Gangtok, South Sikkim & Pelling Monastery Route
Skip North Sikkim and connect Gangtok, the pilgrimage sites of Namchi, and the ancient ruins of Pelling.
Bypass the long drives and permit uncertainties of North Sikkim, and dedicate your time to monasteries, tea gardens, and Kanchenjunga views. Stay three nights in Gangtok, and split your stays between Namchi and Pelling. The daily driving times are relatively manageable, making this ideal for first-time visitors, those traveling with seniors, or those who want to avoid high altitudes. Tsomgo Lake is the highest point of the trip and can be skipped if you feel unwell.
October to December offers the best visibility. The rainy season is not recommended due to frequent landslides on mountain roads.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Gangtok
Charter a car from Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok, taking about 4.5 hours. Stroll along MG Marg in the evening.
Stay: MG Marg Area
Day 2 · 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.
A permit is required and should be arranged in advance by your travel agency.
Stay: MG Marg Area
Day 3 · Gangtok Monasteries and Tibetology
Gangtok（Rumtek Monastery、Lingdum Monastery、Do-drul Chorten、Namgyal Institute of Tibetology、Enchey Monastery）
Charter a car for a half-day or full-day city tour. Rumtek Monastery is about a 1.5-hour round trip, while other points are within the city.
Stay: MG Marg Area
Day 4 · Tea Gardens to Namchi Pilgrimage Sites
Namchi（Temi Tea Garden、Samdruptse Guru Padmasambhava Statue、Char Dham, Namchi）
Drive from Gangtok via Temi to Namchi, taking about 3 to 4 hours by chartered car, stopping at tea gardens along the way.
Stay: Namchi Town
Day 5 · Ravangla Buddha Park to Pelling
Namchi（Buddha Park of Ravangla） → Pelling（Rabdentse Ruins）
Drive north from Namchi to Ravangla for about 1 hour, then continue to Pelling for about 3 hours.
Stay: Upper Pelling (Helipad Area)
Day 6 · Pelling Monasteries and Sacred Lake
Pelling（Pemayangtse Monastery、Chenrezig Statue & Pelling Skywalk、Kanchenjunga Falls、Khecheopalri Lake）
Take a one-day chartered loop tour around Pelling. The sacred lake is about 1 hour each way. Return to Upper Pelling in the evening.
Stay: Upper Pelling (Helipad Area)
Day 7 · Sunrise and Descend the Mountain
Pelling（Sanga Choeling Monastery）
Watch the sunrise over the snow-capped mountains from Upper Pelling in the early morning, then charter a car to Bagdogra, taking about 6 to 7 hours.
It is advisable to book an evening flight or stay overnight in Siliguri.