Circuit · Sikkim
Gangtok & East Sikkim
Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La and the Zuluk Silk Route.
- Places
- 3
- Altitude
- 1,650–4,310 m
- Fly / train to
- Bagdogra / NJP
- Daily spend
- about ₹3,000
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Best for most places here: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec. Each place here needs 4–5 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Gangtok
Sikkim's tidy hill capital — MG Marg, Rumtek monastery and Kanchenjunga on clear mornings.
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
A glacial lake at 3,750 m and the old Silk Route pass on the China border, a day trip from Gangtok.
Zuluk & the Silk Route
The zigzag Old Silk Route road through Zuluk, Thambi viewpoint and Kupup lake.
What to pack for Gangtok & East Sikkim
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Sun cap or hat
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Day pack, 20–30 litres
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets
- Power bank
- Light travel tripod
- Spare memory card and camera battery
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
- Waterproof gloves
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Where to stay
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Pickups & drivers
No drivers listed for this circuit yet. Drive here? List your cab.
Gangtok & East Sikkim: questions people ask
Which places are in the Gangtok & East Sikkim circuit?
The Gangtok & East Sikkim circuit in Sikkim covers Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La and Zuluk & the Silk Route. They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Gangtok & East Sikkim?
March to May and October to December suit most places in Gangtok & East Sikkim. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Gangtok & East Sikkim?
Travel to Bagdogra / NJP, then continue by road.
How much does a Gangtok & East Sikkim trip cost per day?
About ₹3,000 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Gangtok & East Sikkim, and which is the highest?
Gangtok is the easiest (easy). Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La is the highest at 4,310 m.