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Scintillating, Spellbinding, Serene – Sikkim. Where monasteries, monuments, and momos, reign proudly. Where hills are heaven, and lakes are king. Where meditation is breathing, and chanting is speaking. Where the tea is infused with Tibet and sweetened with Nepal. Where Buddhism and… read more
It is imperative to know the best time to visit Sikkim because this Northeastern state tops the wish-list of many travellers across the globe. The best month to visit Sikkim depends entirely on what you want to see—whether it's the vibrant flowers of spring, the clear mountain views of autumn, or the magical snowfall in winter.
| Travel Months | Min/Max Temperature | Season |
|---|---|---|
| April to June | 24°c to 45°c | Summer |
| July to Sep | 21°c to 35°c | Monsoon |
| Oct to March | 10°c to 27°c | Winter |
This is because states lying in the north-east part of India are known for their unparalleled natural beauty and significant opportunities for adventure sports. And Sikkim is one of the most famous tourist destinations of Northeast India. This is place well-known for its delightful natural beauty and dramatic landscapes. Most people avail Sikkim tour packages just to experience the charm of the colourful flora and fauna as well as the serenity of hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse.
Summer (April to June):
If you love nice weather and blue skies, summer is amongst the best month to visit Sikkim. It's in the range of 15°C to 25°C, making it ideal for viewing sights and carrying out outdoor adventures. Gangtok, Pelling, and Tsomgo Lake are a few must-see places during summer, and these have breathtaking sceneries minus the extreme chill. For thrill enthusiasts, these are the best month to visit Sikkim for river rafting in the Teesta River and paragliding across the green valleys. Summer is also the time of flowers, so if you have a liking for colorful landscapes, April and May are the ideal time to visit Sikkim to see rhododendrons and orchids bloom.
Monsoon (July to September)
Though monsoon is not the best time to go to Sikkim, the misty mountains and greenery make it a mystical experience. Landslides are frequent, and road connectivity is an issue, so it's not the best time to go to Sikkim for first-time visitors.
Autumn (October to mid-December)
Autumn, on the other hand, brings a clear view of the Himalayan Range. If you want to capture the picturesque view of the Himalayan Range, then October to December is the best time to visit to Sikkim. During this time, you can be part of various festivals like the Maniram Bhanjyang Tourism Festival, where you can enjoy local homestays among many other things. You can also be a part of the Cherry Tea Festival as well as the Red Panda Winter Festival. For good mountain vistas and cool weather, autumn is the perfect time to tour Sikkim. October and November are ideal time to visit Sikkim to experience stunning views of Kanchenjunga and participate in local festivals such as the Red Panda Winter Festival.
Winter (December to February)
If you love snow, then winter is the best month to visit Sikkim, particularly places like Lachung and Nathula Pass. The temperature plummets to sub-zero point, but it is worth the experience of icy lakes and snowy landscapes. It is the perfect time to visit Sikkim for people who wish to have snowfall and less tourist influx.
Spring (March to May):
Spring is usually the best time to visit Sikkim, with the whole state coming alive in shades of colour with flowers in bloom. For trekking lovers, this is the best time to visit Sikkim, with routes such as Goecha La providing spectacular views. For a mix of adventure, sightseeing, and good weather, spring is the ideal time to travel to Sikkim. As suggested by Sikkim Tourism, the best time to visit Sikkim is either between March and May or October and mid-December. If you want to witness the blooming natural beauty, then the best season to visit Sikkim would be spring, from March to May.
These festivals showcase a different side of Sikkim, so plan wisely before deciding on the best time to visit Sikkim. Sikkim is a beautiful state, and every season of this state has something different to offer its tourists. In winter, you will witness Sikkim roads and Himalayan peaks covered with thick snow. If you love adventure and trekking, then the best time to go to Sikkim is during spring (March to May) when the weather is pleasant and the famous rhododendrons are in full bloom, making the trails breathtaking. Now that you have the time to plan a vacation to Sikkim, you need a comprehensive Sikkim package offered by Thomas Cook. Our range of travel services includes providing hotel bookings, travel insurance, and Forex, among many others.
The saying, “Good things come in small packages”, has never been truer. Sikkim, the small state in northeast India is big on stunning natural beauty, spirituality andunique local culture, unlike any other place on earth.
Whether you’re searching for some spirituality or just want to travel back in time, here are the list of the must-visit monuments in Sikkim that showcase Sikkimese culture and history in all its glory!
| List of Monuments in Sikkim | What to see | Established Year |
| Dubdi Monastery | Painted interiors, ancient artworks & rare manuscripts | 1701 |
| Coronation Throne of Norbugang | Three lamas footprints, kathok lake | 1642 |
| Rabdentse | Palace, Kanchenjunga Mountain Range, river | 17th Century |
| Siddheshwar Dham (Char Dham) | Statue of Kirateshwar, mountains | N/A |
| Pemayangtse Monastery | Stunning sculptures, paintings and ancient scrolls | 1647 |
| Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir | Bala Chaturdesi, Maha Shivaratri | N/A |
Dubdi is also known as Yuksum (Yuksom) Monastery and belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The word 'Dubdi' in the vernacular tongue means retreat. Established in 1701 by Chogyal Namgyal, it is considered to be the oldest monastery in the state.
Marvel at its intricately painted interiors, ancient artworks of divinities, saints and a collection of well-preserved rare manuscripts and religious texts, dating back hundreds of years.
Coronation Throne of Norbugang is the historical location of the crowning ceremony of the first Chogyal king, Phuntsog Namgyal, in the year 1642.After the ceremony, a wall-like structure named Norbugang Chorten, which still marks the original site, was erected in his memory.
Rumour has it that the people who attended the ceremony offered generous treasures, that are still believed to be buried beneath the Norbugang Chorten. The site also has the seats of the 3 Lamas and the king, shaded by a 300-year-old fir tree; a shrine with a huge prayer wheel and the serene Kathok Lake, from where water for the coronation was taken. One must not miss seeing the footprints of one of the three lamas, embedded in a rock opposite the king’s throne.
Travel back in time at Rabdentse–the second capital of the Sikkim Kingdom from the late 17th century until the early 19th century.The capital city was destroyed by the invading Gorkha Army and today, only ruins of the majesticpalace and the chortens are seen here now.
Rabdentse should be right on top of travel lists of history-enthusiasts who want to dig into the state’s past,while enjoyingstunning views of Kanchenjunga Mountain Range. and the gushing river flowing through the foothills.
If you’ve ever wanted to do the Char Dham yatra, but have never gotten around to completing it, the Siddheshwar Dham is where all your spiritual and religious dreams will come true. It is believed that a visit to this place is enough to wash away one’s sins.
Surrounded by mammoth mountains, is an equally colossal 108 ft tall statue of Lord Shiva, replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas, impressive replicas of the sacred Char Dham Hindu Temples of Jagannath, Badrinath, Dwaraka and Rameswaram, and an 18-feet statue of Kirateshwar - a hunter incarnation of Shiva.
Pemayangtse, meaning ‘perfect sublime lotus’,is believed to symbolize one of the four ‘plexus’ of the human body.Designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempoway in 1647, it was originally built as a crypt, and later expanded. Today, it is one of the oldest and most famous monasteries of Sikkim.It’s home to the monks who are sworn to celibacy; given the title of ‘ta-tshang’ or ‘monks of pure lineage’.
As you enter, you are greeted by exquisitestatues of saints and more figures of importance. The first level houses stunning sculptures, paintings and ancient scrolls along with the notable statue of Padmasambhava’s eight incarnations,and the seven-layered wooden structure depicting the heavenly abode of Guru Rimpoche.
Cradled by emerald forests, on the banks of the River Rangit, Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site of epic importance. Revered by Hindus, this ancient temple has a history dating back to several significant episodes in the Mahabharata.
Although the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, it also holdsshrinesdedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Rama. The main festival of the temple, Bala Chaturdesi,happens in December each year, while Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with much fervour, during February or March. It’s a time when the whole town of Legship comes alive to celebrate with zest and joy.
Sikkim is not high on the tourist radar. But it should be. This tiny place has so much to offer visitors. From the tallest mountain range in the world to stunning glacial lakes, from kaleidoscopic flora to centuries-old Buddhist Monasteries, Sikkim has no dearth of wonders to mesmerize you.
There are many more stunning sites to visit across the gorgeous state of Sikkim, from ancient ruins to mesmerising nature treks; this list, however, covers the best of them. For packaged tours that conveniently cover travel, stay and all the best monuments, browse our Sikkim tour packages or call us at 1800 2099 100 for customised holiday packages today.
The saying, “Good things come in small packages”, has never been truer. Sikkim, the small state in northeast India is big on stunning natural beauty, spirituality andunique local culture, unlike any other place on earth.
Whether you’re searching for some spirituality or just want to travel back in time, here are the list of the must-visit monuments in Sikkim that showcase Sikkimese culture and history in all its glory!
| List of Monuments in Sikkim | What to see | Established Year |
| Dubdi Monastery | Painted interiors, ancient artworks & rare manuscripts | 1701 |
| Coronation Throne of Norbugang | Three lamas footprints, kathok lake | 1642 |
| Rabdentse | Palace, Kanchenjunga Mountain Range, river | 17th Century |
| Siddheshwar Dham (Char Dham) | Statue of Kirateshwar, mountains | N/A |
| Pemayangtse Monastery | Stunning sculptures, paintings and ancient scrolls | 1647 |
| Kirateshwar Mahadev Mandir | Bala Chaturdesi, Maha Shivaratri | N/A |
Dubdi is also known as Yuksum (Yuksom) Monastery and belongs to the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The word 'Dubdi' in the vernacular tongue means retreat. Established in 1701 by Chogyal Namgyal, it is considered to be the oldest monastery in the state.
Marvel at its intricately painted interiors, ancient artworks of divinities, saints and a collection of well-preserved rare manuscripts and religious texts, dating back hundreds of years.
Coronation Throne of Norbugang is the historical location of the crowning ceremony of the first Chogyal king, Phuntsog Namgyal, in the year 1642.After the ceremony, a wall-like structure named Norbugang Chorten, which still marks the original site, was erected in his memory.
Rumour has it that the people who attended the ceremony offered generous treasures, that are still believed to be buried beneath the Norbugang Chorten. The site also has the seats of the 3 Lamas and the king, shaded by a 300-year-old fir tree; a shrine with a huge prayer wheel and the serene Kathok Lake, from where water for the coronation was taken. One must not miss seeing the footprints of one of the three lamas, embedded in a rock opposite the king’s throne.
Travel back in time at Rabdentse–the second capital of the Sikkim Kingdom from the late 17th century until the early 19th century.The capital city was destroyed by the invading Gorkha Army and today, only ruins of the majesticpalace and the chortens are seen here now.
Rabdentse should be right on top of travel lists of history-enthusiasts who want to dig into the state’s past,while enjoyingstunning views of Kanchenjunga Mountain Range. and the gushing river flowing through the foothills.
If you’ve ever wanted to do the Char Dham yatra, but have never gotten around to completing it, the Siddheshwar Dham is where all your spiritual and religious dreams will come true. It is believed that a visit to this place is enough to wash away one’s sins.
Surrounded by mammoth mountains, is an equally colossal 108 ft tall statue of Lord Shiva, replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas, impressive replicas of the sacred Char Dham Hindu Temples of Jagannath, Badrinath, Dwaraka and Rameswaram, and an 18-feet statue of Kirateshwar - a hunter incarnation of Shiva.
Pemayangtse, meaning ‘perfect sublime lotus’,is believed to symbolize one of the four ‘plexus’ of the human body.Designed and founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempoway in 1647, it was originally built as a crypt, and later expanded. Today, it is one of the oldest and most famous monasteries of Sikkim.It’s home to the monks who are sworn to celibacy; given the title of ‘ta-tshang’ or ‘monks of pure lineage’.
As you enter, you are greeted by exquisitestatues of saints and more figures of importance. The first level houses stunning sculptures, paintings and ancient scrolls along with the notable statue of Padmasambhava’s eight incarnations,and the seven-layered wooden structure depicting the heavenly abode of Guru Rimpoche.
Cradled by emerald forests, on the banks of the River Rangit, Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site of epic importance. Revered by Hindus, this ancient temple has a history dating back to several significant episodes in the Mahabharata.
Although the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, it also holdsshrinesdedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Rama. The main festival of the temple, Bala Chaturdesi,happens in December each year, while Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with much fervour, during February or March. It’s a time when the whole town of Legship comes alive to celebrate with zest and joy.
Sikkim is not high on the tourist radar. But it should be. This tiny place has so much to offer visitors. From the tallest mountain range in the world to stunning glacial lakes, from kaleidoscopic flora to centuries-old Buddhist Monasteries, Sikkim has no dearth of wonders to mesmerize you.
There are many more stunning sites to visit across the gorgeous state of Sikkim, from ancient ruins to mesmerising nature treks; this list, however, covers the best of them. For packaged tours that conveniently cover travel, stay and all the best monuments, browse our Sikkim tour packages or call us at 1800 2099 100 for customised holiday packages today.
Pakyoung Airport is the only airport in Sikkim, 31 km south of Gangtok. It is a Greenfield airport and is spread over 201 acres. It is one of the five highest airports in India at 4590 ft. This airport was inaugurated on the 24thof September 2018, and the first commercial flight operations started on the 4thof October 2018.
There are no international flights that land at Pakyoung airport as yet. However, there are flights every day from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. Air Asia, Spice Jet, Indigo, Air India and Vistara have direct connections to Pakyoung Airport.
If you are travelling from outside of India it is best to book a flight to one of the major cities, which have connecting flights to Sikkim.
The closest airport to Gangtok besides Pakyoung is Bagdogra, which has many daily connections to several cities in India and to the neighbouring foreign countries like Bhutan. Bagdogra is 126 km from Gangtok and usually an easily accessible option to get to Sikkim.
There is also a helicopter service available between Bagdogra and Gangtok, which takes 35 minutes one way.
The construction of a 50 km rail link from Sevoke, West Bengal to Rangpo, Sikkim started in 2009, but has been halted. In the meanwhile the nearest stations are Siliguri (146km) and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) (187km). There are numerous trains connecting them to Kolkata, Guwahati, Mumbai and Delhi. Once you alight, you can get a pre-paid taxi to Gangtok effortlessly.
There are few trains that operate from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri, which is 593 km away. The limited trains between Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri are KOAA (12363), Testa Torsa Exp (13141) and Darjeeling Mail (12343).
There are plenty of weekly as well as daily trains that run from Guwahati to Siliguri, located at a distance of around 433 km. The daily trains from Guwahati to Siliguri are; DBRT Rajdhani Express (12423), Kamrup Express (15960), North-East Express (12505), Saraighat Express (12346), Brahmaputra Mail (14055) and Abadh Assam Express (15909).
While between Mumbai to Siliguri, which is comparatively a longer route of about a distance of 1798 km, there are few weekly trains running between them; like Guwahati (15645), Karambhoomi (22511), LTT KYQAC Express (12519), Guwahati Express (15647) and KYQ SUVIDA Special (82505).
The trains running from Delhi to Siliguri, including both weekly and daily are numerous, and the distance they travel is of around 1466 km. Some of the trains running between Delhi and Siliguri are; Mahananda Express (15484), North-East Express (12506), Avadh Assam Express (15910), DBRT Rajdhani (12424) and Brahmaputra Mail (14056).
Bus - Sikkim is easily accessible by bus. The Sikkim government has fixed-rate buses; Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) from its bus terminal at Siliguri plying between Siliguri and Gangtok. There are buses from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Gangtok. Many tourists avail trains and alight at New Jalpaiguri to reach Gangtok, which is at a distance of 124 km.
The road routes from Bagdogra, New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri all meet the Sevoke Road, which leads to the National Highway NH10. The route passes through the Teesta area and then goes all the way to Gangtok. For a long part of the drive, you will see the beautiful River Teesta flowing alongside.
From north, Tibet, China is accessible by the Nathu La pass that was part of the erstwhile silk route. This route has opened up after 44 years of closure. There are also plans for a Gangtok- Lhasa bus service.
Taxi - Private Taxi’s are easily available from both Bagdogra Airport and New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station. All taxi services ply from this town. There are multiple vehicles options, which one can choose from such as Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero, and Toyota Innova. Not many taxi providers are available in Sikkim who are trustworthy and provide comfortable transportation.
There are also prepaid taxi counters both from Bagdogra airport (next to the arrival hall exit) and New Jalpaiguri station (opposite the station entrance). Prepaid taxis have fixed rates. It is better to get a Sikkim registered Taxi from Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri. This is because Taxi’s with a West Bengal registration drop passengers at Deorali Taxi stand near Gangtok, which is 2km below the town center. This is due to the restrictions in Gangtok for non-state vehicles. From Deorali you will need to take a local taxi to reach your hotel, which will cost Rs 200/- - Rs300/- additional.
Shared Jeeps - Shared Jeeps usually take about 10 people on a per person rate. The luggage is put on the roof. But they usually cover it with a plastic sheet during monsoon. You can reserve more than one seat if you wish and make it a more comfortable ride.
.jpg "Darjeeling and Gangtok with Pelling")
