Sikkim Travel Guide: Planning Your First Trip
A practical Sikkim travel guide covering when to go, how to get in, permits, Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass and how to plan a first trip to Sikkim.
Darjeeling Travel Guide
Darjeeling travel guide: when to visit, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, tea garden visits, Tiger Hill sunrise, and how to combine Darjeeling with Sikkim.
Best Time to Visit Sikkim
When is the best time to visit Sikkim? A month-by-month breakdown of weather, mountain visibility, road conditions and crowd levels.
Things to Do in Gangtok
What to actually do in Gangtok: MG Marg, Rumtek Monastery, Tsomgo Lake day trips, the ropeway, and how to structure 2-3 days in the city.
Best Hotels in Gangtok: Where to Stay
Where to stay in Gangtok: which areas suit which type of trip, what to check before booking near MG Marg, and how altitude and road access affect your choice.
Where to Stay in Darjeeling
Where to stay in Darjeeling: comparing Chowrasta/Mall Road, the railway station area, and tea-estate stays, with what to check before booking.
West Sikkim Travel Guide: Pelling, Yuksom and Khecheopalri Lake
A West Sikkim travel guide covering Pelling, Yuksom, Khecheopalri Lake and Pemayangtse Monastery — how to get there, when to go, and how much time to allow.
Where to Stay in Pelling
Where to stay in Pelling: comparing Upper Pelling, Lower Pelling and basing yourself in Yuksom instead, with what to check before booking.
North Sikkim Travel Guide: Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang Valley
A North Sikkim travel guide covering Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Gurudongmar Lake — permits, why you can't visit independently, and when to go.
Where to Stay in Lachung and Lachen
Where to stay in Lachung and Lachen for North Sikkim trips — why accommodation is usually operator-arranged, what it's actually like, and what to check.
Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake: Permits and How to Visit
How to visit Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass from Gangtok: who needs which permit, weekly closures, why foreigners can't go past Tsomgo Lake, and when to go.
Sikkim vs Darjeeling: Which Should You Visit First
Sikkim or Darjeeling first? A comparison covering permits, Kanchenjunga views, pace of travel, and how to combine both in one trip.
Kalimpong Travel Guide
Kalimpong travel guide: Deolo Hill, Durpin Monastery, how to get there, no-permit access, and how to combine it with Darjeeling or Sikkim.
Where to Stay in Kalimpong
Where to stay in Kalimpong: comparing the Deolo Hill area, the town centre near Rishi Road, and homestays, with what to check before booking.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: How to Ride the Toy Train
How to ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train: the Darjeeling-Ghum joy ride, the full NJP route, booking on IRCTC, and what to expect.
7-Day Sikkim and Darjeeling Itinerary
A practical 7-day route through Gangtok, West Sikkim and Darjeeling: how to split the days, realistic road times, and where each night's stay fits.
What to Pack for Sikkim and Darjeeling
A practical packing list for Sikkim and Darjeeling: layering for altitude swings, what changes if you're going to North Sikkim, and what to bring for permits.
Getting Around Sikkim and Darjeeling
How to get to Sikkim and Darjeeling and move between towns once you're there: Bagdogra vs NJP vs Pakyong, shared jeeps, and taxi stands.