There Are Lots of Places to visit in north and east sikkim emagine a snow-capped mountains are surrounded by lush green forests, extremely beautiful waterfalls, deep blue rivers, and snowfall. All in all, North Sikkim is a perfect place for people who love nature and mountains. Friends, in today’s article we will know the complete information about North Sikkim travel.

places to visit in north and east sikkim

How to reach North and East Sikkim

If you want to go to Sikkim from Kolkata, then take the Darjeeling Mail or any other north-bound train and get down at Siliguri or Jalpaiguri railway station. From there, there are plenty of cars, buses and other vehicles to go to North Sikkim or East Sikkim.

Also Read: Eco Park Kolkata: Ticket Price, 7 Wonders Timing, Nearest Metro & More

By bus: If you want to visit Sikkim on a budget, you can take a bus from SNT (Sikkim Nationalized Transport) or Tenzing Norgay bus stand . Buses leave almost every hour every day. The bus fare is around 300 rupees per person. These buses will reach Gangtok in about four hours. After reaching Gangtok, rest there for a day. Then book a driving package for North Sikkim through a local tour operator. Tour packages can be booked similarly for going to East Sikkim.

places to visit in north and east sikkim

Taxis or Scooter Rent: A large number of private cars and taxis are available from Jalpaiguri or Siliguri railway stations. You can book any of these and go anywhere in Sikkim. Alternatively, you can rent a scooter from Siliguri and drive yourself to Gangtok or any other destination.

I would suggest you to hire a private car. It is possible to hire a car between 3000 and 4000 rupees. However, the cost depends on the time of travel and the season. If you travel during the peak season, the cost may be a little higher.

If you plan your trip properly, you can enjoy the beauty of North and East Sikkim.

Best time to visit North and East Sikkim:

gangtok, sikkim

Choosing the right time to visit Sikkim is an important factor. It depends on what you want to see. If your goal is to see snowfall, then travel in winter. However, if you want to enjoy natural beauty, then summer will be the best time for you.

From my experience, the best time to visit North Sikkim is from March to May and October to December. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy the natural beauty without any hassle. During this time, Sikkim does not get too cold, so travelling with family or loved ones will also be quite comfortable.

Also Read: Benefits of Solo Travel: Advantages, Tips & Quotes for Female Travelers

If you travel here in January, then the roads may be closed due to heavy snowfall in some places. Especially places like Yumthang Valley and Zero Point get covered in snow. So, in my opinion, March to May and October to December are the ideal times to visit Sikkim. However, travelling here in February can also be a good option.

places to visit in north and east sikkim

 

A trip to Sikkim during the summer months is a great opportunity to see a variety of flowers, especially in the Yumthang Valley. It is also known as the “Valley of Flowers.”

Avoid the rainy season, as many places in Sikkim are prone to landslides during this time. There is no point in taking the risk of travelling during the rainy season. Plan your trip by choosing the right time and enjoy the beauty of Sikkim.

NORTH SIKKIM TOUR PLAN:

North Sikkim tourist package: Travel is usually of two types: one is the sharing package. You can book a package for 1 night and 2 days; it will cost around 1500-2000 rupees. Another is 2 nights and 3 days; it will cost around 3000-3500 rupees.

places to visit in north and east sikkim

I know it is very cheap, but I didn’t recommend you buy packages. They will visit North Sikkim cities according to their schedule, and if you want to visit somewhere else, for that you have to pay 300-400 rupees to the driver, and he will complete all the tourist places of North Sikkim.

And the second is that you can book a private car from Gangtok. Here you have to pay 3000-3500 rupees to the driver every day as car rental. 10 people can sit comfortably in this car. On this trip you can travel as you wish.

I mean, you tell the driver your favourite place, and the driver takes you there. In my opinion, this is the best way to travel to Sikkim. It will be better for you if you book the hotels in advance in this tour plan.

VISIT PERMISSION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

places to visit in north and east sikkim

Most of the North Sikkim travel destinations are within Army Restricted Areas, so you need to get permission to visit North Sikkimfrom Sikkim Tourism. Sikkim Tourism has two permission offices, one at Gangtok MG Margthecapital of Sikkim, and the other at North Sikkim’s headquarters, Mangon.

Documents will require two colour passport-size photos, a Xerox of two copies of the voter ID card for kids, and two copies of the Xerox of the birth ertificate. And foreigners will need a valid passport and a valid visa copy. One more thing to keep in mind is that the Aadhaar card is not acceptable in Sikkim.

So you will need all these documents, like a voter card, driving license, passport, etc.

NORTH SIKKIM TRAVEL CARD: The travel card will be required as an additional document for the Covid situation and the Covid-19 negative report. To create a travel card, You need to log in to the official website of the Sikkim Government, www.sikkimtourism.gov.in.

Making this travel card is very easy.

Tourist places of North Sikkim:

places to visit in north and east sikkim

There are lots of places to visit in North Sikkim; Lachen and Lachung are both my favourite small towns in North Sikkim. I visit Sikkim during winters, and it is also suggested to visit in winter if you love snowfall. Yumthang Valley and Zero Point also receive lots of snowfall during this time. Gurudongmar Lake and Lachen Monastery are both very beautiful. Here I will discuss some of the most iconic places in North Sikkim. Hope you like it.

Lachung Tourist Places:

 

The distance between Gangtok and Lachung is about 100 km. I booked a North Sikkim travel package from Gangtok for just 5000 rupees. They can take me to Lachung and nearby places for 5 days. First we went to Lachung, then from there to Yumthang Valley and then to Zero Point. Lachung is just 45 kilometres away from Lachen. Lachung is located about 9200 feet above sea level. You can also see snow here almost all the time, as there is too much snowfall here in winter. Being so high above sea level can cause you oxygen problems, so take all kinds of medicines with you. Let’s see some important tourist places in Lachung.

Yumthang Valley (Valley of Flowers): 

Yumthang Valley

If you love to see flowers then Yumthang Valley is the perfect place for you. If you come to visit Sikkim in summer then you will see a lot of beautiful flowers and a variety of them. But if you come to visit in winter then there is a lot of snowfall here, so you can do various snow activities. We went in winter and there was a lot of snowfall, so we enjoyed it a lot. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes, gloves and shoes.

Zero Point:

Another tourist spot in Lachung is Zero Point, just 15km north of Yumthang Valley, you can see Zero Point. There are very few hotels here, so book in advance, if you are coming on a travel package, they will book the hotel for you. The natural beauty here is truly extraordinary. The high mountains are very charming.

It is one of the coldest places in Sikkim. You can see snow here for about twelve months of the year. Zero Point’s road is closed in the winter; the best time to visit is from March to November, because due to heavy snowfall, Zero Point is inaccessible in winters.

places to visit in north and east sikkim

It is located about 15,000 feet above sea level, so the oxygen level here is very low. Be careful about this: Carry all kinds of medicines. This place in Sikkim can be compared to Ladakh. Think of it as the second form of Ladakh. Here you will see beautiful hills like Ladakh’s blue lake and etc.

How to reach : If you go from Lachung, your distance will be about 53 kilometres to zero point. On the way to Zero Point, you can see many beautiful places like Lachung River View Point. You can stand there and enjoy it for a while. And some distance away you can see another beautiful place, Yumthang, It is located just 5 kilometres before Zero Point.

Lachen Tourist Places:

places to visit in north and east sikkim

After visiting Lachung, we head towards Lachen. First of all, Lachen is another very beautiful small town in North Sikkim. There are many places to visit here like Lachen Monastery, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake etc. If you visit Sikkim, you should definitely visit these places. Lachen is one of the coldest places in Sikkim. It is located about 9000 feet above sea level. You can come here any time of the year. Here you can see snow. Tourists visiting North Sikkim stay in Lachen for one day.

Gurudongmar Lake:

Imagine yourself surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains and a beautiful lake in the middle. It is very beautiful. If you come in winter, you will be able to see the lake covered in snow. You have to go very early in the morning to see Gurudangma Lak. It is completely covered with snow in winters, and it is located in the middle of a huge, snow-capped hill.

Gurudongmar Lake is the highest lake in the world. It is located at an altitude of about 18,000 feet above sea level. Here you may have oxygen problems because it is located at a very high altitude. When you see this lake, you will remember Pangong Lake in Ladakh. This place is so beautiful.

How to reach: It is located in the northernmost part of North Sikkim. The distance from Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake is about 66 km. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach here by car. On the way from Lachen to Gurudangmar Lake, you can see many beautiful places like Mt. View Point, Thangu Valley, and Yatung. You can stop and enjoy these places for a while.

Chopta Valley:

If you are a true nature lover, then Chopta Valley is almost heaven for you. The crystal clear water here and the snow-capped mountains around really amazed me. The place is very beautiful. There is a small forest here, where you can see different species of birds. Moreover, other animals can also be seen in Chopta Valley.

Explore these places with your guide. You will love coming here. Try to go for a morning trip. When the mountains here are covered in mist, its beauty increases even more.

Lachen Monastery:

If you want to know about the culture of Sikkim and want to get a spiritual feeling, then Lachen Monastery is a very important place. This monastery located on the hill is really great to see. From the surroundings of the monastery, you can see very beautiful mountains and nature. Those who come to visit Lachen, they must visit here.

East Sikkim Tourist Places:

places to visit in north and east sikkim

While traveling to East Sikkim, I realized that it is very different from North Sikkim, but equally fascinating. There are several places to visit in East Sikkim. I liked some of them a lot, especially for the natural beauty. Some of the famous tourist places in East Sikkim are:

Nathula Pass:

Nathula Pass is a very beautiful place located on the border of Sikkim and China. If you travel from Gangtok, you can take a package to Nathula Pass from many travel agents. For just 1000 rupees, the agents will show you around Nathula Pass and the surrounding places. Remember, this is a day trip. They will pick you up in the morning and drop you off near the hotel in the afternoon.

Nathula Pass was once part of the ancient Silk Route. Standing here, I felt like I was very close to the clouds. So I recommend you to travel here.

Zuluk (Silk Route):

places to visit in north and east sikkim

If you are traveling on the Silk Route, then Zuluk is a small village that falls on the Silk Route. The winding roads here are so beautiful that it cannot be described in words.

When you drive on the zigzag roads, it will be an extraordinary experience. The beauty of the surrounding nature is also very charming. Zuluk receives a lot of snowfall in winter, so carry warm clothes with you. You can book a Silk Route travel package from Gangtok.

Somago Lake:

A very beautiful water body in East Sikkim is Somago Lake. The water of this lake is so clear and beautiful that the reflection of the surrounding mountains can be clearly seen. Moreover, you can spend some relaxing time with friends and relatives by the side of the water body.

Offbeat places in East Sikkim:

If you want to visit less populated places, then come and visit these offbeat places. They are full of natural beauty, but comparatively very few tourists come to visit here. So let’s learn about some offbeat places in East Sikkim.

Kupup Lake:

The natural beauty of this very large lake is incomparable. It is a very peaceful place where you can spend time with your loved ones. There is also an opportunity to do some water activities here, which will make your experience more memorable.

Rolling:

Rolling is a small town in East Sikkim. Since it is located on the hills, it is cold here. Still, there is nothing to worry about. If you want to spend some quiet time with your family, then Rolling is the ideal place.

Memento Lake:

Surrounded by forests, this small lake hidden in the middle has a very peaceful atmosphere. The beauty and solitude here will amaze you. I really enjoyed coming here.

When I came to Sikkim for a trip, our driver showed me all the places beautifully. Also, tell your driver the names of all the places in advance so that he can take you to all the places at your convenience.

North Sikkim Tourist Packages and East Sikkim Tourism Packages:

If you want to travel to Sikkim, then you can easily book your travel package from Siliguri. It is possible to book a travel package by calling from home. Let’s know in detail about the packages of North Sikkim and East Sikkim.

These packages usually include transport, accommodation, and food arrangements. When I went on a two-day trip from Gangtok to North Sikkim. All the responsibilities were taken by the travel agents. They also arranged for our four-day meals and transportation.

Book Your Sikkim Travel Packeg: sikkimtourism.gov.in

I would suggest you to book a travel package from Gangtok itself. It will cost relatively less. In the North Sikkim package, you can visit Lachen, Lachung, and nearby places. If you want to go to Zero Point or Yamthang Valley, then definitely book the North Sikkim travel package. This package starts from just 3000 rupees.

Now let’s come to the travel package of East Sikkim. It is convenient to book a package from Siliguri for traveling to East Sikkim. East Sikkim travel packages usually start from 5000 rupees. The cost of the package depends on how many places you will visit. On a trip to East Sikkim, you must visit places like Zuluk, Silk Route, etc. All transportation and food expenses will be included in the package.

Practical travel tips:

You need to make some preparations for traveling to North and East Sikkim. I am giving you some tips from my personal experience, which will make your travel easier.

Permit: A permit is required for traveling to several places in North and East Sikkim. So, you must carry your voter ID card while traveling. Remember, this permit cannot be issued with Aadhaar card. You must carry your voter ID or driving license.

Packing essentials: Even if you are traveling in summer, carry warm clothes. Because some places in North and East Sikkim are extremely cold even in summer.

Transport: You can hire private vehicles or scooters to travel to different places in Sikkim. However, the roads are very challenging, so be careful if you drive yourself. Be mentally and physically prepared to drive on rough roads.

Conclusion:

North and East Sikkim are truly wonderful places to travel. The natural beauty and the pleasant weather will leave you mesmerised. If you love flowers, then Sikkim is like a paradise for you. Sikkim is known as the “Greenest State” of India, and some of the rarest species of flowers can be seen here. If you love snowfall, then Zero Point and Yamthang Valley are the best destinations for you.

Choose the right time while planning your trip. Winter is the best time to see snowfall, and summer is the best time for natural beauty. However, avoid rainy days as there is a risk of landslides during this time.

I still remember, when we were going from Lachung to Yamthang Valley, the road was incredibly beautiful and full of snowdrifts. This natural beauty is incomparable.

There are many bridges on the road, and the view of the fast-flowing rivers flowing below them is very picturesque. Click a few pictures there with your loved ones. If you are coming here with the little ones in the family, be sure to bring warm clothes for them. If you are going to travel to snowy places like Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, or Zuluk, bring a thick pair of gloves. These small preparations will make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How much does it cost you to tour North Sikkim?

If you want to travel with a North Sikkim package tour, then the first part of the article says how much the package costs and how to get it. But if you want to travel independently, then you have to book a car; it can cost from 3500 to 4000 rupees per day, and the cost of the hotel will be 800 rupees per person, including three meals. The cost can be quite low if you go for 8-10 people for a trip. I can give you an idea that each of you will cost around 1200 to 1400 rupees every day if you travel in groups in North Sikkim.

What is the right time to visit Sikkim?

It is very important to know this before going on a trip to Sikkim. If you go north to Sikkim from March to June, then see the very green and natural scenery. At this time you can see snow in some places of North Sikkim, like Zero Point. But most of us go to see the snowfall in North Sikkim. Winter in Sikkim from November to February is very suitable for snowfall at this time of the year; also, the North Sikkim tour in April is a very good idea.


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