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So you’ve been to Bhutan and enjoyed the good vibes of Gross National Happiness…you’ve scaled mountains in Nepal and had your fill of tasty momos…but have you heard about Sikkim? In an often-forgotten corner of the Eastern Himalayas, sandwiched between Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet, this tiny Indian state punches above its weight in terms of beauty, culture and dramatic scenery.If you’re looking for fresh air and wild nature with a side of cultural discovery, this one’s for you! Almost 35% of the state is a protected area covered by Khangchendzonga National Park. Sikkim is home to frosty glaciers, alpine meadows blanketed with wildflowers, and jagged peaks – including the 8,586m Kangchenjunga, India’s highest mountain and the third highest on Earth. Amid these landscapes, winding paths lead to clifftop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, built more than three centuries ago.
With our base in the capital city of Gangtok, this Trekkup takes in the highlights of the East Sikkim district. We’ll trek to waterfalls, visit glacial lakes, feel the zen at working monasteries, meet a high-altitude ghost, and take in the kind of stunning panoramic views that cameras just can’t seem to capture.
Sikkim has had a tumultuous timeline, and a somewhat controversial present. Originally founded as a kingdom in the 17th century, ruled by Buddhist priest-kings known as the Chogyal, it became a state of the British Indian Empire in 1890. Following Indian independence, Sikkim continued as an independent protectorate with its own monarchy. However, several decades later in 1975, the Sikkim Parliament deposed the king and declared the kingdom to be an official state of India – a move quickly ratified by India’s Parliament, and protested by the Sikkim people.
Across this fascinating history, important questions arise, ones that even those living in Sikkim can’t always agree on. Was the annex by India a good or bad thing? Is independence always the best scenario? You’ll find an answer for yourself by the end of this Trekkup.
Let’s go!
DAY 0: Departure
Meeting at DXB T1 for a connecting flight via Delhi.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & TRANSFER TO GANGTOK
We’ll arrive at Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal and set off on the 135km drive (3 - 4 hours) to Gangtok, the high-altitude capital of Sikkim, which will be our base for the next few days. With the city sitting at an elevation of 1600 meters (5250 feet), the surrounding areas of East and North Sikkim contain wild and remote landscapes of peaks and valleys, monasteries and mystic rituals.
Upon arrival we’ll check into the hotel and have a free evening to explore the local market and stroll the Mahatma Gandhi Marg, a pedestrianised street which is Gangtok’s main hub for shopping, dining and entertainment.
DAY 2: WATERFALLS, MOUNTAINS & MONASTERIES
After breakfast we’ll head out for a full day of exploration. Just a few kilometres from the city we’ll find the Lhasa and Bakthang waterfalls, their beautiful flowing waters surrounded by tranquil forest. We’ll keep an eye out for the rare orchids and butterflies that the area is known for. At the popular Tashi Viewpoint, we’ll be treated to a stunning vista of the mountains, with panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu peaks.
We won’t be neglecting our spiritual sides today – first we’ll make a visit to the Dalai Lama-blessed Gonjang Monastery, where students receive a monastic education, learn the Tibetan and English languages, and research Indian and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. At an altitude of 1850 meters (6000+ feet), we’ll get more panoramic valley and mountain views.
Next up is Do-drul Chorten, a 27-meter high domed stupa surrounded by an impressive 108 prayer wheels. The stupa was once considered haunted, and the king of Sikkim invited famed Tibetan monk Trulshik Rinpoche, one of the teachers of the Dalai Lama, to consecrate it and dispel negative spirits. Ritual objects were placed inside to ensure it became a protective monument rather than a place of evil.
Just 500 meters away is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, an impressive example of Sikkimese architecture that holds a museum, libraries and a research center. Founded in the 1950s, a time of great political turmoil for Tibet, to preserve invaluable Tibetan texts on history, religion, literature and science, the institute is a highlight of any visit to Sikkim. Today we’ll explore its museum’s rare collection of Himalayan Buddhist art, from statues and ritual objects to painted scrolls and ancient manuscripts.
On the way back to Gangtok, we’ll stop at the Ganesh Tok, a small Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Situated atop a hill, the temple overlooks the city and provides stunning views of the valley below, as well as Kanchenjunga, which can be seen in the distance in all its glory.
Back in town, we’ll pass by the Flower Show Exhibition Complex, which showcases flowers from the different parts of Sikkim, as well as the Handicraft and Handloom Fair, where we’ll see artisans making traditional crafts and have the chance to find some souvenirs.
To close out the day with more spectacular views, we’ll make our way to the Deorali Bazar neighborhood to ride the Gangtok Ropeway, a nearly kilometre-long aerial cable car journey that offers birds-eye views of Gangtok city and the surrounding landscape.
Evening is free to dine and explore Gangtok on foot.
DAY 3: CHANGU (TSOMGO) LAKE, BABA MANDIR & NATHU LA
Get ready, because today we’re taking it higher! We’ll watch our altitude climb as we make our way to the area’s most beautiful body of water and take on a dizzying mountain pass. The drive today will be a fascinating one, as we witness stark changes in the landscape and vegetation the higher we go.
Our first stop is Changu Lake, also known as Tsomgo Lake, sitting pretty at 12,400 feet, or nearly 3800 meters. This glacial lake is a jewel of East Sikkim, its trout-filled waters considered sacred by the local people. It’s as serene as it is striking, with the lake’s surface changing color with the seasons and weather – sometimes a deep blue, sometimes a silver refection of the clouds. Surrounded by jagged peaks and alpine meadows, we might spot a yak or two by the water’s edge.
From there, we ascend to the windy heights of Baba Mandir, at nearly 13,000 feet (3900m). This unusual shrine, maintained by the Indian Army, is dedicated to Baba Harbhajan Singh, a soldier whose story is a mix of truth and legend. Said to have continued guarding the Indo-China border even after his passing, Baba remains a revered protector of the region, and his temple draws visitors who come to pay their respects to his spirit.
Finally, we push on to the dizzying altitude of Nathu La, a dramatic mountain pass sitting at 14,600 feet (4450m). Once a vital stretch of the Silk Route to Lhasa, it now serves as both a historic gateway to Tibet and a reminder of the region’s strategic importance. Standing here, with the high Himalayas spread out before us and the border with China close by, we’ll feel the weight of history – and the thrill of being on the roof of the world.
We’ll make our way back down to lower ground and drive back to the city, where we have a free evening to spend as you choose.
DAY 4: DEPARTURE
After breakfast we’ll say bye-bye to magical Sikkim and hit the road back to Bagdogra Airport (4-5 hour drive), to make it in time for our afternoon flight back home.
Activities:
Sightseeing, leisure trekking, cultural immersion.
Duration:
4 days
Cost:
AED 2956 excl. flights until OCT 05th.
Accommodation & Meals:
Hotels - double sharing. Meals excluded.
Visas:
Most of nationalities are eligible for E-visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/.
For more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_India.
See yah in Sikkim x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 00971504848238
Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup
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Dubai International Airport, شركة علاء عباسي لخدمات التصوير الفوتوغرافي, برج خليفة دبي, الإمارات العربية المتحدة, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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