+14 Photos
9N/10D
Grand Himalayan Panorama: Gangtok, North Sikkim, Pelling & Darjeeling
3N Gangtok + 2N Lachung + 2N Pelling + 2N Darjeeling
Package Inclusions
Meals
Hotels
Transfers
Overview
Experience the majesty of the Eastern Himalayas on this 10-day grand overland circuit with SkyGlobals. Scale the high mountain heights of Sikkim to stand by the sacred waters of Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft), venture into the snowfields and hot springs of Yumthang Valley and Zero Point (15,300 ft) in North Sikkim, and explore the ancient monasteries, glass skywalk, and sacred waters of Pelling. Transition into the colonial charm of Darjeeling to watch the golden sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill and stroll through fragrant emerald tea estates. Supported by private mountain vehicles, vetted hotel stays, and complete permit management, this journey reveals the ultimate Himalayan spectacle.
Tour Itinerary
1
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP). Meet your dedicated mountain chauffeur and begin the drive up into Sikkim along NH-10. Follow the roaring emerald-green Teesta River through the Sevoke Sal forests and the foothills. Complete entry registration at the Rangpo border checkpoint. Ascend through Ranipool to reach Gangtok (5,410 ft) by late afternoon. Check into your hotel. Spend your evening taking a relaxed stroll down the vehicle-free promenade of MG Marg, sampling hot momos and Tibetan butter tea. Dinner and overnight stay in Gangtok.
2
After breakfast, drive up the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary along the historic Old Silk Route.
Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake - 12,400 ft): Arrive at the oval-shaped glacial lake, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Marvel at the mountain reflections on the water and take an optional ride on colorfully decorated yaks.
New Baba Harbhajan Mandir (13,123 ft): Drive further uphill to the memorial shrine honoring the legendary Indian soldier who guards the border.
(Optional Add-On: Nathu La Pass at 14,140 ft on the Indo-China border, subject to military permits and weather; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Return to Gangtok by late afternoon for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Gangtok.
Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake - 12,400 ft): Arrive at the oval-shaped glacial lake, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Marvel at the mountain reflections on the water and take an optional ride on colorfully decorated yaks.
New Baba Harbhajan Mandir (13,123 ft): Drive further uphill to the memorial shrine honoring the legendary Indian soldier who guards the border.
(Optional Add-On: Nathu La Pass at 14,140 ft on the Indo-China border, subject to military permits and weather; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Return to Gangtok by late afternoon for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Gangtok.
3
After an early breakfast, check out and board your authorized North Sikkim high-ground-clearance vehicle. Drive north via Phodong and Mangan along the rugged Teesta gorge. Stop to admire Seven Sisters Waterfalls, the scenic Bhim Nala Falls (one of the tallest multi-drop cascades in Sikkim), and the confluence at Chungthang. Cross the suspension bridge and climb into the alpine hamlet of Lachung (8,610 ft) by late afternoon. Check into your valley hotel. Take an evening acclimatization walk through the apple orchards and wooden cottages of the village. Dinner and overnight stay in Lachung.
4
Yumthang Valley (11,800 ft): Start early at 06:00 AM. Drive through the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary to reach the "Valley of Flowers," flanked by sheer granite peaks and grazing yaks along the braided riverbed. Dip your hands in the natural sulfur hot spring.
Optional Zero Point (Yumesamdong - 15,300 ft): Drive an additional 25 km beyond Yumthang across rugged switchbacks to Zero Point, the edge of civilian roads near the Tibetan plateau, where snow covers the valley for most of the year.
Return to Lachung for a warm lunch. Spend a peaceful afternoon relaxing at the hotel or interacting with the local Lachungpa community. Dinner and overnight stay in Lachung.
Optional Zero Point (Yumesamdong - 15,300 ft): Drive an additional 25 km beyond Yumthang across rugged switchbacks to Zero Point, the edge of civilian roads near the Tibetan plateau, where snow covers the valley for most of the year.
Return to Lachung for a warm lunch. Spend a peaceful afternoon relaxing at the hotel or interacting with the local Lachungpa community. Dinner and overnight stay in Lachung.
5
After breakfast, check out and begin the descent back toward Central Sikkim. Retrace the route along the cascading river via Chungthang, Singhik viewpoint (framing Mount Siniolchu on clear days), and Mangan. Arrive in Gangtok by late afternoon. Check into your hotel. Spend your evening at leisure picking up handloom souvenirs, Buddhist prayer wheels, or organic Temi tea along MG Marg. Dinner and overnight stay in Gangtok.
6
Check out after breakfast. Complete a streamlined morning heritage tour in South Gangtok: visit the golden-domed Do-Drul Chorten Stupa and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, housing rare manuscripts and Tibetan thangkas. Begin the picturesque mountain drive across the hills of South Sikkim toward West Sikkim. Stop at Ravangla to tour the Tathagata Tsal (Buddha Park), featuring a majestic 130-foot copper statue of Lord Buddha framed by the Himalayas. Continue past Geyzing into the quiet ridge town of Pelling (6,800 ft). Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Pelling.
7
Wake up to panoramic views of Mount Kanchenjunga from your hotel window. After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour of West Sikkim:
Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue: Walk across the glass-bottom skywalk bridge leading to the colossal 137-foot statue of Bodhisattva Chenrezig.
Pemayangtse Monastery: Tour one of Sikkim’s premier 17th-century Nyingma Buddhist monasteries, admiring its intricate wooden carving of the heavenly abode of Guru Padmasambhava.
Sacred Waters & Falls: Continue down to Rimbi Waterfall, the tranquil and wishing-sacred Khecheopalri Lake (held sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, where birds famously pluck fallen leaves from the water's surface), and the thunderous Kanchenjunga Waterfall.
Return to Pelling by evening. Dinner and overnight stay in Pelling.
Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue: Walk across the glass-bottom skywalk bridge leading to the colossal 137-foot statue of Bodhisattva Chenrezig.
Pemayangtse Monastery: Tour one of Sikkim’s premier 17th-century Nyingma Buddhist monasteries, admiring its intricate wooden carving of the heavenly abode of Guru Padmasambhava.
Sacred Waters & Falls: Continue down to Rimbi Waterfall, the tranquil and wishing-sacred Khecheopalri Lake (held sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus, where birds famously pluck fallen leaves from the water's surface), and the thunderous Kanchenjunga Waterfall.
Return to Pelling by evening. Dinner and overnight stay in Pelling.
8
After breakfast, check out and descend toward the Rangeet River valley. Cross the border bridge from Sikkim into West Bengal. Ascend through terraced tea gardens and colonial forest ridges to the "Queen of the Hills," Darjeeling (6,710 ft). Check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon strolling along The Mall (Chowrasta), soaking in views of Mount Kanchenjunga, visiting the heritage Oxford Book Store, or sipping world-famous Darjeeling Muscatel tea at Glenary’s Bakery. Dinner and overnight stay in Darjeeling.
9
Tiger Hill Sunrise (03:45 AM): Depart early to reach Tiger Hill (8,482 ft) before dawn. Watch the first rays of the sun paint Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Kabru, and Mount Pandim in shades of gold and pink. On the return drive, visit the 19th-century Old Ghoom Monastery and the loop of the Batasia Loop & War Memorial with the Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train tracks.
Darjeeling 7-Point Sightseeing: Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (renowned for breeding rare Snow Leopards and Red Pandas), the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Tenzing & Gombu Rock, the Japanese Peace Pagoda, and take a stroll past the lush slopes of the Happy Valley Tea Estate.
Dinner and overnight stay in Darjeeling.
Darjeeling 7-Point Sightseeing: Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (renowned for breeding rare Snow Leopards and Red Pandas), the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Tenzing & Gombu Rock, the Japanese Peace Pagoda, and take a stroll past the lush slopes of the Happy Valley Tea Estate.
Dinner and overnight stay in Darjeeling.
10
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Drive down through Kurseong, the Rohini tea gardens, and the plains of Siliguri. Arrive at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) by afternoon for your onward journey home, concluding the Himalayan circuit.
