MOUNTAINS - MONASTERIES - TEA - CULTUR

Gangtok | Tsomgo Lake | Pelling | Darjeeling

EASTERN HIMALAYAS | INDIA | KANCHENJUNGA REGION
SIKKIM & DARJEELING
Duration

6 Days 5 Nights

Group Size

10 PAX Private Group

Fly In & Out

Mumbai

Adventure

Himalayan

Core Attractions

  • Tsomgo (Changu) Lake — 3,753m
  • Pelling — Kanchenjunga Views
  • Enchey & Tashiding Monasteries
  • e`41E32 — Largest in Sikkim
  • Nathula Pass — Indo-China Border 4,310m
  • Do-Drul Chorten Stupa, Gangtok
Starting From

USD 750

per person | private group of 10 pax

“Where the mountains teach you silence and the prayer flags carry your dreams.”

Plan your Trip Now

Sikkim & Darjeeling — Tour Overview

Discover the most magical corner of the Indian Himalayas on this meticulously crafted 6-Day / 5-Night Sikkim & Darjeeling package for a private group of 10, flying in and out of Bagdogra Airport from Bangkok (BKK). Explore India’s most celebrated Himalayan state — Sikkim — a land of ancient Buddhist monasteries, sacred alpine lakes, the world’s third-highest peak Kanchenjunga (8,586m), and extraordinary natural beauty. Then descend to the colonial hill station of Darjeeling — the ‘Queen of the Hills’ — with its UNESCO Heritage Toy Train, world-famous tea estates, and the legendary Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga. Tibetan prayer flags flutter over dramatic mountain passes, crimson-robed monks chant in centuries-old gompa halls, and clouds of cardamom-scented mist swirl through the most beautiful mountain landscape in South Asia.

ALTITUDE ADVISORY: Gangtok sits at 1,650m; Tsomgo Lake at 3,753m; Nathula Pass at 4,310m; Pelling at 2,150m; Darjeeling at 2,042m. Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass require acclimatisation — no strenuous activity immediately after arrival. Guests with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before travel. Altitude sickness medicine (Diamox) recommended for Nathula Pass. Prime Value Tours provides supplemental oxygen on high-altitude transfers.

Tour Highlights

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Group Size

10 Pax (Private Pilgrimage Tour)

Fly In/Out

Bangkok (BKK) to/from Bagdogra (IXB), West Bengal

Destinations

Gangtok · Tsomgo Lake · Pelling · Darjeeling

Meals

Daily Breakfast + Dinners (as per itinerary)

Transport

Private AC Innova / Sumo / Bolero (mountain-capable)

Accommodtions

3–4 Star Mountain Hotels & Heritage Properties

Best Time

March–May (blooms) & Oct–Dec (clear skies)

6-DAY DETAILED ITINERARY

All road transfers by private mountain-capable AC vehicle (Innova/Bolero/Sumo). Expert Sikkim & Darjeeling heritage guide throughout.

Day 1: Arrival in the Land of the Thunderbolt — Gateway to Sikkim

The Eastern Himalayan adventure begins at Suvarnabhumi Airport with the flight to Bagdogra Airport (Siliguri, West Bengal) — the gateway to the Himalayan states of Sikkim and Darjeeling. From Bagdogra, the drive climbs steeply through terraced tea gardens and dense cloud forests into Gangtok — the charming capital of Sikkim, a compact hill-station city at 1,650 metres with commanding views of the Kanchenjunga range. Sikkim is India’s smallest state, a former Himalayan Buddhist kingdom with a culture deeply rooted in Tibetan tradition, surrounded by extraordinary mountain landscapes.

  • Group assembly at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) — Prime Value Tours coordinator meets all 10 guests; check-in, baggage assistance, altitude briefing, warm clothing reminders
  • Flight: Bangkok (BKK) → Bagdogra (IXB) — via IndiGo / Air India / SpiceJet (approx. 3–4 hrs via Kolkata or direct; Kolkata connection recommended)
  • Arrival Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri — greeted by local guide and mountain-capable vehicle
  • Drive Bagdogra to Gangtok (118 km, approx. 4 hrs) — dramatic ascent along Teesta River through Sub-Himalayan forests; climb from plains (150m) to Gangtok (1,650m) via hairpin bends
  • Enroute stop: Banjhakri Falls — magnificent tiered waterfall in forest park; refreshment and photography
  • Arrival Gangtok — check-in: Hotel Elgin Nor-Khill (Heritage) / Mayfair Spa Resort / Denzong Regency (4-Star)
  • MG Road (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) — pedestrianised promenade; Tibetan crafts, thangka paintings, prayer wheels, singing bowls; fusion restaurants; vibrant evening atmosphere
  • Do-Drul Chorten Stupa — important stupa with 108 prayer wheels; golden spire visible across Gangtok; evening butter lamp lighting ceremony
  • Gangtok Ropeway (optional) — 3-station cable car with aerial views of city and mountains (weather permitting)
  • Welcome dinner at hotel — Sikkimese cuisine: thukpa (noodle soup), phagshapa (pork & radish stew), gundruk soup, momo dumplings, Chang (millet beer)

Meals: Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel Elgin Nor-Khill / Mayfair Spa Resort / Denzong Regency, Gangtok (4-Star)

The most dramatic altitude day of the tour — ascending from Gangtok through increasingly spectacular high-altitude terrain to Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) at 3,753 metres, one of Sikkim’s most sacred glacial lakes. Then continuing to Nathula Pass (4,310m) — the ancient Silk Road trading post on the India-China border, one of only three open border crossings between India and China, where Indian and Chinese soldiers stand face to face across the divide. The drive back to Gangtok via the scenic Baba Mandir military shrine completes an extraordinary day.

  • Early breakfast (7:00 AM) and departure; health check
  • Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Tsomgo & Nathula pre-arranged — no queuing required
  • Drive Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake (38 km, approx. 1.5 hrs) — steep climb past rhododendron forests, army camps, alpine terrain; yak herders visible in late spring
  • Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) — 3,753m:
    • Sacred oval glacial lake, holy to Hindus & Buddhists
    • Water changes colour with seasons (frozen in winter, turquoise in summer, copper-gold in autumn)
    • Yak rides optional (INR 200–300)
    • Tsomgo Temple at lakeshore
    • Spectacular views of peaks & glaciers
  • Nathula Pass — 4,310m (India-China Border):
    • Ancient Silk Road trade route
    • Formal gate marking India-China frontier
    • Indian & Chinese army posts face each other; weekly market
    • Prayer flags everywhere; dramatic mountain panorama
    • Note: supplemental oxygen may be required; 15 min max stay
  • Baba Mandir — military shrine of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh; revered by Indian Army
  • Return to Gangtok by evening
  • Enchey Monastery — 200-year-old hilltop monastery; Cham (Lama dance) performed here; panoramic views of Gangtok & mountains
  • Dinner at hotel — rest & recovery

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel Elgin Nor-Khill / Mayfair Spa Resort, Gangtok (4-Star)

Drive west across Sikkim to the charming mountain town of Pelling — the supreme vantage point for views of Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the world’s third-highest peak. En route, stop at Rumtek Monastery — the largest and most important monastery in Sikkim and one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist centres in the world, home to the Kagyu order. Pelling is one of the finest viewpoints in the Indian Himalayas — on clear mornings, Kanchenjunga fills the entire horizon.

  • Hotel breakfast and check-out from Gangtok
  • Rumtek Monastery (Dharmachakra Centre) — largest monastery in Sikkim; seat of Kagyu (Black Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism; built in 1960s as replica of original Rumtek in Tibet; golden temple with murals, golden stupa of 16th Karmapa, monks’ quarters and debating courtyard
  • Namdroling Monastery (Rumtek area) and surrounding monastery complex
  • Drive west to Pelling (140 km, approx. 4–5 hrs including stops) — spectacular mountain terrain, deep river gorges, cardamom-scented forests
  • Arrival Pelling (2,150m) — check-in: Norbu Ghang Resort / Hotel Sikkim Crown / Elgin Mount Pandim (4-Star, Kanchenjunga view rooms)
  • Kanchenjunga Evening Views — direct view of 8,586m peak, glaciers and massif; guide points out named peaks and glaciers
  • Pemayangtse Monastery (Tashiding Gompa) — founded 1705 CE; one of Sikkim’s oldest monasteries; Nyingmapa Buddhist order; highlight: 7-storey wood-carved Zangdog Palri model (Guru Rinpoche’s heavenly abode)
  • Rabdentse Ruins — second capital of ancient Kingdom of Sikkim (17th–18th CE); dramatic ruined stone palace on ridge with Kanchenjunga backdrop; UNESCO tentative World Heritage Site
  • Dinner at hotel — West Sikkimese cuisine: nettle soup, bamboo shoot pickle, churpi (yak cheese) curry

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Norbu Ghang Resort / Elgin Mount Pandim / Hotel Sikkim Crown, Pelling (4-Star)

A full day based in Pelling — one of the finest viewpoints in the entire Indian Himalayan arc. The highlight of this day is the pre-dawn drive to the Kanchenjunga Sunrise viewpoint — watching the first rays of dawn turn the snow-covered 8,586-metre peak from pale grey to brilliant orange-gold is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles available anywhere in the world. The day continues with visits to the sacred Khecheopalri Lake, Asia’s highest suspension bridge at Singshore, and the beautiful Rimbi Waterfalls.

  • 4:30–5:00 AM: Kanchenjunga Sunrise — pre-dawn drive to viewpoint above Pelling; sky shifts indigo → purple → crimson; 8,586m Kanchenjunga massif illuminated in golden light; emotionally powerful highlight of the tour
  • Return to hotel for full breakfast
  • Khecheopalri Lake (Wishing Lake) — sacred lake; legend says leaves are removed by birds before touching water; peaceful forested shore with temple and prayer flags
  • Trekking trail around the sacred lake (1.5 hrs, gentle walk)
  • Singshore Bridge — Asia’s second-highest suspension bridge (198m above valley floor, span 198m); dramatic gorge and mountain views; engineering marvel in cloud forest
  • Rimbi Waterfalls — multi-tiered cascade in dense forest; nearby orange and cardamom orchards
  • Darap Village — traditional Rai tribal village; terraced paddy fields, bamboo houses, handicraft weaving workshops
  • Dentam Monastery & Tashiding Monastery (afternoon, if time permits) — Tashiding considered holiest monastery in Sikkim; hilltop above Rangit & Rathong river confluence
  • Sunset Kanchenjunga views from hotel terrace — evening alpenglow on summit
  • Dinner at hotel — Sikkimese cuisine: cardamom-flavoured kheer, sel roti (rice flour ring doughnuts), gundruk soup

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Norbu Ghang Resort / Elgin Mount Pandim, Pelling (4-Star)

Drive from Pelling back into West Bengal and up to Darjeeling — the ‘Queen of the Hills’, one of the most romantic and atmospheric hill stations in all of Asia. Established by the British in 1835 as a sanitarium and tea-growing experiment, Darjeeling became the summer retreat of the Raj and gave the world its most celebrated tea. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 — puffs through the town on a narrow-gauge steam track that has been running since 1881. Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga is tomorrow morning’s unforgettable reward.

  • Hotel breakfast and check-out from Pelling
  • Drive Pelling to Mirik (approx. 120 km, 3.5 hrs) — descend from Sikkim into West Bengal through tea-garden districts
  • Mirik Lake & Bokar Monastery — serene Sumendu Lake in a bowl of hills; rowboating, horse rides; Bokar Rinpoche monastery overlooking the water; orange orchards and cardamom farms nearby
  • Mirik Tea Garden — working Darjeeling tea estate; walk through tea rows; watch pluckers at work; taste fresh Darjeeling green and first-flush teas
  • Drive Mirik to Darjeeling (52 km, approx. 2 hrs) — classic Himalayan road through layers of tea estates
  • Arrival Darjeeling — check-in: The Elgin Hotel (heritage) / Mayfair Darjeeling / Cedar Inn (4-Star)
  • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway — Toy Train Ride (UNESCO) — iconic narrow-gauge steam train since 1881; loops, zigzags through town & tea gardens; Batasia Loop — spiral loop with War Memorial and Kanchenjunga views
  • Batasia Loop & War Memorial — circular garden and Gorkha War Memorial; finest daytime Kanchenjunga view from Darjeeling
  • Darjeeling Tea Estate & Factory Visit — tour of working estate (Happy Valley or Makaibari); learn tea process (withering, rolling, oxidation, drying); professional tasting session; purchase teas at origin prices
  • Mall Road & Chowrasta — colonial-era promenade; clock tower, Planters’ Club, Laden La Road shops; famous bookshops of Darjeeling
  • Dinner at hotel — set alarm for 4:00 AM tomorrow for Tiger Hill sunrise

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: The Elgin Hotel Darjeeling / Mayfair Darjeeling / Cedar Inn (4-Star)

The final morning begins before dawn with the legendary Tiger Hill sunrise — the most famous view in the entire Eastern Himalayas. From Tiger Hill (2,590m), on a clear morning, the entire Kanchenjunga massif blazes in the first light of day, and on exceptionally clear days, even Mount Everest can be seen on the horizon, over 220 km away. It is the most spectacular sunrise viewpoint in India. Afterwards, we will have a final Darjeeling morning before driving down to Bagdogra Airport for our return flight to Bangkok.

  • 4:00 AM: Tiger Hill Sunrise — most famous view in Eastern India; drive in darkness to Tiger Hill (2,590m, 14 km from Darjeeling); Kanchenjunga massif turns gold in first light; on clear days, Mount Everest (8,849m) and Makalu visible far northwest
  • Return to hotel for full breakfast
  • Observatory Hill (Mahakal Temple) — sacred hill at Darjeeling’s centre; ancient temple draped in prayer flags; panoramic views of town & tea gardens
  • Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) — founded by Tenzing Norgay (first Everest summiteer, 1953); museum of Himalayan climbing history; expedition equipment; bronze statue of Tenzing at entrance
  • Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park — rare Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Black Bear; India’s finest high-altitude zoo
  • Darjeeling tea shopping — Nathmull’s Tea Room or Norden House; finest Darjeeling teas; option to send gifts home
  • Hotel check-out; drive Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport (78 km, approx. 2.5 hrs through tea gardens & plains)
  • Prime Value Tours coordinator assists with departure check-in formalities
  • Departure flight: Bagdogra (IXB) → Bangkok (BKK) via Kolkata (CCU) or Delhi (DEL); approx. 4–5 hrs total
  • Arrival Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) — warm farewell from Prime Value Tours team
  • Personalised Himalayan photo album, Darjeeling first-flush tea gift pack, Tibetan thangka miniature, and tour certificate presented to each guest
  • Tour concludes — the mountains, monasteries, and prayer flags remain in memory forever

Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: — (Departure Day)

Accommodation Overview

DestinationNightsPropertyCategory
Gangtok, Sikkim (1,650m)2 (Nights 1 & 2)Hotel Elgin Nor-Khill / Mayfair Spa Resort / Denzong Regency4 Star Heritage
Pelling, West Sikkim (2,150m)2 (Nights 3 & 4)Norbu Ghang Resort / Elgin Mount Pandim / Hotel Sikkim Crown4 Star (Kanchenjunga Views)
Darjeeling, West Bengal (2,042m)1 (Night 5)The Elgin Hotel / Mayfair Darjeeling / Cedar Inn4 Star Heritage

What's Included & Not Included

✓ Included✗ Not Included
  • Return airfare Bangkok (BKK) ↔ Bagdogra (IXB) — economy class
  • 5 nights accommodation (3–4 Star mountain hotels as listed)
  • Daily breakfast (5 mornings) + dinners as per itinerary (5 evenings)
  • Private mountain-capable AC vehicle (Innova/Bolero/Sumo) for all transfers
  • Expert heritage guide for all 6 days (Sikkim & Darjeeling)
  • Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass
  • Nathula RAP processing & coordination
  • All monument & site entrance fees (Rumtek, Enchey, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Khecheopalri Lake, HMI, Zoo, Batasia Loop)
  • Toy Train Darjeeling (UNESCO Heritage Railway) joyride
  • Tea estate guided tour & tasting (Darjeeling)
  • Supplemental oxygen on high-altitude transfers
  • Personalised photo album, Darjeeling tea gift pack & souvenir
  • Pre-departure altitude briefing kit
  • 24/7 Prime Value Tours emergency helpline
  • Personal travel insurance (mandatory — includes medical evacuation)
  • Indian e-Tourist Visa fees
  • Tips & gratuities (guide, driver, hotel staff)
  • Yak rides at Tsomgo Lake (optional, INR 200–300)
  • Camera / video fees at certain monasteries
  • Personal shopping (Tibetan crafts, thangka, Darjeeling tea)
  • Lunches (guide recommends local restaurants daily)
  • Ropeway at Gangtok (optional)
  • Personal beverages, room extras, minibar
  • Optional 5-Star upgrades
  • Medical expenses and Diamox prescription
  • Porter charges at hotels

Investment & Pricing — 10 Pax Private Group

Package TierAccommodationPrice / PersonTotal (10 PAX)
Standard3-Star mountain hotelsUSD 750USD 7,500
Comfort4-Star (recommended)USD 950USD 9,500
Premium4-Star Heritage propertiesUSD 1,250USD 12,500
VIP / LuxuryHeritage + Business Class flightsUSD 2,050USD 20,500

Prices based on twin-sharing. Single supplement available. Airfare based on Bangkok (BKK) to Bagdogra (IXB) via Kolkata. Best seasons: March–May and October–December. Subject to availability and permit conditions.

Essential Travel Tips — Sikkim & Darjeeling

Best SeasonMarch–May: Rhododendrons in bloom, pleasant 10–20°C, clear views before monsoon. Oct–Dec: Clearest mountain views, crisp air 5–18°C, lush greenery post-monsoon. Jun–Sep: Heavy monsoon, landslides common, roads blocked. Dec–Feb: Very cold (below 0°C at altitude), icy roads possible.
AltitudeGangtok (1,650m) & Darjeeling (2,042m) — no major issues. Tsomgo Lake (3,753m) & Nathula Pass (4,310m) — caution advised. Rest on arrival, hydrate, avoid alcohol, no running. Diamox recommended for Nathula. Supplemental oxygen provided.
PermitsSikkim Inner Line Permit (ILP) — required for foreign nationals; available at Rangpo checkpoint or online. Restricted Area Permit (RAP) — Nathula & Tsomgo; valid only for Indian citizens. Prime Value Tours handles paperwork.
ClothingLayered clothing essential. Pack: thermal inners, fleece/down jacket, waterproof jacket, warm hat & gloves, sturdy shoes. Darjeeling mornings can be 5°C even in October.
India VisaIndian e-Tourist Visa — apply online 4–5 days before travel. Single-entry sufficient, valid 365 days. Cost USD 25–80 by nationality. Note: Nathula restricted to Indian nationals; foreign visitors permitted at Tsomgo Lake.
CurrencyCurrency: Indian Rupee (INR). ATMs in Gangtok MG Road & Darjeeling. No ATMs at Tsomgo, Nathula, or Pelling outskirts. Carry INR 3,000–5,000 daily. USD/THB exchange available at hotels.
ConnectivityBSNL best in hill areas. Airtel & Jio available in Gangtok & Darjeeling. No signal at Nathula & high-altitude routes. All 4-Star hotels have Wi-Fi. Prime Value Tours WhatsApp/LINE group ensures coordination.
ShoppingSpecialties: Darjeeling first/second flush tea, Tibetan thangka paintings, prayer wheels, singing bowls, Lepcha fabrics, Sikkimese bamboo crafts, Tibetan carpets, dried rhododendron flower products from Pelling.

Booking Process & Cancellation Policy

Booking StepsPayment & Cancellation
  • Step 1: Submit inquiry — names, travel dates, nationalities
  • Step 2: Receive personalised quote & itinerary within 24 hrs
  • Step 3: Review, customise and confirm with all 10 guests
  • Step 4: Pay 30% deposit — booking confirmed; permit applications start
  • Step 5: Receive pre-departure kit: permit info, altitude guide, packing list
  • Step 6: WhatsApp / LINE group for all 10 guests + guide
  • Step 7: Day 1: Coordinator meets group at Suvarnabhumi Airport
  • Step 8: Post-tour: photo album, tea gift pack & certificate delivered
  • Deposit: 30% on booking confirmation
  • Balance: 60 days before departure
  • Cancel 60+ days: 80% refund
  • Cancel 30–59 days: 50% refund
  • Cancel under 30 days: Non-refundable
  • Road closure/weather: full credit note
  • Payment: USD / THB / bank transfer
  • Minimum: 10 pax to confirm tour

CONTACT US — BEGIN YOUR SACRED JOURNEY

HEAD OFFICE

Prime Value Tours Pvt Ltd

INDIA OPERATIONS

Siliguri / Gangtok / Darjeeling

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