+7 Photos
5N/6D
North East: Paradise Unexplored
3N Gangtok + 2N Shillong
Package Inclusions
Meals
Hotels
Transfers
Overview
Journey across two distinct worlds of India's enchanting frontier on this 6-day dual-state expedition with SkyGlobals. Scale the snow-fringed heights of Sikkim to stand before the sacred glacial waters of Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft) and the ancient halls of Rumtek Monastery. Fly across the Brahmaputra to enter the cloud-kissed pine forests of Meghalaya, stopping by the calm waters of Umiam Lake, the thunderous plunge of Nohkalikai Falls, and the bio-engineered marvel of the Khasi Living Root Bridges in Cherrapunji. With vetted mountain stays, private chauffeur-driven transfers, and permit coordination throughout, this package reveals the unspoiled magic of the Northeast.
Tour Itinerary
1
Land at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or arrive at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP). Meet your dedicated private mountain chauffeur and begin the drive into the Eastern Himalayas. Trace the winding turquoise waters of the roaring Teesta River along NH-10, passing through Sevoke and the coronation bridge before crossing the Rangpo border checkpost into Sikkim. Ascend into Gangtok (5,410 ft) by late afternoon. Check into your hotel, unpack, and head out for an evening walk along the vehicle-free pedestrian promenade of MG Marg. Enjoy local steaming pork or vegetable momos and Tibetan thukpa at a traditional café. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
2
After breakfast, drive up the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary along the ancient Silk Route switchbacks.
Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft): Arrive at the sacred, oval-shaped glacial lake, worshipped by local Buddhists and Hindus. Take in the reflection of surrounding snow-capped crags on the turquoise water, and take an optional ride on a colorfully adorned Himalayan yak along the shore.
Baba Mandir (13,123 ft): Continue higher to the memorial shrine honoring Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, revered as the "Hero of Nathu La" who protects soldiers on the inhospitable frontier.
(Optional Add-On: Nathu La Pass at 14,140 ft on the Indo-China border, subject to permits and weather; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Return to Gangtok by late afternoon for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Gangtok.
Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft): Arrive at the sacred, oval-shaped glacial lake, worshipped by local Buddhists and Hindus. Take in the reflection of surrounding snow-capped crags on the turquoise water, and take an optional ride on a colorfully adorned Himalayan yak along the shore.
Baba Mandir (13,123 ft): Continue higher to the memorial shrine honoring Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, revered as the "Hero of Nathu La" who protects soldiers on the inhospitable frontier.
(Optional Add-On: Nathu La Pass at 14,140 ft on the Indo-China border, subject to permits and weather; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Return to Gangtok by late afternoon for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Gangtok.
3
Rumtek Monastery: Drive across the valley to the 16th-century seat-in-exile of the Gyalwang Karmapa (Kagyu lineage), admiring its ornate golden stupa, Tibetan frescoes, and monk prayer courtyards.
Spiritual & Panoramic Viewpoints: Visit the golden-domed Do-Drul Chorten Stupa surrounded by 108 prayer wheels, explore the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, view the Kanchenjunga range from Ganesh Tok, and stroll through the manicured garden cascades of Ban Jhakri Falls.
Spend your final evening picking up Sikkimese handloom shawls, organic Temi tea, and prayer flags along MG Marg. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
Spiritual & Panoramic Viewpoints: Visit the golden-domed Do-Drul Chorten Stupa surrounded by 108 prayer wheels, explore the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, view the Kanchenjunga range from Ganesh Tok, and stroll through the manicured garden cascades of Ban Jhakri Falls.
Spend your final evening picking up Sikkimese handloom shawls, organic Temi tea, and prayer flags along MG Marg. Overnight stay in Gangtok.
4
Check out early at 6:00 AM and make the scenic descent from Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Board the short regional flight across the Brahmaputra basin to Guwahati Airport (GAU).
Ascent into Meghalaya: Meet your Meghalaya chauffeur and begin the smooth drive along the four-lane hill highway into the Khasi Hills.
Umiam Lake (Barapani): Stop at the expansive shores of Umiam Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by coniferous slopes. Enjoy coffee and photos by the water.
Proceed into Shillong (4,900 ft), the "Scotland of the East." Check into your boutique hotel or heritage pine-lodge. Spend the evening browsing local bamboo crafts, Khasi orange honey, and indie music cafés around Police Bazar. Overnight stay in Shillong.
Ascent into Meghalaya: Meet your Meghalaya chauffeur and begin the smooth drive along the four-lane hill highway into the Khasi Hills.
Umiam Lake (Barapani): Stop at the expansive shores of Umiam Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by coniferous slopes. Enjoy coffee and photos by the water.
Proceed into Shillong (4,900 ft), the "Scotland of the East." Check into your boutique hotel or heritage pine-lodge. Spend the evening browsing local bamboo crafts, Khasi orange honey, and indie music cafés around Police Bazar. Overnight stay in Shillong.
5
Drive south through the mist-shrouded gorges of Sohra.
Waterfalls & Caverns: Stand on the cliff edge to witness Nohkalikai Falls (1,115 ft), the tallest plunge waterfall in India, cascading into a deep emerald pool. Explore the limestone rock formations and natural fossils inside Mawsmai Cave, and view the panoramic seven streams of Mawsmai / Seven Sisters Falls overlooking the plains of Bangladesh.
Living Root Bridge: Continue down to the village of Riwai / Tyrna to walk across a bio-engineered Living Root Bridge, woven over centuries by the indigenous Khasi tribe from the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree).
Return to Shillong by late evening. Dinner and overnight stay in Shillong.
Waterfalls & Caverns: Stand on the cliff edge to witness Nohkalikai Falls (1,115 ft), the tallest plunge waterfall in India, cascading into a deep emerald pool. Explore the limestone rock formations and natural fossils inside Mawsmai Cave, and view the panoramic seven streams of Mawsmai / Seven Sisters Falls overlooking the plains of Bangladesh.
Living Root Bridge: Continue down to the village of Riwai / Tyrna to walk across a bio-engineered Living Root Bridge, woven over centuries by the indigenous Khasi tribe from the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree).
Return to Shillong by late evening. Dinner and overnight stay in Shillong.
6
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Visit the multi-tiered cascades of Elephant Falls on the outskirts of Shillong. Drive downhill toward the Assam plains, arriving in Guwahati. Visit the revered Maa Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hill, one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Transfer directly to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (GAU) for your evening flight back home.
