Sikkim
Himalayan monasteries under Kanchenjunga
India's cleanest, greenest and first fully organic state sits under the world's third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga. Gangtok is a tidy, cheerful capital; the west holds Buddhist monasteries and the ruins of the old kingdom at Rabdentse; the north climbs to alpine lakes and the plateau at Gurudongmar. Indians need no permit to enter, but the high-border areas need special passes.
When to go
Top places in Sikkim
Gangtok
MG Marg promenade, Rumtek and Enchey monasteries, cable car and views of Kanchenjunga on clear mornings.
Tsomgo Lake & Nathu La
A glacial lake and the historic Silk Route pass at 14,000 ft; a special permit is needed and Nathu La opens only some days.
North Sikkim
Lachen, Lachung, the Yumthang 'valley of flowers' and the high plateau lake of Gurudongmar — permit and 4WD required, weather-dependent.
Pelling & West Sikkim
Pemayangtse monastery, the Rabdentse ruins of the second capital, and Kanchenjunga close up.
Yuksom & Khangchendzonga NP
The 1642 coronation site and gateway to the Goecha La trek, in a mixed World Heritage park.
Rumtek Monastery
The grand seat of the Karmapa, a short drive from Gangtok.
Getting there
By air. Bagdogra (near Siliguri) is the gateway, about 4–5 hrs by road to Gangtok; the state's own Pakyong airport has no scheduled flights at present. Helicopter Bagdogra–Gangtok runs weather permitting.
By rail. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the railhead; the Sivok–Rangpo line into Sikkim is due around 2027.
By road. NH-10 follows the Teesta from Siliguri; landslide-prone in the monsoon, so build in a buffer day.
Permits
Indians need no permit to enter Sikkim, but Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La and North Sikkim need special border-area permits arranged through a registered operator. Foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit, obtained online in advance.
Open the permit checker →Eat & spend
Try: Momos and thukpa, Gundruk and sinki (fermented greens), Phagshapa (pork with radish), Chhurpi cheese and tongba (millet beer).
Budget: Mid-range. Gangtok hotels ₹2,000–8,000; North Sikkim sold as 2–3 day packages ₹3,500–6,000+ including permits and 4WD.
Sikkim at a glance
Reference figures. Population and literacy are from the 2011 Census, India's latest.
| Capital | Gangtok | Statehood | 16 May 1975 |
| Area | 7,096 km² | Population | 6.1 lakh |
| Literacy | 81.4% | Districts | 6 |
| Languages | Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha; English | ||
| Good to know | India's least-populous state and its first fully organic one. | ||