15

Sikkim Darjeeling Tour Packages

Tsomgo Lake, which is also called Changu Lake, is a glacial lake in Sikkim located at around 12,313 feet. In the spring, the shimmering blue lake and bright primula flowers make for a picture-perfect scenery here. It is during this time that you can also spot rare birds, including rose finches, golden eagles, and brahminy ducks, flying around the lake. You may also spot musk deer or red pandas if you explore the surrounding Shiva Temple on the lake’s banks with our Sikkim and Darjeeling tour packages.

The lake becomes deep green and occasionally freezes as winter draws near, which adds another charm. Locals believe this holy lake is an abode of safeguarding deities, and thus, you can join the locals to pray here. You can also enjoy a peaceful and unique mountain experience with yak rides, pony rides, beautiful trails, and a calm atmosphere.

Location: Gangtok district

Best Time to Visit: March to June

Yumthang Valley, commonly known as Sikkim’s Valley of Flowers, is a breathtaking meadow located at an elevation of 11,693 feet. During spring, you can see the valley covered in a carpet of colour with blooming rhododendrons, primulas, orchids, and poppies. On a yak ride through the fields, you can see Panhunri and Shundu Tsenpa's snow-covered hills. 

At the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, you can witness over 40 kinds of rhododendrons. You can also relax at the Hot Spring Yumthang, which has warm water all year round as part of our Sikkim and Darjeeling tour packages. Adventurers seeking breathtaking views of pure snow can also hike to Zero Point which is the last point accessible by tourists. 

Location: Mangan District, North Sikkim

Best Time to Visit: Late February to June

At 8,500 feet above sea level, Tiger Hill is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling, offering a breathtaking view where you can see the sun rise over the world's tallest mountains. Before the sun even comes up, you can see Mount Kanchenjunga sparkling at sunrise. As part of the Sikkim and Darjeeling trip, you can witness Mount Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse behind you. Besides witnessing the Teesta and Mahananda Rivers running through the valleys, you can also see Tibet's Chumal Rhi mountain from the Tiger Hills.

Location: Darjeeling

Best Time to Visit: March to April, October to December

Located 22 km from Gangtok, Rumtek monastery is a well-known Tibetan Buddhist monastery that you can visit as part of our Sikkim and Darjeeling tour packages. Here, you can see the grand Golden Stupa, which holds the remains of the 16th Karmapa. Witness the golden ghanzira on top of the roof of Rumtek Monastery that stands for the five Tathagata (buddha) families. Within the Main Shrine Hall, you can view a big Buddha statue circled by a thousand smaller golden statues.

 You can see the Buddha's lessons, the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, and the Sixteen Arhats in great detail on the walls. You can see the thangkas hanging from red pillars and bright banners that add to the space's meaning. At special events like Saga Dawa and Losar, you can witness monks performing energetic mask dances called Cham.
 

Location: Tsurphu Labrang Pal Karmae Sangha Dhuche, Dharma Chakra Centre, Sikkim 737135

Best Time to Visit: May to June for Saga Dawa, February to March for Losar

Timings: Open 24/7

Batasia Loop is a 100-year-old circular train track close to Darjeeling, famous for presenting wide views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. As part of many Darjeeling tour packages, you can hop on the toy train going slowly around the loop, giving you a view of green hills and snowy peaks like Kanchenjunga from every angle. You can also visit the War Memorial, which honours the brave Gorkha soldiers, crossing the park, which is filled with purple hibiscus flowers. Additionally, you can catch stunning views of Darjeeling town and the Eastern Himalayas while enjoying a fun picnic in the Loop’s park with family and friends.

Location: Batasiya View Point, West Point, Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102

Best Time to Visit: March-June, October-November

Timings: Open daily 6 AM - 5 PM

The Darjeeling Himalayan Toy Train starts its beautiful trip in New Jalpaiguri and goes through Siliguri, Kurseong, and  Ghoom on its way to Darjeeling. Using five loops and six zigzags, the train climbs the steep slopes, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Himalayas at the Batasia Loop.

You can also go to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum at Ghum Station to learn about the interesting past of this lovely train as part of the Sikkim and Darjeeling tour packages. The old British-built B-Class steam engines that power the train add to the appeal of the experience. 

Best time: March to May, October to December

The traditional cuisine of Sikkim offers you a mix of Tibetan, Nepali, and tribal elements in their cuisine. You can try steamed veggie or meat momos, kinema, which is a special meal made from fermented soybeans, and spicy thukpa noodle soup. With our Sikkim and Darjeeling tour packages, you can enjoy stir-fried wild ferns, chayote squash stews with mild spices, and bamboo shoot curries.

 For a stronger taste, try Sikkim's dalle peppers, which are also known as ‘fireballs’. You can also enjoy home-brewed spirits like Arra, a regional whiskey, or Tongba, a warm millet beer. Some of the best places where you can taste authentic Sikkimese cuisine are the Thakali Restaurant and Nimtho.

Price: INR 200-INR 2500

As part of the Sikkim Darjeeling packages, you can indulge in early morning prayers at Darjeeling's Ghoom Monastery, where monks chant next to a huge 15-foot Buddha. You can also see the golden prayer wheels slowly spin as the first morning light hits the hills at Dali Monastery in Darjeeling.

If you're in Sikkim, you can visit Rumtek Monastery to sit in silence and take in the monks' Buddha Vandana for a powerful spiritual experience. You can round up your visit by heading to Pemayangtse Monastery to see historic paintings and hear monks reciting gathas, sutras, and dharanis.

Location: Pemayangtse and Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, Ghoom and Dali Monastery in Darjeeling

Best time: Morning, 6 AM onwards

Price: INR 20 - INR 100

The Darjeeling ropeway ride begins at Singamari Station, 3 km from Chowk Bazaar, and takes you to a  height of 7,000 feet. During the ride you get to enjoy breathtaking views of dense  jungles, flowing streams like Little Rangeet and the snow-capped Kanchenjunga peaks.

Later, the gondola slowly takes you to the last stop at Tukvar Station at 5,262ft where you can relax at the little sitting area here. However, if you'd rather not wait, you can ride back on the gondola to complete a 4.6 km round-trip in about 15 minutes each way. This scenic ropeway ride is one of the top things to do in Darjeeling.

Best time: March to June, 10 AM onwards

Price: INR 260 for Adults, INR 130 for kids

Tashi View Point is a gorgeous vantage point that you can visit as part of the Sikkim Darjeeling packages. After a short hike of 7 kilometers from Gangtok, you reach this viewpoint where you can see different colours of Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu Peaks at dawn and dusk.

Additionally, Trek to Scenic Viewpoints like Tashi View Pointcan spot birds such as Pygmy Cupwings, Great Barbets, and Yellow-billed Blue Magpies from Tashi View Point., view the Phodong and Labrang Monasteries up close with the binoculars that are offered here. If you want to enjoy the view while drinking warm tea and snacks, there is a small café close by. Around the viewpoint, there are gift shops where you can buy locally made products from the area.

Best time: March to June, November to February

Price: Free entry, INR 10-INR 20 for binoculars