Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok & Lachung Panorama
Travel from Darjeeling into Sikkim, covering tea gardens, ancient capitals, the modern capital, and northern alpine valleys.
A classic long route combining Darjeeling and Sikkim: three nights in Darjeeling for tea gardens and the toy train, two nights in Pelling for monasteries and mountain views, three nights in Gangtok split before and after, and a two-night side trip north to Lachung for Yumthang Valley. The pace is well-balanced and ideal for first-time visitors with plenty of time. To keep driving times manageable, Lachen and Gurudongmar are skipped, and Kalimpong is not included.
Rhododendrons bloom in April, and snow-capped peaks are clearest from October to November. Road conditions in North Sikkim change frequently; please confirm in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Darjeeling
Darjeeling（Chowrasta Mall、Glenary's）
Charter a car up the mountain from Bagdogra Airport, taking about 3 to 4 hours. Stroll around the Mall Road in the evening.
Stay: Chowrasta and The Mall
Day 2 · Tiger Hill Sunrise and City Tour
Darjeeling（Tiger Hill Sunrise、Ghum Monastery (Yiga Choeling)、Batasia Loop、Himalayan Mountaineering Institute）
Take a chartered car to Tiger Hill in the early morning (about 1 hour), return via Ghum, and visit the northern part of the city in the afternoon.
The Tiger Hill sunrise requires departure around 04:00.
Stay: Chowrasta and The Mall
Day 3 · Toy Train and Tea Gardens
Darjeeling（Darjeeling Himalayan Railway、Happy Valley Tea Estate、Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre）
Take the Toy Train to Ghum and back in the morning (about 2 hours). Walk or take a short drive to a tea garden in the afternoon.
Toy Train tickets must be booked in advance.
Stay: Chowrasta and The Mall
Day 4 · Enter Sikkim to Pelling
Pelling（Rabdentse Ruins、Pemayangtse Monastery）
Drive from Darjeeling via Jorethang to Pelling, taking about 4 to 5 hours by chartered car. Visit monastery ruins in the afternoon.
Stay: Upper Pelling (Helipad Area)
Day 5 · Sacred Lake and Ancient Capital of Yuksom
Pelling（Khecheopalri Lake、Kanchenjunga Falls、Norbugang Coronation Throne、Chenrezig Statue & Pelling Skywalk）
Take a one-day chartered loop tour from Pelling, passing the sacred lake to Yuksom, and return to Upper Pelling in the evening.
Stay: Upper Pelling (Helipad Area)
Day 6 · Via Ravangla to Gangtok
Namchi（Buddha Park of Ravangla） → Gangtok（MG Marg）
Drive from Pelling via Ravangla to Gangtok, taking about 4.5 to 5 hours by chartered car, stopping at Buddha Park after midday.
Stay: MG Marg Area
Day 7 · Tsomgo Lake Day Trip
Gangtok（Tsomgo Lake、Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir）
Charter a car from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake and back, taking about 2 hours one way. Return to the city in the afternoon.
Permits for both Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim must be arranged in advance by your travel agency.
Stay: MG Marg Area
Day 8 · Head North to Lachung Village
North Sikkim（Seven Sisters Waterfall、Singhik Viewpoint、Lachung Monastery）
Drive from Gangtok via Mangan and Chungthang to Lachung, taking about 6 to 8 hours by chartered car, mostly on mountain roads.
Tourist vehicles must pass the Toong checkpost before 16:00.
Stay: Lachung Village
Day 9 · Yumthang Valley and Zero Point
North Sikkim（Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary、Yumthang Valley、Zero Point (Yumesamdong)）
Charter a car from Lachung in the early morning to Yumthang Valley, then continue to Zero Point, returning to Lachung on the same day.
Zero Point is at an altitude of about 4,600 meters; foreign tourists generally stop at Yumthang Valley.
Stay: Lachung Village
Day 10 · Descend and Return to Gangtok
North Sikkim（Bhim Nala Falls、Chungthang） → Gangtok（Enchey Monastery）
Drive from Lachung via Chungthang and Mangan back to Gangtok, taking about 6 to 8 hours by chartered car with a few short stops.
Stay: MG Marg Area
Day 11 · Rumtek Monastery and Depart
Visit Rumtek Monastery in the morning, then charter a car down the mountain to Bagdogra, taking about 5 hours in total.
Mountain roads are prone to landslides; it is advisable to book a late afternoon flight.