Long Weekend Getaway From Mumbai To Sikkim- Gangtok

We all know long weekends are rare, so if you find, one can make full use of it. I suggest you ditch the cliche vacation getaways near Mumbai and travel North. This will take more than just a long weekend, collect all your month’s leaves and head to North-East.
Here is an itinerary that will guide you for your trip from Mumbai to Sikkim-Gangtok. North-East is beautiful and at least once in your life, you should come here. It is one of the most refreshing places to be for your vacation. The culture of Sikkim, authentic food and beautiful landscapes are just the best thing!! Travellers from Mumbai to Sikkim- Gangtok get ready for the best that India has to offer!

How To Reach Sikkim?
If you want to take a flight and please take this as my very personal suggestion, book your flight 2 months in advance. You can get some best deals on flights if you plan your trip from Mumbai to Sikkim- Gangtok.
There aren’t direct flights to Sikkim so another option is to take a flight to Bagdogra and then rent a cab that will take you to Sikkim in about 4-5 hours. If you are a sucker for beautiful landscapes, I suggest you take this route and enjoy the raw beauty of Sikkim.
Road Trip To Sikkim-Gangtok 
You must have some good amount of dedication to take a road trip and you should have at least 2 drivers in your group if you are planning a long and tiring trip from Mumbai to Sikkim. It will take more than two days to reach Sikkim by road. Make sure you take pit stops and enough rest so that you can start early and fresh!
Trains to Sikkim 
The closest station from Mumbai to reach Sikkim is Darjeeling and multiple trains will take you there. You can also opt to take a train till Siliguri. And further local transportation, cabs can take you to Sikkim.
22519 Lokmanyatilak Terminus Kamakhya Express
05611 Lokmanyatilak Terminus Kamakhya Special
Guwahati Express
Karmabhoomi Express

Budget For Sikkim Trip
I will be brutally honest, Sikkim trip will not be cheap. The hotels here can be a little expensive, but the maximum money will be used in Travel from one tourist point to another. The food here is not too expensive. It is most definitely less than what we get in Mumbai.
So the trip to Sikkim – Gangtok per head along with stay should be around 20-25 thousand including the hotel and your travel.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Sikkim

1. Lachen 
If you are taking a cab from Sikkim/Gangtok it will take you good 3-4 hours and I suggest you start early on for this trip. The early morning sight of Sikkim and Gangtok you should not miss! Have a heavy breakfast and start an adventure to Lachen. And I call this an adventure because you will kind some narrow roads that are not very well made, there are also some rocky ends to these roads and you might experience rain on your way. But all of this will lead you to the most beautiful place in Sikkim. On your way don’t forget to take stops, taste the authentic Sikkim food, take some beautiful photos alongside the best that Sikkim has to offer! You will find some pretty waterfalls between lush greenery! Lachen town is at an altitude of 1,500 feet and it is covered by snow on all sides! What a soulful picture of Sikkim.

2. Tsomgo Lake
This holy lake of Tsomgo is situated at an altitude of 12, 400 feet and will most definitely leave you mesmerised! The lake is made of melted snow from mountains. As it is popularly believed that the best snow can only be experienced in Shimla, I think Sikkim is just as good and will leave you speechless.You will find small find beautiful little houses on either side of the lake and they are so pretty! After Lachen, this is the second most visited tourist spot! The journey to Lachen itself is just breathtaking. You will experience the true spirit of the North East.

3. Ravangla 
Ravangla is famously known as the Buddha Park o South Sikkim. The massive statue of Buddha makes this place s beautiful. Ravangla is home to many monasteries and here you learn their culture and the gods they follow. The town is situated at the elevation of 8000 feet and you come here to just adore the Sikkim culture. The majestic Buddha statue is 130 feet high and is worshipped by the people of Sikkim. It took years to get this statue made and will remain the most beautiful structure in Ravangla.

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4. Gangtok 
I am sure you have heard Gangtok is the best place in Sikkim, yes you have heard right! The city is surrounded by Monastries and the view from the top of Tashi View Point is just amazing. Gangtok is situated at an elevation of 1,650 meters. The place provides a view of the entire city from the top. The city is recognised for its Tibetan Buddhist centre and people from all over the world come to see Gangtok and experience bliss. Here, you can do a lot of sightseeing from the cable train and some watersports like rafting.

5. Pelling
Pelling is located at the height of 7000 feet and is known as the crown of the city. The unending view of mountains, the beautiful sunsets and lush greenery is all that matter when you are in Sikkim. The whole state is just mesmerising and will not fail to make you feel rejuvenated. I think Sikkim is the least celebrate tourist vacation and must be given due credit for its beauty.

Best Time To Visit Sikkim
The best time to visit Sikkim and Gangtok is between June to November and it is a lot crowded during that time. You will find the train getting full by May itself and flights start getting costly around the same time. So plan your trip strategically to avoid heavy pricing! Also, if you want to avoid the crowded time, then you must go between January and December. The weather here is pleasant and you will not find the humidity you experience back in Mumbai. The air is cleaner and the lakes here are a pleasure to your eyes.

Recommended Itinerary :

Day 01: NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport – Gangtok (120 kms / 5 hrs)
On arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport & transfer to Gangtok (5,500 ft.). On arrival Check-in to hotel & rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Gangtok.
Day 02: Excursion to Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir
After breakfast start for an excursion to Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft.) & Baba Mandir (13,200 ft.) which is 55 kms one way from Gangtok city. Overnight stay at Gangtok.
(In case of Land slide or any other reason Tsomgo Lake is closed we will provided alternate sightseeing.)
Day 03: Gangtok – Lachung (103 kms / 6 hrs)
After breakfast check out from hotel with limited luggage and proceed to Lachung (8,700 ft.), North Sikkim. On the way take a break for some beautiful spots which are worth seeing and visiting like Naga Waterfall, The Confluence of Lachen Chu & Lachung Chu at Chungthang and Bhim Nala Waterfall. On arrival at Lachung check into your hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at Lachung.
Day 04: Lachung – Yumthang Valley Excursion
After breakfast proceed to Yumthang Valley which is known as Valley of Flowers (12,000 ft. Known as Valley of Flowers). On the way back, visit Hot Spring considered to have medicinal properties. Back to resort. Overnight stay at Lachung.
Day 05: Lachung – Gangtok (103 kms / 6 hrs)
After breakfast proceed to Gangtok (5,500 ft.). On the way if the weather is clear you may get to see Mighty Khangchendzonga from Singhik view point. On arrival at Gangtok check-in to your hotel. Rest of the evening free for your own activities. Overnight stay at Gangtok.
Day 06: Gangtok – Pelling (150 kms / 5 hrs) via Chardham
After breakfast start for Pelling (6,300 ft.). Enroute visit Temi Tea Garden, Samdruptse & Siddheshwar Dham (Chardham) in Namchi. On arrival check-in to your hotel. Overnight stay at Pelling.
Day 07: Pelling Sightseeing
After breakfast start for full day sightseeing. 1st Half tour - Darap village, Rimbi water Falls, Khecheopalri Lake & Khangchendzongha waterfalls. In afternoon start for 2nd half tour - Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdantse Ruins, New Helipad Ground. Overnight stay at Pelling.
Day 08: Pelling – Darjeeling (80 Kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast transfer to Darjeeling (6,950 ft.) via Singla Check post. On arrival check-in to hotel & rest of the day free. Overnight stay at Darjeeling.
Day 09: Darjeeling Sightseeing
Early Morning (at 04:00 am) drive to Tiger hill (8,400 ft.) to watch the spectacular sunrise over Mt. Khangchendzongha (28,208 ft. Worlds 3rd highest peak), on your way back visit Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop. After breakfast visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, P.N. Zoological Park (Thursday closed), Tenzing Rock, Tibetan Refugee self-help Centre (Sunday closed), Tea Garden (outer view), Ropeway and Japanese Temple. Evening free for shopping or leisure. Overnight stay at Darjeeling.
Day 10: Darjeeling – NJP Rly Station / IXB airport (75 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast Check-out from hotel on time & transfer to NJP Railway station / IXB Airport for your onward journey.