Darjeeling in November
• Darjeeling in December

Places and experiences

• Kalimpong
  • Morning at Zang Dhok Palri on Durpin Hill
  • Deolo Hill and Dr Graham's Homes
  • Cactus and orchid nurseries of Kalimpong
  • Haat bazaar, cheese and lollipop trail
• Lava
  • Day walk into Neora Valley National Park
  • Morning prayers at Lava monastery
  • Changey Falls and Kolakham
  • Early birding walk on the Lava forest roads
• Lolegaon
  • Canopy walk in the Lolegaon heritage forest
  • Sunrise at Jhandi Dara
  • Evening at the Kafer viewpoint
  • Village walk with a Lolegaon host
• Rishop
  • Sunrise walk to Tiffin Dara
  • Forest trail between Rishop and Lava
  • Evening in a Rishop homestay kitchen
  • Mountain and night-sky photography
• Sillery Gaon
  • Walk to Ramitey Dara above the Teesta
  • Damsang Fort, seat of the last Lepcha king
  • Pedong and the Sangchen Dorjee monastery
  • Farm morning and home cooking in Sillery

Packages

• Kalimpong, Lava and Rishop with Neora Valley in five nights
• Kalimpong and Sillery Gaon in three nights
• Kalimpong villages to Gangtok in seven nights

Stays

• Mayfair Himalayan Spa Resort
• Morgan House (WBTDC)
• WBFDC Lava Nature Resort
• Rishop village homestays
• Lolegaon village homestays
• Sillery Gaon village homestays

Guides

• Kalimpong's offbeat villages compared: Lava, Rishop, Lolegaon, Sillery
• Neora Valley National Park from Lava: seasons, permits and walks

Festivals

• Losar at Zang Dhok Palri and the Tibetan monasteries
• Dashain and Tihar in Kalimpong
• Gaeboo Achyuk birthday at Damsang Fort

Routes

• Siliguri to Kalimpong
• Kalimpong to Lava
• Kalimpong to Lolegaon
• Kalimpong to Gangtok

Months

• Kalimpong in January
• Kalimpong in February
• Kalimpong in March
• Kalimpong in April
• Kalimpong in May
• Kalimpong in June
• Kalimpong in July
• Kalimpong in August
• Kalimpong in September
• Kalimpong in October
• Kalimpong in November
• Kalimpong in December

Places and experiences

• Buxa
  • Walk up to Buxa Fort from Santalabari
  • Ridge walk to Lepchakha
  • Jayanti riverbed and the path to Mahakal
  • Forest drive from Rajabhatkhawa
• Chilapata
  • Jeep safari to Nal Raja Garh
  • Village walk in Kodalbasti
  • A night at the Mendabari forest lodge
  • Morning birding on the Chilapata edge
• Gorumara and Lataguri
  • Jatraprasad watchtower safari
  • Medla watchtower by bullock cart
  • Evening on the Murti riverbed
  • Half day at the Jalpesh temple near Mainaguri
• Jaldapara
  • Jeep safari across the Torsa grasslands
  • Morning elephant safari from Hollong, when running
  • A respectful visit to Totopara
  • Tea estate walk near Madarihat
• Samsing and Suntalekhola
  • Morning walk through Samsing tea gardens
  • Walk to the hanging bridge at Suntalekhola
  • Picnic at Rocky Island on the Murti
  • Sunset at the Lali Guras viewpoint

Packages

• Gorumara and Jaldapara rhino trail in four nights
• Samsing and Gorumara weekend in two nights
• The whole Dooars from Samsing to Buxa in six nights

Stays

• Jaldapara Tourist Lodge (WBTDC)
• Murti (Banani) Eco-Tourism Centre, WBFDC
• Sinclairs Retreat Dooars
• Mendabari Jungle Lodge, WBFDC
• Suntalekhola Eco Tourism Centre, WBFDC
• Santalabari, Buxa and Lepchakha homestays

Guides

• Planning a Dooars trip: routes, nights and budgets
• How to book a Dooars safari: Jaldapara, Gorumara and more

Festivals

• Maha Shivaratri fair at Jalpesh
• Shravani mela at Jalpesh
• Karam puja in the Dooars tea gardens

Routes

• Siliguri to Gorumara and Lataguri
• Siliguri to Jaldapara
• Gorumara and Lataguri to Jaldapara
• Jaldapara to Buxa

Months

• Dooars in January
• Dooars in February
• Dooars in March
• Dooars in April
• Dooars in May
• Dooars in June
• Dooars in July
• Dooars in August
• Dooars in September
• Dooars in October
• Dooars in November
• Dooars in December

Places and experiences

• Haa Valley
  • Chele La pass and the walk to Kila Nunnery
  • The White and Black Temples of Haa
  • A night in a Haa farmhouse
  • Making hoentey, the buckwheat dumplings of Haa
• Paro
  • The Tiger's Nest walk to Paro Taktsang
  • Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum
  • Early morning at Kyichu Lhakhang
  • Archery match and farmhouse dinner in Paro
• Phobjikha
  • Watching black-necked cranes in Phobjikha
  • Gangtey Goenpa above the valley
  • The Gangtey nature trail across Phobjikha
  • Farmhouse night and hot stone bath in Phobjikha
• Phuentsholing
  • Evening at Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang
  • Kharbandi Goemba and the view over the plains
  • Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre
  • Food walk across the Phuentsholing border
• Punakha
  • Punakha Dzong at the river confluence
  • Walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang
  • Crossing the Punakha suspension bridge
  • Dochula pass and the 108 chortens
• Thimphu
  • Buddha Dordenma on Kuensel Phodrang ridge
  • Tashichho Dzong after office hours
  • Morning kora at the Memorial Chorten
  • Weekend market and ema datshi trail in Thimphu

Packages

• Paro, Haa and Thimphu by air in four nights
• Western Bhutan and Jaldapara in eight nights
• Thimphu and Paro overland from Siliguri in six nights

Stays

• Paro valley farmhouse homestays
• Hotel Druk, Phuentsholing
• Hotel Druk, Thimphu
• Hotel Olathang
• Dewachen Hotel, Gangtey
• Le Méridien Thimphu

Guides

• Bhutan for Indian travellers: permits, SDF and documents
• Bhutan on a budget from Siliguri: an honest cost guide

Festivals

• Paro Tshechu
• Thimphu Tshechu
• Black-necked Crane Festival

Routes

• Siliguri to Phuentsholing
• Phuentsholing to Thimphu
• Thimphu to Punakha
• Thimphu to Paro

Months

• Bhutan in January
• Bhutan in February
• Bhutan in March
• Bhutan in April
• Bhutan in May
• Bhutan in June
• Bhutan in July
• Bhutan in August
• Bhutan in September
• Bhutan in October
• Bhutan in November
• Bhutan in December