5 Days Gangtok & Pelling

An early start east towards the Nathu La road. Tsomgo sits at 3,753 m, an oval glacial lake about a kilometre long that freezes over in winter and changes colour with the season. We continue to Baba Mandir, then turn back down the same road.

This is the highest you'll go on most of our routes, and it is felt — take it slowly for the first hour up there and drink more water than you think you need. Nathu La can be added if permits are available; ask us at least two days ahead.

55 KM EACH WAY · 3,753 M · PERMIT REQUIRED

The long way west, and the better one. First Namchi, where the Chardham complex holds a 33 m Shiva above replicas of the four great pilgrimage temples. Then Ravangla, and the 40 m gilded Buddha standing over a park laid out along the ridge.

Both are worth the stop rather than the photograph. We reach Pelling in the evening — on a clear day the Khangchendzonga range is directly in front of your hotel.

135 KM · 6 HRS · PELLING 2,150 M

Start with the SkyWalk — a glass walkway out over the drop beneath the Chenrezig statue, and not for everyone. Then Rimbi Waterfalls and Khecheopalri Lake, which local belief holds is kept clear of fallen leaves by the birds.

The afternoon belongs to two things standing side by side: Pemayangtse Monastery, founded in 1705 and still one of the most important in Sikkim, and the ruins of Rabdentse, the kingdom's second capital, at the end of a short walk through forest.

FULL DAY · 6 STOPS · PEMAYANGTSE 1705

Out of West Sikkim and down to the plains — a longer run than the Gangtok departure, so we usually start earlier. Confirm your flight or train time with us the evening before and we will work back from it.

130 KM · 5 HRS · START EARLY