MOUNTAINS - MONASTERIES - TEA - CULTURE

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
  • Rumtek Monastery — 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

Book the Sikkim Darjeeling Tour Package 6 days with a private AC vehicle. Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Tiger Hill sunrise, Kanchenjunga views & toy train ride, 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 (8,586 m), 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. Add the Golden Triangle or Buddhist package in India.

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)

Accommodations

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). Expert Sikkim & Darjeeling heritage guide throughout.

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

The Eastern Himalayan adventure starts with a flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal. This is the way to get to the Himalayan states of Sikkim and Darjeeling. The drive from Bagdogra to Gangtok, the charming capital of Sikkim, is steep and goes through terraced tea gardens and dense cloud forests. Gangtok is a small hill-station city at 1,650 meters with great views of the Kanchenjunga range. Sikkim is India’s smallest state. It used to be a Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, and its culture is very much based on Tibetan traditions. It is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

  • At Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the Prime Value Tours coordinator meets all 10 guests. They help with check-in, luggage, and reminders to wear warm clothes.
  • Flight: Bangkok (BKK) to Bagdogra (IXB) on IndiGo, Air India, or SpiceJet (about 3–4 hours with a stop in Kolkata or directly; a stop in Kolkata is recommended).
  • When you arrive at Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, a local guide will meet you and give you a mountain-capable vehicle.
  • Drive from Bagdogra to Gangtok (118 km, about 4 hours). The road goes up along the Teesta River through Sub-Himalayan forests and then up from the plains (150m) to Gangtok (1,650m) with sharp turns.
  • Banjhakri Falls is a beautiful tiered waterfall in a forest park where you can stop for refreshments and take pictures.
  • Check-in at Hotel Elgin Nor-Khill (Heritage), Mayfair Spa Resort, or Denzong Regency (4-Star) when you get to Gangtok.
  • MG Road (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) is a pedestrian-only promenade with Tibetan crafts, thangka paintings, prayer wheels, and singing bowls. There are also fusion restaurants and a lively evening atmosphere.
  • Do-Drul Chorten Stupa is an important stupa with 108 prayer wheels. Its golden spire can be seen from all over Gangtok. ceremony
  • Gangtok Ropeway (optional): a three-station cable car that gives you aerial views of the city and mountains (weather permitting).
  • Dinner at the hotel: Sikkimese food like thukpa (noodle soup), phagshapa (pork and radish stew), gundruk soup, momo dumplings, and Chang (millet beer).

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

The most dramatic day of the tour, going up from Gangtok through more and more beautiful high-altitude terrain to Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake), which is 3,753 meters above sea level and one of Sikkim’s most sacred glacial lakes. Then on to Nathula Pass (4,310m), the old Silk Road trading post on the border between India and China. It is one of only three open border crossings between the two countries, and Indian and Chinese soldiers stand face to face across the divide. The beautiful Baba Mandir military shrine on the way back to Gangtok makes for an amazing day.

  • Health check, breakfast at 7:00 AM, and leaving
  • For Tsomgo and Nathula, you need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) that you set up ahead of time. You don’t have to wait in line.
  • The drive from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake (38 km, about 1.5 hours) is a steep climb through rhododendron forests, army camps, and alpine terrain. You can see yak herders in late spring.
  • 3,753m Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake):
    • Hindus and Buddhists consider this oval glacial lake to be holy.
    • The color of the water changes with the seasons: it is frozen in the winter, turquoise in the summer, and copper-gold in the fall.
    • Optional yak rides (INR 200–300)
    • Tsomgo Temple by the lake
    • Amazing views of mountains and glaciers
  • Nathula Pass: 4,310 meters (India-China border)
    • Old Silk Road trade route
    • Officially marking the India-China border
    • The Indian and Chinese army posts are across from each other. There is a weekly market.
    • Prayer flags all over the place and a stunning view of the mountains
    • Note: You may need extra oxygen; you can only stay for 15 minutes.
  • Baba Mandir is the military shrine of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, who is honored by the Indian Army.
  • Come back to Gangtok by nightfall.
  • Enchey Monastery is a 200-year-old monastery on a hilltop. People perform the Cham (Lama dance) here, and you can see all of Gangtok and the mountains from here.
  • Dinner at the hotel—time to rest and healthy

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

Drive west through Sikkim to the beautiful mountain town of Pelling, which is the best place to see Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest peak in the world. On the way, stop by Rumtek Monastery, which is the biggest and most important monastery in Sikkim and one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist centers in the world. It is where the Kagyu order lives. Pelling is one of the best places to see the Indian Himalayas. On clear mornings, Kanchenjunga fills the whole sky.

  • Gangtok hotel breakfast and check-out
  • Rumtek Monastery (Dharmachakra Centre) is the biggest monastery in Sikkim and the home of the Kagyu (Black Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built in the 1960s to look like the original Rumtek in Tibet. It has a golden temple with murals, a golden stupa of the 16th Karmapa, monks’ quarters, and a debating courtyard.
  • Namdroling Monastery and the monastery complex around it in the Rumtek area
  • Drive west to Pelling (140 km, about 4–5 hours with breaks). The scenery is amazing, with mountains, deep river gorges, and forests that smell like cardamom.
  • Arrival in Pelling (2,150 m) — check in at Norbu Ghang Resort, Hotel Sikkim Crown, or Elgin Mount Pandim (4-star, Kanchenjunga view rooms).
  • Kanchenjunga Evening Views: You can see the 8,586m peak, glaciers, and massif directly. The guide will point out named peaks and glaciers.
  • The Pemayangtse Monastery, also known as Tashiding Gompa, was built in 1705 CE. It is one of Sikkim’s oldest monasteries and is part of the Nyingmapa Buddhist order. Its most famous feature is the 7-story wood-carved Zangdog. Palri model (the place where Guru Rinpoche lives in heaven)
  • Rabdentse Ruins was the second capital of the ancient Kingdom of Sikkim (17th–18th CE). They are a dramatic ruined stone palace on a ridge with Kanchenjunga in the background. They are a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Dinner at the hotel: West Sikkimese food like nettle soup, bamboo shoot pickle, and churpi (yak cheese) curry

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

A full day in Pelling, which has one of the best views in the whole Indian Himalayan arc. The best part of this day is the early morning drive to the Kanchenjunga Sunrise viewpoint. Watching the first light of dawn change the color of the snow-covered 8,586-meter peak from pale gray to bright orange-gold is one of the most amazing things you can see in nature anywhere in the world. The day goes on with trips to the holy Khecheopalri Lake, the highest suspension bridge in Asia 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 back into West Bengal from Pelling and then up to Darjeeling, which is known as the “Queen of the Hills” and is one of the most romantic and beautiful hill stations in all of Asia. The British built Darjeeling in 1835 as a sanitarium and a place to grow tea. It became the summer home of the Raj and the world’s most famous tea. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It runs through the town on a narrow-gauge steam track that has been there since 1881. The unforgettable reward for tomorrow morning is the sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill.

  • 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 and Bokar Monastery: a peaceful Sumendu Lake surrounded by hills. You can row a boat or ride a horse. The Bokar Rinpoche monastery looks out over the water. There are also orange orchards and cardamom farms nearby.
  • Mirik Tea Garden is a working Darjeeling tea estate where you can walk through tea rows, watch pickers work, and taste fresh Darjeeling green and first-flush teas.
  • Drive Mirik to Darjeeling (52 km, about 2 hours) on a classic Himalayan road that goes through layers of tea estates.
  • Check-in at the Elgin Hotel (heritage), Mayfair Darjeeling, or Cedar Inn (4-star) when you get to Darjeeling.
  • The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a famous narrow-gauge steam train that has been running since 1881. It goes in loops and zigzags through town and tea gardens. The Batasia Loop is a spiral loop with views of the War Memorial and Kanchenjunga.
  • Batasia Loop and War Memorial: a round garden and the Gorkha War Memorial; the best view of Kanchenjunga during the day from Darjeeling
  • Factory and Tea Estate in Darjeeling Go on a tour of a working estate, like Happy Valley or Makaibari. Learn about the tea-making process (withering, rolling, oxidation, drying). Go to a professional tasting session and buy teas at their original prices.
  • Colonial-era promenade Mall Road and Chowrasta; clock tower, Planters’ Club, Laden La Road shops; famous bookshops of Darjeeling
  • Dinner at the hotel—set an alarm for 4:00 AM tomorrow to see the sunrise at Tiger Hill.

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

The famous Tiger Hill sunrise, which is the most famous view in the whole Eastern Himalayas, marks the start of the last morning. On a clear morning, the whole Kanchenjunga massif shines in the first light of day from Tiger Hill (2,590m). On very clear days, you can even see Mount Everest on the horizon, over 220 km away. It is the best place in India to see the sunrise. After that, we’ll have one last morning in Darjeeling before driving to Bagdogra Airport for our flight back to Bangkok.

  • 4:00 AM: Tiger Hill Sunrise—Eastern India’s most famous view. Drive in the dark to Tiger Hill (2,590m, 14 km from Darjeeling). The Kanchenjunga massif turns gold in the first light. On clear days, you can see Mount Everest (8,849m) and Makalu far to the northwest.
  • Go back to the hotel for a 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
  • For the best Darjeeling teas, go to Nathmull’s Tea Room or Norden House. You can also send gifts home.
  • Check out of the hotel and drive from Darjeeling to Bagdogra Airport (78 km, about 2.5 hours through tea gardens and plains).
  • Prime Value Tours coordinators assist with departure check-in formalities
  • The flight leaves from Bagdogra (IXB) and goes to Bangkok (BKK) via Kolkata (CCU) or Delhi (DEL). The whole trip takes about four to five hours.
  • Arrival Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)—warm farewell from Prime Value Tours team
  • A personalized 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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