Offbeat Sikkim Itineraries: 5, 7 and 10 Days (2026)
Three Sikkim routes built around quieter places: 5 days on the Old Silk Route via Aritar and Zuluk, 7 days through South and West Sikkim, and 10 days combining West and North Sikkim, with distances and permits.
These three routes avoid the busiest days of a standard Sikkim trip and spend your nights in quieter places: a lake village, a Silk Route homestay, a tea garden, the old royal capital. Each starts and ends at NJP or Bagdogra. For what each place is like, see our list of 12 quiet places in Sikkim.
5 days: Aritar and the Old Silk Route
| Day | Route | Distance | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NJP to Aritar | about 110 km, 3.5–4 hrs | Aritar |
| 2 | Aritar to Zuluk via Rongli | about 45–50 km, 3–4 hrs | Zuluk |
| 3 | Zuluk sunrise, Thambi viewpoint, the Silk Route high road | short drives | Zuluk or Nathang |
| 4 | Over the Silk Route to Gangtok | 5–6 hrs | Gangtok |
| 5 | Gangtok to NJP | about 120 km, 4.5 hrs |
- Day 1: boat on Aritar Lake, walk up to Mankhim for sunset.
- Day 2: the permit is checked at Rongli; then the climb to Zuluk on the famous zigzag road.
- Day 3: sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Thambi, then the high road.
- Day 4: cross towards Gangtok; routes and permits depend on current rules, which we check when booking.
Permit: Indians need a Silk Route permit through a registered operator. See our Sikkim permit guide and Zuluk in winter.
7 days: South and West Sikkim
| Day | Route | Distance | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NJP to Ravangla | about 120 km, 4–4.5 hrs | Ravangla |
| 2 | Temi Tea Garden, Buddha Park, on to Pelling | Temi about 22 km from Ravangla | Pelling |
| 3 | Pelling: Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Skywalk | short drives | Pelling |
| 4 | Khecheopalri, Kanchenjunga Falls, Yuksom, Dubdi | about 38 km | Yuksom |
| 5 | Yuksom to Gangtok | 5–6 hrs | Gangtok |
| 6 | Gangtok: Hanuman Tok, Banjhakri Falls, MG Marg | short drives | Gangtok |
| 7 | Gangtok to NJP | about 120 km, 4.5 hrs |
- Day 2: walk the rows at Temi Tea Garden in the morning, then Buddha Park.
- Days 3–4: follow our Yuksom and Pelling in 2 days plan.
- Day 6: sunrise at Hanuman Tok, then Banjhakri Falls and an evening on MG Marg.
No permits are needed for Indians on this route. Add a day trip to Tsomgo Lake from Gangtok if you like (permit needed).
10 days: West Sikkim and North Sikkim
| Days | Route | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | As the 7-day route, days 1–5 | Ravangla, Pelling (2), Yuksom, Gangtok |
| 6 | Gangtok to Lachung, about 118 km, 6 hrs | Lachung |
| 7 | Yumthang Valley and Zero Point | Lachung |
| 8 | Lachung to Gangtok | Gangtok |
| 9 | Gangtok: Hanuman Tok, Banjhakri Falls | Gangtok |
| 10 | Gangtok to NJP |
- Days 6–8: Yumthang Valley and Zero Point. North Sikkim needs a permit and a local vehicle; check whether roads are open with our North Sikkim status guide.
- Swap: instead of North Sikkim, do the 5-day Silk Route after the 7-day route for a quieter 12-day trip.
Getting around
- Cabs: NJP to Gangtok, Bagdogra to Gangtok, Gangtok to Pelling, Gangtok to Lachung.
- One car or several? Sikkim's rules on outside taxis matter; read which taxis can go where in Sikkim.
- Packages: we build all three routes as private Sikkim tour packages and North Sikkim packages.
Best time
- October–December: clear views; cold nights at Zuluk and Lachung.
- March–May: rhododendrons, especially on the Silk Route and at Yumthang.
- January–February: snow can close Zuluk and North Sikkim roads.
- June–September: monsoon landslides; avoid the Silk Route and North Sikkim.
Foreign travellers
Foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit for Sikkim and extra permits for protected areas such as the Silk Route and North Sikkim. See our RAP guide.
Sources
Timings, fees and permit rules change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good offbeat Sikkim itinerary for 5 days?
NJP to Aritar, Zuluk on the Old Silk Route for two nights, then Gangtok and back to NJP.
Can I see West Sikkim without permits?
Yes. Indians don't need permits for Ravangla, Temi, Pelling, Yuksom or Gangtok.
How many days do I need for Sikkim?
Seven days covers South and West Sikkim with Gangtok; ten days adds North Sikkim or the Silk Route.
Do I need a permit for the Silk Route?
Yes, Indians need a permit through a registered operator; foreigners need extra permits too.
When is the best time for an offbeat Sikkim trip?
October to December and March to May.
Can one car do the whole Sikkim itinerary?
Usually a Sikkim-registered car can do the routes in South and West Sikkim and Gangtok; North Sikkim and the Silk Route may need local vehicles. Check current rules when booking.
Plan This Journey
Turn this Sikkim guide into a trip that fits your pace
If this guide is part of the kind of holiday you want, Breeziah can help shape the route, travel flow and stay style around your dates, comfort level and destination priorities.